Epoch Failure's hip hop cover of Livin' on a Prayer

This landed in my inbox a few days ago but I've been so busy I only got to it now.

Epoch Failure is an urban pop duo featuring singer/producer Billy Joe "Billy the Kidd" Marrero and rapper Nick "Nickey Knoxx" Young. You may have heard their song Champion; it's been on various sports-related ads, including in my native Australia. Like Bon Jovi, Epoch Failure hails from New Jersey and I'm told Livin' on a Prayer is one of their all-time favourite songs. Anyway, they recently did their own version of Livin' on a Prayer and you can check it out below.

Epoch Failure - Livin' On A Prayer (Bon Jovi Cover)


I'm not a huge fan of rap and RnB, but I liked that they took a risk and made it their own. It's very different to the original so what do you think?

Jon Bon Jovi performs Blind Love & Fingerprints; talks about 2016 album

At the last fan club show of 2015 -- in Dallas, Texas -- Jon Bon Jovi debuted Blind Love and Fingerprints from Burning Bridges. Check out the videos.

Blind Love


Fingerprints


And since I'm already here, here are a few other videos from the gig, courtesy of Serpephone.

Destination Anywhere - The album of the same name is probably my favourite solo project of anyone from Bon Jovi.


Never Say Goodbye - Jon started this twice after a funny mixup with the lyrics.


With These Two Hands - A bonus track from What About Now that's arguably better than half the actual album.


You Give Love a Bad Name - This is similar to the version Bon Jovi did for the This Left Feels Right DVD and on MTV Unplugged, which is not to everyone's liking, but it's something a little different.


Jon also said the new album, This House Is Not for Sale, will be out in the first half of 2016. Here's part of the Q&A from this show.

Bon Jovi Tel Aviv set list 3/10/15

Bon Jovi's last stop on the tour -- their first concert in Israel -- was not without pre-show controversy. Pink Floyd founding member Roger Waters -- who has been campaigning for musicians to boycott Israel -- wrote this open letter accusing Jon, David Bryan, and Tico Torres of supporting crimes committed by the Israeli Government by going ahead with the concert.

Would've been nice to get some surprises for the last show after all that, but anyway, here's what was played.

Tel Aviv, Israel - Park HaYarkon - October 3, 2015

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Runaway
5. We Got It Goin' On
6. We Weren't Born to Follow
7. Lost Highway
8. Whole Lot of Leavin'
9. We Don't Run
10. It's My Life
11. Because We Can
12. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
13. Wanted Dead or Alive
14. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
15. Who Says You Can't Go Home
16. Keep the Faith
17. Bad Medicine
Encore:
18. In These Arms
19. Born to Be My Baby
20. Captain Crash & the Beauty Queen From Mars
21. Have a Nice Day
22. Livin' on a Prayer

Bon Jovi Abu Dhabi set list 1/10/15

In another setback to the tour, Bon Jovi's two scheduled concerts in Taipei, Taiwan were cancelled due to Typhoon Dujuan.

So next up was Abu Dhabi. Jon had the #18 on his guitar in honour of Evan Murray, a New Jersey high school quarterback who died during a football game. It was a touching tribute.

When Bon Jovi played in Abu Dhabi on the Lost Highway tour, that show marked the first time the electric version of Bed of Roses had been played in five years. This time around there were no such pleasant surprises, and sadly, this review highlighted what many of us have known about Jon's voice for quite some time. It used to be that only a certain type of diehard fan really noticed when Jon sounded bad, but it seems like it's getting to the point where we can't just say "Oh, he's having an off night" most nights anymore. I say this not to be mean, but because Jon is one of my musical idols and frankly, it hurts to hear a guy who used to have one of the best rock voices now struggling to hit the notes in his own songs.

Anyway, here's what was played.

Abu Dhabi, UAE - du Arena Yas Island - October 1, 2015

1. That's What The Water Made Me
2. You Give Love A Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Born To Be My Baby
5. We Got It Going On
6. We Weren't Born To Follow
7. Lost Highway
8. Whole Lot of Leavin'
9. We Don't Run
10. It's My Life
11. Because We Can
12. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
13. Wanted Dead Or Alive
14. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
15. Who Says You Can't Go Home
16. Keep The Faith
17. Bad Medicine
Encore:
18. In These Arms
19. Captain Crash & The Beauty Queen From Mars
20. Have A Nice Day
21. Livin' On A Prayer

Love Song to the Earth, We Don't Run live video, A Teardrop to the Sea acoustic demo

I'm playing a bit of catch-up on three videos that have been released this month.

Love Song to the Earth is a track featuring vocals by Jon Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crow, Fergie, Colbie Caillat, Natasha Bedingfield, Sean Paul, Leona Lewis, Johnny Rzeznik from the Goo Goo Dolls, Krewella, Angelique Kidjo, Nicole Scherzinger, Kelsea Ballerini, Christina Grimmie, Victoria Justice, and Q'orianka Kilcher. All the royalties from this song go to Friends of the Earth and the UN Foundation's efforts to reduce carbon emissions and encourage action on climate change.

Listen to the song below.

Love Song To The Earth - OFFICIAL Lyric Video


We Don't Run was one of the new songs written for Burning Bridges, and Bon Jovi has a released a live video from the current Asian tour. While reports were that they were shooting this video during the Bangkok show, much of the footage appears to be from the opening night in Jakarta.

Bon Jovi Live - We Don't Run


And finally, Billy Falcon, who co-wrote four tracks on Burning Bridges (A Teardrop to the Sea, Fingerprints, Who Would You Die For, Life is Beautiful), has released his own acoustic version of A Teardrop to the Sea.

A Teardrop to the Sea (co-writer Billy Falcon acoustic demo)


So, three very different videos... Which of these do you prefer?

Bon Jovi Macau set lists 25/9/15 & 26/9/15

Bon Jovi played two consecutive nights in Macau, which is a special administrative region of China and therefore not subject to the same rules that resulted in the cancellation of the planned concerts on the mainland. Here's what was played.

Macau - Cotai Arena - September 25, 2015

1. That's What The Water Made Me
2. You Give Love A Bad Name
3. Born To Be My Baby
4. Raise Your Hands
5. We Got It Goin' On
6. What About Now
7. Lost Highway
8. Whole Lot Of Leavin'
9. We Don't Run
10. It's My Life
11. Because We Can
12. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
13. Wanted Dead Or Alive
14. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
15. Who Says you Can't Go Home
16. Keep The Faith
17. Bad Medicine

Encore:
18. Captain Crash And The Beauty Queen From Mars
19. Have A Nice Day
20. Livin' On A Prayer

Macau - Cotai Arena - September 26, 2015

1. The Radio Saved My Life Tonight
2. Runaway
3. You Give Love A Bad Name
4. Born To Be My Baby
5. We Got It Goin' On
6. What About Now
7. Lost Highway
8. Whole Lot of Leavin'
9. We Don't Run
10. It's My Life
11. Because We Can
12. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
13. (You Want To) Make A Memory
14. Wanted Dead Or Alive
15. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
16. Who Says You Can't Go Home
17. Keep the Faith
18. Bad Medicine

Encore:
19. Have A Nice Day
20. Livin' On A Prayer

Bon Jovi Seoul set list 22/9/15

Bon Jovi played in South Korea for the first time in 20 years, and gave Korean fans arguably the most interesting set of the Asian Tour thus far. Always was performed as a request from the crowd. Here's the full set list.

Seoul, South Korea - Jamsil Olympic Stadium - September 22, 2015

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Born to Be My Baby
4. Raise Your Hands
5. Runaway
6. We Got It Goin' On
7. Lost Highway
8. Whole Lot of Leavin'
9. We Don't Run
10. It's My Life
11. Because We Can
12. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
13. Wanted Dead or Alive
14. In These Arms
15. Captain Crash & the Beauty Queen From Mars
16. Superman Tonight - acoustic
17. Keep the Faith
18. Bad Medicine
Encore:
19. What About Now
20. The Radio Saved My Life Tonight
21. Have a Nice Day
22. Livin' on a Prayer
23. Always

I had a little bitch about the set lists after the Kuala Lumpur show, so it's nice to see some changes. ;)

Bon Jovi Singapore set list 20/9/15

Bon Jovi performed a post-race concert for the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix on September 20. Maroon 5, Pharrell, Spandau Ballet, and Jimmy Cliff were the other musical headliners that weekend. Here's what Bon Jovi played.

Singapore - The Padang - September 20, 2015

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. We Weren't Born to Follow
5. We Got It Goin' On
6. We Don't Run
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
10. Wanted Dead or Alive
11. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
12. Keep the Faith
13. Bad Medicine

Encore:
14. Runaway
15. Have a Nice Day
16. Livin' on a Prayer

Bon Jovi Kuala Lumpur set list 19/11/15

Bon Jovi returned to Malaysia for the first time in two decades with a show in KL on September 19. Here's what was played.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Stadium Merdeka - September 19, 2015

1. Who Says You Can’t Go Home
2. Lost Highway
3. Whole Lot of Leaving
4. Raise Your Hands
5. You Give Love a Bad Name
6. We Weren't Born to Follow
7. We Don't Run
8. It’s My Life
9. Because We Can
10. In These Arms - David Bryan on lead vocals for first verse
11. Wanted Dead Or Alive
12. I'll Sleep When I’m Dead
13. Keep The Faith
14. Bad Medicine

Encore:
15. Have a Nice Day
16. Livin' on a Prayer

I'm going to be a bit critical of the sets at this point. I know when Bon Jovi came to Perth for the first time in 16 years, back on the Lost Highway Tour, they could have played literally anything... I was just happy they were here. And that may well be how the locals at these shows feel, but if that's what Jon is relying on during the Asian Tour, it's a bit disrespectful. I think Jon is picking the set list to save his voice, but if he hired a good vocal coach and looked after his voice between tours, then songs like Always (their biggest worldwide hit) could be a live staple instead of a rarity and there would be more room for pleasant surprises over the course of the tour.

Bon Jovi Bangkok set list 15/9/15

Bon Jovi's return to Thailand was only announced about five days before the show took place, with tickets going on sale three days before. It came about after the Chinese Government cancelled planned shows in China. Here's what was played in Bangkok on September 15. We Don't Run was reportedly performed twice to record a live music video.

Bangkok, Thailand - Impact Arena Muangthong Thani - September 15, 2015

1. Who Says You Can’t Go Home
2. Lost Highway
3. Whole Lot of Leaving
4. Raise Your Hands
5. You Give Love a Bad Name
6. We Weren't Born to Follow
7. We Don't Run
8. It’s My Life
9. Because We Can
10. Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
11. What About Now
12. We Got It Going On
13. In These Arms
14. Wanted Dead Or Alive
15. I'll Sleep When I’m Dead
16. Keep The Faith
17. Bad Medicine

Encore:
18. Runaway
19. Have A Nice Day
20. Born to be my Baby
21. Livin' on a Prayer

P.S. I am still travelling with limited wifi access but I'll post videos from the Asian Tour when I get home next week.

Bon Jovi Jakarta set list 11/9/15

Bon Jovi dusted off the cobwebs on September 11 by kicking off their Asian Tour in Jakarta. It was their first concert in Indonesia since 1995 and marked the debut of Matt O'Ree on guitar. We Don't Run was performed live for the first time. Here's the full set list:

September 11, 2015 - Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno - Jakarta, Indonesia

1. That’s What The Water Made Me
2. Who Says You Can’t Go Home
3. Raise Your Hands
4. You Give Love A Bad Name
5. Born To Be My Baby
6. We Don’t Run
7. It’s My Life
8. Because We Can
9. Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
10. What About Now
11. We Got It Goin’ On
12. In These Arms
13. Wanted Dead Or Alive
14. I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead
15. Keep The Faith
16. Bad Medicine

Encore:
17. Runaway
18. Have A Nice Day
19. Livin’ On A Prayer

Matt O'Ree joins Bon Jovi; China cancels shows

It's been an interesting few days in Jovi Land. Oddly enough it's happening while I'm out of town so I'm blogging about it on my mobile phone.

First, multiple reports emerged that the Chinese Government had cancelled Bon Jovi's planned concerts in China and Macau. The reason appears to be related to Bon Jovi's use of footage from the Tiananmen Square Massacre in the music video for We Weren't Born to Follow, as well as a picture of the Dalai Lama that appeared on the big screens during The Circle tour. Bon Jovi isn't the only foreign artist who's been cancelled in China, and I just feel sorry for music fans there, as well as people who'd made travel plans. Bon Jovi is now playing a show in Bangkok instead.

Then it was revealed that New Jersey musician Matt O'Ree is joining Bon Jovi on tour. He is replacing Bobby Bandiera as the touring rhythm guitarist, while Phil X will continue as lead guitarist (live at least; John Shanks played on Burning Bridges). Despite sometimes raising the wrath of fans, Bobby's been playing with Bon Jovi for a decade, and with Jon for almost two decades, so I'm not sure whether this change is permanent or not.

What do you think about this development?

Bon Jovi leaves Mercury Records after 32 years

I told you Burning Bridges wasn't about Richie Sambora. :)

And today there's been confirmation that Bon Jovi has split with Mercury Records:

"It is the end of an era," says the singer just before taking the stage for a show with his sideband, Jon Bon Jovi & The Kings of Suburbia at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada.

The news comes one day after the release of Bon Jovi's "fan album," Burning Bridges. The record, he explains, is a collection of songs that was meant to accompany the group's upcoming 12-show tour of Southeast Asia, but in reality, it was something more, he said.

"[It fulfills] a commitment to Mercury Records," he tells Billboard. "After 32 years, we have parted ways. That is the big news. If you listen to 'Burning Bridges,' the song, it is clearly spelled out."

Read the rest of the article on Billboard.

We don't know whether Bon Jovi's going with another label or if they're releasing the next album independently (although they did sign a new management deal with Irving Azoff earlier this year). But hopefully everyone can now calm down about the non-existent attack on Richie.

"Controversial" new Bon Jovi album Burning Bridges out now

Bon Jovi's latest release, Burning Bridges, has now been released around the world.

Here's the tracklist if you haven't got your copy yet:

1. A Teardrop to the Sea
2. We Don't Run
3. Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning
4. We All Fall Down
5. Blind Love
6. Who Would You Die For
7. Fingerprints
8. Life is Beautiful
9. I'm Your Man
10. Burning Bridges
11. Take Back the Night (bonus track - available on the Japanese version and the Walmart edition in the US)

We know that at least some of the songs were written for previous albums and didn't make the cut. Here was Jon talking about Burning Bridges at a fan club gig just after Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning first dropped.



He said "there's no band stuff, don't look too deeply, it's not that" and now I think I know why. Many people have interpreted the title track as a parting shot at Richie Sambora. To me, it seems obvious that it's a dig at the record company. Especially since the band has done virtually no promotion for this album (Bon Jovi's Facebook page hasn't mentioned the album once), and Jon has downplayed it as a contractual obligation whilst insisting the "real album" is coming out in 2016.

What do you think?

Here are the lyrics (or a pretty close approximation, since we haven't seen the official lyrics yet):

Sayonara, adios, auf wiedersehen, farewell
Adieu, goodnight, guten abend, here's the last song you can sell
Let's call it Burning Bridges, it's a singalong as well
Ciao, adieu, goodnight, guten abend, play it for your friends in Hell

Someone shut the lights off, turn the page, the stories I could write
I’ve seen a million faces and I've lived a couple lives
Here’s our history for all to see, the smiles and all the scars
First the rising, then the falling, call this chapter Shooting Stars
(Must sound good from where you are)

Sayonara, adios, auf wiedersehen, farewell
Adieu, goodnight, guten abend, here’s one last song you can sell
Let’s call it Burning Bridges, it’s a singalong as well
Ciao, adieu, goodnight, guten abend, play it for your friends in Hell

Oh, check the box, yeah, mark this day, there's nothing more to say
After 30 years of loyalty, they let you dig a grave
Now maybe you could learn to sing or even strum along
But I'll give you half the publishing, you're why I wrote this song
(Everybody, sing along)

Sayonara, adios, auf wiedersehen, farewell
Adieu, goodnight, guten abend, here's one last song you can sell
Let's call it Burning Bridges, it’s a singalong as well
Hope my money and my masters buy a front row seat in Hell

Ciao, adieu, goodnight, guten abend
Play it for your friends in Saint-Tropez

The two lines that give away the real target of this song are "Here's one last song you can sell" and "Hope my money and my masters buy a front row seat in Hell". Richie doesn't sell the songs, and he doesn't own the masters... but the record company does.

You can stream Burning Bridges on Spotify if you don't have it yet. How would you rate the album? Do you have a favourite or least favourite song?

Jon Bon Jovi sings Chinese love song

Jon Bon Jovi has sung a Mandarin love song, The Moon Represents My Heart. It was done to commemorate the Qixi Festival (aka Chinese Valentine's Day), which falls on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Lunar calendar. Bon Jovi will play their first ever shows in China in September.

The song was popularised by Teresa Teng, whose music my father loves. So now I have to go and tell him that some white kid from New Jersey is speaking (singing) better Chinese than me, a woman of Malaysian Chinese heritage... Thanks Jon! :P In all seriousness though, I think it's pretty cool that Jon has done this. Not only is it a nice gesture for Chinese fans, Mandarin isn't exactly the easiest language to get your tongue around.

Jon Bon Jovi Sings Chinese Love Song for Valentine’s Day in China

Lyric videos for Blind Love, A Teardrop to the Sea, I'm Your Man

Three more songs from Bon Jovi's upcoming Burning Bridges album have been released in full. Watch the lyric videos below.

Bon Jovi - Blind Love (Lyric Video)


Bon Jovi - A Teardrop To The Sea (Lyric Video)


Bon Jovi - I’m Your Man (Lyric Video)


Check out the lyric videos for We Don't Run and Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning.

Listen to 30-second previews of all the songs from Burning Bridges.

Are you looking forward to Burning Bridges? What's your favourite song so far?

Lyric videos for We Don't Run & Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning

Lyric videos for "We Don't Run" and "Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning" -- the two songs we've heard from Bon Jovi's upcoming release Burning Bridges -- have been uploaded to the band's VEVO channel on YouTube. Check out how close or how wrong we were about the words. :)

Bon Jovi - We Don’t Run (Lyric Video)


Bon Jovi - Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning (Lyric Video)

Jon Bon Jovi talks about Burning Bridges

Jon Bon Jovi was interviewed by Scott Shannon about the new album. He describes Burning Bridges as a "fan record" made up of unfinished tracks from previous album sessions. It's basically being released to accompany the upcoming Asian tour whilst the 2016 album is finished. Jon is clearly much more excited about the 2016 album and tour cycle than this one.

He's also excited about the studio version of Reunion -- the song he wrote for Rutgers graduates and touched on his friendship with Republican Chris Christie (even though he's a notable Democrat supporter).

Listen to the interview here.

New Bon Jovi song We Don't Run

A few days ago I posted about the surprise new Bon Jovi album Burning Bridges, and the first song we heard, Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning. The song was catchy enough, but nothing we hadn't heard several times since 2000.

The other new song that Billboard mentioned, We Don't Run, just dropped. And it's different. Listen to it here.

What do you think? Not sure when this song was written, but it reminds me a little of Unbreakable (bonus track from Have a Nice Day), Undivided (Bounce), and something else.

Here is my attempt to transcribe the lyrics. Feel free to correct me. There's one line in the chorus that is certainly way off, and probably other bits too.

(EDIT: A lyric video for We Don't Run has now been released so I've updated the transcription below to the official lyrics.)

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)

New Bon Jovi album Burning Bridges coming out in August + new song Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning

At the time of writing this blog post, there has been no announcement about this on Bon Jovi's website, Facebook page or Twitter. However, several websites have reported that a new Bon Jovi album, Burning Bridges, will be released in a little over a month's time on August 21, 2015. And Jon's brother Matt did tweet this:

@eddie73rocks new album

— Matthew Bongiovi (@TheMattBongiovi) July 18, 2015

Here's what Billboard had to say:

Bon Jovi is releasing a special fan album leading up to its overseas fall tour, Billboard has learned.

The band is releasing two new tracks not even one month before the Aug. 21 release of their new album, Burning Bridges.

A spokesperson for Bon Jovi tells Billboard: “Burning Bridges, which will be released August 21st, is an album for fans and will accompany an upcoming international tour. The band is hard at work on their next album, which will see a full-scale release in 2016.”

The first track -- “We Don’t Run” -- is written by Jon Bon Jovi and Grammy-winning producer John Shanks. An anthem in the Bon Jovi tradition, the tune features meaty production and a shredding guitar solo by Shanks. Shanks has a long history with the band, having produced What About Now, The Circle, Lost Highway and Have a Nice Day.

The song leads off with a driving drum beat and a chain-gang chorus before Bon Jovi gets down to business with a gritty vocal throwing down the gauntlet as he sings, “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!”

The second -- "Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning" -- is a happier, more romantic, bright pop song with a hooky chorus featuring the lyrics “Saturday night gave me Sunday morning/ Opened my eyes and it’s a new day dawning/ Think I might have pushed my luck a time or two/ Everything about us is what gets me through.” It's classic Bon Jovi and sure to inspire a big sing-along on the road.

Credited to Jon Bon Jovi, John Shanks and former guitarist Richie Sambora, the song -- released internationally on July 16 -- was written previous to Sambora’s departure from the group.

While the band's live dates kick off overseas on Sept. 11, fans can catch keyboardist David Bryan in a solo headlining spot Aug. 29 at the Rock the Farm event at Regan's Hollow Farm in Farmingdale, New Jersey.

I'm not entirely sure what "a special fan album" means (Outtakes from previous albums?) or why we've heard about it from everyone but an official Bon Jovi channel. And if John Shanks is playing a "shredding guitar solo", then perhaps guitar duties on this album are being shared between JBJ, Shanks and Bobby Bandiera. That's only a guess obviously, but I'm not sure how I feel about that. And if they're including songs that Richie co-wrote, it's likely he also recorded them at the time, so have they re-recorded his guitar parts and backing vocals and/or removed him from the mix? So many questions, so few answers.

Phil X is apparently taking this Blackbird Pedalboard with him on the upcoming Bon Jovi Asian tour, though, so presumably he's still the go-to live guitarist for the foreseeable future.

Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning premiered on Austrian radio a day ago. Listen to it here. What do you think of the track?

This was my attempt at transcribing the lyrics. I'm pretty sure some of them are wrong so please feel free to correct me! :)

(EDIT: A lyric video for Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning has now been released, so I've edited the transcription according to the official lyrics.)

I was living my life like a long lost weekend
Never felt nothing, jumping right into the deep end
I wasn't missing nothing that was ever worth getting
Never hung around enough to regret it

You came walking in late but just in time
You ended my excuses with a ten cent rhyme
Your shoes and attitude were stacked way up high
I knew right then you were the story of my life

Oh, Saturday night gave me Sunday morning
Opened my eyes now it's a new day dawning
Think I might've pushed my luck a time or two
Everything about us is what gets me through
I never thought I'd hear the church bells ringing
I never learned the song this heart was singing
No regrets, I took that step and I'm still falling
Saturday nights gave me Sunday morning, yeah

When you're driving down a street that's only going one way
When every day starts feeling like a month of Mondays
You should know I still got something left to prove
Know what it takes to get back to you

Oh, Saturday night gave me Sunday morning
Opened my eyes now it's a new day dawning
Think I might've pushed my luck a time or two
Everything about us is what gets me through
I never thought I'd hear the church bells ringing
I never learned the song this heart was singing
No regrets, I took that step and I'm still falling
Saturday nights gave me Sunday morning, yeah

Remember those nights staring out at the lights
Making time with our feet in the sand
Making up words to our favourite songs
Laughing loud with those drinks in our hands
As that boy put his head on her shoulder
She pulled him tight to get a bit closer
And as the world just disappeared
You whispered in my ear

Oh, those Saturday nights gave me Sunday morning
Opened my eyes now it's a new day dawning
Think I might've pushed my luck a time or two
Everything about us is what gets me through
I never thought I'd hear the church bells ringing
I never learned the song this heart was singing
No regrets, I took the step and I'm still falling
Saturday nights gave me Sunday morning, yeah
Sunday morning

Richie Sambora and Orianthi cover I Got You, Babe

Here's a teaser of Richie Sambora and Orianthi covering Sonny and Cher's "I Got You, Babe" for the song's 50th anniversary. Not sure when we'll hear the whole track or if it'll be on the album they're working on together. As a side note, Richie dated Cher in the 80s, which is more interesting than relevant.

Richie Sambora & Orianthi - I Got You Babe (Teaser)


What do you think?

Bon Jovi's These Days album is 20

I haven't blogged here in a few weeks and These Days is my favourite Bon Jovi album so I think I should say something about this.

Yep, These Days is 20 years old! It was officially released on June 19, 1995. I was an oblivious six-year-old at the time, but I'm actually glad I discovered the album later in life because I wouldn't have appreciated it as much as a kid. As a teenager or young adult, however, it helped me through some of the toughest periods of my life. And that's why I'll always consider myself a Bon Jovi fan, even when they do things that make me want to rip my hair out. :P

Let's relive the singles of These Days, just because.

Bon Jovi - These Days


Bon Jovi - This Ain't A Love Song


Bon Jovi - Something For The Pain


Bon Jovi - Lie To Me


Bon Jovi - Hey God


Which track from These Days is your favourite? Where does the album rank for you?

Meanwhile, Bon Jovi is working on a new album (No official word on who's playing lead guitar, but it's not Richie Sambora) and have announced a string of rare dates in Asia in September and October. Jakarta, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Macau, Abu Dhabi, and Tel Aviv are on the bill.

Jon Bon Jovi records Beautiful Day for Finding Neverland

Jon Bon Jovi has recorded a new song, Beautiful Day, for Finding Neverland: The Album. The song was written by Gary Barlow and forms part of an album inspired by the Broadway musical about Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie.

You can listen to the track and hear Jon talking about the project now via PEOPLE.

Jon Bon Jovi 'Beautiful Day' Finding Neverland


Jon Bon Jovi 'Beautiful Day' Behind The Scenes


Here are the lyrics I heard (Feel free to correct me!):

Oh, what a day to be here
It's only at this time of year
Oh, what a sight, what a scene
If we can live in this dream
Is there time in your life
You need the day to happen twice
I'll take a pad and a pen
And hope it happens again

Oh, what a day to be out
There's music in every sound
It's good to breathe in the air
That's all around us everywhere
Is there time in your life
You want a day to happen twice
So between now and then
I hope it happens again

Oh, come and share this beautiful day
The sun is here again
Until tomorrow begins
We'll stay right here
Oh, come and share this beautiful day
Before it's taken away
The whole world is smiling on this beautiful day

Oh, what a day to be out
There's music in every sound
It's good to breathe in the air
That's all around us everywhere
Is there time in your life
You want a day to happen twice
So between now and then
I hope it happens again

Oh, come and share this beautiful day
The sun is here again
Until tomorrow begins
We'll stay right here
Oh, come and share this beautiful day
Before it's taken away
The whole world is smiling on this beautiful day

Listen to the water on this beautiful day
Happy ever after on this beautiful day

Is there a time in your life
You want a day to happen twice
I'll take a pad and a pen
And hope it happens again

Oh, come and share this beautiful day
The sun is here again
Until tomorrow begins
We'll stay right here
Oh, come and share this beautiful day
Before it's taken away
The whole world is smiling on this beautiful day
The whole world is smiling on this beautiful day

What do you think of the song?

Jon Bon Jovi's song for Rutgers graduates

Jon Bon Jovi received an honorary doctorate from Rutgers University last week, and performed an original song he wrote for the graduating students. The song is reportedly called "Reunion".

WATCH: Bon Jovi writes, performs song for Rutgers-Camden class of 2015: 'Start your own revolution'


What do you think of the song?

This isn't how your 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 live to tell
Hold your head like Harry, give 'em hell
And as the night ignites the day
Go make some memories along the way

Oh, 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 someday
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
Well 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
I say, go start your own revolution and I'll see you at the reunion
Well, I'll see you at the reunion

Marty Schwartz interviews Phil X + alleged Richie Sambora investigation

I made a decision some time ago that I wanted this blog to be about the music. But it's been hard to avoid the tabloid fodder surrounding Richie Sambora, who is alleged to have made death threats towards Nikki Lund. From what I can tell, all the articles that have reported on this are just picking up the original Daily Mail "exclusive":

'They are in the midst of unraveling their fashion business Nikki Rich,' a source told Daily Mail Online. 'Things have become very bitter in recent weeks.

'The threat happened in the midst of Nikki launching her solo line. Richie apparently went mad on the phone at her and threatened to kill her.
'He said words to the effect that he was going to dig a hole in the desert and bury her.'

Nikki, a close childhood friend of Kim Kardashian, filed a report Wednesday night with detectives from the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station.

'She held off going to cops hoping that the situation would resolve itself,' added the source. But after advice from lawyers and business associates she made the report.

'Richie has been drinking heavily for months and acting erratically

'He has threatened violence in the past.'

Richie's people apparently told Asbury Park Press that Nikki's claims are payback for ending their fashion partnership:

"She's seeking publicity with these false allegations," said Sambora's rep. "They have been changing by the day."

Lund is the Kardashian pal that Sambora started to pal around with seven years ago. A romantic relationship ended yet the two continued to collaborate in the fashion world. Once Sambora decided to pull the plug on the unprofitable business relationship, that's when Lund made the charges, according to the rep.

"Mr. Sambora made the decision to stop any further funding of this unprofitable business," said the rep via email. "It fell on deaf ears. She continued making arrangements and commitments for him."

Things came to a head when Lund made a commitment for Sambora to appear at an LA Fashion Week envent on March 18, the rep said.

"Mr. Sambora did not attend the March 18 fashion show in an attempt to distance himself from this and to not mislead anyone. He has the right to pull out of the business," the rep said. "His not showing up seemed to be a surprise to a frantic Nikki Lund when it shouldn't have."

The company, Nikki Rich, has lost $4 million, the rep said, yet Sambora did offer to pay the company's 40 employees three months severance.

"She filed a cluster of lies 13 days later in retaliation for his no longer funding this unprofitable partnership," the rep said.

I think it's important to note that none of us know exactly what happened or what was said between Richie and Nikki, but if the goal was to further smear someone's reputation, it may well have succeeded.

On a more musical note, Marty Schwartz from Guitar Jamz recently met up with Phil X for a jam and guitar lesson. He also conducted this interview. In it, Phil talks about being a session guitarist; playing vintage guitars for Fretted Americana; getting the call-up to Bon Jovi; and recording a new album with his band, The Drills.

Marty Schwartz Interviews Phil X

Phil X solo and Blaze of Glory lessons on Guitar Jamz

This one's for the guitarists.

I think most people who learn guitar these days check out videos on YouTube. And if you do, you've probably come across Marty Schwartz, who runs Guitar Jamz and has a very popular lesson channel. In fact, his Blaze of Glory tutorial was shared by Bon Jovi's Facebook page last year.

Bon Jovi - Blaze of Glory - Guitar Lesson - Tutorial - Chords, Slide Guitar Easy Acoustic Songs


Anyway, Phil X recently joined Marty for a rock soloing lesson using the pentatonic scale.

Phil X Teaches Rock Soloing Lesson w Pentatonic Scale - Guitar Lessons Rock


Phil also demos vintage guitars on the Fretted Americana channel and is pretty amusing while doing so.

Wanted Dead or Alive at Night of Too Many Stars

Comedy Central's Night of Too Many Stars is an autism benefit show, in partnership with the not-for-profit organisation New York Collaborates for Autism. Here's a video of Jon Bon Jovi performing "Wanted Dead or Alive" at the event, while actor/comedians Will Forte, Gilbert Gottfried, Al Roker, and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog do their best to butcher the song.

Night of Too Many Stars - "Wanted Dead or Alive" with Jon Bon Jovi and Special Guests


Jon's previous encounter with Triumph (on the Bounce Tour, if I recall correctly) was probably a bit funnier. Here are some snippets from that:

Triumph The Insult Comic Dog Meets Bon Jovi

New Bon Jovi music... soon?

Jon Bon Jovi is working on a new album, but whether it's a band album or a solo project is yet to be confirmed.

Jon spoke to PEOPLE at a recent event for Kenneth Cole:

"I was in the studio all day working on the new record. I walked here from the studio," the musician told PEOPLE. Where is he getting inspiration for his 18th album? From the news.

"I just read the paper, it gives you an opportunity to write something ... It's early but I'm about a dozen songs in. I feel good."

Read the full article here.

John Shanks, who has produced or co-produced every Bon Jovi album since Have a Nice Day, posted this photo featuring Jon and Gary Barlow a few days ago.

#bonjovi #garybarlow #johnshanks and then this happened. #workingonsomethingbig

A photo posted by John Shanks (@john_shanks) on Feb 11, 2015 at 4:08pm PST

Meanwhile, Richie Sambora and Orianthi are working on their album. Keyboardist Michael Bearden was interviewed at NAMM in January this year and talked the Richie-Ori record about 10:00 into the video. He describes it as "Something you've never heard Richie do before."

Michael Bearden interviewed at NAMM 2015


Orianthi recently Instagrammed a photo of herself in the studio with Richie and producer Eddie Kramer.

In the studio hanging and listening with Eddie Kramer

A photo posted by Orianthi (@theqof) on Feb 12, 2015 at 5:03pm PST

Are you looking forward to the prospect of new music from Jon and/or Richie? Or would you prefer a longer hiatus after the events of the last two years?

Phil X on being a Hired Gun

Phil X is part of an upcoming documentary about session musicians called Hired Gun. He was interviewed about it for the Double Stop Podcast, and here's what he had to say about filling in with Bon Jovi:

"When you're a hired gun, your level of creative input is limited. Even when I toured with Bon Jovi, I couldn't be Richie, because I'm not. But I couldn't really be me, so I became this guy in the middle somewhere that was between the two. And I delivered that guy every night.
...
"When I did the first 13 shows with Bon Jovi in 2011, on Sunday night I played in St Louis, it was the last show. Jon asked me to sing the second verse of Wanted Dead Or Alive and it was in front of 20,000 people. When I came home on Friday, I played at The Roxy with The Drills. And to me it was as exciting – 200 people, my songs, doing my thing, with people in the front freaking out."

Listen to the full podcast episode (Phil X interview starts at about 20:42).


The documentary sounds like it would be really cool (and something I'd want to watch whether Phil was in it or not). Will you be checking it out?

Cassadee Pope covers Bed of Roses

I didn't actually know who Cassadee Pope was when this video landed in my inbox. Thanks to Google, I now know she's a country singer-songwriter, having previously been the lead singer of pop punk band Hey Monday and the 2012 winner of the US version of The Voice.

Anyway, this cover of Bon Jovi's classic ballad "Bed of Roses" was posted to Cassadee's YouTube channel at the end of last year.

Cassadee Pope - Bed of Roses (Live)


What do you think?