We're Still Here

Album: Traces (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Steve Perry wrote this reflective ballad with Canadian producer/songwriter Brian West, whom he met through former Journey bassist Randy Jackson.
  • Perry recalled to Louder Sound that West and him started writing this song before breaking for dinner. They went to a place down the street and as it was the first time that Perry had been in Hollywood in a long while he was captivated by the 16 and 17-year-olds he saw running around.

    The sight served as inspiration for this song. Perry said: "Coming back there were all these young kids running around on the corner of Sunset & Vine, living their lives and doing the things we did at their age. We're still here but they're doing it now – city girls running wild under neon lights."
  • The neo-noir inspired video was directed by Myriam Santos (Common, Andra Day, Tommy Lee). It shows Perry lip-syncing to the tune as he drives a Chevrolet Chevelle SS through the same Hollywood streets that moved him to co-write this song. It marked Perry's first proper visual for a solo track since 1994's "Missing You."
  • Regarding filming the video, Perry said in a Facebook Q&A, "Driving that car around the streets of Hollywood reminded me of my earlier cruising days in the Central San Joaquin Valley. Those were magical times when you were driving up and down the street repeatedly with music blaring."

Comments: 1

  • Carcrazy69 from UsaThe 1970 SS Chevelle has 4 round headlights and only two tail lights and they were square. In the video, you can clearly see that this model has TWO headlights & FOUR ROUND tail lights, making this “SS” either a 1971 or 1972. The question is, which year did they use?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the Song

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Gary Numan

Gary NumanSongwriter Interviews

An Electronic music pioneer with Asperger's Syndrome. This could be interesting.

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

When Rock Belonged To Michelob

When Rock Belonged To MichelobSong Writing

Michelob commercials generated hits for Eric Clapton, Genesis and Steve Winwood in the '80s, even as some of these rockers were fighting alcoholism.