The Songs
The following list contains songs performed by the Bon Jovi Tribute Band “Bon Giovi”.
Song lists are developed by the band to suit each venue/audience.
Some song data and “fun Facts” have been taken from wikipedia.org
Enjoy!
I’ll be ther for you
First Played in Concert: November 1, 1988
From the release: New Jersey (Album)
“I’ll Be There for You” is a power ballad by the American hard rock band Bon Jovi from their 1988 album New Jersey, was written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. The song ranked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on the Mainstream rock charts.
Originally released on the 1988 album New Jersey, it became the band’s third single from the album when it was released as a single in 1989. As the band (and hard rock music) was at its peak popularity at this time, the song quickly climbed to the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their fourth and final number one single. The song has remained as one of Bon Jovi’s signature songs and a classic in the power ballad genre.
ALWAYS
First Played in Concert: December 5, 1994
From the release Cross Road: The Best of Bon Jovi (Compilation)
“Always” is a power ballad by Bon Jovi. It was released as a single from their 1994 album Cross Road and went on to become their best-selling single, with a million copies sold in the U.S. and more than 3 million worldwide. The song reached #4 in the U.S. Billboard charts, #2 on the Mainstream Top 40 and was also an international hit (#1 in Australia, #2 in the United Kingdom and #4 in Germany). It marks Alec John Such‘s final single with the band before he left the band in late 1994.
The song was originally written for the soundtrack to the 1993 film Romeo Is Bleeding. After disliking the movie, the band decided not to lend “Always” to the producers; upon its release, the film was a critical and box office disaster. Jon Bon Jovi left the track on his shelf and forgot about it, until a friend found the track and convinced him to re-record and release it on the band’s Cross Road compilation album.
Bad Medicine
First Played in Concert October 30, 1988
From the release New Jersey (Album)
“Bad Medicine” is a number-one single by American hard rock band Bon Jovi. It was written by musicians Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Desmond Child. It was released in September 1988 as the lead single from the band’s album New Jersey.
The song is highlighted by a near constant keyboard playing by David Bryan that is well defined in the beginning of the song and at several interludes, as well as loud guitar playing by Richie Sambora, background singing in the bridge and chorus, and a loud fast-paced delivery of lyrics by Jon Bon Jovi. It is one of the more upbeat and hard rocking songs on New Jersey.
Towards the end of the song, Jon says he is running out of breath and has to go, but then relents, saying “I’m not done…one more time, with feelin'” and the band finishes the song with another repeat of the chorus.
Bed of Roses
First Played in Concert: December 21, 1991
From the release Keep the Faith (Album)
“Bed of Roses” is a rock song released by Bon Jovi in late January 1993, from the album Keep the Faith. Jon Bon Jovi wrote the song in a hotel room while suffering from a hangover and the lyrics reflects his feelings at the time. The song contains drawn out guitar riffs and soft piano playing, along with emotive and high vocals by Jon Bon Jovi.
The song’s power ballad style made it a worldwide hit, and it demonstrated the band’s new, more mature sound after their success as a glam metal band in the ’80s. Released as a successful single in 1993, it reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, #5 on the top 40 mainstream, #13 in the UK Top 40, and #10 in the German Top 100.
Blaze of glory
Jon Bon Jovi Solo
“Blaze of Glory (Theme from Young Guns II)“
This song by Jon Bon Jovi which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and theMainstream rock chart in 1990, his only chart-topper away from his band Bon Jovi. The song also reached No. 1 on theBillboard Album Rock Tracks chart. “Blaze of Glory” also topped the ARIA music chart in Australia for a total of six weeks, and reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart.
The song was allegedly recorded by Jon Bon Jovi because Emilio Estevez requested Bon Jovi’s song “Wanted Dead or Alive” for the soundtrack to Young Guns II, but Bon Jovi did not think the lyrics, about the band constantly touring, fit the theme of the Western movie. However, the request inspired him to write “Blaze of Glory” with lyrics more topical to the film.
The song features a music video and remains a crowd favorite with Bon Jovi fans, despite the fact that the song was not released as one of the band’s singles, and only by Jon. The track is notable for the performance of Jeff Beck on guitar.
Born to be my baby
First Played in Concert: October 30, 1988
From the release New Jersey (Album)
“Born to Be My Baby” is a song performed by American hard rock band Bon Jovi. It was written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Desmond Child. It was released in November 1988 as the second single from their album New Jersey. It peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989, number 7 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, number 22 in the UK, and number 30 in Australia.
“Born to Be My Baby” was the second of five singles from the New Jersey album to chart in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, the most singles from an album to chart in the Top 10 for a rock band. Despite the song’s success, it was not included in the 1994 Cross Road greatest hits album. However the song was included on Bon Jovi’s Greatest Hits album in 2010. In addition, an acoustic version of the song was recorded for their album This Left Feels Right.
Dry county
First Played in Concert February 8, 1993
From the release: Keep the Faith (Album)
“Dry County” is a song by American rock band Bon Jovi. It was released in May 1994 as the sixth and final single from their 1992 album Keep the Faith. It was written by Jon Bon Jovi. “Dry County” stands as the band’s longest song released so far, with a length of 9 minutes 52 seconds. A shorter 6-minute version reached #9 in the UK Charts and #1 in Latin America.
“Dry County” is about the decline of the US domestic oil industry and its effect on those whose income relied on it. In live versions of the song, during the buildup to the second guitar solo, Jon Bon Jovi often includes a monologue about the struggles of life generally.
Have a nice day
From the release: Have a Nice Day (Album)
“Have a Nice Day” was released to radio on 18 July 2005 and as a physical and digital single on 30 August 2005. It peaked in the top ten in eleven different countries, appearing on year-end charts in five of them as well. Although it only peaked at number 53 in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100, “Have a Nice Day” peaked at number six on the Adult Pop Songs chart and at number 38 on both the Pop 100 and Mainstream Rock charts; it also peaked at number 6 on the European Hot 100 chart. “Have a Nice Day” has been certified Gold in both the United States and Australia, signifying sales of 500,000 units in the former and shipments of 35,000 units in the latter. Bon Jovi has performed “Have a Nice Day” live, and included the song on their greatest hits album Greatest Hits, as well as on several of their video albums.
I’ll be ther for you
First Played in Concert: November 1, 1988
From the release: New Jersey (Album)
“I’ll Be There for You” is a power ballad by the American hard rock band Bon Jovi from their 1988 album New Jersey, was written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. The song ranked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on the Mainstream rock charts.
Originally released on the 1988 album New Jersey, it became the band’s third single from the album when it was released as a single in 1989. As the band (and hard rock music) was at its peak popularity at this time, the song quickly climbed to the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their fourth and final number one single. The song has remained as one of Bon Jovi’s signature songs and a classic in the power ballad genre.
I’ll sleep when i’m dead
First Played in Concert: October 12, 1992
From the release: Keep The Faith (Album)
I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead is a song by the rock band Bon Jovi. It was released in July 1993 as the fourth single from their 1992 album, Keep the Faith. It was written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child. “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” reached #17 on the UK Charts, #97 in the US and #29 on the Mainstream rock charts.
In these arms
First Played in Concert: December 20, 1992
From the release: Keep The Faith (Album)
“In These Arms” is a song by American rock band Bon Jovi. It was written by Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan and Richie Sambora. It was released in May 1993 as the third single from the band’s 1992 album Keep the Faith.
The song was the band’s second most successful single from Keep the Faith in the U.S., reaching #27 on the Billboard Hot 100, #32 on the Alternative Songs chart and #14 on the top 40 mainstream chart.[2] It also reached #6 on the Canadian singles chart, #9 on the UK Singles Chart, #10 on the Australian singles chart and #14 on the German Top 40.
Its my life
First Played in Concert: December 21, 1991
From the release: Crush (Album)
“It’s My Life” is Bon Jovi‘s first single from the album Crush. It was released on May 23, 2000. It was written by Jon Bon Jovi,Richie Sambora, and Max Martin.
The song charted in the top 10 across several countries (although it only reached number 33 in the US).[1] Though the band had moved away from the glam-oriented sound with 1992’s Keep the Faith, it has the distinction of making Bon Jovi one of the only bands once classified as 1980s glam metal to reach the top 40 in the 2000s, a testament to how the song managed to introduce the band to a new, younger fanbase. The song is arguably their most well known post-1980s hit single and it has been performed live at almost all shows since its release.
The song has many classic Bon Jovi features, such as Sambora’s use of the talk box, and a line in the second verse “For Tommy and Gina, who never backed down” refers to Tommy and Gina, a fictional working class couple that Bon Jovi and Sambora first wrote about in their 1986 hit “Livin’ on a Prayer“.
“It’s My Life” is also notable for its line referencing fellow New Jerseyan Frank Sinatra: “My heart is like an open highway / Like Frankie said / I did it ‘My Way‘.” Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora apparently had a disagreement over those lines, with Bon Jovi recalling:
Keep the faith
First Played in Concert: October 12, 1992
From the release: Keep The Faith (Album)
“Keep the Faith” is a song performed by American rock band Bon Jovi. The song was written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Desmond Child. It was released in October 1992 as the lead single and title track from Bon Jovi’s fifth studio album, Keep the Faith. It is characterized by its driving bass line and is a live staple for the band.
“I Wish Everyday Could Be Like Christmas” appeared as a B-Side to the song in the US. In the United States, the song reached #1 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart and peaked at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Keep the Faith” reached #5 in the United Kingdom.
lay your hands on me
First Played in Concert: October 30, 1988
From the release: Slippery When Wet (Album)
“Lay Your Hands on Me” is a song written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora and recorded by the American rock band Bon Jovi. It was released in August 1989 as the fourth single from the band’s 1988 album New Jersey. It peaked at #7 on theBillboard Hot 100, becoming the band’s fourth single from New Jersey to chart in the Top 10 and it also charted at #20 on theMainstream rock charts.
The song runs 6 minutes, with a long intro focused on the drum beats of Tico Torres and keyboard playing of David Bryan as well as the chants of the crowd: “hey!”, before going into an extremely hard rock song, filled with loud guitar riffs by Richie Sambora and the husky delivery of lyrics by Jon Bon Jovi. By Jon’s own admission, this is one of the few Bon Jovi songs that was written from a guitar riff (Jon Bon Jovi’s usual style is to begin writing a song with the title). It was written in the studio while they were recording the New Jersey album.
let it rock
First Played in Concert: July 1, 1986
livin on a prayer
First Played in Concert: December 16, 1985
From the release: Slippery When Wet (Album)
“Livin’ on a Prayer” is Bon Jovi‘s second chart-topping single from their 12× platinum Slippery When Wet album. Written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Desmond Child, the single, released in late 1986, was well received at both rock and pop radio and its music video was given heavy rotation at MTV, giving the band their first No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and their second consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit.
The song has become the band’s signature song, topping fan-voted lists and re-charting around the world decades after its release. The original 45-RPM single release sold 800,000 copies in the United States, and in 2013 was certified Triple Platinum for over 3 million digital downloads.
Jon Bon Jovi did not like the original recording of this song, which can be found as a hidden track on 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong. Richie Sambora, however, convinced him the song was good, and they reworked it with a new bass line, different drum fills and the use of a talk box to include it on their upcoming album Slippery When Wet. The song spent two weeks at number one on the Mainstream Rock Tracks, from January 31 – February 14, 1987, and four weeks at number one on theBillboard Hot 100, from February 14 – March 14. It also hit number four on the UK singles chart.
The album version of the song, timed around 4:10, fades out at the end. However, the music video game Guitar Hero World Tour features the song’s original studio ending, where the band revisit the intro riff and end with a talk box solo; this version ends at 4:53. The original ending is also playable on similar video game Rock Band 2, though edited in this case (thereby eliminating the talk box solo at the end). The version included on the 2005 DualDisc edition of Slippery When Wet has an extended version of the original ending, with a different talk box solo playing over the riff (possibly taken from an outtake of the song); this version, which fades out at the end like the standard version of the song, ends at 5:06.
List Highway
First Played in Concert: May 26, 2007
From the release: Lost Highway(Album)
“Keep the Faith” is a song performed by American rock band Bon Jovi. The song was written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Desmond Child. It was released in October 1992 as the lead single and title track from Bon Jovi’s fifth studio album, Keep the Faith. It is characterized by its driving bass line and is a live staple for the band.
“I Wish Everyday Could Be Like Christmas” appeared as a B-Side to the song in the US. In the United States, the song reached #1 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart and peaked at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Keep the Faith” reached #5 in the United Kingdom.
Make a memory (you want to)
First Played in Concert: May 26, 2007
From the release: Slippery When Wet (Album)
“(You Want to) Make a Memory” is a song by Bon Jovi, which was released as the first single from their tenth studio album Lost Highway. Written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child, it was released for radio airplay on March 20, 2007, and for download on the US iTunes Store on April 17, 2007. It is a ballad, and was performed at several nationally-televised events in an effort to promote the single.
Two different versions of the song were released as singles. In every market except the U.S., the ‘pop version’ from the album was the single; in the U.S., however, a special ‘country version’ was released, which featured more instruments and a slightly different arrangement.
The song was nominated for a Grammy at the 2008 Grammy Awards for Best Pop Performance by a Duo/Group with Vocals.
Make a memory (you want to)
First Played in Concert: May 26, 2007
From the release: Slippery When Wet (Album)
“(You Want to) Make a Memory” is a song by Bon Jovi, which was released as the first single from their tenth studio album Lost Highway. Written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child, it was released for radio airplay on March 20, 2007, and for download on the US iTunes Store on April 17, 2007. It is a ballad, and was performed at several nationally-televised events in an effort to promote the single.
Two different versions of the song were released as singles. In every market except the U.S., the ‘pop version’ from the album was the single; in the U.S., however, a special ‘country version’ was released, which featured more instruments and a slightly different arrangement.
The song was nominated for a Grammy at the 2008 Grammy Awards for Best Pop Performance by a Duo/Group with Vocals.
Runaway
First Played in Concert: September 24, 1983
From the release: Bon Jovi (Album)
“Runaway” is a Bon Jovi song, written in 1980 and originally recorded in 1981 for the so-called “Power Station Demos”. The recordings were primarily done by an ensemble simply known as Jon Bongiovi & The Rest. Lead guitar on the original 1980s track was Bon Jovi’s neighbour, Dave Sabo,[citation needed] who would later form the group Skid Row. One night after a show,Richie Sambora found Bon Jovi backstage and told him that he should be the guitarist. Bon Jovi wrote him off and did not think much of it but told him to learn the material and show up for rehearsal. Sambora was early and knew the material and Bon Jovi was impressed; in that moment, Sambora became the band’s lead guitarist and Bon Jovi was born.
The track released in 1984 was recorded in 1982 by Jon Bon Jovi and a group of studio musicians known as “The All Star Review”, which included bassist Hugh McDonald (who would join Bon Jovi in 1995 as an unofficial member), guitarist Tim Pierceand keyboardist Roy Bittan. The keyboard intro was written by Mick Seeley, then of John Bongiovi and the Wild Ones and later with Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes.
In 1983, local radio station WAPP 103.5FM “The Apple” had a contest, held in conjunction with St. John’s University, to search for the best unsigned band. After the song won the contest, it became an instant hit in the summer of 1983.
Runaway was later released as the first song from their debut album Bon Jovi in 1984. It hit the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100at #39 in early 1984 and became the band’s first Top 40 hit in US. In recent live performances, frontman and occasional rhythm guitarist Jon Bon Jovi has been known to do a short guitar solo near the end of the song instead of hitting the usual high notes at the end, something only done in the 1980s, although the live album One Wild Night: Live 1985-2001 features Jon Bon Jovi hitting the high notes at the end of the son
she dont know me
First Played in Concert: June 13, 1984
* Note: “She Don’t Know Me” written by Mark Avsec, no longer performed live.
From the release: Slippery When Wet (Album)
“She Don’t Know Me” is the second single from American rock band Bon Jovi’s debut album, Bon Jovi. It was written by Mark Avsec (of Donnie Iris & The Cruisers fame) and charted at #48 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1]
The song has the distinction of being the only release in Bon Jovi’s entire discography that was not written or co-written by a member of the band.
In 1984, Bon Jovi’s self-titled debut album was finally released, and “She Don’t Know Me” was released as a follow-up to the band’s first hit, “Runaway.”
someday ill be saturday night
First Played in Concert: August 24, 1994
From the release: Cross Roads(Album)
“Runaway” is a Bon Jovi song, written in 1980 and originally recorded in 1981 for the so-called “Power Station Demos”. The recordings were primarily done by an ensemble simply known as Jon Bongiovi & The Rest. Lead guitar on the original 1980s track was
“Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night” is a single by American Rock band Bon Jovi. It is taken from their greatest hits album Cross Road and reached #7 in the UK Top 40.
“Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night” is about optimism in the face of adversity. The song’s first verse introduces the characters Jim who struggles to find employment and is forced to sleep in his car, and Billie-Jean who was abused by her foster father and has turned to prostitution at the age of sixteen (remarking that the street-life ain’t much better but at least I’m getting paid), mourning the loss of her childhood.
The song’s pre-chorus and chorus refer to life, luck and survival, looking forward to when times are better (the eponymous Saturday Night).The lyrics on the album is explicit.
this aint a love song
First Played in Concert: December 8, 1994
From the release: These Days (Album)
“This Ain’t a Love Song” is the lead single from Bon Jovi’s 1995 album These Days. It reached number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number two on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart, number six on the UK Singles Chart, and number one on the Finnish Singles Chart. The song is an example of the strong rhythm and blues influence that Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora wanted the These Days album to have, and the final result by the Q is alternative rock according to the critics of the magazine. The official music video was shot at Wat Ratchaburana in Ayuthaya, Thailand; and directed by Andy Morahan.[1] A Spanish version, “Como Yo Nadie Te Ha Amado,” was also recorded, however the Spanish version is different from the original because the lyrics are different and it talks about how nobody really love the two people that are in a relationship. Mexican singer Yuridia covered the Spanish version on her second studio album Habla El Corazón which peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.[2] Yuridia’s cover received was nominated at the 2008 Latin Billboard Awards for Latin Pop Airplay of the Year by a Female Artist.[3] Her cover also led to Jon Bon Jovi winning an ASCAP Latin Award in the Pop/Ballad field.[4]
Although a successful single, Bon Jovi have performed “This Ain’t a Love Song” live only six times since the conclusion of the These Days Tour, with the song not performed even once between July 13, 1996 and June 19, 2008.[5]
Wanted Dead or alive
First Played in Concert: December, 8, 1994
From the release: Slippery When Wet (Album)
“Wanted Dead or Alive” is a song from Bon Jovi‘s 1986 album Slippery When Wet. The song was written by Jon Bon Jovi andRichie Sambora and was released in 1987 as the album’s third single. During a February 20, 2008 encore performance in Detroit Michigan Jon Bon Jovi told the crowd about running into Bob Seger at a Pistons game. As he introduced his song “Wanted Dead or Alive”, he said it was inspired by Seger’s “Turn the Page” hit and called the song the band’s anthem. The song peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #13 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, making it the third single from the album to reach the Top 10 of the Hot 100. As a result, Slippery When Wet became the first hard rock album to have 3 top 10 hits on theBillboard Hot 100.
In 2003 a new version was released on the album This Left Feels Right and this version was also released as a single with a promotional video. Now considered one of the band’s signature songs, it has become known to younger audiences as the theme song for Discovery Channel‘s Deadliest Catch TV show.
The song was certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2015.
We weren’t born to follow
First Played in Concert: October 22, 2009
From the release: These Days (Album)
“This Ain’t a Love Song” is the lead single from Bon Jovi’s 1995 album These Days. It reached number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number two on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart, number six on the UK Singles Chart, and number one on the Finnish Singles Chart. The song is an example of the strong rhythm and blues influence that Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora wanted the These Days album to have, and the final result by the Q is alternative rock according to the critics of the magazine. The official music video was shot at Wat Ratchaburana in Ayuthaya, Thailand; and directed by Andy Morahan.[1] A Spanish version, “Como Yo Nadie Te Ha Amado,” was also recorded, however the Spanish version is different from the original because the lyrics are different and it talks about how nobody really love the two people that are in a relationship. Mexican singer Yuridia covered the Spanish version on her second studio album Habla El Corazón which peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.[2] Yuridia’s cover received was nominated at the 2008 Latin Billboard Awards for Latin Pop Airplay of the Year by a Female Artist.[3] Her cover also led to Jon Bon Jovi winning an ASCAP Latin Award in the Pop/Ballad field.[4]
Although a successful single, Bon Jovi have performed “This Ain’t a Love Song” live only six times since the conclusion of the These Days Tour, with the song not performed even once between July 13, 1996 and June 19, 2008.[5]
Who says you can’t go home
First Played in Concert: August 21, 2005
From the release: Have A Nice Day (Album)
“Who Says You Can’t Go Home” is a song written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora for the American rock band Bon Jovi‘s ninth studio album Have a Nice Day (2005). The song was produced by John Shanks, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. It was released as the second single in North America in the first quarter of 2006 and reached the top 30 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100singles chart, peaking at #23. Outside North America, “Welcome to Wherever You Are” was released as the second single with “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” being released as the album’s third release on June 12, 2006. The song reached #5 in the UK, becoming the band’s second Top 10 single from the album. A version of the song was also shipped to country music radio, featuring duet vocals from Jennifer Nettles of the duo Sugarland and peaked at #1 on the Country charts.
Wild in the streets
First Played in Concert: August 11,1986
From the release: Slippery When Wet (Album)
“Wild In the Streets” is power rock song from Bon Jovi’s 1986 album Slippery When Wet. The song is a signature live concert staple.
you give love a bad name
First Played in Concert: December 16, 1985
From the release: Slippery When Wet (Album)
“You Give Love a Bad Name” is a song by the rock band Bon Jovi, released as the first single from their 1986 album Slippery When Wet. Written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child about a woman who has jilted her lover, the song reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on November 29, 1986 to become the band’s first number one hit. In 2007, the song reentered the charts at No. 29 after Blake Lewis performed it on American Idol. In 2009 it was named the 20th greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1.
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