Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

Released in 1983 as the lead single for the album Frontiers, “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” is a keyboard-driven rock anthem about the emotional struggle and ultimate resilience following a painful breakup. A quintessential 80s rock hit, the song was co-written by singer Steve Perry and keyboardist Jonathan Cain while the band was on tour, inspired by the divorces that guitarist Neal Schon and bassist Ross Valory were going through. Perry and Cain sought to write a song that, instead of being a traditional ballad, was an uplifting and urgent declaration of self-determination, acknowledging the pain (“Here we stand, worlds apart”) while holding onto the hopeful conviction that true love will eventually return (“Someday love will find you”).

The lead vocals in this arrangement are sung by Jaqueen Mwende.

Arrangement Lyrics (Swahili)

Hapa tumesimama, mbali tumetengana
Mioyo imevunjika, nimejawa na huzuni
Usiku sipati usingizi, nafsi inanong’ona
Nitakupata wapi wee ndoto haziishina

Kama atakuumiza roho
Mapenzi ya kweli hayakimbii
Unajua bado nakupenda

Original Lyrics

Here we stand
Worlds apart, hearts broken in two, two, two

Sleepless nights, losing ground
I’m reachin’ for you, you, you

Feelin’ that it’s gone
Can change your mind
If we can’t go on
To survive the tide, love divides

Someday love will find you
Break those chains that bind you
One night will remind you
How we touched and went our separate ways
If he ever hurts you
True love won’t desert you
You know I still love you
Though we touched and went our separate ways

Troubled times
Caught between confusion and pain, pain, pain
Distant eyes
Promises we made were in vain, in vain, in vain

If you must go, I wish you love
You’ll never walk alone
Take care, my love
Miss you, love

No, someday love will find you
Break those chains that bind you
One night will remind you

If he ever hurts you
True love won’t desert you
You know I still love you

I still love you, girl
I really love you, girl

And if he ever hurts you
True love won’t desert you

No, no

Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)