"Secret Journey" is a song by the Police from their fourth studio album, Ghost in the Machine (1981). Written by Sting, the song tells of a mystical journey that will make the traveller a "holy man".
Although "Secret Journey" was not released as a single in Europe, the song did see a single release in some countries, such as the United States and Canada.
Background According to Sting, the lyrical inspiration for "Secret Journey" was the 1963 novel Meetings with Remarkable Men, written by George Gurdjieff. Sting said the following about the song:
Sting mentioned the song in Lyrics by Sting, saying, "I was looking for some spiritual guidance in my own life and, after a few false leads, finally began to listen to the discrete language of my own heart."
"Secret Journey" was released as a single in May 1982 in the United States and Canada, as an alternative to the single "Invisible Sun" which was only released in some parts of Europe, such as the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was also released as a single in Australia (the only country to receive both the "Invisible Sun" and "Secret Journey" singles) and New Zealand.
The song charted at No. 29 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and also reached No. 46 on the Billboard Hot 100.[ The Police Billboard Charts History], Billboard.com.
The B-side of "Secret Journey" was "Darkness", a Stewart Copeland penned track that was also from Ghost in the Machine. Copeland said of the track in 2000, "Darkness is a song about vertigo. I'm very proud of it, and there's not really much to say about it."Garbarini, Vic (Spring 2000). "I think if we came back..." , Revolver.
The song was performed live only in America for ten days on the Ghost in the Machine Tour.
Reception In the liner notes for Ghost in the Machine, "Secret Journey" was called a "superb song", while in the Melody Maker review of the album, it was called "the record's highest moment." Giovanni Dadamo of The Face said the track was one of the "magic moments" on Ghost in the Machine, and it was also described as "perhaps the best cut on the album" by Chart Songwords. It received a positive review from AllMusic'''s Greg Prato. Ultimate Classic Rock'' critic Mike Duquette rated it as the Police's 20th greatest song.
The Police's guitarist, Andy Summers, described "Secret Journey" as one of his personal favourite Police songs, saying, "I always thought that should have been a single."
Personnel Sting – lead and backing vocals, bass Andy Summers – guitars, Roland GR300 guitar synthesizer Stewart Copeland – drums, percussion
Track listing
7-inch: A&M / AM 2408-S (US) "Secret Journey" – 3:34 "Darkness" – 3:14
Charts Chart (1982)Peakposition US Billboard Hot 10046US Billboard Top Rock Tracks29US Cashbox47
References