Don't Stop Believin' – English Lyrics

• By: Journey
• Album: Escape Tour

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the enduring language of American rock with Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'." This anthem, known for its powerful message of perseverance and its unique structure, is perfect for learning common English idioms around dreaming and striving. You'll master vocabulary for small-town life, city dreams, and the universal experience of holding on to hope—all set to one of the most recognizable piano riffs in music history. The simple, heartfelt lyrics make it an accessible and emotionally resonant track for any language learner.

[English]

(crowd cheering)

(upbeat rock music)

♪ Just a small town girl ♪

♪ Livin' in a lonely world ♪

♪ She took the midnight train going anywhere ♪

♪ Just a city boy ♪

♪ Born and raised in Houston ♪

♪ He took the midnight train going anywhere ♪

Neal!

♪ A singer in a smokey 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 ♪

Come on!

♪ Strangers waitin' ♪

♪ Up and down the boulevard ♪

♪ Their shadows searchin' in the night ♪

♪ Streetlights, people ♪

♪ Livin' just to find emotion ♪

♪ Hidin', somewhere in the night ♪

♪ Workin' hard to get my fill ♪

♪ Everybody wants a thrill ♪

♪ Payin' anything to roll the dice ♪

♪ Just one more time ♪

♪ Some'll win, some will lose ♪

♪ Some are born to sing the blues ♪

♪ Whoa, the movie never ends ♪

♪ It goes on and on and on and on ♪

C'mon Houston!

♪ Strangers waitin' ♪

♪ Up and down the boulevard ♪

♪ Their shadows searchin' in the night ♪

♪ Streetlights, people ♪

♪ Livin' to find emotion ♪

♪ Hidin', somewhere in the night ♪

♪ Don't stop believin' ♪

♪ Hold on to that feelin' ♪

♪ Streetlights, people ♪

♪ Don't stop believin' ♪

♪ Hold on ♪

♪ Streetlights, people ♪

♪ Don't stop believin' ♪

♪ Hold on Houston to your feelin' ♪

♪ Streetlights, people ♪

♪ Don't stop ♪

(crowd cheering)

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
girl /ɡɜːrl/ A1	noun - a female child or young woman
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth and all its inhabitants
train /treɪn/ A1	noun - a series of connected vehicles traveling on railways verb - to teach a person or animal a particular skill
night /naɪt/ A1	noun - the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise
smoky /ˈsmoʊ.ki/ B1	adjective - filled with smoke
emotion /ɪˈmoʊ.ʃən/ B1	noun - a strong feeling such as joy or anger
shadow /ˈʃæd.oʊ/ B1	noun - a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface
thrill /θrɪl/ B2	noun - a sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure
believe /bɪˈliːv/ B1	verb - to accept something as true
lose /luːz/ A2	verb - to be unable to find something or someone
win /wɪn/ A2	verb - to be successful or victorious in a contest or conflict
hold /hoʊld/ A2	verb - to grasp or carry with one's hands
pay /peɪ/ A2	verb - to give money in exchange for goods or services
dice /daɪs/ B2	noun - small cubes with numbers on each side, used in games of chance
movie /ˈmuː.vi/ A1	noun - a story or event recorded by a camera as a set of moving images
people /ˈpiː.pəl/ A1	noun - human beings in general or considered collectively

Key Grammar Structures

• Just a small town girl

  ➔ Noun phrase

  ➔ The phrase "small town girl" describes a girl from a small town, using an adjective to modify the noun.

• He took the midnight train going anywhere

  ➔ Past simple tense

  ➔ The verb "took" is in the past simple tense, indicating an action that has already happened.

• Strangers waitin' up and down the boulevard

  ➔ Present continuous tense

  ➔ The phrase "waitin'" is a colloquial form of "waiting" in the present continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action.

• Don't stop believin'

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ The phrase "Don't stop" is in the imperative mood, giving a command or advice.

• Everybody wants a thrill

  ➔ Simple present tense

  ➔ The verb "wants" is in the simple present tense, indicating a general truth or habitual action.

• Some'll win, some will lose

  ➔ Future simple tense

  ➔ The phrase "some'll win" uses a contraction for "some will win," indicating a future action.

• Hidin', somewhere in the night

  ➔ Present participle

  ➔ The word "Hidin'" is a present participle, indicating an ongoing action.