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Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) by Journey Lyrics Meaning – The Enduring Anthem of Heartache and Hope

by SMF AI · Published January 15, 2024 · Updated April 24, 2024

• Music Video

Unraveling the Tapestry of Heartache

The hidden meaning behind the chorus, a message of unwavering love and protection, memorable lines that echo through decades, the enduring resonance of ‘separate ways’.

Feeling that it’s gone Can change your mind If we can’t go on To survive the tide love divides

(Chorus) Someday love will find you Break those chains that bind you One night will remind you How we touched and went our seperate ways If he ever hurts you True love won’t desert you You know I still love you Though we touched and went our seperate ways

Troubled times Caught between confusion and pain…pain…pain Distant eyes Promises we made were in vain…in vain…in vain

If you must go I wish you love You’ll never walk alone Take care my love Miss you love

Ohhhhh Someday love will find you Break those chains that bind you One night will remind you

If he ever hurts you True love won’t desert you You know I still love you

Full Lyrics

In the pantheon of rock ballads, Journey’s 1983 hit ‘Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)’ stands as a towering beacon of heartache and resolve. With its thunderous energy and piercing lyrics, the song captures the universal human experience of love lost and the yearning for connection. The track’s poignant message, coupled with its undeniably catchy hooks, cemented it as a radio staple and a fan favorite.

Beyond its sheer rock prowess, the depth of emotion weaved into its verses and chorus invites a deeper exploration of its lyrical meaning. What is it that makes ‘Separate Ways’ so relatable and enduring? Diving into the heart of the song opens up a vault of introspection on love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships.

At its core, ‘Separate Ways’ is a narrative of two souls finding themselves at a crossroad. The visceral opening lines, ‘Here we stand / Worlds apart, hearts broken in two,’ immediately plunge the listener into the crux of a rift so profound it seems to fracture the universe itself. The song speaks to the inevitability of change and the pain that accompanies the realization that something once thought unbreakable can shatter.

The recurring theme of sleepless nights and losing ground reflects the struggle against the current of change, a poignant emblem of the resilience and desperation that often accompanies the end of a relationship. Here, Journey expertly encapsulates the internal turmoil of holding on to a lover who has already drifted miles away.

The song’s chorus surges with an infectious blend of hope and warning. ‘Someday love will find you / Break those chains that bind you’ is a promise of future happiness and a victory over present pain. Yet, there’s a raw acknowledgment woven into the backdrop of these words – a recognition that even amidst the promise of healing and new beginnings, the remnants of past love leave indelible marks.

Moreover, the phrase ‘One night will remind you’ evokes the notion that memory serves as both a comfort and a curse. While it can rekindle the warmth of old affection, it’s also an unwelcome guest that resurrects the specter of loss. This duality presents the audience with a complex emotional landscape to navigate.

The heartfelt assurance, ‘If he ever hurts you / True love won’t desert you,’ speaks to an undying loyalty that transcends the boundaries of their separate ways. This lyric suggests unconditional love, a love so powerful that it persists despite the fragmentation of the relationship. Journey imparts a sentiment that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever had to let go, yet continually cares from afar.

Through these lines, the song becomes a testament to the selflessness that often underpins true affection. It’s about wishing the best for someone, irrespective of personal heartache. Such is the song’s universal appeal – it not only mirrors the pain of separation but also the noblest human capacity for love.

As the song crescendos, the lyrics ‘I still love you, girl / I really love you, girl’ cut straight to the heart. This simple, direct phrase carries the weight of genuine emotion, undiminished by time or distance. Its repetition serves as a mantra, a resolute declaration amidst the cacophony of synthesizers and guitars.

The power of ‘Separate Ways’ lies not only in its grand instrumental arrangement but in these small, intimate admissions that form the backbone of its storytelling. The song’s legacy is fortified by such moments – lines that listeners have clung to in times of personal upheaval and that echo through the decades.

The magnetic pull of ‘Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)’ resonates with the timeless journey of human emotion. It’s a musical chronicle that speaks to the listener’s own history with love and loss, making it more than a song — it’s a shared human experience. Each chord and lyric hammers home the universality of recovering from a broken heart while remaining open to the possibilities of future love.

As its legacy continues to unfold, ‘Separate Ways’ stands not only as a staple of rock music but as a narrative that offers solace and solidarity to those navigating the tumultuous waters of love and separation. Journey’s masterpiece remains relevant, reminding us that though we may travel our separate paths, we are never truly alone in our experiences.

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Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) by Journey

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• Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain and lead vocalist Steve Perry wrote this song on tour during a period when two of the band members were going through painful divorces due to the stresses (and temptations) of life on the road. According to Journey's Time3 compilation, with guitarist Neal Schon and bass player Ross Valory going through painful - and expensive - divorces, Perry and Cain thought there should be some way to dredge something positive out of such circumstances. "There's got to be a more soulful way of looking at this," Perry told his collaborator, Cain. The pair worked out the tune in a hotel room using Cain's little Casio keyboard and the entire band worked up the fresh song the next afternoon at soundcheck, inserting the party-finished song into the program that night. "I think he mumbled his way through half the lyrics," said Cain, "but the audience just came unglued." The song was sitting in the band's pocket long before the beginning of sessions for the next album. Released as the first single off Frontiers , it zoomed up the charts to #8 in March 1983.
• This was used in the TV series The O.C. in Season 1 Episode 21 (2004) when Seth and Ryan are on their way to the airport. It also plays in the first episode of the Netflix series GLOW (2017) in a fantasy scene where the main characters battle it out in the wrestling ring. Other uses of the song include: The Simpsons ("All's Fair in Oven War" - 2004) Cold Case ("Greed" - 2004) Yes Man (2008) TRON: Legacy (2010) >> Suggestion credit : Anthony - Hermosa Beach, CA
• When MTV launched in 1981, the race was on to come up with unusual concepts for music videos. Journey staked their claim with the first ever "air band" video. That's right, the group played pretend instruments for much of the clip. Shot on a wharf in New Orleans, it was directed by Tom Buchholtz, who like many music video directors of the time, came from the world of directing commercials. Journey were dragged kicking and screaming into the video era. They knew MTV exposure was crucial for sales, but hated making the videos and left the concepts up to the directors, which is how they ended up on a wharf playing pretend instruments. In the book I Want My MTV by Craig Marks, we learn that lead singer Steve Perry cut his hair shortly before the shoot, and also that there was some drama on the set. Perry brought his girlfriend to the set - the same girl he sings about in " Oh Sherrie " - and she did not want Steve to have another girl playing his love interest in the video. "Sherrie was jealous and possessive," said Jonathan Cain. "There was a big kicking and screaming session. Sherrie was giving Steve a very bad time about that girl." Years later, Beavis and Butt-Head gave it a good mocking.
• A remix by the composer Bryce Miller was used in the trailer for season 4 of the Netflix series Stranger Things in 2022. This version is surprisingly spooky, with the song's refrain sounding like a classic horror movie theme. The song quickly started trending and entered Billboard's Rock Digital Song Sales chart dated April 23, 2022. An extended version of the remix appears at the end of episode 8, "Papa," which sets the stage for a climatic battle. Steve Perry, a big fan of the show, signed off on the project and got involved after hearing a demo of the remix. It was his idea to do an extended version, which appears on the show's soundtrack. As for the significance of the lyrics, Bobby Gumm of the marketing firm that worked on the remix explained : "The characters, at the end of the third season, did all go their separate ways, and even the ones that are still living in the same town have gone their separate ways a little bit. They're in different cliques and things like that."
• Halestorm's vocalist Lzzy Hale covered this song with Daughtry in January 2023. The video for their version wasn't planned. "I don't think either of us, Lzzy or myself, were actually 'dressed' for a video shoot," said Chris Daughtry. "We were basically just trying to get some b-roll to capture the studio experience of recording this track. But when we got the footage back, it was like, 'Well... This looks way cooler than I expected, so... I guess we have a music video now?' Haha. It was the most low-key, low-pressure video I've ever done."
• More songs from Journey
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• Lyrics to Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
• Journey Artistfacts

Comments: 23

• Jodie from Maryland They deserved a way better video for this great song.
• Montana Julian from Missoula, Mt It just seems to me that the thematic element of Separate Ways(Worlds Apart) musically speaking is a classical piece that I just can’t put my thumb on. Something maybe that Beethoven or Mozart might have done. Anyone else with a background in the classical classics hear what I am hearing?
• Seventhmist from 7th Heaven One of the most powerful songs ever made. Pain and anger in abundance, yet delivered with love and a last desperate touch of hope.
• Marc from -, Md First-ever interview with the girl in this video, including what she's doing now (plus never-published set pics): http://noblemania.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-girl-in-video-separate-ways-worlds.html.
• Nick from Ludlow, Ma I saw on another board about the gif of the opening air band part and searched for years who (At the time, I didn't know who anyone for Journey looked like, I'm a teen) so I saw the video and found out it was this song, I was shocked. I can't believe a song this epic was done so bad in a music video).
• Erica from Pensacola, Fl This is one for the mp3, morning workout/run! Love it!
• Jeff from Boston, Ma If your heart doesn't race when you hear this song you are dead inside.
• Jeff from Boston, Ma I agree the Frontiers album overall was bad, but this is a phenomenal song. If you can't relate to what this song is about, someday you will.
• Josep from Dubrovnik, Croatia Whenever this song comes on the radio, my brother punches my arm in rhythm with the guitar riff. Good times!
• Karen from Manchester, Nh I have to agree with most here...horrible video, but easily one of my favorite Journey songs (right up there with "Lovin', Touchin' Squeezin'"). This is one of those, "put the car windows UP, turn the volume UP, and sing along as loud as you can!"
• Jones from San Antonio, Tx It was a pretty dumb music video, but I love the song!!! -Steve Perry ROCKS!!!
• Chris from Meriden, Ct what makes the song great is the keyboard riff
• Ricky from Bountiful, Ut Holy crud, I laughed so hard I cried when I saw the video! But the song is... Epic. My band is working on a cover.
• Tony from Chicago, Il One of my favorite Breakup songs!!!!!!
• Aldrin from Manila, Philippines nice synthesizer sound accompanied by neil schon's deadly guitar riffs...
• Jennifer Harris from Grand Blanc, Mi I love the song and video! both mother and I love Journey.It hasn't been the same without Steve Perry.
• Benny from Chattanooga, Tn This is the song where Journey (my favorite band) officially "jumped the shark" God, Frontiers was so bad........
• Sanafabich from Santiago, Chile yeah, cheezy video but still great! you gotta love the 80's!
• Pete from Toronto, Canada this has got to be one of the cheeziest videos ever made! what was the director thinking http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZwAn3qOJU&search=Journey%20Seperate%20Ways
• Sara Mackenzie from Middle Of Nowhere, Fl good song!!!!!!!!!
• Michelle from Anaheim, Ca A long time ago, i was flipping channels in my parents room and on MTV they were showing the video, and little tidbits came up. the director had the band members playing air instruments-air guitar, air keyboards,etc.
• William from Toronto, Canada A good song. The synthesizers really emphasize the theme that the site has posted in my opinion.
• Mercedies from Soldotna, Ak This is one of my favorite journey songs. It's really emotional and the tune is awesome. You can actually feel what the band members are going through. A moving song really, and it's great live. When it's live you feel like you're there.

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Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

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Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana and Frumious Bandersnatch. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded. During that period, the band released a series of hit songs, including 1981's "Don't Stop Believin'", which became in 2009 the top-selling catalog track in iTunes history. Its parent studio album, Escape, the band's eighth and most successful, reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and yielded another of their most popular singles, "Open Arms". Its 1983 follow-up, Frontiers, was almost as successful in the United States, reaching No. 2 and spawning several successful singles; it broadened the band's ap… more »

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Written by: Steve Perry, Jonathan Cain

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, HIPGNOSIS SONGS GROUP

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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"Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 Sep. 2024. < https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/29501977/Journey/Separate+Ways+%28Worlds+Apart%29 >.

Missing lyrics by Journey?

Know any other songs by journey don't keep it to yourself, image credit, the web's largest resource for, music, songs & lyrics, a member of the stands4 network, watch the song video, top hot 100 songs 1983, billboard #8, more tracks from the album, original album classics: 5 albums.

• #2 Feeling That Way
• #4 La Do Da
• #5 Patiently
• #6 Wheel in the Sky
• #7 Somethin' to Hide
• #8 Winds of March
• #10 Opened the Door
• #11 Majestic
• #12 Too Late
• #13 Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'
• #14 City of the Angels
• #15 When You're Alone (It Ain't Easy)
• #16 Sweet and Simple
• #17 Lovin' You Is Easy
• #18 Just the Same Way
• #19 Do You Recall
• #20 Daydream
• #21 Lady Luck
• #22 Don't Stop Believin'
• #23 Stone in Love
• #24 Who's Crying Now
• #25 Keep On Runnin'
• #26 Still They Ride
• #28 Lay It Down
• #29 Dead or Alive
• #30 Mother, Father
• #31 Open Arms
• #33 Don't Stop Believin' [Live Version] [Live]
• #35 Open Arms [Live Version] [Live]
• #36 Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
• #37 Send Her My Love
• #38 Chain Reaction
• #39 After the Fall
• #40 Faithfully
• #41 Edge of the Blade
• #42 Troubled Child
• #43 Back Talk
• #44 Frontiers
• #45 Rubicon
• #46 Only the Young
• #46 Only the Young [*]
• #47 Ask the Lonely
• #47 Ask the Lonely [*]
• #48 Liberty
• #48 Liberty [*]
• #49 Only Solutions
• #49 Only Solutions [*]
• #50 Girl Can't Help It
• #51 Positive Touch
• #52 Suzanne
• #53 Be Good to Yourself
• #54 Once You Love Somebody
• #55 Happy to Give
• #56 Raised on Radio
• #57 I'll Be Alright Without You
• #58 It Could Have Been You
• #59 The Eyes of a Woman
• #60 Why Can't This Night Go on Forever

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Journey: Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

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The official music for "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" performed by Journey. The band performs the song in front of and around a warehouse. A young woman whom the song is addressed to (appare... Read all The official music for "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" performed by Journey. The band performs the song in front of and around a warehouse. A young woman whom the song is addressed to (apparently) is also present, entirely oblivious to the presence of the band. It ends with the wo... Read all The official music for "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" performed by Journey. The band performs the song in front of and around a warehouse. A young woman whom the song is addressed to (apparently) is also present, entirely oblivious to the presence of the band. It ends with the woman asleep in bed with headphones on.

• Tom Buckholtz
• Jonathan Cain
• Margaret Olmstead
• 2 User reviews

• Steve Perry

• Steve Smith

• Ross Valory
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• injury-65447
• Oct 8, 2020
• February 1983 (United States)
• United States
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• Runtime 4 minutes

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Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

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The song is actually call Seperate Ways (Worlds Apart) and it's about a guy who lost this girl he loves and she doesn't love him but in case she feels has no one to turn to he's still there for her.....with a broken heart love is still there......

Unless, of course, you are Steve Perry.

This song is way better than any song you will ever write.

I think this song is about how life is a series of moments. The singer is telling the girl he loved that she is worthy of love, the best love there is, even though they can’t be together.

That one night you have together will always remind you that true love exists. It’s out there.

So even if your other relationships don’t work out, you should remember that you experienced true love, even if it was just for that one night. You are never alone, because that moment happened. True love doesn’t desert us, it stays with us, even if we’ll never be with that person again.

Let's face it, the video would be nothing without Steve Perry's hair. There. I said it. That and the keyboard on the warehouse wall.

@drjayphd LOL did you watch that thing on Youtube by WatchMojo? It's hilarious!

This song I think in a way, compliments' This Boy' by The Beatles and vice versa. Its about being with someone who has just decided they dont want to be with you anymore, that they want to be with someone else...the other man so to speak. Its about letting them go but reminding them of everything you shared, times that you touched, and how you will still love them no matter what the outcome...if he hurts you, true love wont desert you. Its about always being there for them even though you may have gone your seperate ways for now. Fantastic song, I give it my two thumbs up anyhow... :)

even though two people are separated, they will always be together in a way. gotta love those keyboards throughout the song. and neal makes that guitar fucking WAIL!

i'm not much into love songs, but Journey does so much more than the typical "don't leave me" crap we hear on the radio/MTV these days.

very 80s but very cool

Steve Perry is the best there is.

tear beautiful song

If you've ever found real love and had to let it go, you can relate to this song...