Top 10 Journey Covers on YouTube

Don’t you get annoyed when you have to sit through a commercial just to watch your YouTube video? Sometimes you’re forced to watch “30 seconds” of an ad before you can click “skip”. In many of those “30 seconds”, I am sure that the words “Don’t Stop Believing” or “Anyway you want it, That’s the way you need it” have been played. From powerful anthems to beautiful ballads, the songs of Journey have been monumental in our mainstream culture. It’s no surprise that many musicians pay tribute to the vocals of Steve Perry and the guitar riffs of Neal Schon through their own versions of this band’s greatest hits.  Hunting through YouTube, I have complied a list of 10 covers of Journey songs (in no ranking whatsoever) that you surely don’t want to miss.

1. Stone in Love – Cover performed by Alex Ward

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnzeRiuJJgQ

I am not a sucker for solely instrumental versions of songs, but this is an exception. While Steve Perry gets credit for his outrageous vocal range in the original song, the real star is Neal Schon’s guitar-work. Alex Ward, a not-so-very-known guitar cover artist on YouTube imitates Schon’s riffs flawlessly. Alex brings out the element of guitar of this song like never before.

2. Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’ /Anyway you Want it – Cover performed by Glee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HfrWzdcOHc

It’s almost hard for me to admit that I am a fan of Glee, but it’s hard for me to deny how perfectly the musical director blended these two songs together.  This short medley is fun, feisty, and worth a listen to many times over.

3. Who’s Crying Now – Cover performed by Yotsuya OutBreak!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X90IdAQcoBg

What? A Japanese Journey cover band? Count me in! From the instrumentation to the vocals, it’s pretty easy to forget that you aren’t listening to the real deal. Yotsuya OutBreak depends a little more on their keyboards and synthesizers to play the song, so this cover has that Asian rock zest to it.

4. Wheel in the Sky – Cover performed by James Patrick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP6YP2JvoCs

I am a firm believer that pretty much any song can be “acoustified”, yet I was still pleasantly surprised to find a acoustic guitar version of this song. Yes, this guy has a decent voice, but really his folk-style playing that draws me in. In my opinion, the guitar accompaniment of James Patrick to me gives more emotions to the words than the original song.

5. Separate Ways – Cover by Michael Henry and Justin Robinet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGEPrw6Xla4

Michael Henry and Justin Robinet are best known for their renditions of Owl City songs and other more recent artists. Not only do their voices complement each other, but also they are both fantastic pianists, and have fun while playing. They harmonize perfectly with each other, and neither overpowers the other. The original “Separate Ways” would definitely be seen as a rock anthem, yet these two artists somehow managed to slow it down and make it more passionate. I approve of this rendition 100%.

6. Lights – Cover by PDxguitarfreak et. al

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHsxouvpS9c

What do you do if you are a musician who wants to form a band but does not know any other musicians around? You go on YouTube and find other artists in order to make a virtual band. From the west coast all the way down to Florida, PDxguitarfreak assembled a team in order to recreate this classic. While this cover was influenced by much technology, it is really easy to appreciate the unique flavor each member brings to this piece.

7. Anyway You Want it (Punk Rock Version) – Cover by Rise Against

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO4US2payNs

No one captures that “in your face” feeling much like Rise Against. This song was definitely meant to pump up a crowd and get them going, and this cover more than does it. Its raw energy only makes me want to have this song “just the way I want it.”

8. Faithfully – Cover by Boyce Avenue

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALph_u2iee8

Boyce Avenue is one of the more famous YouTube stars known for covering classic hits. The lead man, Alejandro Manzano, has a voice very similar to Scott Stapp (Creed’s frontman).  What I love about this cover is the use of the Cajon to carry the rhythm along. The Cajon is basically percussion instrument that simply looks like a box

9. Don’t Stop Believing – Cover by Sam Tsui

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIoSTbPt_PI

            One Sam Tsui. Two Sam Tsui. Three Sam Tsui? Multiple Sam Tsuis? Sam is another famous YouTube cover artist, who actually had auditioned for Glee. Using only his voice, Sam overlays the vocal parts for all the instrumental in this song, and quite successfully may I add. He has a voice that will definitely melt the lady’s hearts, and he has a range rivals that of Steve Perry.

10. Open Arms – Cover by Arnel Pineda and The Zoo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpnEnt-qOw4

            If I told to close your eyes while listening to this cover, you would probably bet me $100 that this was a live performance of Journey. You would be wrong. Arnel Pineda, currently the lead singer of Journey, was actually discovered on YouTube for his perfect replica of Steve Perry’s voice. What makes this song so powerful is its soft sweet and emotional verses that ultimately build up to a high ranged belting of notes in the chorus. Arnel Pineda does not skip a beat on this cover.