The Iconic Drumming Behind “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” | Journey
“‘Separate Ways’ was a song we put together knowing we were going to be playing in large arenas and stadiums, so we wanted a song that had a powerful hook, a big sound, and had the effect to really rock the house.”
Steve Smith wrote and recorded the drum parts on the track back in the early ’80s. It’s since become a legendary song (it even got the remix treatment in season 4 of Stranger Things) with a ton of different fills. In this video, the former Journey drummer breaks down each part and plays through the full tune.
You’ll see:
0:00 – Intro
0:51 – Melodic motion
3:02 – Big fills
4:47 – SONG: “Separate Ways” (Worlds Apart) by Journey
You can get the note-for-note transcription of this performance inside Drumeo – plus two full courses from Steve Smith (“The Art Of Drum Soloing” and “Beyond The Books”) and so much more. Click here to learn more and start your free trial: https://www.drumeo.com/trial-yt
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@BriDog1474
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Jesus, man! How do you put commercials into THAT! Must money ruin everything that is good?
@gustavoandresparralander8134
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
A real master with the drums ❤
@ciriloschuch3640
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
O jazz fodeu com a vida deste cara! Transformou ele de um baterista de música pop em teórico de bateria que aplica técnicas e tirou toda a pujança e vivacidade na tocabilidade do cara. Neste caso, a técnica é inimiga do play!
@Almylla
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
He is Yusuf Dikeç of drumming ❣
@joemiglionico6527
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
I saw Journey a couple of times right when Escape had come out and managed to get right behind the drums at one show. Then Stave did a clinic at a local music store, apparently right after that tour ended. SO I went, and got there early, and the owner told me to go ahead in. There was a guy setting up the drums who I didn't recognize, but figured he was a roadie or tech or something. He worked and I sat in silence for maybe 20 minutes then he left and people started coming in. Finally the clinic starts, and out walks, you guessed it, the guy who had been setting up the drums. He had completely changed his look. Hair different, no mustache, just unrecognizable. To this day, I feel like an idiot that I basically had him all to myself for like 20 minutes and was too introverted to speak. But he was very nice and I did get a chance to meet him after the clinic. I saw Journey again several times after that as they just got bigger and bigger, but was always mostly there to watch this guy place.
@gordeux1201
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Journey!!!!!Arena rock
Rock anthem GOAT!!
@86Korben
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Good lord, time flies—I could’ve sworn I saw this posted just a couple of months ago.
@Mickcotton
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Legend ❤🙏
@Bob-e6t7l
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Finesse at its finest!! 🙌🏼
@JLPADILLODodongJL
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
7:22
@manufiore7159
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Steve Smith went his separate way he forgot how to rock I missed the 80's and 90's Steve Smith… He's way too technical now
@JeffreyBellagamba
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Mark Of Excellence+++++++++++
@madbug1965
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
I'm glad I got to see Steve on the Departure tour! 😊
@billymoretti8437
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
My band recorded at Normandy sound in Warren Rhode island in 1983/84 (I'm old now so not sure what year lol) we were in the studio and Bob the engineer said"Hey you guys want to see something cool? So he opened a door and it was filled with flight cases that said "Journey -Steve Smith" we were really excited and we said "Journey is here? " he said No it's Steve Smiths Jazz band..so we thought was really cool we were recording on the night shift and Steve had the daytime..Good memories. Steve is an awesome drummer!
@4oulf4oulhy
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
本当にこの曲は、ドラマティックで好い曲ですね。キックドラムとタムタムの叩くタイミングと溜めがある感じの8ビートが堪りません。
@mikemccloskey1991
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Nothing beats the rock bands of the 70's and 80's. They were true musicians and vocalist. Such a blessing to grow up with this type of music as the soundtrack of my life.
@cnvi08
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Neil Peart, he’s not.
@medievaltimes6473
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Magneto!
@shawncosmos5431
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
My drum hero since I was a teenager. At 62 nothing’s changed. Still my hero 👏
@mattwuxx3888
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Steve Smith's drums were a symphony orchestra. So much more workhorse, lush and intricate than meets the eye placed in legendary songs from 2 decades that just had too much eternally great music. His work with Ross Valory as a rhythm section from 78-on, is nearly unrivaled in rock/pop. Ridiculous and shockingly inspiring that he still has these kind of chops at 68.
@DavidaStike
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
I love this song
@raynardcollins8081
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Play That Boss 👍🏾💯🥀🌹
@timtorkelson7201
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Steve " The Machine Gun Smith" 👌👏👏👏👏
@garse70
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Most important thing I got out of this is, the drums are tuned to the music. Tune your drums guys
@CajunCracka
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Effortless. Steve Smith is one of the few drummers that keeps it steady. Never breaks a sweat.
@jccastro-cz1tm
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
bald people are really amazing.
@analog_ape
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Amazing!
@gustavofuenmayor8409
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
I do! 😊
@gothembadboy1
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Pnenomal drummer
@lifehappy183
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
この曲は約４３年経ったが、よーく考えたらドラムがいいんだよね。ギターやベースは案外ありきたりなんだよ。
@brianeniac
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Amazing class. Best Journey drums ever.
@frankapaez7521
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Absolutely gorgeous drumming 🥁🔥
@Chris-k9k9c
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
5:38 yall know what the kick shuffle is here? one of my favorites
@JR-zv6qm
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Love when he switches to traditional grip. This was great.
@antileft6776
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Steve Smith is absolutely recognized as one of the greats.
@antileft6776
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
No Smith. No Journey.
@ChrisLegreso
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Steve is a great drummer, no doubt about that. But Dean gave the song more rock onto it.
@setexan7198
November 8, 2025 at 5:20 am
Deen Castronovo had huge shoes to fill taking Steve's place. Which he did an excellent job by the way.
Comments are closed.