We're Still Here by Steve Perry

Album: Traces (2018)

Get the Sheet Music License This Song

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 1970 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

Be the first to comment...

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Rosanne CashSongwriter Interviews

Rosanne talks about the journey that inspired her songs on her album The River & the Thread, including a stop at the Tallahatchie Bridge.

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

BurnEllie Goulding

Ellie Goulding's hit single "Burn" was originally demoed by Leona Lewis for her 2011 Glassheart album. She scrapped the tune when the project was retooled to include more ballads.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?The Clash

"Should I Stay or Should I Go?" by The Clash features some Spanish lines by the Texas singer Joe Ely.

For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)AC/DC

AC/DC's "For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)" is titled after a phrase Roman gladiators said heading into battle: "We who are about to die salute you."

Gee Whiz (Look At His Eyes)Carla Thomas

Carla Thomas became the first woman to achieve a Top 10 hit on the Hot 100 with a song she wrote herself when "Gee Whiz (Look At His Eyes)" reached the chart's top tier in 1961. Thomas was just 16-years-old when she penned it.

The Sound of SilenceSimon & Garfunkel

The first release of "The Sound Of Silence" was acoustic, and went nowhere. It became Simon & Garfunkel's first hit when a producer at their label overdubbed it with electric instruments.

PhotographEd Sheeran

Ed Sheeran thought he wrote the x track "Photograph" on 6th Street in Denver, so he got a tattoo saying 6 ST. But when he returned it turned out the street was actually 6th Avenue.