Open Arms (Journey Song)

Open Arms (Journey Song)

"Open Arms" is a popular song originally recorded by American rock band Journey, and released as a single from their 1981 album, Escape. Co-written by band members Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain, the song is a power ballad whose lyrics are an empowering plea to a lover to forgive past wrongdoings and agree to start anew. It is one of the band's most recognizable radio hits and their biggest US Billboard Hot 100 hit, reaching #2 in February 1982 and holding that position for six weeks.

"Open Arms" has been covered by various recording artists. American R&B/pop singer Mariah Carey enjoyed an international hit with the song in 1996; hers is arguably the best-known version of the song in the United Kingdom, where it reached #4 in the UK Singles Chart. The song has also been covered by such artists as American singer/songwriter Barry Manilow, R&B group Boyz II Men and Canadian singer Celine Dion. It is a favorite on reality television singing competitions as well, being performed by contestants on American Idol, the UK's The X Factor, and Australian Idol.

Journey's recording of "Open Arms" has been described as one of the greatest love songs ever written; VH1 named the song as the greatest power ballad of all time. Mike DeGagne of Allmusic has described it as "One of rock's most beautiful ballads", which "gleams with an honesty and feel only Steve Perry could muster."