ROCK MOMENT – Journey – ‘Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’
Journey’s ‘Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’’ stands as one of the band’s most emotionally powerful and enduring ballads, marking a crucial turning point in their rise to arena-rock superstardom. Released in 1979 on the album Evolution, the song captured Journey in the midst of a major transformation. With the arrival of lead singer Steve Perry, the band shifted from their earlier progressive rock roots toward a more melodic, radio-friendly sound. Perry’s soaring tenor and heartfelt delivery became the centerpiece of this new direction, and ‘Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’’ showcased that change perfectly.
The song was inspired by a painful personal experience for Perry, reflecting the heartbreak and betrayal of discovering infidelity. Its lyrics express vulnerability and emotional turmoil, while the music builds from a gentle, introspective opening into a powerful, cathartic climax. Neal Schon’s expressive guitar work, Jonathan Cain’s rich keyboard textures, and the steady rhythm section create a dramatic backdrop for Perry’s impassioned vocal performance. This combination of tenderness and intensity would soon become a signature element of Journey’s style.
Perhaps the most unforgettable feature of the song is its extended “na-na-na-na-na” chorus at the end. What might seem like a simple vocal chant became one of the most iconic moments in Journey’s catalog. Rather than using additional lyrics, the band allowed the repetition to serve as an emotional release, letting melody and feeling speak where words no longer could. The gradual stripping back of the instrumentation gives the layered vocals room to shine, creating a powerful, communal atmosphere.
This ending also transformed the song into a live concert favorite. The chant-like simplicity of the “na-na” section invites audience participation, turning personal heartbreak into a shared experience as thousands of voices join in unison. Neal Schon’s soaring guitar lines over the repeated vocals add a sense of resolution and triumph, lifting the song from sorrow into something almost celebratory.
‘Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’’ became Journey’s first Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped establish them as a major force on American radio. Decades later, its emotional depth, unforgettable melody, and legendary “na-na” chorus continue to make it one of the most recognizable and beloved power ballads in classic rock history.
