Friday, December 23, 2016

New Year's Day music video #THINFS

Bon Jovi's music video for "New Year's Day" has been released on TIDAL. It features a group of men who share a bottle before setting off on a boat. Jon also appears to nod to Phil X at the end of the line "Let's toast to new beginnings, okay".

Watch "New Year's Day" on TIDAL:


As a side note, I'll be away from tomorrow until New Year's Day and I'm not sure what my internet situation will be, so apologies in advance if I'm a little slow to update for the next week.

UPDATE 31/12/16: "New Year's Day" is now up on YouTube. Watch it below or on the BonJoviVEVO channel:


Friday, December 16, 2016

Born Again Tomorrow music video, #THINFS Live from London Palladium out now

Bon Jovi's music video for "Born Again Tomorrow" has been released on TIDAL. Between shots of the band playing in front of a collage of photographs, we see someone's life cycle through their eyes.

Watch "Born Again Tomorrow" on TIDAL:



Bon Jovi's new live album, This House Is Not For Sale (Live from the London Palladium) also came out today. I just listened to it for the first time and really liked it. I love how Jon's voice doesn't seem to have been overdubbed into oblivion. They've also cut out the stories about the songs, but left a lot of the mistakes -- like the false start to "All Hail the King", and the flubbed lyrics -- which is an unexpected move, but one that makes the album feel more "live". (They did remove the false start to "Come On Up To Our House" though.)

Do you like the new album? Would you have preferred a DVD with all the stories included?

UPDATE 20/12/16: Looks like the Live in London bundle, which comes out in January, has Jon's stories/commentary included.

UPDATE 23/12/16: "Born Again Tomorrow" is now on the BonJoviVEVO channel. Watch it below or on YouTube.


Friday, December 9, 2016

Roller Coaster music video #THINFS

Bon Jovi's music video for "Roller Coaster" is now streaming on TIDAL. It features the band playing against the backdrop of a carnival, interspersed with shots of various couples. John Shanks, who appeared in "Come On Up To Our House", is in this video as well (but unlike everyone else, he didn't get his own shot at the beginning of the video).

Watch "Roller Coaster" on TIDAL:



UPDATE 16/12/16: "Roller Coaster" is now on BonJoviVEVO. Watch it below or on YouTube.


Friday, December 2, 2016

The Devil's in the Temple music video #THINFS

Bon Jovi's music video for "The Devil's in the Temple" has now been released on TIDAL. During the TIDAL X: Bon Jovi shows, Jon said that the song is about an unnamed person at the record company. The video depicts a young female singer being harassed by record label executives to change her image, while Jon looks on in disapproval. I would've liked to see the whole band there -- maybe the rest of Bon Jovi accompanying the girl, while Jon sat back and watched -- but I get the message of the video. And there are videos from the album, including some that are still to be released, that the rest of the band is on.

Watch "The Devil's in the Temple" on TIDAL:



UPDATE 9/12/16: The music video has now been uploaded to the BonJoviVEVO channel.

Watch "The Devil's in the Temple" on YouTube:


Thursday, November 24, 2016

#THINFS track-by-track commentary

Jon Bon Jovi has recorded commentaries outlining the meanings or backgrounds behind the songs on This House Is Not For Sale. The commentaries only cover the songs on the standard version of the album though, not the bonus tracks.

Anyway, you can find the track commentaries on Bon Jovi's YouTube channel.

You can also watch them in this playlist below:




Friday, November 18, 2016

Scars on this Guitar music video + #THINFS on Spotify

"Scars on this Guitar" is one of my favourite songs from Bon Jovi's This House Is Not For Sale album, and the music video for it has just been released on TIDAL. It features a lot of shots of Jon alone with a guitar, interspersed with concert/tour footage. Phil X is included in those shots, but so is our old mate Richie Sambora.

Watch "Scars on this Guitar" on TIDAL:



Also, after a three-week delay, This House Is Not For Sale can now be streamed on Spotify.


UPDATE 25/11/16: "Scars on this Guitar" is now on BonJoviVEVO's channel.

Watch it on YouTube or below:



Saturday, November 12, 2016

RIP Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen died this week at the age of 82. Jon Bon Jovi, like many other artists, was a great admirer of Leonard's work. In honour of a legend, here's one of my idols paying tribute to one of his.

Bon Jovi performed "Hallelujah" quite frequently on the Lost Highway and Circle tours. It appeared on the Live at Madison Square Garden DVD:



JBJ has also covered "I'm Your Man" (not to be confused with the song on Burning Bridges) with the Kings of Suburbia:



Rest in peace, Leonard Cohen.

Saturday, November 5, 2016

New Bon Jovi album This House Is Not For Sale out now #THINFS

If my timezone conversions are correct, Bon Jovi's new album This House Is Not For Sale should now have been officially released around the world. I pre-ordered it on iTunes so I like to think I contributed to it going to #1 on iTunes Australia, albeit briefly. (At my last check, it was still #2 though.) I also pre-ordered a CD from Japan that's been shipped, so I'm waiting for its arrival.

The version of the This House Is Not For Sale that's streaming on TIDAL has a seventh bonus track called "Color Me In". You can listen to it now if you have a TIDAL subscription. An mp3 of the song is also floating around online.

UPDATE 11/11/16: US fans can get "Color Me In" on a Walmart-exclusive edition of This House Is Not For Sale.

Having listened to the album several times now, I think my favourite tracks are "Living With the Ghost", "Roller Coaster", "Real Love", and "Scars on this Guitar". But I'm enjoying the album as a whole, probably a lot more than I ever expected to after feeling somewhat deflated about What About Now and Burning Bridges (though they both have their moments).

What do you think of This House Is Not For Sale?

Friday, November 4, 2016

Come On Up to Our House music video #THINFS

"Come On Up To Our House" is the latest Bon Jovi music video (after "Knockout" and "Labor of Love") to be released as a TIDAL exclusive. John Shanks appears alongside the rest of the band in this video.

Watch "Come On Up To Our House" on TIDAL.



UPDATE 11/11/16: "Come On Up To Our House" is now on BonJoviVEVO. Watch it on YouTube.


Friday, October 28, 2016

#THINFS has leaked. Plus all the lyrics here in one place.

Bon Jovi's new album, This House Is Not For Sale, has leaked. And on the first couple of listens, I really like it. I'm not posting a link to a leaked copy on this blog as it's pretty easy to find, and I don't want a legal letter from the Jovi camp. :P Besides, I hope you'll buy the album when it comes out, or that you've already pre-ordered it.

But here are all the lyrics in track order if you want to sing along. ;)

I've transcribed most of the lyrics from photos and scans of the booklets that were given to people who attended the TIDAL X: Bon Jovi shows, although there were a couple of errors (e.g. extra words that were obviously not sung on the studio versions) that I attempted to fix. "I Will Drive You Home" and "Goodnight New York" were not included in the book, so I've transcribed them based on what I heard.

UPDATE 30/10/16: The bonus track "Touch of Grey" -- which will be on the German and Japanese versions of This House Is Not For Sale -- wasn't in the leaked album that most people downloaded. But apparently the full album has gone on sale early at at least one store in Austria. Someone who bought it took a picture of the lyrics for "Touch of Grey", which I've added to the bottom of this post.

UPDATE 1/11/16: Photos of the lyric booklet for "I Will Drive You Home" and "Goodnight New York" have surfaced, so I corrected the lyrics below.

UPDATE 6/11/16: I've added lyrics for TIDAL bonus track "Color Me In". I'm yet to see any official lyrics anywhere for it so please add your corrections if you hear something different. :)

***

This House Is Not For Sale
(written by Jon Bon Jovi, John Shanks, & Billy Falcon)

These four walls have got a story to tell
The door is off the hinges, there's no wish in the well
Outside the sky is coal black, the streets are on fire
The picture window's cracked and there's nowhere to run
I know, I know
This house is not for sale

I set each stone and I hammered each nail
This house is not for sale
Where memories live and the dream don't fail
This house is not for sale
Coming home
I'm coming home

Drove a spike into the ground and I staked my claim
Standing on the dirt where they'll dig my grave
Now what built these walls is in my veins
No time for looking back, the wolf is at the door
This heart, this soul
This house is not for sale

I set each stone and I hammered each nail
This house is not for sale
Where memories live and the dream don't fail
This house is not for sale
Coming home
I'm coming home

This house was built on trust
That's what it is and always was
No wrecking ball could knock it down
This house was built on higher ground

I set each stone and I hammered each nail
This house is not for sale
Where memories live and the dream don't fail
This house is not for sale
Coming home
I'm coming home
Coming home
I'm coming home
Coming home
I'm coming home
Coming home
I'm coming home
This house is not for sale

Living With the Ghost
(written by Jon Bon Jovi)

Marry me to the blue sky
Bury me in that long last drop of hard rain
Meet me where they stop time
That's you to me on the shovel that's digging this grave
Till I can waltz on a moonbeam
Till I can find a way to turn all tears into wine
I'll hitch my ride to a daydream
Can't unkiss the lips that love is leaving behind

I ain't living with the ghost
No future living in the past
I've seen what hate has done to hope
Tomorrow wasn't build to last
I ain't living with the ghost
How can I scream? I'm scared to breathe
I wrote each word, you gave the toast
But we were fire and gasoline
I ain't living with the ghost

I set my sails over wheat fields
Rode waves of amber, let a new sun shine on my face
I dropped the sword, put down my shield
I left your scars for the stars guiding my way
I traded hurting for healing
I must admit that I was reeling, now I'm feeling just fine
Traded nightmares for dreaming
Go tell your shadows that I got out alive

I ain't living with the ghost
No future living in the past
I've seen what hurt has done to hope
I found the tree, I cut the rope
Tomorrow wasn't build to last
I ain't living with the ghost
How can I scream? I'm scared to breathe
I wrote each word, you gave the toast
But we were fire and gasoline
I ain't living with the ghost

Last night I had this dream
I saw a man wash his feet in the church holy water, he worked up to his knees
From his arms to his neck, said "I'm over my head"
He was crying, trying to get some relief
Lord, I'm just trying to get some relief
I had this dream
That man was me

I ain't living with the ghost
No future living in the past
I've seen what hurt has done to hope
I found the tree, I cut the rope
Tomorrow wasn't build to last
I ain't living with the ghost
How can I scream? I'm scared to breathe
I wrote each word, you gave the toast
But we were fire and gasoline
Now I ain't living with the ghost

Knockout
(written by Jon Bon Jovi & John Shanks)

Every day I wake up with my back against the wall
Anytime you get up someone wants to see you fall
If you're afraid to lose it all, you're never gonna win
I'll be giving you the finger and sticking out my chin
Boom boom boom
Here comes the boom boom boom

Here comes the knockout
My time is right now
Turning your lights out
I'm throwing down
Here comes the knockout
Until the last round
I'm throwing down
Go start a fire, go start a fight
No regrets, this is your life (hey)
Here comes the knockout
My time is right now
I'm throwing down

Are you living in a nightmare, are you living in a dream?
Do you stand for something, will you fall for anything?
It's easier to count me out but you can count me in
Coz I'm giving you the finger and sticking out my chin
Boom boom boom
Here comes the boom boom boom

Here comes the knockout
My time is right now
Turning your lights out
I'm throwing down
Here comes the knockout
Until the last round
I'm throwing down
Go start a fire, go start a fight
No regrets, this is your life (hey)
Here comes the knockout
My time is right now
I'm throwing down down down
Down down
Throwing down down down
Down down

Did you really live your life or did it pass you by?
What's it take to tell yourself you really were alive?
Look me in the eye

Here comes the knockout
My time is right now
Turning your lights out
I'm throwing down
Here comes the knockout
Until the last round
I'm throwing down
Go start a fire, go start a fight
No regrets, this is your life (hey)
Here comes the knockout
My time is right now
I'm throwing down

Labor of Love
(written by Jon Bon Jovi, John Shanks, & Billy Falcon)

Smoke stack blowing, there's a fire in the sky
Fahrenheit rising up higher than high
Pressure's building up, sparks are gonna fly
I know where this is going when I look into your eyes
I know where this is going when I look into your eyes

Sweet sweat's rolling down the middle of your spine
Bodies move together, perfect rhythm and time
Baby, say my name, I'll write yours in the sky
Higher than a rocket on the 4th of July
Higher than a rocket on the 4th of July
It's good, it's good, it's good to be alive

It's a full-time job, the work's never done
24/7, it's a labour of love
Yeah, everything I've got, it's all about us
Baby, this ain't working, it's a labour of love
Baby, this ain't working, it's a labour of love

Only fools count treasure in silver and gold
I don't want for nothing that these hands can't hold
If you need something done, put it on the list
If I need some sugar, I'll get it from your lips
If I need some sugar, I'll get it from your lips
It's good, it's good, it's good to be alive

It's a full-time job, the work's never done
24/7, it's a labour of love
Yeah, everything I've got, it's all about us
Baby, this ain't working, it's a labour of love
Baby, this ain't working, it's a labour of love

The taste of your lips, every night, every day
I know every curve but it's never the same
If love is a fire, I'd go down in those flames
I wanna die in your arms hearing you say my name
I wanna die in your arms hearing you say my name
I wanna die in your arms hearing you say my name

It's a full-time job, the work's never done
24/7, it's a labour of love
Yeah, everything I've got, it's all about us
Baby, this ain't working, it's a labour of love

It's a full-time job, the work's never done
24/7, it's a labour of love
Give everything I've got, I can't get enough
Baby, this ain't working, it's a labour of love
Baby, this ain't working, it's a labour of love

Born Again Tomorrow
(written by Jon Bon Jovi, John Shanks, & Billy Falcon)

If you were born again tomorrow (born again tomorrow)

This ain't a test, no, it's a warning
Ain't gonna say the sky is falling
You gotta read between the lines, stop waiting for a sign
Who's gonna live your life?
Yeah, you don't have to look back to see where we are
The future's looking brighter than a hand full of stars
You gotta hold on, hold on
Be strong

If you were born again tomorrow
Would you live your life like yesterday?
If you were born again tomorrow
I wouldn't live my life any other way

Don't have to end up where you started
Heaven loves the broken hearted
You learn from your mistakes, bones grow stronger where they break
Who says that scars don't fade?
Yeah, you don't have to look back to see where we are
The future's looking brighter than a hand full of stars
You gotta hold on, hold on
You gotta be strong

If you were born again tomorrow
Would you live your life like yesterday?
If you were born again tomorrow
I wouldn't live my life any other way
Would you relive every moment?
Would you tear out any page?
If you were born again tomorrow
I wouldn't live my life any other way
Any other way
Any other way

If you were born again tomorrow
Would you live your life like yesterday?
If you were born again tomorrow
I wouldn't live my life any other way
Would you relive every moment?
Would you tear out any page?
If you were born again tomorrow
I wouldn't live my life any other way
Any other way (born again tomorrow)
If you were born again tomorrow (born again tomorrow)

Roller Coaster
(written by Jon Bon Jovi, Chris DeStefano, & Ashley Gorley)

I see you thinking twice
Wish I could read your mind
Move up or out of line
Too late for praying
I know we might lose our breath
We might be scared to death
This chance is like a step
Just gotta take it
Whoa oh... Countdown to here we go

Hold on tight, slide a little closer
Up so high stars are on our shoulders
Time flies by, don't close your eyes
Kiss by kiss, love is like a thrill ride
What goes up might take us upside down
Life ain't a merry go round
It's a roller coaster
It's a roller coaster

Can't lie and won't pretend
I know what's round the bend
Too late to start again
Won't take it slower
Let's slip right off these tracks
We'll fly or we might crash
Don't look down, don't look back
'Cause it ain't over

Hold on tight, slide a little closer
Up so high stars are on our shoulders
Time flies by, don't close your eyes
Kiss by kiss, love is like a thrill ride
What goes up might take us upside down
Life ain't a merry go round
It's a roller coaster
It's a roller coaster
Whoa oh... countdown to here we go

Hold on tight, slide a little closer
Up so high stars are on our shoulders
It's a roller coaster
Kiss by kiss, love is like a thrill ride
What goes up might take us upside down
Life ain't a merry go round
It's a roller coaster
It's a roller coaster
Roller coaster
It's a roller coaster

New Year's Day
(written by Jon Bon Jovi & Billy Falcon)

The midnight bells are ringing
A ship is setting sail
A newborn baby's crying
As lovers say farewell
And I'm singing hallelujah
Amen, the angels say
Let's hope tomorrow finds us
It's New Year's Day

Let's toast to new beginnings, okay
Raise up a glass and say
For all of our tomorrows
And what was yesterday (come on)
I'm singing carpe diem
I'm saying seize the day
Come on let's live forever
It's New Year's Day

Where does the time go? Just watch the wind blow
Sha la la la, it's New Year's Day
Green does the grass grow outside my window
Sha la la la, it's News Year's Day

This message in a bottle
The wisdom of the wine
It's just a rainy Monday
This isn't auld lang syne
I'm singing hallelujah
Amen, the angels say
Let's hope tomorrow finds us
It's New Year's Day

The Devil's in the Temple
(written by Jon Bon Jovi & Billy Falcon)

This was a church
A house of full of prayer, it ain't that now
I could tear it down
There's thieves at the altar
A snake wears the crown, handing you coal, swearing it's gold

Look what they've done to this house of love
It's too late to turn the river to blood
The saviour's come and gone, we're all out of time
The devil's in the temple and he ain't no friend of mine

I'd turn things around
I would if I could crash through the gates, break every chain
Jail for the jailers
Sing freedom's song, Amazing Grace
Burn down this place

Look what they've done to this house of love
It's too late to turn the river to blood
The saviour's come and gone, we're all out of time
The devil's in the temple and he ain't no friend of mine

Look what they've done to this house of love
Look what they've done to this house of love
The devil's in the temple and he's making a mess
Got the Mona Lisa, got his hands up her dress
The gun is in his hand but he ain't gonna confess
He lies

Look what they've done to this house of love
It's too late to turn the river to blood
The saviour's come and gone, we're all out of time
Oh, the devil's in the temple and he ain't no friend of mine
Oh, the devil's in the temple and he ain't no friend of mine
Oh, the devil's in the temple and he ain't no friend of mine

Scars on this Guitar
(written by Jon Bon Jovi, Brett James, & Billy Falcon)

Another Friday night, I'm somewhere
A little drunk and worn out from the show
It's a hallway to a hotel room
The truck's already rolling down the road
I find the lights, take off my coat
I see her there just lying on the bed
She's seen me through my yesterdays
God knows tonight I'm needing her again

She's the place I go when there's nowhere left to run to
She's the one I hold when there's no one to hold onto
She's been with me late at night when I was drowning in the dark
She heard my every word when I was pouring out my heart
So I thank my lucky stars for every crack, scratch and scar on this guitar

She's given me her best when I am at my worst
When I can't find the pieces, fingers scratching in the dirt
And she offers no forgiveness 'cause she likes to make it hurt

She's the place I go when there's nowhere left to run to
She's the one I hold when there's no one to hold onto
She's been with me late at night when I was drowning in the dark
And she heard my every word when I was pouring out my heart
So I thank my lucky stars for every crack, scratch and scar on this guitar

Morning like a freight train
Last night still ringing in my head
Before today becomes tomorrow
Tonight I know I'll do it all again

She's the place I go when there's nowhere left to run to
She's the one I hold when there's no one to hold onto
She's been with me late at night when I was drowning in the dark
She heard my every word when I was pouring out my heart
So I thank my lucky stars for every crack, scratch and scar on this guitar
And so I thank my lucky stars for every crack, scratch and scar on this guitar

God Bless This Mess
(written by Jon Bon Jovi)

I got some blood under my nails, I got some mud on my face
My voice is shot, I'm going grey, these muscles all ache
Don't cry for me, I'm the life of the party
I'm smiling most of the time
I may be gritting my teeth, can't get back where we started
These days I'm doing just fine

God bless this mess, this mess is mine
Won't pound my chest or criticise
I must confess I've lived, I've died
God bless this mess, this mess is mine
God bless this mess, this mess is mine

I knew every buried body, paid for each headstone
I may have led the prayers in public but I cried alone
Found God through sin but this ain't my confession
I'll wait on Judgment Day
It's lose or win, got no need for protection
Stand up or out of my way

God bless this mess, this mess is mine
Won't pound my chest or criticise
I must confess I've lived, I've died
God bless this mess, this mess is mine
God bless this mess, this mess is mine

The howling doomsday dogs are snapping at your feet
Round here the sky is cracked but won't admit defeat
Down here they got your back and good men stood at your side
This treasure chest of rags still keeps this dream alive

God bless this mess, this mess is mine
Won't pound my chest or criticise
I must confess I've lived, I've died
God bless this mess, this mess is mine
God bless this mess, this mess is mine

Reunion
(written by Jon Bon Jovi)

This isn't how the story ends, my friends
It's just a fork along the road
Don't say your prayers, save your amens
You've come this far but you're still far from home
Don't say goodbye, just say farewell
Write every line you'll live to tell
Hold your head high like Harry, give 'em hell
As the night ignites the day
Make some memories along the way

Write your song, sing along, love your life
Learn to laugh, dare to dance, touch the sky
Take pictures each step of the way
Make this the best of the rest of your days
Start your revolution, and I'll see you at the reunion

Some friends will go and some will stay
Okay, some last a chapter, some a page
For some love comes disguised as lust but you'll find love when you find trust one day
Do better than our parents did
Imperfect husband, wife and kids
Go chart your course then turn it upside down
Go live your life, eyes open wide
Who's to say what's wrong or right... right?

Write your song, sing along, love your life
Learn to laugh, dare to dance, touch the sky
Take pictures each step of the way
Make this the best of the rest of your days
Start your revolution, and I'll see you at the reunion

As the night ignites the day, go make some memories along the way...
Write your song, sing along, love your life
Yeah, learn to laugh, dare to dance, touch the sky
Take pictures each step of the way
Make this the best of the rest of your days
I say, go start your own revolution, and I'll see you at the reunion
I'll see you at the reunion
Oh, I'll see you at the reunion

This isn't how the story ends, my friends
It's just a fork along the road

Come On Up to Our House
(written by Jon Bon Jovi & John Shanks)

Come on up to our house, let us make you feel at home
Come on up to our house, I will leave the porch light on

I wish tonight would last forever and it would never end
We were introduced as strangers, now we're leaving here as friends
Every word that you speak is a melody as we're writing the songs of our lives
Everyone knows we don't want to go home but we can't stay here tonight

Come on up to our house, let us make you feel at home
Come on up to our house, I will leave the porch light on
All are welcome at our table, you can never stay too long
Come on up to our house, I will leave the porch light on

You could tell me your life story, I could finish every line
The one about hurt and the heartache, it still gets me every time
Every word that you speak is the harmony to the song that I'm singing inside
Everyone knows we don't want to go home but we can't stay here tonight

Come on up to our house, let us make you feel at home
Come on up to our house, I will leave the porch light on
All are welcome at our table, you can never stay too long
Come on up to our house, I will leave the porch light on

I wish tonight could last forever 'cause I ain't good at saying goodbye
Everyone knows we don't want to go home but we can't stay here tonight

Come on up to our house, let us make you feel at home
Come on up to our house, I will leave the porch light on
For the restless and the weary, you will never be alone
All are welcome at our table, you can never stay too long
So come on up to our house, I will leave the porch light on
(Come on up to our house, let us make you feel at home) Come on up to our house
(Come on up to our house, I will leave the porch light on) Come on up to our house
(Come on up to our house, let us make you feel at home) Come on up to our house
(Come on up to our house)

Real Love
(written by Jon Bon Jovi & Billy Falcon)

They're putting up the chairs to close, she let me settle up my tab
I told her "button up, it's cold", I ain't too drunk to hail us a cab
We can get a cup of coffee unless you gotta get back home
Sitting across the table, a gypsy couldn't read her mind
I took her hand and told her I just want to crawl into your eyes
She shook her head and said it's cruel, cool is just a cheap disguise

Have you ever known a real love?
The kind of love that makes you feel love
No, this ain't let's make a deal love
Make an angel give his wings up
It makes you guilty 'cause you want more
If it's a kiss that you would die for
Feels like you're falling through the stars
If it can break your heart
It's real love

We drank that muddy pot of coffee, it was morning when I walked her home
I never been this lonely, lying in this bed alone
Her words still ringing in my head, her sad eyes sunk me like a stone

Have you ever known a real love?
The kind of love that makes you feel love
No, this ain't let's make a deal love
Make an angel give his wings up
It makes you guilty 'cause you want more
If it's a kiss that you would die for
Feels like you're falling through the stars
If it can break your heart
It's real love

I put on the same shirt and I ran out the door
Stole a fistful of roses from the sidewalk store
Just my heart in my hand, I had nothing to throw
Standing up on her front step, calling to the window

Have you ever known a real love?
The kind of love that makes you feel love
No, this ain't let's make a deal love
Make an angel give his wings up
It makes you guilty 'cause you want more
If it's a kiss that you would die for
Feels like you're falling through the stars
If it can break your heart
It's real love
Feels like you're falling through the stars
If it can break your heart
It's real love

All Hail the King
(written by Jon Bon Jovi, Chris DeStefano, & Ashley Gorley)

Heavy is the head that wears the crown
All the people came to hear him speak from miles around
They hung on every word, a song in every sound
Heavy is the head that wears the crown

He touched the sky to light up all the stars
He could snap his fingers and catch lightning in a jar
I am you and you are me and we are who we are
Touch the sky and light up all the stars

All hail the king whose castle's falling down
The paper prince who wears a cardboard crown
Poor man has his money, rich man has his gold
All hail the king whose fortune is his soul, soul, soul

He climbed the clouds to heaven's highest hill
When you get at that high, the earth below looks just like a blue pill
Gave wind to all his horses, to all his men goodwill
When he climbed down from heaven's highest hill

All hail the king whose castle's falling down
The paper prince who wears a cardboard crown
Poor man has his money, rich man has his gold
All hail the king whose fortune is his soul, soul, soul

He breathed his last, they laid him in the ground
False prophets spoke of riches and said all hail to us now
The faithful wouldn't listen and they never would bow down
He breathed his last, they laid him in the ground

All hail the king whose castle's falling down
The paper prince who wears a cardboard crown
Poor man has his money, rich man has his gold
All hail the king whose fortune is his soul, soul, soul...

We Don't Run
(written by Jon Bon Jovi & John Shanks)

Take a look around you, yeah the sky is falling
Sinners say your prayers, this train is off the tracks
Nothing is forever when tomorrow's calling
Dancing with the devil to get one day back

Not afraid of burning bridges
'Cause I know they're gonna light my way
Like a phoenix from the ashes
Welcome to the future, it's a new day

We don't run, I'm standing my ground
We don't run and we don't back down
There's fire in the sky, there's thunder on the mountain
Blessed each tear and this dirt I was born in
Run, we don't run, we don't run

Take me to the banks of your muddy water
Where the flesh and blood and the spirit meet
Only takes your touch for me to find salvation
You're the only reason that I still believe

Not afraid of burning bridges
'Cause I know they're gonna light my way
Like a phoenix from the ashes
Welcome to the future, it's a new day

We don't run, I'm standing my ground
We don't run and we don't back down
There's fire in the sky, there's thunder on the mountain
Bless each tear and this dirt I was born in
Run, we don't run, we don't run

(Fire in the sky, there's thunder on the mountain)
(Fire in the sky, there's thunder on the mountain)

We don't run, I'm standing my ground
We don't run and we don't back down
There's fire in the sky, there's thunder on the mountain
Bless each tear and this dirt I was born in
Run, we don't run, we don't run

We don't run
We don't...
(Fire in the sky, there's thunder on the mountain)

I Will Drive You Home 
(written by Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Falcon, & Luke Laird)

Here comes the next big thing, there's a new gun in town
There'll be a faster one before the sun goes down
They've come to kick the tyres, they'd like to take a spin
See how it takes the turns, see if it breaks or bends

But I will drive you home
I want you to know that I will drive you home

Hell, it ain't nothing new, everything new gets old
Maybe some glitter's gone but we're still good as gold
When some driver comes and tries to jump the start
Thinks he can steal your love, hotwire your heart

But I (I) will drive (drive) you home (home)
I want you to know that I (I) will drive (drive) you home (home)

Let 'em rev their engines, let 'em spin their wheels
All they've got is shine, they're just chrome and steel
But I (I) will drive (drive) you home (home)

Here comes that faster fast, here comes that higher high
As we walk on past, they just step aside

I (I) will drive (drive) you home (home)
I want you to know that I (I) will drive (drive) you home (home)
Let 'em rev their engines, let 'em spin their wheels
All they've got is shine, they're just chrome and steel
When they raise the flag and the smoke has cleared
When the rest are gone, I'll be standing here
I (I) will drive (drive) you home (home)
I want you to know that I (I) will drive (drive) you home (home)

(Let them rev their engines, let them spin their wheels
All they've got is shine, they're just chrome and steel
When they raise the flag and the smoke has cleared
When the rest are gone, I'll be standing here
Let them rev their engines, let them spin their wheels
All they've got is shine, they're just chrome and steel
When they raise the flag and the smoke has cleared
When the rest are gone, I'll be standing here)

Goodnight New York 
(written by Jon Bon Jovi, John Shanks, & Billy Falcon)

Morning comes crashing like a rock through a window
Jackhammer banging on the hot concrete
Take your stand (hey!), move it man
It's a backtalk sidewalk symphony
Uber cars, yellow cabs, thick as smoke
Painted girls and metre maids will leave you broke
Sax man blowing, shooting through my veins
There's a rhythm to the racket that's intoxicating

Goodnight New York, goodnight
Don't ever close your eyes
If the street could talk, New York New York
So fine they named you twice
Your face, your grace, no other place
From east to west, these streets are blessed
Goodnight New York, sleep tight New York, goodnight

Starbucks, FedEx trucks on every street and avenue
Broadway lights shining bright, make everybody beautiful
Walking on the High Line, reaching for the skyline
If Alexander Hamilton could see it all
Garbage trucks backing up, beep beep beep
Dogs barking on the balcony, the kids can't sleep
Scaffolds, potholes, Batman's on a bicycle
PATH trains, bus lanes, welcome to the carnival

Goodnight New York, goodnight
Don't ever close your eyes
If the street could talk, New York New York
So fine they named you twice
Your face, your grace, no other place
From east to west, these streets are blessed
Goodnight New York, sleep tight New York, goodnight

The bravest and the finest
My hand's on my heart for you
To the ones who paid the price and to those who saw us through
It's late, I'm getting weary
So for now I'll say

Goodnight New York, goodnight
Don't ever close your eyes
If the street could talk, New York New York
So fine they named you twice

Goodnight New York, goodnight
Don't ever close your eyes
If the street could talk, New York New York
So fine they named you twice
Your face, your grace, no other place
From east to west, these streets are blessed
Goodnight New York, sleep tight New York, goodnight
Goodnight New York, sleep tight New York, goodnight
So goodnight New York, sleep tight New York, goodnight

Touch of Grey 
(written by Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Falcon, & Brett James)

People, people everywhere
There's revolution in the air
There's protest signs and people walking
Talking heads on TV talking
Pick a team and choose your side
There ain't no room for compromise
We're running out of better days
Brother, all I'm trying to say is hey hey hey

You see black and I see white
No two hearts can beat the same
In a world of many colours
There's a little touch of grey
I say wrong when you say right
Different faces, different names
Brother brother brother
It's okay to say hey hey hey
I see things with a little touch of grey

If I whisper, will you listen?
Will I answer if you scream?
Politics and bad religion
Took a hammer to this dream
Everybody loves their children
Forgiveness and a second chance
One more thing we got in common
Ain't love why we do this dance?
Ain't love why we do this dance?
Hey hey hey, yeah

You see black and I see white
No two hearts can beat the same
In a world of many colours
There's a little touch of grey
I say wrong when you say right
Different faces, different names
Brother brother brother
It's okay to say hey hey hey
I see things with a little touch of grey

I believe there's a train still coming
I believe that there's room on board
Break the chains and raise your hands up
Be the change we're looking for
Hey hey hey, yeah

You see black and I see white
No two hearts can beat the same
In a world of many colours
There's a little touch of grey
I say wrong when you say right
Different faces, different names
Brother brother brother
It's okay to say
You see black and I see white
No two hearts can beat the same
In a world of many colours
(I see things with a little touch of grey)
I say wrong when you say right
Different faces, different names
Brother brother brother
(I see things with a little touch of grey)

(I believe there's a train still coming
I believe that there's room on board
Break the chains and raise your hands up
Be the change we're looking for)

Color Me In
(written by Jon Bon Jovi & Billy Falcon)

Hello my name is... it really don't matter, no
A book of blank pages, anything you want, I'll be
Write a little love letter on me
Oh, make me fit just right like a hand in a glove
As close as the lipstick on your coffee cup
Paint me the picture you're dreaming of
If that ain't enough

Colour me in
Any way you wanna begin, I'm in
Girl, you've got me under your spell, I fell
Any shade you wanna use, colour me just right for you
Colour me in

This might sound crazy, do anything you wanna do
Your kiss can save me, let me wrap these arms around you
I wanna be the song that's stuck in your head
Close as a prayer that you'll never forget
All I can say is just what I said, we'll get there again

Colour me in
Any way you wanna begin, I'm in
Girl, you've got me under your spell, I fell
Any shade you wanna use, colour me just right for you
Colour me in

Let your imagination run wild
All I wanna do is make you smile
And I've got all night

Hello, my name is... my name is

Colour me in
Any way you wanna begin, I'm in
Girl, you've got me under your spell, I fell
Any shade you wanna use, colour me just right for you

Colour me in
Oh, colour me in
Oh, colour me in
Oh, color me in

Labor of Love music video #THINFS

"Labor of Love" is the latest Bon Jovi music video to be released on TIDAL. I've seen fans comparing it to the video for "Living in Sin", but this one has a bit of a twist.

Watch "Labor of Love" on TIDAL (if you have a subscription).



If you don't have a TIDAL subscription, the video for "Knockout" was uploaded to Bon Jovi's VEVO channel on YouTube a couple of weeks after its initial release on TIDAL, so I imagine the same thing will happen with "Labor of Love".

EDIT 4/11/16: "Labor of Love" is now on YouTube. Watch it below.


Here's a fun fact: The young man in this video (he also appeared in "Knockout") is Levi Dylan -- son of Jakob and grandson of Bob.

Friday, October 14, 2016

Knockout music video on TIDAL #THINFS

Bon Jovi are continuing their relationship with TIDAL by releasing one new exclusive video a week for the next ten weeks. The first one is "Knockout". Let's just say that I like the music video a lot better than the song. It's actually an interesting video, and I can't remember the last time I saw Hugh McDonald look so animated. :P

Unfortunately, you can only see the whole video if you have a paid subscription to TIDAL. Hopefully it will be released to YouTube at a later date.

Watch "Knockout" on TIDAL.



UPDATE (22/10/16): "Knockout" has now been uploaded to YouTube (by an official source, as opposed to a fan ripping the video). Watch it below.

Bon Jovi - Knockout


Saturday, October 8, 2016

Leaked Bon Jovi song Burn With Me

"Burn With Me", an outtake that Bon Jovi originally recorded for What About Now was recently leaked. The song was written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and John Shanks.

Listen to "Burn With Me" below:

"Burn With Me" was given to Juliet Simms, formerly of the band Automatic Loveletter and one-time runner-up of The Voice (US). This is her version:

Personally, I enjoy the track, but not so much that it would've changed how I feel about What About Now so I don't care that they left it off. (Conversely, there are some outtakes from Bounce and Have a Nice Day that I think WOULD have improved their respective albums.)

Do you like "Burn With Me"? Do you think Bon Jovi should've released it?

Friday, October 7, 2016

New Bon Jovi song Born Again Tomorrow, new #THINFS release date


The studio version of "Born Again Tomorrow", which made its live debut at the TIDAL X: Bon Jovi show at Count Basie Theater, is now available. If you've pre-ordered This House Is Not For Sale on iTunes, the track should already be waiting for you. (And if you pre-order now, you should get access to "Born Again Tomorrow", as well as "Labor of Love", "Knockout", and title track "This House Is Not For Sale".)

You can also listen to "Born Again Tomorrow" on Spotify if you don't want to pre-order the album.



This is the second "live your life" song on the album after "Knockout". I prefer "Born Again Tomorrow". But I've mentioned my dislike for "Knockout" plenty of times for a track that's been out less than a month, and I respect that it has its fans.

Here are the lyrics to "Born Again Tomorrow", which was written by Jon Bon Jovi, John Shanks, and Billy Falcon:

If you were born again tomorrow (born again tomorrow)

This ain't a test, no, it's a warning
Ain't gonna say the sky is falling
You gotta read between the lines, stop waiting for a sign
Who's gonna live your life?
Yeah, you don't have to look back to see where we are
The future's looking brighter than a handful of stars
You gotta hold on, hold on
Be strong

If you were born again tomorrow
Would you live your life like yesterday?
If you were born again tomorrow
I wouldn't live my life any other way

Don't have to end up where you started
Heaven loves the broken hearted
You learn from your mistakes, bones grow stronger where they break
Who says that scars don't fade?
Yeah, you don't have to look back to see where we are
The future's looking brighter than a handful of stars
You gotta hold on, hold on
You gotta be strong

If you were born again tomorrow
Would you live your life like yesterday?
If you were born again tomorrow
I wouldn't live my life any other way
Would you relive every moment?
Would you tear out any page?
If you were born again tomorrow
I wouldn't live my life any other way
Any other way
Any other way

If you were born again tomorrow
Would you live your life like yesterday?
If you were born again tomorrow
I wouldn't live my life any other way
Would you relive every moment?
Would you tear out any page?
If you were born again tomorrow
I wouldn't live my life any other way
Any other way (born again tomorrow)
If you were born again tomorrow (born again tomorrow)


Previously scheduled for release on October 21, This House Is Not For Sale will now drop on November 4. The new date avoids a clash with the release of Lady Gaga's new album, thus giving Bon Jovi a better chance of scoring a Billboard number-one. (That's not the official reason for the postponement, but the speculation makes sense.)

As announced on Ellen, the tour will kick off in February 2017. Check the Bon Jovi site for the first leg of dates.


Do you like "Born Again Tomorrow"? Are you looking forward to the tour?

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Jon Bon Jovi on ageing, the music biz and #THINFS

Jon Bon Jovi was recently interviewed for BBC 5 live. He talked about growing old gracefully, the changing music industry, and upcoming album This House Is Not For Sale.

While there are a few standard JBJ lines, I think this is probably one of the better interviews he's done in recent times. Jon admitted that he and John Shanks have been very controlling in the past decade. However, for this album, the band was together in the studio and helped shape the songs, which is how things should be.

Watch the full interview below:

In defence of Richie Sambora

RSO copped some flak during their Australian tour, with Richie Sambora receiving the brunt of it (although I've also read some disgusting comments about Orianthi that I doubt she'd be getting if she were male). Their Melbourne show was thoroughly slammed by fans on Richie's own Facebook page (these comments have since been deleted). Fan reviews from the Adelaide, Sydney, and Brisbane gigs were generally more positive, but then RSO performed at the NRL Grand Final pre-game show and it kind of went downhill again.

Social media was even comparing RSO's NRL Grand Final performance to Meat Loaf's performance at the 2011 AFL Grand Final, a comparison I found to be rather hyperbolic.

Here's RSO at the NRL.


And here's Meat Loaf at the AFL.

Obviously I am biased towards RSO, but given Bat Out of Hell is one of my all-time favourite albums, I love me some Meat Loaf too. And whatever you think of Richie or Ori, it was nowhere near as bad as that.

I thought "Wanted Dead or Alive" was fine. I'd have preferred them to do one of their respective solo songs rather than "Livin' on a Prayer" -- if any song is going to expose your vocal limitations, it's "Prayer". And because it's such a recognisable song when performed electric, everyone notices when you don't do the key change, or try to alter the song to fit your voice. To be honest, Jon Bon Jovi can't really sing it anymore either, but he has the luxury of being able to point the microphone towards the crowd and have tens of thousands of people sing the chorus for him. RSO doesn't.

In all honesty, being a Richie fan can be a roller coaster ride. He's got his well-documented demons. He makes up BS excuses when he cancels shows. He's not the easiest person to love. But then I put on a track like "Father Time" and remember why I do still love him.



Anyway, I'll finish this post with a video of Richie performing "Harlem Rain" at Enmore Theatre in Sydney. More solo stuff (from both Richie and Ori) and fewer covers is what I'd like to see from an RSO show (along with whatever they've come up with together, once it's released). They skipped out on Perth this tour, but I still haven't given up hope that I'll see them someday.



Monday, October 3, 2016

Every song from This House Is Not For Sale live

As mentioned in my previous post, Bon Jovi performed This House Is Not For Sale in its entirety at Count Basie Theater on October 1. Some of these songs may never be played live again after Bon Jovi complete this month's run of TIDAL X shows, so thanks to JBJSpirit and JoviGirl1983 for capturing these videos. Just quietly, I would've liked for Jon to move around a little more, given he wasn't playing guitar. But all in all, the album sounds promising to my ears. Although I feel like screaming at the band/Jon/the record company that it's not too late to NOT release "Knockout" as a single!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this mini-concert...

This House Is Not For Sale

Living with the Ghost

Knockout


Labor of Love

Born Again Tomorrow


Roller Coaster

New Year's Day

The Devil's in the Temple

Scars on This Guitar

God Bless This Mess

Reunion

Come On Up to Our House

Real Love (bonus track)

All Hail the King (bonus track)

We Don't Run (bonus track; previously released on Burning Bridges)

Do you have a favourite song?

Sunday, October 2, 2016

#THINFS makes its live debut for #TIDALXBonJovi

Bon Jovi just played the first of four TIDAL X shows, in which they'll be performing their upcoming album This House Is Not For Sale in its entirety. This October 1 show took place at Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, New Jersey.

The current lineup of Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan, Tico Torres, Hugh McDonald*, and Phil X were joined by John Shanks on rhythm guitar and Everett Bradley on percussion. Most Bon Jovi fans know Shanks as the producer or co-producer of every album since Have a Nice Day; he also did most of the guitar work on Burning Bridges. Everett played on Jon's Destination Anywhere solo tour; a reasonable percentage of this blog's readers might also have seen him with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on the Wrecking Ball or High Hopes tours.

Jennifer, a fan who was at the gig, streamed most of the TIDAL X: Bon Jovi show via Facebook Live. On first listen, I like "Roller Coaster", "The Devil's in the Temple", and "Scars on this Guitar". But I'll wait until we hear the studio versions of the tracks to make a proper judgment. I have a bad feeling that none of the good songs will be official singles, and all the terrible ones will be. (I still dislike "Knockout" and I can't see that changing anytime soon.) Prove me wrong, guys. :P

A few videos have also already surfaced on YouTube.

Living with the Ghost:

Come on up to Our House:

New Year's Day:


Based on what you've heard now, are you looking forward to the album?

*I'd like to mention that, sometime after my complaint that Bon Jovi's Facebook page now listed Phil as a member but not Huey... this happened:

Now I'm not saying they updated it because of me, but I'm glad they did it. ;)

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Sambora fans unhappy with his performance

As some of you know, I was all set to go to RSO's concert at Metro City in Perth until it got cancelled. A couple of people have since messaged me suggesting I may have dodged a bullet, after fans went on Richie Sambora's Facebook page to vent their anger at his performance at Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena.

Noise11 has summarised some of the comments, but the general consensus seems to be:

  • RSO came on stage an hour late with no apology or explanation;
  • Richie appeared drunk or stoned and didn't know the lyrics;
  • Orianthi did a good job of trying to hold the show together on her own;
  • There were too many Bon Jovi songs and covers, only one solo Sambora song, and none of the promised new material from the upcoming RSO album;
  • Fans left early and are trying to get refunds.

It's worth noting that the concert in Adelaide, which is Orianthi's hometown, didn't attract the same level of vitriol. Most fans I heard seemed happy with the Adelaide show, and while there was criticism of the set list, it was mainly from people who hadn't been there. So who knows what sort of performances Sydney and Brisbane are going to get?

Here is RSO's cover of Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" from Adelaide:


And their version of "Wanted Dead or Alive" from Melbourne:

Have you seen RSO on their Australian tour so far? What did you think?

Friday, September 23, 2016

New Bon Jovi song Labor of Love #THINFS


Another song from Bon Jovi's upcoming album This House Is Not For Sale is now available. The track's called "Labor of Love". If you pre-ordered the album on iTunes, you should have automatic access to the song. You can also listen to "Labor of Love" on Spotify.



Here's my attempt at transcribing the lyrics:

Smoke stack blowing, there's a fire in the sky
Fahrenheit rising up higher than high
Pressure's building up, sparks are gonna fly
I know where this is going when I look into your eyes
I know where this is going when I look into your eyes

Sweet sweat's rolling down the middle of your spine
Bodies move together, perfect rhythm and time
Baby, say my name, I'll write yours in the sky
Higher than a rocket on the 4th of July
Higher than a rocket on the 4th of July
It's good, it's good, it's good to be alive

It's a full-time job, the work's never done
24/7, it's a labour of love
Yeah, everything I've got, it's all about us
Baby, this ain't working, it's a labour of love
Baby, this ain't working, it's a labour of love

Only fools count treasure in silver and gold
I don't want for nothing that these hands can hold
If you need something done, put it on the list
If I need some sugar, I'll get it from your lips
If I need some sugar, I'll get it from your lips
It's good, it's good, it's good to be alive

It's a full-time job, the work's never done
24/7, it's a labour of love
Yeah, everything I've got, it's all about us
Baby, this ain't working, it's a labour of love
Baby, this ain't working, it's a labour of love

The taste of your lips, every night, every day
I know every curve but it's never the same
If love is a fire, I'd go down in those flames
I wanna die in your arms hearing you say my name
I wanna die in your arms hearing you say my name
I wanna die in your arms hearing you say my name

It's a full-time job, the work's never done
24/7, it's a labour of love
Yeah, everything I've got, it's all about us
Baby, this ain't working, it's a labour of love

It's a full-time job, the work's never done
24/7, it's a labour of love
Give everything I've got, I can't get enough
Baby, this ain't working, it's a labour of love
Baby, this ain't working, it's a labour of love

As usual, any and all corrections are welcome. :) "Labor of Love" was written by Jon Bon Jovi, John Shanks, and Billy Falcon.

Jon did a Facebook live Q&A earlier this month in which he compared the new album to Have a Nice Day and These Days. You could hear "Have a Nice Day" in "This House Is Not For Sale"  and perhaps in "Knockout", so I'm guessing "Labor of Love" is one of the songs Jon is thinks would fit on These Days. It reminds me of some of the songs from Burning Bridges personally, and maybe a bit of Destination Anywhere.

What do you think of "Labor of Love"?

Saturday, September 10, 2016

New Bon Jovi song Knockout + #THINFS tracklist

Annnnnd we officially have the "live your life" song that's been on most Bon Jovi albums since 2000. Although who knows, there could be more than one on this album?

Anyway, This House Is Not For Sale, which is due out on 21 October 2016, is now available for pre-order. If you pre-order it on iTunes, you'll get the title track (which came out last month) and a new song called "Knockout".

If you're disinclined to purchase the album at this stage, you can also listen to "Knockout" on Spotify.



Here are the lyrics (I think):

Every day I wake up with my back against the wall
Anytime you get up someone wants to see you fall
If you're afraid to lose it all, you're never gonna win
I'll be giving you the finger and sticking out my chin
Boom boom boom
Here comes the boom boom boom

Here comes the knockout
My time is right now
Turning your lights out
I'm throwing down
Here comes the knockout
Until the last round
I'm throwing down
Go start a fire, go start a fight
No regrets, this is your life (hey)
Here comes the knockout
My time is right now
I'm throwing down

Are you living in a nightmare, are you living in a dream?
Do you stand for something, will you fall for anything?
It's easier to count me out but you can count me in
Coz I'm giving you the finger and sticking out my chin
Boom boom boom
Here comes the boom boom boom

Here comes the knockout
My time is right now
Turning your lights out
I'm throwing down
Here comes the knockout
Until the last round
I'm throwing down
Go start a fire, go start a fight
No regrets, this is your life (hey)
Here comes the knockout
My time is right now
I'm throwing down down down
Down down 
Throwing down down down
Down down

Did you really live your life or did it pass you by?
What's it take to tell yourself you really were alive?
Look me in the eye

Here comes the knockout
My time is right now
Turning your lights out
I'm throwing down
Here comes the knockout
Until the last round
I'm throwing down
Go start a fire, go start a fight
No regrets, this is your life (hey)
Here comes the knockout
My time is right now
I'm throwing down

The lyric I've written as "boom" sounded like "pull" the first couple of times I listened to it, so I don't know how accurate this transcription is. "Knockout" was written by Jon Bon Jovi and John Shanks.

To be honest, I'm not really digging this one, but maybe it'll grow on me. I don't mind the boxing metaphor.

The track listing for This House Is Not For Sale is as follows:

  1. This House Is Not For Sale
  2. Living with the Ghost
  3. Knockout
  4. Labor of Love
  5. Born Again Tomorrow
  6. Roller Coaster
  7. New Year's Day
  8. The Devil's in the Temple
  9. Scars on This Guitar
  10. God Bless This Mess
  11. Reunion (previously performed for Rutgers University graduates)
  12. Come on up to Our House
    Bonus tracks (Deluxe Edition):
  13. Real Love
  14. All Hail the King
  15. We Don't Run (previously released on Burning Bridges)
  16. I Will Drive You Home
  17. Goodnight New York

I like some of those titles, but I also know better than to judge a song by its title. ;)

Of the two tracks that have been released from the album, which song do you prefer -- "Knockout" or "This House Is Not For Sale"? Or do you love/hate both?

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Richie Sambora on songwriting, RSO and Bon Jovi

First things first. I shared this video on Blame It On The Love's Facebook page two weeks ago, but I'm going to post it here because I think it's really sweet. Even if it was possibly staged for the media. It's the video of Richie Sambora and Orianthi congratulating Bon Jovi on their new single, which was posted on both Facebook and Twitter. Jon (or someone on behalf of Jon) replied on both sites.





Anyway, Richie and Orianthi (aka RSO) are hitting my hometown of Perth next month, and I have tickets so I'm pretty excited. (Funnily enough, a Bon Jovi tribute band from Melbourne is also playing in Perth that night. I'm guessing that show was planned before RSO announced theirs.)

I saw Richie and Ori at Soundwave back in 2014, but it'll be good to see them do their own show rather than a festival this time.

(EDIT 20/9: RSO cancelled their Perth show, ostensibly due to recording commitments, but anyone with half a brain knows it was due to poor ticket sales. It's a lot like that time Richie conveniently got sick just before his US shows that weren't selling well.)

Anyway, Richie was interviewed on Mix 94.5 today. He talked about songwriting, working with Orianthi and producer Bob Rock, and his charity work. Listen to the interview here.

Richie also spoke to News Corp in an article that was published today. He said there was no bad blood between him and Jon, and that he was open to the possibility of a reunion with Bon Jovi:
“There’s no malice. Jon and I talked just a week ago. Everything is cool. They’re on a different trajectory, I’m on a different path. Plus I wanted to go out and sing.
“People conjugate a story that there’s problems. No. You spend 30 something years in a band. That’s a long time. Not a lot of bands have that kind of longevity. We weren’t a band who took any breaks. The Rolling Stones or U2 will take three years off so they have a life, we didn’t really do that ever. The 30 years we put in probably felt like 50 years.”
He also described the upcoming RSO album as "Sonny and Cher on steroids". Read the full article here.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Friday, August 12, 2016

This House Is Not For Sale music video


Bon Jovi's new music video for "This House Is Not For Sale" has officially dropped. As the teasers on their Facebook page suggested, both Phil X and Hugh McDonald are in the video. The video also comes with closed captions on YouTube, with what I would assume are the official lyrics (so you can compare them with the transcribed version I came up with last night).

Anyway, here is the video for "This House Is Not For Sale":

 


And the correct lyrics:

These four walls have got a story to tell
The door is off the hinges, there's no wish in the well
Outside the sky is coal black, the streets are on fire
The picture window's cracked and there's nowhere to run
I know, I know
This house is not for sale

I set each stone and I hammered each nail
This house is not for sale
Where memories live and the dream don't fail
This house is not for sale
Coming home
I'm coming home

Drove a spike into the ground and I staked my claim
Standing on the dirt where they'll dig my grave
Now what built these walls is in my veins
No time for looking back, the wolf is at the door
This heart, this soul
This house is not for sale

I set each stone and I hammered each nail
This house is not for sale
Where memories live and the dream don't fail
This house is not for sale
Coming home
I'm coming home

This house was built on trust
That's what it is and always was
No wrecking ball could knock it down
This house was built on higher ground

I set each stone and I hammered each nail
This house is not for sale
Where memories live and the dream don't fail
This house is not for sale
Coming home
I'm coming home
Coming home
I'm coming home 
Coming home
I'm coming home
Coming home
I'm coming home
This house is not for sale

"This House Is Not For Sale" was written by Jon Bon Jovi, John Shanks, and Billy Falcon.

I'll admit, I was a little on the fence about the song when I heard it last night. It reminded me of Have a Nice Day, which is not necessarily a bad thing because that album probably saved my life when it came out. But I'm not the same person I was back then. 

Seeing this video made me smile, though. I don't know exactly why, but I'm starting to feel a certain excitement that's been missing for me the past couple of years. I don't know what this "new" Bon Jovi has come up with, or if the new album will provide the soundtrack for the next stage of my life, but I'm looking forward to finding out.

What do you think of the song and/or video?