When Journey released "Faithfully" in 1983, no one likely imagined lead singer Steve Perry releasing the song more than four decades later with a country music legend, but that's exactly what happened. Perry and Nelson's new version of "Faithfully" is out now.
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Even better, proceeds from the song are going to a cause near and dear to Nelson's heart, and apparently Perry's too.
"In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Farm Aid, proceeds from the single will go to the nonprofit organization," Perry announces.
Perry was with Journey from 1978 to 1987. He returned again from 1995 to 1998. Since 2007, Arnel Pineda has been the lead singer of the legendary rock band.
The Story Behind Steve Perry and Willie Nelson's "Faithfully" Duet
Perry and Nelson have never recorded a duet before. But for Perry, singing with the country music legend was a dream come true.
"No one has a voice or vocal phrasing anything like Willie Nelson," Perry says (via Blabbermouth). "Singing this duet with Willie has been something I've always wanted to do. After recording 'Faithfully' with Journey, I always felt it would be a great song for Willie too. What a wonderful experience it was to finally sing with Willie. I'm so proud of what we have accomplished together."
Nelson is also thrilled to sing with Perry, especially for a cause that is so important to him.
"Working with Steve Perry on 'Faithfully' was a meaningful experience," adds the 92-year-old. "It was a pleasure to collaborate on this song. I'm proud that we could create something meaningful and use it to give back through Farm Aid."
"Faithfully" was written by fellow Journey member Jonathan Cain, for the band's Frontiers album.
"God gave me that song," Cain tells Songfacts. "I started it on the bus heading to Saratoga Springs. I woke up the next day with a napkin on the side of my nightstand, and I looked at the lyrics, 'Highway run into the midnight sun.' Then I got this supernatural download: This is the rest of the song."
Cain wrote "Faithfully" by himself, crediting its completion with divine intervention.
"The Lord gave me permission to finish it," he says. "Normally I would go to Steve Perry or somebody and say, 'Help me finish this song.' No. God gave me the mind to finish it, and the rest is history. That would be a love song to God, absolutely."
