The rock power ballad “Open Arms” by the rock band Journey is often cited as one of the most beautiful rock songs of all time.
Fun Facts:
- The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart with the number two slot and made it to number four on the VH1 100 Greatest Love Songs.
- The single was featured on the 1981 Journey album Escape.
- It was co-written by band members Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain.
- The band was hesitant to record a ballad, but they got several encores when they played the song live for the first time during the Escape tour. It was then Journey knew they had a monster hit on their hands.
- “Open Arms” was put on the soundtrack to the animated movie Heavy Metal in 1981.
- The song has been covered and recorded by artists like Mariah Carey, Collin Raye, Boyz II Men and Celine Dion.
- “Open Arms” has been featured on film soundtracks and television shows like South Park, General Hospital and American Idol.
- The 2007 movie “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” featured the song, as well as the 1982 movie “The Last American Virgin.”
Lyrics:
Lying beside you, here in the dark
Feeling your heartbeat with mine
Softly you whisper, you’re so sincere
How could our love be so blind?
We sailed on together
We drifted apart
And here you are, by my side
So now I come to you with open arms
Nothing to hide, believe what I say
So here I am, with open arms
Hoping you’ll see what your love means to me
Open arms
Living without you, living alone
This empty house seems so cold
Wanting to hold you
Wanting you near
How much I wanted you home
But now that you’ve come back
Turned night into day
I need you to stay
So now I come to you with open arms
Nothing to hide, believe what I say
So here I am, with open arms
Hoping you’ll see what your love means to me
Open arms