Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

The Zoo Crew is spinning a classic today with Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) by Journey, from their 1983 album Frontiers. This track, a staple for Zoo Freaks, was born in a whirlwind of creativity during Journey’s 1982 Escape tour. Keyboardist Jonathan Cain shared in a 1983 Hit Parader interview that he and lead singer Steve Perry crafted the song backstage, with Cain on a Casio keyboard and Perry on bass. They nailed the melody that night and polished the lyrics the next afternoon, a rare case of a song coming together so fast it was debuted live before recording. Cain noted the band’s aim was to blend “Motown with R&B and blues,” giving the track its distinctive edge, with Neal Schon’s heavy guitar adding Journey’s signature rock flair. The song hit #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, holding that spot for six weeks, and topped the Rock Tracks chart for four.

The music video for Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) is a notorious piece of ‘80s cheese, shot in New Orleans and featuring the band playing air instruments on a warehouse dock. It was their first concept video, but it drew mixed reactions. Jonathan Cain later lamented the “air keyboards,” saying in 1999 that he’d “never live down” the video, which MTV ranked as the 13th worst of all time. The animated series Beavis and Butt-Head famously roasted it, with the characters calling it “horrible” and mocking the band’s fashion. Cain was so upset he repeatedly called Journey’s manager to stop MTV from reairing the critique. Yet, the song’s legacy endures, boosted by its use in films like Tron: Legacy and Yes Man, and a spooky remix by Bryce Miller for Stranger Things season four in 2022, which Steve Perry loved and helped extend for the show’s soundtrack. Posts on X from fans, like one from @ThatEricAlper in April 2025, highlight how audiences went wild for its live debut, cementing its status as a fan favorite.

Journey’s drummer Steve Smith laid down a powerhouse performance on Separate Ways, with his dynamic fills making it a highlight of the Frontiers tour. According to Best Music Sheet, the song’s 130 BPM tempo and Smith’s improvisations electrified crowds at venues like the Houston Astrodome. Its driving rhythm and soaring chorus still resonate, as seen in fan covers like the 2018 version by Sershen & Zaritskaya on YouTube. The song’s theme of love lost but hopeful for reconciliation struck a chord, with lyrics reflecting the emotional turmoil of going “separate ways.” Its cultural staying power is evident in its use in TV shows like The O.C. and GLOW, and its trending resurgence after the Stranger Things remix hit Billboard’s Rock Digital Song Sales chart.

Journey began in San Francisco in 1973, formed by former Santana members Neal Schon (guitar) and Gregg Rolie (keyboards, vocals), alongside Ross Valory (bass), George Tickner (guitar), and Prairie Prince (drums). Initially called the Golden Gate Rhythm Section, they aimed to back other artists but soon pivoted to their own progressive rock sound, renaming themselves Journey. Their early albums, like their 1975 self-titled debut, leaned experimental, but success was modest. The game-changer came in 1978 with Steve Perry’s arrival as lead singer, whose emotive voice propelled their shift to melodic rock. Their 1981 album Escape, with hits like Don’t Stop Believin’, launched them to superstardom. By Frontiers in 1983, Journey was a commercial juggernaut, blending arena rock with polished production, though lineup changes, including Perry’s departure in 1998, kept their story dynamic. Current lead singer Arnel Pineda, joined in 2007, keeps their live energy alive.

Stay connected with Journey through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for tour updates and throwbacks. Fans can dive deeper at sites like Journey Tribute, which celebrates the band’s legacy, or join discussions in Journey Fans on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks might find kindred spirits sharing concert memories and vinyl hauls. These communities keep the spirit of Separate Ways and Journey’s epic journey alive for fans old and new.