Trial by Fire cover art

  Studio Album · No. 10

Trial by Fire Songwriting Credits by Journey

1996 Columbia 15 tracks 71 min

Produced by Kevin Shirley  ·  Engineered by Kevin Shirley (mixing), George Massenburg (recording), John Hurlbut (recording)

Columbia RockArena Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 15 of 15 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 15 / 15 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 15 tracks with documented writers, by whether Journey carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
15 trackswritten by Journey 0 tracksoutside writers
Journey's roles on this album

Share of the 15 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

15
Tracks
4
Lyricists
1
Producers
1996
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (1997, Nominated)
Data Insight

Trial by Fire was Journey's comeback after a ten-year studio hiatus, reuniting the classic Escape and Frontiers lineup. Produced by Kevin Shirley and engineered by George Massenburg and John Hurlbut, the album debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 and received RIAA Platinum certification, the band's first platinum album since Raised on Radio. The lead single "When You Love a Woman" peaked at #12 on the Hot 100, topped the Adult Contemporary chart, and received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 39th Grammy Awards in 1997. Steve Perry's hip injury prevented a supporting tour and effectively ended his tenure with the band.

Trial by Fire is the 1996 tenth studio album by Journey, a rock record that reunited the classic 1981 to 1985 lineup of Steve Perry on lead vocals, Neal Schon on guitars, Jonathan Cain on keyboards, Ross Valory on bass, and Steve Smith on drums. Producer Kevin Shirley oversaw the sessions for the band's first studio album with that lineup since 1983's Frontiers. The single "When You Love a Woman" reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart while earning a Grammy nomination, with "Message of Love," "Can't Tame the Lion," and "If He Should Break Your Heart" also issued. The album peaked at number 3 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum by the RIAA for one million units, plus Gold in Canada and Japan. Trial by Fire was the last Journey album to feature both Steve Smith and Steve Perry, with no supporting tour due to Perry's hip injury and subsequent departure.

Track Listing & Credits 15 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Message of Love
Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan CainJohn Bettis Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan CainJohn Bettis Kevin Shirley Steve Perry (Lead Vocals)
2
One More
Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Kevin Shirley Steve Perry (Lead Vocals)
3
When You Love a Woman #12
Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Kevin Shirley Steve Perry (Lead Vocals)
4
If He Should Break Your Heart
Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Kevin Shirley Steve Perry (Lead Vocals)
5
Forever in Blue
Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Kevin Shirley Steve Perry (Lead Vocals)
6
Castles Burning
Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Kevin Shirley Steve Perry (Lead Vocals)
7
Don't Be Down on Me Baby
Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Kevin Shirley Steve Perry (Lead Vocals)
8
Still She Cries
Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Kevin Shirley Steve Perry (Lead Vocals)
9
Colors of the Spirit
Steve PerryJonathan CainNeal SchonJohn Bettis Steve PerryJonathan CainNeal SchonJohn Bettis Kevin Shirley Steve Perry (Lead Vocals)
10
When I Think of You
Steve PerryJonathan Cain Steve PerryJonathan Cain Kevin Shirley Steve Perry (Lead Vocals)
11
Easy to Fall
Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Kevin Shirley Steve Perry (Lead Vocals)
12
Can't Tame the Lion
Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Kevin Shirley Steve Perry (Lead Vocals)
13
It's Just the Rain
Steve PerryJonathan Cain Steve PerryJonathan Cain Kevin Shirley Steve Perry (Lead Vocals)
14
Trial by Fire
Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Kevin Shirley Steve Perry (Lead Vocals)
15
Baby I'm a Leavin' You
Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Steve PerryNeal SchonJonathan Cain Kevin Shirley Steve Perry (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 5 contributors

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Frequently Asked Questions Trial by Fire

What Grammy nomination did "When You Love a Woman" from Trial by Fire receive?
"When You Love a Woman" by Journey from Trial by Fire received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 39th Grammy Awards in 1997.
What did "When You Love a Woman" peak at on the Billboard Hot 100?
"When You Love a Woman" by Journey from Trial by Fire peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
How long had Journey been on hiatus before recording Trial by Fire?
Journey had been on a ten-year studio hiatus when they recorded Trial by Fire. Their previous studio album, Raised on Radio, had been released in 1986.
Who produced Journey's Trial by Fire?
Trial by Fire was produced by Kevin Shirley, with George Massenburg and John Hurlbut handling engineering and mixing.
What RIAA certification did Journey's Trial by Fire receive?
Trial by Fire received RIAA Platinum certification, representing 1 million units in the United States, the band's first platinum album since Raised on Radio (1986).
Why did Journey not tour to support Trial by Fire?
Steve Perry suffered a hip injury before touring could begin for Trial by Fire, eventually requiring hip replacement surgery. The delay effectively ended his tenure with Journey, he did not record or tour with the band again.

Sources