Only the Young by Journey Song Info
Only the Young" is a song recorded by the American rock band Journey in 1983. Previously intended for the Frontiers album, it was pulled from the album within days of recording in favor of songs "Back Talk" and "Troubled Child". The song was eventually released as a single (which reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart in March 1985) and appeared on the soundtrack for the 1985 film Vision Quest. The song's lyrical theme focuses on young people and the hope and future they all have in front of them. The song's first live performance was for a young boy named Kenny Sykaluk who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. His mother wrote a letter to the band telling them about her son's terminal condition, and how big a fan he was of Journey. The band flew to his hospital bedside at the request of the Make a Wish Foundation. Along with a Walkman containing the new track, the band also brought Kenny a football helmet signed by the San Francisco 49ers and an autographed Journey platinum record award. The experience of playing the song for Kenny left Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain deeply affected. Perry said "As soon as I walked out of the hospital room I lost it". Perry also says "The nurses had to take me out of the room". On VH1's Behind the Music featuring the band, Cain broke down in tears recalling the event, remarking that "children should not have to live with that kind of pain". Kenny died the next day, with the Walkman still in his hand. The song brought life into perspective for the band and left them humbled. Neal Schon said that Kenny's death affected Journey by making them re-evaluate the issues that were causing friction inside the band itself. In honor of Kenny Sykaluk, the band used the song as their opener for the Raised on Radio Tour. The song was also recorded by American rock band Scandal in 1984. The song was featured on their album The Warrior.
