The song is highlighted by Steve Perry's lyrics (with a vocal riff highly reminiscent of Sam Cooke) and piano playing by Jonathan Cain which segues into a bass riff by Ross Valory, and other guitars. At the end of the song, Neal Schon plays a repeating guitar solo that sounds similar to Santana. According to Schon on In the Studio with Redbeard (which devoted an entire episode to the making of Escape), originally he recorded an aggressive, experimental guitar solo which he liked but Perry and Cain did not. He then recorded a second solo, the "simplest thing he could play off the top of his head" as recalled by Perry. That one was appreciated much more by the rest of the band. Steve Smith's drumming is only found in the choruses and towards the end of the song.
Cover version(s)
Internationally known singer, Randy Crawford, did a soulful version on her 1992 album Through the Eyes of Love.[1] Her cover of this song also features jazz pianist Joe Sample of The Crusaders.
