Journey
Any Way You Want It
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When Journey released “Any Way You Want It” in 1980, they delivered one of the most energetic and instantly recognizable songs of their career. Packed with soaring vocals, driving guitars, and a chorus built for arena singalongs, the track captured the band at a moment when they were rapidly becoming one of America's biggest rock acts.
The song was written by vocalist Steve Perry and guitarist Neal Schon for Journey's sixth studio album, Departure. It reflected the band's growing confidence as a songwriting team and their desire to create something that could connect with audiences immediately.
Perry reportedly developed the song's central idea while traveling with the band, drawing inspiration from the excitement of touring and the freedom associated with life on the road. Its subject matter is straightforward: attraction, spontaneity, and the excitement of doing things on your own terms. There isn't a complicated philosophical message hiding underneath it. Journey wanted a high-energy rock song, and they delivered exactly that.
Recording and Production
“Any Way You Want It” was recorded for Departure, released in March 1980. The album was produced by Geoff Workman and Kevin Elson, with the band continuing to refine the polished melodic hard rock sound that would define its most successful period.
The song begins with an instantly recognizable guitar riff from Neal Schon, quickly joined by the rhythm section and Steve Perry's powerful vocals. The arrangement wastes very little time getting to the point. From the opening seconds, it feels like a song designed to fill an arena.
Schon's guitar work provides plenty of energy, combining sharp rhythm playing with melodic lead passages. Gregg Rolie's keyboards add texture without overwhelming the guitars, while Ross Valory's bass and Steve Smith's drumming keep the track moving at a relentless pace.
Perry's performance is the real centerpiece. His voice moves effortlessly between the verses and the enormous chorus, delivering the kind of high-register vocals that became Journey's trademark. His ability to combine power with melody helped make the band's recordings so appealing to mainstream rock audiences.
The backing vocals also deserve attention. Their layered harmonies give the chorus an extra burst of energy, making it almost impossible not to sing along.
Commercial Success
Released as a single in 1980, “Any Way You Want It” reached No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also became a major rock-radio favorite, helping establish Journey as one of the leading American arena-rock bands.
Departure reached No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and eventually achieved multi-platinum status in the United States. The album also featured “Walks Like a Lady” and “Where Were You,” further demonstrating the band's growing commercial appeal.
Journey's popularity continued to explode with the release of Escape in 1981, which produced major hits including “Don't Stop Believin',” “Who's Crying Now,” and “Open Arms.” By that point, the band had become one of the biggest acts in American rock.
Although “Any Way You Want It” didn't reach the same chart heights as some of those later singles, it became one of Journey's most enduring recordings.
A Lasting Legacy
More than four decades later, “Any Way You Want It” remains a staple of classic rock radio and one of Journey's most recognizable songs. Its energetic opening, infectious chorus, and relentless pace have made it a natural choice for sporting events, movies, television, and live performances.
The song has also become closely associated with the band's classic lineup, particularly the partnership between Perry and Schon. Their songwriting chemistry helped create some of the most memorable melodic rock recordings of the late 1970s and 1980s.
Its appearance in the 1995 comedy Billy Madison introduced the song to another generation, while its continued use in popular culture has kept it firmly planted in the classic rock rotation.
Final Thoughts
“Any Way You Want It” is Journey at their most energetic and entertaining. It has a killer guitar riff, a fantastic vocal performance, and a chorus that practically demands an audience.
There's no unnecessary complexity, no lengthy instrumental wandering, and no attempt to turn a straightforward rock song into something it isn't. The band simply locks into a groove and delivers one of the most enjoyable recordings of its era.
Steve Perry and Neal Schon understood how to write songs that could sound equally impressive coming through car speakers or blasting from a stadium sound system.
“Any Way You Want It” is three and a half minutes of pure arena-rock excitement. Journey knew exactly what they were doing, and the song still gets the job done.
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The song was written by vocalist Steve Perry and guitarist Neal Schon for Journey's sixth studio album, Departure. It reflected the band's growing confidence as a songwriting team and their desire to create something that could connect with audiences immediately.
Perry reportedly developed the song's central idea while traveling with the band, drawing inspiration from the excitement of touring and the freedom associated with life on the road. Its subject matter is straightforward: attraction, spontaneity, and the excitement of doing things on your own terms. There isn't a complicated philosophical message hiding underneath it. Journey wanted a high-energy rock song, and they delivered exactly that.
Recording and Production
“Any Way You Want It” was recorded for Departure, released in March 1980. The album was produced by Geoff Workman and Kevin Elson, with the band continuing to refine the polished melodic hard rock sound that would define its most successful period.
The song begins with an instantly recognizable guitar riff from Neal Schon, quickly joined by the rhythm section and Steve Perry's powerful vocals. The arrangement wastes very little time getting to the point. From the opening seconds, it feels like a song designed to fill an arena.
Schon's guitar work provides plenty of energy, combining sharp rhythm playing with melodic lead passages. Gregg Rolie's keyboards add texture without overwhelming the guitars, while Ross Valory's bass and Steve Smith's drumming keep the track moving at a relentless pace.
Perry's performance is the real centerpiece. His voice moves effortlessly between the verses and the enormous chorus, delivering the kind of high-register vocals that became Journey's trademark. His ability to combine power with melody helped make the band's recordings so appealing to mainstream rock audiences.
The backing vocals also deserve attention. Their layered harmonies give the chorus an extra burst of energy, making it almost impossible not to sing along.
Commercial Success
Released as a single in 1980, “Any Way You Want It” reached No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also became a major rock-radio favorite, helping establish Journey as one of the leading American arena-rock bands.
Departure reached No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and eventually achieved multi-platinum status in the United States. The album also featured “Walks Like a Lady” and “Where Were You,” further demonstrating the band's growing commercial appeal.
Journey's popularity continued to explode with the release of Escape in 1981, which produced major hits including “Don't Stop Believin',” “Who's Crying Now,” and “Open Arms.” By that point, the band had become one of the biggest acts in American rock.
Although “Any Way You Want It” didn't reach the same chart heights as some of those later singles, it became one of Journey's most enduring recordings.
A Lasting Legacy
More than four decades later, “Any Way You Want It” remains a staple of classic rock radio and one of Journey's most recognizable songs. Its energetic opening, infectious chorus, and relentless pace have made it a natural choice for sporting events, movies, television, and live performances.
The song has also become closely associated with the band's classic lineup, particularly the partnership between Perry and Schon. Their songwriting chemistry helped create some of the most memorable melodic rock recordings of the late 1970s and 1980s.
Its appearance in the 1995 comedy Billy Madison introduced the song to another generation, while its continued use in popular culture has kept it firmly planted in the classic rock rotation.
Final Thoughts
“Any Way You Want It” is Journey at their most energetic and entertaining. It has a killer guitar riff, a fantastic vocal performance, and a chorus that practically demands an audience.
There's no unnecessary complexity, no lengthy instrumental wandering, and no attempt to turn a straightforward rock song into something it isn't. The band simply locks into a groove and delivers one of the most enjoyable recordings of its era.
Steve Perry and Neal Schon understood how to write songs that could sound equally impressive coming through car speakers or blasting from a stadium sound system.
“Any Way You Want It” is three and a half minutes of pure arena-rock excitement. Journey knew exactly what they were doing, and the song still gets the job done.