Ask The Lonely

The Zoo Crew is spinning the heartfelt track Ask the Lonely by Journey, featured on the 1983 soundtrack for Two of a Kind. This song, a powerful rock ballad, was originally intended for Journey’s Frontiers album but was pulled at the last minute during a conference with their A&R representative Michael Dillbeck. Instead, it found a home on the Two of a Kind soundtrack, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart in January 1984. Its inclusion in the film, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, gave it a unique cultural footprint, blending Journey’s signature emotional depth with a cinematic backdrop. The song’s lyrics, penned by Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain, resonate with themes of heartbreak and resilience, making it a fan favorite among Zoo Freaks for its raw, uplifting energy.

Trivia surrounding Ask the Lonely highlights its enduring fan-driven legacy. While it never received an official music video, fans have created their own visual tributes on platforms like YouTube, weaving personal imagery and narratives that amplify the song’s themes of longing and connection. These fan-made videos, often praised for capturing the track’s emotional core, showcase Journey’s ability to inspire creative expressions across generations. In studio anecdotes, the song’s recording at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, produced by Mike Stone and Kevin Elson, utilized innovative techniques to mirror Journey’s live energy, a quality Zoo Freaks likely appreciate when the Zoo Crew cranks it up on THE ZOO. The track’s exclusion from Frontiers remains a point of intrigue, with some speculating it was a strategic move to bolster the movie soundtrack’s appeal.

Journey began in San Francisco in 1973, formed by former members of Santana, the Steve Miller Band, and Frumious Bandersnatch. The band, initially led by guitarist Neal Schon and keyboardist Gregg Rolie, started as a progressive rock outfit with a jazz-rock fusion edge. Their early years were marked by relentless touring and a focus on instrumental prowess, but they struggled to break through commercially. The pivotal shift came in 1977 when Steve Perry joined as lead vocalist, bringing a soulful, melodic sensibility that transformed Journey into a mainstream rock powerhouse. Their 1978 album Infinity marked their first major success, setting the stage for their iconic 1980s run, including hits like Don’t Stop Believin’ and the Escape album, which topped the Billboard 200 in 1981.

Today, Journey remains active, with Neal Schon as the last original member, joined by longtime keyboardist Jonathan Cain, vocalist Arnel Pineda, and others. Fans can connect with the band through their official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates, behind-the-scenes content, and nostalgic throwbacks. The band’s official website, journeymusic.com, offers exclusive merchandise and tour information. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, fan communities thrive online, including the Journey Fan Club on Facebook, a vibrant group where fans discuss the band’s music, share concert experiences, and celebrate tracks like Ask the Lonely. Another notable fan hub is Journey-Tribute.com, a site dedicated to the band’s legacy with detailed discographies and fan stories.