Now there’s a song! It was written by three members of Journey, the band that brought it out in 1981. Singer Steve Perry had major input in its invention, including to hold the ‘hook’ until the end of the song. Despite its being one of the most popular of all rock songs, I never learned much about it. I never heard or read the lyrics until just a few days ago. At the time it came out I was in the process of starting a new career. My thoughts were to my clients, and also to my new girlfriend. Now, she would have known the lyrics, because after hearing any song once she could sing along with it whenever it came up on the radio. But even as a former R&R band member, I had no time to learn anything about that song.
Forty-three years passed, and along came Richard Goodall.
If you don’t know who he is, you’re way behind the times, my friend. A week or two ago he was on America’s Got Talent (AGT), and absolutely blew the world away with his crystal-clear, bell-like, tenor voice. An unassuming, humble man, a janitor by trade, he was clearly nervous on stage as he talked with Simon Cowell. And then ‘Mr. Richard’ sang. I will never forget the instant Richard Goodall belted out the opening lyrics, “Just a small-town girl,” and Simon’s expression changing from a hopeful smile to a stunned, open-mouthed, jaw-on-the-floor expression as Richard Goodall’s voice bowled him over. And it got better from that point on. In short order, the judges and the entire audience were standing, swaying to the wonderful music of that man on stage, so clearly showing us that miracles do happen, and one happened that day on that stage. Of course he got the Golden Buzzer.
A week later I looked up Journey’s rendition of that song on YouTube. There I found dozens of new comments indicating the viewers were all there as a result of Richard Goodall’s performance on AGT. What!? Then I saw that the song was back on the music charts as a result of Mr. Goodall’s voice. The song speaks of life and of hope in a timeless manner that touches nearly everyone. No wonder it’s popular.
Can anyone sing that song? On a good day I can sing the “Nessun Dorma” in the right key (first note is a D), if I’m lucky. But I can’t get my voice as high up the scale as long as needed, to where Steve Perry and Richard Goodall soar throughout all the lyrics of “Don’t Stop Believin'”. No, not many can sing it in the original key. A side-by-side video of Steve and Richard shows NO DIFFERENCE in their vocal range. Check it out:
Perry was known throughout the music industry as “The Voice” for what he could do whilst singing a song. I hope and pray that Mr. Goodall wins the big prize during the live performances coming up 13 August of this year. I believe he fully deserves it. Man, can he sing!!