LOVE TRAX: ‘Sentimental Rubbish’ Or Smash Hit?

Today’s THROWBACK LOVE TRAX has the story behind another favorite ’80s love song.

And just like yesterday’s, this song also got a second chance – and we’re so glad it did!

“Open Arms” is Journey’s biggest hit and dates back to 1982. It reached a high of No. 2 on the Billboard chart, and VH1 has called it the greatest power ballad of all time.

Band member Jonathan Cain started working on the song in 1979 when he was with a different band called The Babys.

The Babys were not impressed with the song, and bassist John Waite even called it “sentimental rubbish.”

Fast forward to Cain joining Journey in 1980. Cain brought the unfinished song to writing sessions with Steve Perry and the two worked on it, changing the key and melody slightly.

However, the song still didn’t strike the right chord with guitarist Neal Schon. He disliked it because “it was so far removed from anything [Journey] had ever attempted to record before.” He even said it sounded like Mary Poppins!

Perry and Cain fought for the song and described the recording sessions as an ordeal.

The band first performed the song in concert in the fall of 1981 – and the crowd was described as “thunderstruck.”

Schon couldn’t believe it – but finally admitted the song was good! 

Many artists have covered the song over the years  – Mariah Carey, Barry Manilow, Boyz II Men, Dolly Parton, and Celine Dion.

Here’s a few versions of this THROWBACK LOVE TRAX!