Rhiannon Hendricks
Open Arms is a song by the American rock band Journey. It was released in 1981 as a single from the Heavy Metal soundtrack and their album Escape. The song has been covered by several artists, including Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, and Boyz II Men. With its deeply sentimental lyrics about renewing a drifting relationship, Open Arms has been described as one of the greatest love songs ever written and is a popular choice for weddings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Songwriters | Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain |
| Genre | Power ballad, rock |
| Mood | Sentimental |
| Lyrics | Attempt to renew a drifting relationship |
| Covers | Mariah Carey, Collin Raye, Celine Dion, Tobby, Boyz II Men, Dolly Parton, Jung Yoo-ji, Andy Gibb, Lena Park, Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Anne Robertson, Jermaine Paul, Younha, 5566, Britney Spears, EXO |
| Reception | VH1 named it the greatest power ballad of all time. Mike DeGagne of AllMusic described it as "one of rock's most beautiful ballads". |
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What You'll Learn
Open Arms by Journey is a popular wedding song choice
Open Arms by Journey is a popular choice for weddings, with its beautiful and deeply sentimental lyrics about renewing a drifting relationship. The song has been described as one of the greatest love songs ever written and was named the greatest power ballad of all time by VH1. With its intense emotions and heartfelt delivery, it is sure to evoke strong feelings and create a memorable atmosphere for any wedding celebration.
The song's lyrics, co-written by band members Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain, speak of love, vulnerability, and the hope of rekindling a connection. The sentiment is further emphasised by Perry's crooning vocals, which have been praised for their beauty and honesty. Open Arms first charted in 1982, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot Top 100 chart in the US and Canada, and it has remained a beloved classic ever since.
Over the years, the song has been covered by numerous artists, including Mariah Carey, who released an international hit version in 1996. Other notable covers include those by Celine Dion, Barry Manilow, Boyz II Men, Dolly Parton, and South Korean singer Jung Yoo-ji. The song's popularity is also evident in its inclusion in several films, such as the 1981 animated movie Heavy Metal and the more recent Daddy's Home 2 (2017) and I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007).
Open Arms by Journey is a timeless choice for weddings, offering a blend of powerful emotions and uplifting sentiments. Its enduring popularity and recognition make it a familiar and meaningful selection for couples looking to add a touch of romance and sentiment to their special day. Whether used as a processional song or during the reception, Open Arms is sure to create a lasting impression and contribute to the magic of the wedding celebration.
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The song has been covered by several artists
"Open Arms" is a song by the American rock band Journey. It was released as a single from the Heavy Metal soundtrack and their 1981 album, Escape. The song has been covered by several artists, including:
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey recorded a cover of "Open Arms" for her 1996 album, Daydream. Her version of the song was an international hit, reaching number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. Carey expressed her admiration for Steve Perry's voice and shared her positive memories of listening to the song while growing up. She also added a touch of gospel to the song with the help of her background singers.
Collin Raye
Country music singer Collin Raye released a cover of "Open Arms" on his compilation album "The Best of Collin Raye: Direct Hits" in 1997. His version charted at number 70 on the Hot Country Songs charts that year.
Celine Dion
Between 2011 and 2015, Canadian singer Celine Dion performed "Open Arms" at the start of her Las Vegas show, Celine.
Other Notable Covers
The song has also been covered by various other artists, including American singer-songwriter Barry Manilow, R&B group Boyz II Men, country music legend Dolly Parton, Korean singer Younha, Taiwanese boy band 5566, and Mexican band Tobby, who translated the song into Spanish as "Quiero Amar" ("I Want to Love").
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It has been featured in multiple films
"Open Arms" is a song by the American rock band Journey. It was released as a single from the Heavy Metal soundtrack and their 1981 album, Escape. The song has been covered by several artists, including American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, who had an international hit with the song in 1996. Carey's version is arguably the best-known version in the United Kingdom, where it reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Open Arms" has been featured in multiple films, including the 1981 animated movie Heavy Metal, Daddy's Home 2 (2017), I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007), Date Movie (2006), and The Last American Virgin (1982). The song's appearance in these films showcases its popularity and appeal in different contexts, adding to its versatility as a wedding song choice.
The song's inclusion in these films has helped to solidify its place in popular culture and expand its reach to a diverse audience. It has also been covered by various artists, further contributing to its recognition and impact. The song's exposure in films and through different interpretations by artists has likely influenced its consideration as a wedding song, as it offers a blend of sentimentality, recognition, and emotional depth.
Mariah Carey's rendition, in particular, has been well-received, with Carey herself expressing her admiration for Steve Perry's voice and the song's personal significance to her. Carey's version added a touch of gospel to the original, showcasing the adaptability of the song to different musical styles while retaining its core appeal.
The song's appearance in films and its interpretation by diverse artists demonstrate its enduring popularity and ability to transcend different genres and audiences. "Open Arms" has become a staple in popular culture, making it a recognizable and meaningful choice for couples considering it for their wedding day.
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The song's lyrics are sentimental and powerful
The song "Open Arms" by the American rock band Journey has been described as having "deeply sentimental" lyrics, especially when delivered by Steve Perry's crooning. The song is about attempting to renew a drifting relationship, with powerful emotions conveyed through lyrics such as:
> "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."
The song's powerful and sentimental lyrics have made it a popular choice for weddings, with many people choosing to dance to it at their wedding receptions. The song has also been covered by various artists, including Mariah Carey, who added a touch of gospel to the song, and Celine Dion, who performed it at the start of her Las Vegas show.
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Open Arms is considered one of the greatest love songs
"Open Arms" is a song by the American rock band Journey. It was released as a single from the Heavy Metal soundtrack and their 1981 album, Escape. The song was co-written by band members Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain and is a power ballad with deeply sentimental lyrics.
Over the years, "Open Arms" has been covered by several artists, including American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, who released an international hit version in 1996. Other notable covers include those by Celine Dion, Boyz II Men, Dolly Parton, and Barry Manilow. The song has also been performed on reality TV singing competitions such as The Voice, American Idol, and The X Factor.
Despite some debate over whether it fits the mold of a traditional power ballad, "Open Arms" has been described as "one of rock's most beautiful ballads" by Mike DeGagne of AllMusic, who praised Steve Perry's ability to infuse the song with "honesty and feel." VH1 named it the greatest power ballad of all time, and it remains Journey's biggest US Billboard Hot 100 hit, peaking at number two for six weeks in 1982.
The song's enduring popularity and emotional lyrics have solidified its place as one of the greatest love songs ever written. Its sentiment of longing and hope resonates with listeners, making it a favourite for weddings and a go-to choice for processionals and first dances. The song's message of wanting to restore a relationship and its expression of open and sincere love make it a powerful and meaningful choice for couples looking to add a touch of romance to their special day.
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Frequently asked questions
Open Arms by Journey is a popular choice for weddings. The song has been described as one of the greatest love songs ever written and the greatest power ballad of all time. The lyrics are deeply sentimental and talk about renewing a drifting relationship. The song has been covered by several artists, including Mariah Carey, whose version is very popular in the United Kingdom.
Here is an excerpt from the song:
> 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
Some other popular wedding songs include I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) by Whitney Houston, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours by Stevie Wonder, and Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond.
