Thursday, 27 November 2025

A Quick Look at Bon Jovi

 


Bon Jovi are one of the big selling pop-rock bands. I have heard of them, and I'll know some of their songs, though I couldn't with certainty name one that is definitely by the band, as I get them confused with the other big American pop-rock acts like Aerosmith, Van Halen, Bryan Adams, etc. Indeed, if I heard one of their songs, I don't think I'd be able to say with certainty if it was a Bon Jovi song.  I know that the lead singer is John Jon Bon Jovi. And that is it. But they are huge. So I'm having a quick look to see what it is that people like, and to see what I'm missing (if anything). 



Albums


   
Bon Jovi (1984)

It starts with a very commercial and plastic Eighties sound, like some kind of naff soundtrack to a naff film, and continues that way. I get the impression that the band are unlikely to become more interesting or authentic as they develop, and that this plastic pap is what Bon Jovi are going to be from 1984 into the current century.  I struggle with this stuff, even as wallpaper muzak. 

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Runaway"
3:50
2."Roulette"
4:38
3."She Don't Know Me"Mark Avsec4:02
4."Shot Through the Heart"
4:16
5."Love Lies"
4:06
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."Breakout"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Bryan
5:20
7."Burning for Love"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
3:51
8."Come Back"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
3:56
9."Get Ready"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
4:07



Wikipedia
AllMusic: 7
Score: 2

   
7800° Fahrenheit (1985) 

A little more rock than the debut album, though almost as uninteresting. Cliched stuff - familiar rock riffs, and plodding drums, all done with that clean Eighties production, though a little less cringy than the debut. 

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."In and Out of Love"Jon Bon Jovi4:25
2."The Price of Love"Bon Jovi4:14
3."Only Lonely"
4:58
4."King of the Mountain"
3:54
5."Silent Night"Bon Jovi5:07
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."Tokyo Road"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
5:40
7."The Hardest Part Is the Night"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Bryan
4:25
8."Always Run to You"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
5:00
9."To the Fire"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Bryan
4:27
10."Secret Dreams"
4:56

Score: 2.5 

  
Slippery When Wet (1986)

Bon Jovi's big album.  It seems that its success rests on the singles "You Give Love a Bad Name",  "Livin' on a Prayer", and "Wanted Dead or Alive". Though the rest of the album would satisfy those who bought it because of those singles as the rest of the album has the same sound. The singles were proper global big sellers, especially "Livin' on a Prayer". 
Very commercial, the album is reasonably attractive with a good blend of melody and rock clichés. Not my thing, my attention largely turns away as it plays, but the singles have a draw, because of familiarity if nothing else. 


All tracks written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, except where noted.

Side A
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Let It Rock" 5:26
2."You Give Love a Bad Name"
3:43
3."Livin' on a Prayer"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
4:11
4."Social Disease" 4:18
5."Wanted Dead or Alive" 5:09
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Raise Your Hands" 4:17
2."Without Love"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
3:31
3."I'd Die for You"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
4:31
4."Never Say Goodbye" 4:49
5."Wild in the Streets"Bon Jovi3:56


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 9
Score: 3.5

    
New Jersey (1988) 

The follow up to Slippery was hugely successful - people in the Eighties really wanted muzak like this. And, to be fair, this stuff had a lot more going for it than the stilted synth music coming out of the UK. Much of the best Eighties stuff was bubbling away in the background, mostly unknown and unheard by the bland loving masses. There is more than a cursory nod to Jon Bon Jovi's local hero, Springsteen, in this album. Sadly, though, he's mostly taking ideas from post Born To Run Springsteen. Still, the influence is positive, and this feels closer to something heartfelt than any of the shit that's gone before. It's not great, but it's got something more than money and fame in its eyes. There's also a feel of U2 about this album. I heard a hint in the previous album, but it's more obvious now, especially "Blood on Blood". 

All tracks are written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Lay Your Hands on Me" 5:58
2."Bad Medicine"
5:16
3."Born to Be My Baby"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
4:40
4."Living in Sin"Bon Jovi4:39
5."Blood on Blood"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
6:16
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Homebound Train" 5:10
2."Wild Is the Wind"
5:08
3."Ride Cowboy Ride" 1:25
4."Stick to Your Guns"
4:45
5."I'll Be There for You" 5:46
6."99 in the Shade" 4:29
7."Love for Sale" 3:58


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 9
Score: 4 


Keep the Faith (1992) 

Feels long and mostly boring. "Keep The Faith" was the hit, and is listenable, the rest of the stuff is tiresome and unoriginal. Again, U2 and Springsteen are copied unsuccessfully. This is not just tired commercial pop-rock, this is second hand tired commercial pop-rock. 

All tracks are written by Jon Bon Jovi, except where noted.

International edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."I Believe" 5:48
2."Keep the Faith"
5:46
3."I'll Sleep When I'm Dead"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
4:42
4."In These Arms"
5:19
5."Bed of Roses" 6:33
6."If I Was Your Mother"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
4:27
7."Dry County" 9:51
8."Woman in Love" 3:48
9."Fear" 3:06
10."I Want You" 5:36
11."Blame It on the Love of Rock & Roll"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
4:24
12."Little Bit of Soul"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
5:44
13."Save a Prayer" (European bonus track)
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
5:57


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 6
Score: 2

   
Cross Road (1994) 

Hugely successful greatest hits compilation, along with two new tracks to help assure sales even amongst those who keep the faith (or to reward them because they are likely to buy the album anyway). This album has sold millions. And that makes sense, if you're buying Bon Jovi this is the album to get. Nothing else is really needed. It's a bit too much to take it all in one sitting, like eating a bowl of sugar, after a few mouthfuls it becomes a bit sickening. I'd like it better if it was condensed into seven of his best tracks. Well, pretty much just side one, really.  

At this point the debt to Springsteen is clear and makes sense, and kinda makes Bon Jovi more approachable and likeable. I've also at this point noted the importance of songwriter Desmond Child to this band (and other related artists). 

What is this music? Is it Arena rock, Glam metal, Pop rock, Hair metal, Pop metal, Hard rock, Soft rock, something else, or a bit of all the above? I think that Arena rock seems to describe it best, and enfolds the other music  "styles" (in inverted commas because they appear to be names more than styles).

No.TitleWriter(s)From albumLength
1."Livin' on a Prayer"
Slippery When Wet (1986)4:11
2."Keep the Faith"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
Keep the Faith (1992)5:45
3."Someday I'll Be Saturday Night"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
New song4:38
4."Always"Bon JoviNew song5:52
5."Wanted Dead or Alive"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
Slippery When Wet5:07
6."Lay Your Hands on Me"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
New Jersey (1988)5:58
7."You Give Love a Bad Name"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
Slippery When Wet3:43
8."Bed of Roses"Bon JoviKeep the Faith6:34
9."Blaze of Glory" (Jon Bon Jovi solo)Bon JoviBlaze of Glory (1990)5:40
10."In These Arms"
Keep the Faith5:16
11."Bad Medicine"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
New Jersey5:14
12."I'll Be There for You"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
New Jersey5:41
13."In and Out of Love"Bon Jovi7800° Fahrenheit (1985)4:23
14."Runaway"
  • Bon Jovi
  • George Karak
Bon Jovi (1984)3:50


Wikipedia 
AllMusic: 9
Score: 4.5


These Days (1995) 

JBJ seems very comfortable with copying Bruce at this stage. As a Bruce tribute band this is actually quite good. It's quite adult and serious, well played, and not over-produced (thankfully we are into the Nineties, and away from the slick and nasty production of the Eighties). But as an independent creative unit it flops. When Bruce was doing these sorts of songs in the Seventies it was exciting. And he wrote better songs. Added to which, the world has moved on, and the Nineties was a rich, exciting time culturally and musically - but you wouldn't know it listening to this. Too much living in the past and in other people's backyards. 

All tracks are written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, except where noted.

International edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Hey God" 6:03
2."Something for the Pain"
4:46
3."This Ain't a Love Song"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
5:06
4."These Days" 6:26
5."Lie to Me" 5:34
6."Damned" 4:35
7."My Guitar Lies Bleeding in My Arms" 5:42
8."(It's Hard) Letting You Go"Bon Jovi5:50
9."Hearts Breaking Even"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Child
5:05
10."Something to Believe In"Bon Jovi5:25
11."If That's What It Takes" 5:17
12."Diamond Ring"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
3:46


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 6
Score: 2
   
Crush (2000) 

"It's My Life" was a big hit. One of the biggest in the band's career. It's Jon Bon Jovi's version of fellow New Jersian Frank Sinatra's "My Way", as done by fellow New Jersian Bruce Springsteen. It's intensely poppy with enough hard rock clichés, such as screeching lead guitar, to appeal to a wide spectrum of people. The rest of the album is less interesting, though the other two singles also did well, although - of course - not on the mega scale of "It's My Life". . 


No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."It's My Life"
3:44
2."Say It Isn't So"
3:33
3."Thank You for Loving Me"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
5:09
4."Two Story Town"
5:10
5."Next 100 Years"
6:19
6."Just Older"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Falcon
4:29
7."Mystery Train"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Falcon
5:14
8."Save the World"Bon Jovi5:31
9."Captain Crash & The Beauty Queen from Mars"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
4:31
10."She's a Mystery"
5:18
11."I Got the Girl"Bon Jovi4:36
12."One Wild Night"
4:18


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 8
Score: 2

   
One Wild Night Live (2001)

Modest album of popular tracks played live (though there's little atmosphere or character - this could have been studio recorded). Key tracks are the Neil Young cover and the Boom Town Rats cover with Geldof on vocals, though Geldof's voice is weak, and the Bon Jovi band plod though the song. On the whole I quite like this album. 


No.TitleWriter(s)RecordedLength
1."It's My Life"Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Max MartinToronto, Ontario, Canada on November 27, 20003:50
2."Livin' on a Prayer"Bon Jovi, Sambora, Desmond ChildZürich, Switzerland on August 30, 20005:13
3."You Give Love a Bad Name"Bon Jovi, Sambora, ChildZürich, Switzerland on August 30, 20003:53
4."Keep the Faith"Bon Jovi, Sambora, ChildNew York City, United States on September 20, 20006:19
5."Someday I'll Be Saturday Night"Bon Jovi, Sambora, ChildMelbourne, Australia on November 10, 19956:30
6."Rockin' in the Free World"Neil YoungJohannesburg, South Africa on December 1, 19955:45
7."Something to Believe In"Bon JoviYokohama, Japan on May 19, 19966:00
8."Wanted Dead or Alive"Bon Jovi, SamboraNew York City, New York on September 20, 20005:59
9."Runaway"Bon Jovi, George KarakTokyo, Japan on April 28, 19854:47
10."In and Out of Love"Bon JoviTokyo, Japan on April 28, 19856:12
11."I Don't Like Mondays" (featuring Bob Geldof)Bob GeldofLondon, United Kingdom on June 25, 19955:37
12."Just Older"Bon Jovi, Billy FalconToronto, Ontario, Canada on November 27, 20005:13
13."Something for the Pain"Bon Jovi, Sambora, ChildMelbourne, Australia on November 10, 19954:22
14."Bad Medicine"Bon Jovi, Sambora, ChildZürich, Switzerland on August 30, 20004:19
15."One Wild Night (2001)"Bon Jovi, Sambora, ChildJanuary 2001 studio version3:43




AllMusic: 
Score: 3.5


Bounce (2002)

There is an attractive mature sound to Bon Jovi at this stage. A rustic, Americana feel. A touch of Country soul. But the songs are not that gripping. There's a feel of a washed-out Eagles. I feel this album has potential in its soul and sound, but the songs and delivery don't quite get there. It ends up a little boring. But I am impressed by how Jon Bon Jovi has developed in a positive direction. Something I really hadn't expected when I started this journey. I feel more respect for the man at this stage than I did when I first started listening. 

 
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Undivided"
3:53
2."Everyday"
3:00
3."The Distance"
4:48
4."Joey"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
4:54
5."Misunderstood"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
  • Carlsson
3:30
6."All About Lovin' You"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
  • Carlsson
3:46
7."Hook Me Up"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
  • Carlsson
3:54
8."Right Side of Wrong"Bon Jovi5:50
9."Love Me Back to Life"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
4:09
10."You Had Me from Hello"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Carlsson
3:49
11."Bounce"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Falcon
3:11
12."Open All Night"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
4:22

Additional musicians


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score: 3.5 

A remix album, in which the band rerecorded some of their previous songs and hits. It's pleasant and relaxing, but lacks the energy of the originals. I quite like it. 


No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Wanted Dead or Alive"
3:43
2."Livin' on a Prayer" (featuring Olivia d'Abo)
3:41
3."Bad Medicine"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
4:27
4."It's My Life"
3:42
5."Lay Your Hands on Me"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
4:27
6."You Give Love a Bad Name"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
3:29
7."Bed of Roses"Bon Jovi5:38
8."Everyday"
3:45
9."Born to Be My Baby"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
5:27
10."Keep the Faith"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
4:12
11."I'll Be There for You"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
4:21
12."Always"Bon Jovi4:18


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score: 3

 
Have a Nice Day (2005)

Ho hum. Old fashioned country rock. I was kinda slightly charmed that in the previous two albums Jon Bon Jovi had developed from the Eighties arena pop-rock into something that sounded more authentic and mature. But he's not doing much with it. 
 


No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Have a Nice Day"
3:48
2."I Want to Be Loved"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Shanks
3:49
3."Welcome to Wherever You Are"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Shanks
3:47
4."Who Says You Can't Go Home"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
4:40
5."Last Man Standing"
4:37
6."Bells of Freedom"
4:55
7."Wildflower"Bon Jovi4:13
8."Last Cigarette"
3:38
9."I Am"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Shanks
3:53
10."Complicated"
3:37
11."Novocaine"Bon Jovi4:49
12."Story of My Life"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Falcon
4:08

Additional musicians


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score: 2.5

  
Lost Highway (2007) 

A quiet album. More mainstream pop-rock than the previous few albums, though coloured with country rock. Ho hum. 


No.TitleWriter(s)ProducerLength
1."Lost Highway"
John Shanks4:13
2."Summertime"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Shanks
John Shanks3:17
3."(You Want to) Make a Memory"
Dann Huff4:36
4."Whole Lot of Leavin'"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Shanks
John Shanks4:16
5."We Got It Going On" (featuring Big & Rich)
Dann Huff4:13
6."Any Other Day"
Dann Huff4:01
7."Seat Next to You"
Dann Huff4:21
8."Everybody's Broken"
John Shanks4:11
9."Till We Ain't Strangers Anymore" (featuring LeAnn Rimes)
Dann Huff4:43
10."The Last Night"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Shanks
John Shanks3:32
11."One Step Closer"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Shanks
John Shanks3:35
12."I Love This Town"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Falcon
Dann Huff4:36


Additional personnel


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score: 2.5

  
The Circle (2009) 

Not very interesting. 


No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."We Weren't Born to Follow"
4:03
2."When We Were Beautiful"
5:18
3."Work for the Working Man"
4:04
4."Superman Tonight"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Falcon
5:12
5."Bullet"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
3:50
6."Thorn in My Side"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
4:05
7."Live Before You Die"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
4:17
8."Brokenpromiseland"
4:57
9."Love's the Only Rule"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Falcon
4:38
10."Fast Cars"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
3:16
11."Happy Now"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
4:21
12."Learn to Love"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Child
4:39

Additional musicians


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score: 2.5

  
What About Now (2013)

 
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Because We Can"
4:00
2."I'm with You"
3:44
3."What About Now"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Shanks
3:45
4."Pictures of You"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Shanks
3:58
5."Amen"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Falcon
4:12
6."That's What the Water Made Me"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Falcon
4:24
7."What's Left of Me"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • Falcon
4:35
8."Army of One"
4:34
9."Thick as Thieves"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
  • John Shanks
4:57
10."Beautiful World"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Falcon
3:48
11."Room at the End of the World"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Shanks
5:03
12."The Fighter"Bon Jovi4:38

Additional personnel

Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score:

   
Burning Bridges (2015)

 Done to fulfil the contract with Mercury before the band changed record labels. It included unfinished tracks and tracks rejected from previous recording sessions. The band labelled it a "fan's album" to underline that this was not a standard release, and was of a poor standard such that only a fan would want it to complete their collection.  



No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."A Teardrop to the Sea"
5:08
2."We Don't Run"
3:19
3."Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning"
3:23
4."We All Fall Down"Bon Jovi4:04
5."Blind Love"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Shanks
4:47
6."Who Would You Die For?"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Falcon
3:54
7."Fingerprints"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Falcon
5:59
8."Life Is Beautiful"
3:22
9."I'm Your Man"Bon Jovi3:44
10."Burning Bridges"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Shanks
2:44

Additional Personnel

Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score:


No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."This House Is Not for Sale"
3:36
2."Living with the Ghost"
  • Bon Jovi
4:44
3."Knockout"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Shanks
3:29
4."Labor of Love"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Shanks
  • Falcon
5:03
5."Born Again Tomorrow"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Shanks
  • Falcon
3:33
6."Roller Coaster"
3:40
7."New Year's Day"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Falcon
4:27
8."The Devil's in the Temple"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Falcon
3:19
9."Scars on This Guitar"
5:06
10."God Bless This Mess"
  • Bon Jovi
3:23
11."Reunion"
  • Bon Jovi
4:14
12."Come On Up to Our House"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Shanks
4:35

Additional personnel
  • John Shanks – rhythm guitars, backing vocals, keyboards


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score:

   
2020 (2020) 


No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Limitless"
3:42
2."Do What You Can" 4:20
3."American Reckoning" 4:42
4."Beautiful Drug"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Falcon
  • Shanks
3:48
5."Story of Love" 5:50
6."Let It Rain" 4:39
7."Lower the Flag" 4:55
8."Blood in the Water" 5:58
9."Brothers in Arms" 4:13
10."Unbroken" 6:08

Additional musicians

Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score:

  
Forever (2024) 




No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Legendary"
4:05
2."We Made It Look Easy"
3:15
3."Living Proof"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Shanks
3:39
4."Waves"
3:52
5."Seeds"
5:05
6."Kiss the Bride"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Falcon
3:51
7."The People's House"Bon Jovi4:36
8."Walls of Jericho"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Shanks
  • Philip Lawrence
3:48
9."I Wrote You a Song"
  • Bon Jovi
  • Shanks
  • Falcon
3:25
10."Living in Paradise"
3:16
11."My First Guitar"Bon Jovi4:55
12."Hollow Man"Bon Jovi4:54


Wikipedia
AllMusic: 
Score:


Discography


Bon Jovi (1984)  [2] 
7800° Fahrenheit (1985)  [2.5]
Slippery When Wet (1986)   [3.5]
New Jersey (1988)   [4]
Keep the Faith (1992)   [2]
These Days (1995)   [2]
Crush (2000)   [2] 
Bounce (2002)
Have a Nice Day (2005)
Lost Highway (2007)
The Circle (2009)
What About Now (2013)
Burning Bridges (2015)
This House Is Not for Sale (2016)
2020 (2020)
Forever (2024)



Selection of Video Singles








"Best" Songs





























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