Simon Rushworth
Unless you listen to Planet Rock 24/7, or play your iPod on AOR heaven repeat, then it’s not often you hear Journey’s classic Don’t Stop Believin’ blasting out these days.
And yet when it does there’s never a grim face to be seen.
With that classic piano hook and guitar solo to die for – plus some of the sweetest vocals you’ll ever experience – it’s a feelgood hit for generations.
This week I was lucky enough to bag a double dose of one my favourite all-time ballads. And all around me people couldn’t help but hum, nod and bop along to the US supergroup’s finest ever offering.
Proving the point that rock really is for all, the track caused quite a stir at Croft Park – the home of non-league footy outfit Blyth Spartans and hardly renowned for its taste in music.
The occasion was an FA Cup tie against the might of Premier League Blackburn Rovers. And it was the night when Spartans would run out to their very own rock anthem.
But if the Quireboys’ latest – We’re The Famous Blyth Spartans (And We’re Going To Wembley) – got the odd fan off their feet it had nothing on Journey’s 80s standard.
For as soon as those first few ivories were tinkled grown men started swaying and old women began whistling under their breath.
Conversation stopped and 3,000-plus fans braving the biting cold suddenly felt warm inside.
When AC/DC crackled across the tannoy moments later there was barely an acknowledgement from fans raised in Brian Johnson’s neck of the woods.
But Rock N Roll Train is no Don’t Stop Believin’. And it never will be.
For Blyth fans hoping for an FA Cup shock it clearly had extra meaning. But it’s always been a title and a tune capable of creating poignancy out of the ordinary.
Less than 24 hours later I was urging on my three-year-old daughter at the local swimming pool when it hit me again.
That same song, turning the speakers to gold and bringing a tear to a father’s eye.
It’s not the most obvious background music when you’re trying to teach your children the backstroke and clearing steamed up goggles.
But I’d rather be sat in a freezing cold pool listening to Journey than your average pop pap.
And once Katie had delivered the standard air guitar solo she raced down the pool like Rebecca Adlington on steroids (allegedly).
You see, even kids are touched by the quality of classic rock. And when it’s played like that then it’s no surprise.
Don’t Stop Believin’. Just don’t.