"Don't Stop Believin'" is a song by American rock band Journey, originally released as the second single from their seventh album Escape (1981). It became a number 9 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 on its original release after entering the chart at position 56 on 31st October 1981. In the United Kingdom, the song was not a Top 40 hit on its original release; however, it reached number 6 in 2009.

While a majority of songs have a refrain that is repeated several times throughout the song, the true chorus to "Don't Stop Believin'" (as well as first mention of its title) is not heard until the end of the song, with only 0:50 left. The song's writers designated the musically similar sections before the chorus as the "pre-chorus." The song's structure is:

Introduction (instrumental) (0:00–0:17)

Verse 1 (0:17–0:49)

Instrumental (0:49–1:05)

Verse 2 (half-length) (1:05–1:20)

Pre-chorus 1 (1:20–1:54)

Instrumental (1:54–2:01)

Verse 3 (2:01–2:33)

Pre-chorus 2 (2:33–3:05)

Instrumental (chorus) (3:05–3:21)

Chorus until fade (3:21–4:11)

Lyrics

Just a small town girl

Livin' in a lonely world

She took the midnight train goin' anywhere

Just a city boy

Born and raised in south Detroit

He took the midnight train goin' anywhere

A singer in a smoky room

A smell of wine and cheap perfume

For a smile they can share the night

It goes on and on, and on, and on

Strangers waiting

Up and down the boulevard

Their shadows searching in the night

Streetlights, people

Living just to find emotion

Hiding somewhere in the night

Working hard to get my fill

Everybody wants a thrill

Payin' anything to roll the dice

Just one more time

Some will win, some will lose

Some were born to sing the blues

Oh, the movie never ends

It goes on and on, and on, and on

Strangers waiting

Up and down the boulevard

Their shadows searching in the night

Streetlights, people

Living just to find emotion

Hiding somewhere in the night

Don't stop believin'

Hold on to the feelin'

Streetlights, people

Don't stop believin'

Hold on

Streetlights, people

Don't stop believin'

Hold on to the feelin'

Streetlights, people

Songwriters: Jonathan Cain / Stephen Ray Perry / Neal Joseph Schon

Don't Stop Believin' lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management