<P> The song is a ballad about Journey 's city of origin , San Francisco , although it was actually written in and originally intended to be about Los Angeles . It was one of Steve Perry 's first Journey songs , and was recorded soon after joining the band . In an interview , Perry said , `` I had the song written in Los Angeles almost completely except for the bridge and it was written about Los Angeles . It was ' when the lights go down in the city and the sun shines on LA . ' I did n't like the way it sounded at the time . And so I just had it sitting back in the corner . Then life changed my plans once again , and I was now facing joining Journey . I love San Francisco , the bay , and the whole thing . ' The bay ' fit so nice , ' When the lights go down in the city and the sun shines on the bay . ' It was one of those early - morning - going - across - the - bridge things , when the sun was coming up and the lights were going down . It was perfect . '' </P>
<P> The song is a ballad about Journey 's city of origin , San Francisco , although it was actually written in and originally intended to be about Los Angeles . It was one of Steve Perry 's first Journey songs , and was recorded soon after joining the band . In an interview , Perry said , `` I had the song written in Los Angeles almost completely except for the bridge and it was written about Los Angeles . It was ' when the lights go down in the city and the sun shines on LA . ' I did n't like the way it sounded at the time . And so I just had it sitting back in the corner . Then life changed my plans once again , and I was now facing joining Journey . I love San Francisco , the bay , and the whole thing . ' The bay ' fit so nice , ' When the lights go down in the city and the sun shines on the bay . ' It was one of those early - morning - going - across - the - bridge things , when the sun was coming up and the lights were going down . It was perfect . '' </P>
who sings when the lights go down in the city
who sings when the lights go down in the city
Journey
Journey