The song was inspired by Perry and Neal Schon hanging out with Thin Lizzy while on tour. The band’s bass player, Phil Lynott, was talking about songwriting using call and response between guitar and vocals (Example: Vocal, Riff, Vocal, Riff, etc.). It was single off of Journey’s third album with Steve Perry, Departure.

Like many other songs in Journey’s history “Any Way You Want It” has grown immensely in popularity since its original release. This is due in part to it being used in a slew of television shows/commercials, movies, and Pop Culture in general, including Caddyshack, State-Farm Commercials, and several Simpsons episodes.