JOURNEY - ONLY THE YOUNG

Released: January 7, 1985

Charts: US: #9 

“Only the Young” is a song by Journey, written by Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry, and Neal Schon. Originally recorded for their 1983 “Frontiers” album, it was removed last-minute and first released by the band Scandal in 1984. Journey’s version later appeared on the “Vision Quest” soundtrack and became a Top 10 hit in the U.S.

“Only the Young” is an anthem celebrating the power, freedom, and clarity of youth. It portrays young people as bold, insightful, and unafraid to question the world around them. The repeated line, “Only the young can say they’re free to fly away,” captures the sense of limitless possibility that defines youth. The song acknowledges their passions, dreams, and the fire that drives them, presenting youth not just as a time of life, but as a powerful force of hope, truth, and change.

The song holds emotional significance for the band after they shared it with 16-year-old fan Kenny Sykaluk, who was terminally ill with cystic fibrosis. Journey visited him in the hospital through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, playing the unreleased track just before his passing. Deeply affected by the experience, the band began using the song as the opener for their Raised on Radio tour in his honor.