A Cover Of “It Could Have Been You” by Journey Features Steve Perry – What?!

The Effect, a band made up of the sons of rock legends Steve Lukather (Toto) and Phil Collins (Genesis), teams up with iconic vocalist Steve Perry in an unexpected musical collaboration to reimagine Journey’s classic track, “It Could Have Been You.” This unexpected partnership gives new life to this underappreciated gem from Journey’s repertoire, promising listeners a fresh take on a well-known favorite.

Perry was drawn to the unique sound of The Effect, which consists of drummer Nic Collins and producer/guitarist Trev Lukather. Perry was a previous bandmate of Lukather’s, whose father Steve Lukather is a member of Toto, therefore the two had a unique bond. Lukather’s love of music was stoked by Perry’s guidance and encouragement, which added significance to their partnership.

“The power of Steve’s vocals is on another level,” Lukather fondly recalls, reflecting on the recording sessions with Perry, where his powerhouse vocals reverberated through the studio. Perry, in turn, rediscovered his vocal prowess, channeling the spirit of his earlier years to deliver a stirring rendition of the song. “I must say, singing on their powerful track brought out a vocal experience in me from years ago!” Perry exclaimed.

Perry had said how much he loved the song in a chat with Lukather, which gave rise to the idea of bringing “It Could Have Been You” back to life. Perry’s excitement inspired Lukather and Collins to take advantage of the chance to involve him in their initiative. The song was elevated to new heights by Perry’s choice to provide vocals, which brought a real and emotional element to the song.

Crossing the Finish Line

Recording sessions with Perry were nothing short of electrifying. “I think our neighbors thought it was the Northridge earthquake all over again,” Lukather jokes, reminiscing about the seismic impact of Perry’s performance in the studio. Perry’s excitement was palpable, as he enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to collaborate with the next generation of rock musicians.

However, the collaboration faced another test: winning approval from Jonathan Cain, the co-writer of “It Could Have Been You” and Lukather’s father-in-law. Lukather felt the weight of responsibility to honor both Perry and Cain with their rendition. “To get the approval from them both was everything,” Lukather acknowledges, relieved by Cain’s ecstatic response upon hearing the final master.

“It Could Have Been You” marks just the beginning of The Effect’s musical journey. With their debut album on the horizon, the band aims to showcase their diverse influences and collaborative spirit. “We never sat down and were like, ‘Okay, what kind of band do we want to sound like? What do we want to be?'” Collins explains, highlighting the organic evolution of their sound.

Music’s power knows no boundaries as the globe adores this alluring partnership. “It Could Have Been You” is a notable piece that blurs the lines between the past and present and offers listeners an immersive and unique musical experience thanks to Steve Perry’s ageless voice and The Effect’s avant-garde approach.