Saturday, July 19, 2008

The end of the Lost Highway

Bon Jovi. Always. It's my life. Say whoa yeah!

Now that I got my first cliche out of the way, this is my new blog centred on New Jersey rock band Bon Jovi. I write this a few days after they wrapped up their Lost Highway world tour with two nights at Madison Square Garden in New York. Here are the set lists from both nights.

Night #1 (July 14, 2008)
LOST HIGHWAY
BORN TO BE MY BABY
YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME
CAPTAIN CRASH & THE BEAUTY QUEEN FROM MARS
RUNAWAY
SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD w/ Twist & Shout
BLAZE OF GLORY
WHOLE LOT OF LEAVIN'
ALWAYS
ANY OTHER DAY
WE GOT IT GOIN' ON
IT'S MY LIFE
KEEP THE FAITH
I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU (Richie Sambora lead vocals)
(YOU WANT TO) MAKE A MEMORY
BED OF ROSES
DRY COUNTY
HAVE A NICE DAY
WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GO HOME
BAD MEDICINE w/ Shout

ENCORE:
HALLELUJAH (Leonard Cohen cover)
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
LIVIN' ON A PRAYER

Night #2 (July 15, 2008)
GLAD ALL OVER (Dave Clark Five cover)
LOST HIGHWAY
BORN TO BE MY BABY
YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME
SUMMERTIME
RAISE YOUR HANDS
I LOVE THIS TOWN
SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD
LIVIN' IN SIN w/ Going to the Chapel
WHOLE LOT OF LEAVIN'
IN THESE ARMS
ANY OTHER DAY
WE GOT IT GOIN' ON
IT'S MY LIFE
KEEP THE FAITH
I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU (Richie vocals)
(YOU WANT TO) MAKE A MEMORY
BLOOD ON BLOOD
SOMEDAY I'LL BE SATURDAY NIGHT
HAVE A NICE DAY
WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GO HOME
BAD MEDICINE w/ Shout

ENCORE:
RUNAWAY
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
LIVIN' ON A PRAYER

I followed both concerts on JoviTalk as they unfolded and a lot of diehards were a bit disappointed with the second night. It's expected (though not confirmed) that the band could take a significant break after this tour.... A possible greatest hits release, some solo albums, perhaps more acting roles for Jon Bon Jovi. The MSG shows are set to be released on a DVD and this was a chance to sign off on this very successful tour with a real bang. The band's 25th anniversary is coming up too and diehards have never had a truly special concert DVD.

I suggested the following setlist for the last show, posting it on JoviTalk and BonJovi.com to generally positive peer reviews.

LOST HIGHWAY
BAD NAME
RAISE YOUR HANDS
BLOOD ON BLOOD
IN THESE ARMS (Dave on first verse)
WHOLE LOT OF LEAVIN'
SLEEP w/ Mercy + Start Me Up
WE GOT IT GOIN' ON
BLOOD MONEY
BLAZE OF GLORY
I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU (Richie)
LIVING IN SIN
DIAMOND RING
ALWAYS
HEY GOD
DRY COUNTY
IT'S MY LIFE
WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GO HOME
UNDIVIDED
MAKE A MEMORY
HAVE A NICE DAY
LAST MAN STANDING
PRAYER

Encore:
I BELIEVE
RIDE COWBOY RIDE
WANTED
THESE DAYS
NEVER SAY GOODBYE

Audibles: Bed of Roses, Hallelujah, Something to Believe In, In & Out of Love, Saturday Night

To me, the above would have provided something extra special for the diehards without isolating the casual fans. Incidently, quite a few of my suggestions were actually played (probably a coincidence though) -- just none of the ones that required any extra effort. In my next post, I'll go through why I picked the songs I did.

3 comments:

  1. When I think I can't stand listening to "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Sleep When I'm Dead" anymore I go to a concert and as always it works out great (and I have fun singing them). But honestly, I wouldn't play them once at home.

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  2. Oh and same goes for Bad Medicine and Wanted.

    Thumbs up for your set list.

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  3. Thanks, and I know what you mean!

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Thanks for giving me your time.