"Feeling That Way" by Journey

Keyboard and vocalist Greg Rolie might be best known for his work with Santana, singing the leads on “Black Magic Woman,” “Oye Como Va,” and “Evil Ways.” Rolie left the San Francisco group at the height of their popularity in 1971, and two years later formed the Jazz Fusion / Progressive Rock outfit Journey. After three albums with poor sales, Columbia Records pressured the band to write radio “friendly” songs and to recruit a traditional, cocksure front-man. Enter vocalist Robert Fleischman, and eventually Steve Perry. With Perry, Journey climbed the charts, establishing themselves as one of the best-selling bands of all time.

“Feeling That Way” is from their 4th album Infinity. It’s the first to feature Perry and was their best-selling album to date. It’s also the first song to feature their duet style, and a song that would often be played in tandem with “Anytime” on radio stations.
​
Maybe I was too young to appreciate Journey or maybe I just couldn’t sing well enough to understand what all the fuss was about. Their music felt average and wasn’t at all adventurous. It was for adults who wore blue jeans and white sneakers. It was the mild cheddar of rock.

Of course, I adore these songs now, and have come to appreciate the musicianship, thoughtfulness and arrangements. Their hits have universal appeal and can be recreated in any genre, and although I have never been a fan of “piano rock,” Greg Rolie is a musician that deserves much more praise than he gets, having steered two of the most popular American Rock bands to success.