Steve Perry Sings “Any Way You Want It,” And The Crowd Goes WILD!

Who’s Having More Fun – The Band Or The Fans?

Written in 1979 and featured on Journey’s breakthrough album Departure, ‘Any Way You Want It’ was the by-product of collaboration between Journey songwriters Neal Schon and Steve Perry, with the help of late Thin Lizzy bassist Phil Lynott. It’s a tremendous crowd favorite, one that Journey always gets a kick out of performing live, and in this 1980 performance, the band’s excitment is almost tangible; in fact, it’s hard to tell who’s having more fun: the band or their fans!

1980 was Steve Perry’s year – and it shows. His energy in this performance of ‘Any Way You Want It’ seems almost limitless as he runs about the stage, trading dance moves with guitarist Neal Schon and successfully breaking hearts all over the arena.

Fun Fact: Late Thin Lizzy bassist and songwriter Phil Lynott was a great friend of the guys in Journey, inspiring them with his unique ear for rhythm.

Schon is having the time of his life, playing guitar licks that sum up every single good part about rock music made in the 80’s and flashing that signature mile wide grin from beneath his afro and making no secret of the fact that there’s literally nowhere else he’d rather be than on that stage in Houston. Love ’em or hate ’em, one thing’s for sure: this performance of ‘Any Way You Want It’ goes down as one of Journey’s finest moments in music, and for a little while, no one did it better.

+ Any Way You Want It lyrics +

Any way you want it
That’s the way you need it
Any way you want it

She loves to laugh
She loves to sing
She does everything

She loves to move
She loves to groove
She loves the lovin’ things

Oh, all night, all night
Oh, every night
So hold tight, hold tight
Oh, baby, hold tight

Oh, she said
“Any way you want it
That’s the way you need it
Any way you want it”
(any way you want it)
She said, “Any way you want it
That’s the way you need it
Any way you want it”

I was alone, I never knew
What good love could do
Then we touched
Then we sang, about the lovin’ things

Oh, all night, all night
Oh, every night
So hold tight, hold tight
Oh baby, hold tight

Oh, she said
“Any way you want it
That’s the way you need it
Any way you want it”
(any way you want it)
I said “Any way you want it
That’s the way you need it
Any way you want it”

She said, “Ooh, hold on, hold on, hold on”

Oh, she said
“Any way you want it
That’s the way you need it
Any way you want it”
(anyway you want it

Any way you want it
That’s the way you need it
Any way you want it
…
(any way you want it)
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