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

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.

Eagles Lyrics Quiz

Eagles Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Lots of life lessons in these Eagles lyrics - can you match them to the correct song?

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Did They Really Sing In That Movie?

Did They Really Sing In That Movie?Fact or Fiction

Bradley Cooper, Michael J. Fox, Rami Malek, Reese Witherspoon, Gwyneth Paltrow and George Clooney: Which actors really sang in their movies?

Shawn Mullins

Shawn MullinsSongwriter Interviews

"Lullaby" singer Shawn Mullins on "Beautiful Wreck," beating the Devil, and his writing credit on the Zac Brown Band song "Toes."

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.