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Just how much of a bump did the Sopranos finale give Journey? According to Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony BMG Music Entertainment, downloads of the song from iTunes went from about 1,000 on the day before the episode to 6,531 the day after. For the week, the song climbed to No. 17 in popularity on iTunes, while the band’s “Greatest Hits” also cracked the Top 20. On the radio,airplay of “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” increased 192 percent Monday through Thursday over the first four days of the previous week, according to Nielsen BDS, which tracks airplay. It was not the first time the band had television to thank for a royalties windfall. In 2005,after “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” was featured on the season premiere of MTV’s “Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County,” it ranked in the top 10on iTunes. The song also enjoyed a 150 percent increase in downloads the week after it was featured in an episode of “Family Guy”on Fox in 2005, according to Nielsen.
Gotta love the capitalism.
I would like to take this moment proclaim myself officially ahead of the curve on the Journey Renaissance, as I went to see them in concert a couple weeks ago. Yes, Mary Katharine Ham-- more cutting-edge than David Chase. Believe it. (Kidding, of course. Who doesn't love Journey? Anyone? Anyone?)
 That's former Journey front-man Jeff Scott Soto behind me and left. He has now left the band, sparking rumors that the remaining four members will get back together with Steve Perry to capitalize on the Sopranos boost. And, if that happens, I'll so be there again.
Oh, and if you haven't seen this, it's the most compelling read I've seen so far on the Sopranos finale.
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