Transcribing Notes From John Neil (Head Transcriber)
Steve Perry and Neal Schon wrote this song on the tour bus, and it was inspired in part by Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy, whom they were touring with. Mostly the call/answer of lyrics and guitar lines.
Melody
A very melodic vocal line, stretching from D3 to C5, as Steve Perry did so well! And I’m sure vocalist since 2007 Arnel Pineda is now doing.
Download the Melody Music Here
Keyboard
Keyboards – These were transcribed from an isolated stem found on YouTube. It features a nice gritty organ (first 3 or 4 drawbars, some overdrive), and a string sound – originally done with a Mellotron (old keyboard that used actual magnetic tape for each key). The story goes – the organ was added because the Mellotron broke down in the studio.
Download the Keyboard Sheet Music Here
Guitars
The Rhythm/Lead Guitar was also taken from a nearly isolated stem. Lots of syncopated 5th (and full) chords are featured here, as well as the iconic solo.
Download the Rhythm/Lead Guitar Tab Here
Strum
There is no Acoustic/Ukulele strum in this song, so a part was made up for easy guitar.
Download the Strum Tab Here
Download the Ukulele Tab Here
Bass
The bass was also taken from an isolated stem, and has a nice nasty tone on the verge of overdrive. It sounds like it was played (forcibly) with the fingers as opposed to a pick.
Download the Bass Tab Here
Drums
Download the Drum Music Here
Download the Lead Sheet Here