In 1980, Journey was a band in transition from a fusion-based rock band into a major hitmaking force. Their album Departure would prove to be the final one with longtime keyboardist/vocalist Gregg Rolle, leading to the band fully becoming a vehicle for the powerful tenor of lead singer Steve Perry.

Departure was the third album for Journey with Perry in the line-up and his addition had already paid dividends over the previous three years and two records as the band scored with hits like "Wheel In The Sky," "Lights," and "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'," a Top 20 hit the year before. Departure would prove to be the group's biggest album, yet, becoming Journey's first Top Ten LP when it peaked at #8.

Leading the way was the first single, "Anyway You Want It." The irreprisible ode to good times entered the US Top 40 in late March and steadily marched to its peak of #23 six weeks later. With memorable guitar riffs courtesy of Neil Schon and an infectious chorus, the song became a party anthem for the decade and received a boost from its use in the hit movie "Caddyshack" in a signature scene featuring Rodney Dangerfield.

As successful as "Anyway You Want It" and Departure was for Journey, it was merely a harbinger of things to come. The addition of ex-Babys keyboard player Jonathan Cain would be vital as a songwriting foil for Perry. If Departure maintained the band's upward trajectory, their next release, 1981's Escape, would launch them into the stratosphere as one of the most popular acts of the '80s.

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