Red, White and Jersey / Hollow Man with Springsteen out now ahead of Forever Legendary edition

Bon Jovi released Forever a little over a year ago -- and on October 24, they'll be releasing it again, this time as a collection of duets with one brand new song.

Here's the official music video for that new track -- "Red, White and Jersey":

 

I like it... it's nothing groundbreaking, just catchy and inoffensive, and feels similar to "Legendary" really... except for this line that made my ears perk up:

"It ain't no surprise that your blue eyes still feel like home to me / we'll always be red, white and Jersey"

If I'm not mistaken, Dorothea, aka Jon's high school sweetheart and wife of over three decades, has brown/hazel eyes. You know who else Jon has known and chased dreams with since they were teenagers... and has blue eyes? David Bryan. 

"Red, White and Jersey" is a love letter to our favourite keyboard player and you will not convince me otherwise.

(Yes, I realise the lyrics could also just be a work of fiction, but don't ruin my dreams, okay? 🤣 )

The other song that has dropped is "Hollow Man", now featuring Bruce Springsteen. Here's the official lyric video:

 

Plenty of folks didn't really care for the original, but I don't mind these sorts of songs, and they suit current day Jon. Plus, I love me some Springsteen... I've had the privilege of seeing him live nine times and they've all been brilliant shows. 

Maybe it's because I was revisiting Bruce's Nebraska album recently, but as soon as the harmonica kicked in on "Hollow Man", I knew this track would be elevated by his contribution. Bruce's harmonies blend beautifully with Jon's vocals, and the song just feels deeper with the two of them on it together. Though I do note with amusement that the Boss left the "masturbate" line solely to Jon.

"The People's House" featuring The War & Treaty was released in October last year, so we're waiting to hear how 11 other tracks turned out.

The track list for Forever (Legendary Edition) is: 

1. Red, White and Jersey
2. Legendary - with James Bay
3. We Made It Look Easy - with Robbie Williams
4. Living Proof - with Jelly Roll
5. Waves - with Jason Isbell
6. Seeds - with Ryan Tedder
7. Kiss the Bride - with Billy Falcon
8. The People's House - with The War & Treaty
9. Walls of Jericho - with Joe Elliott
10. I Wrote You a Song - with Lainey Wilson
11. Living in Paradise - with Avril Lavigne
12. My First Guitar - with Marcus King
13. Hollow Man - with Bruce Springsteen
14. We Made It Look Easy / Hicimos Que Pareciera Facil - with Carin Leon

Look, let's be real... no one was really begging for another edition of Forever. But I enjoyed the original album, and some of the collaborators did (and do) intrigue me. 

Can't believe they're going to make me listen to Avril Lavigne though, lol... nothing against her personally, but unfortunately, I still have some lingering damage from when "Sk8er Boi" came out and all the other girls in school suddenly rocked up wearing ties and 50 layers of black eyeliner, thinking they were punks. Also, given Jason Isbell, Ryan Tedder, and Billy Falcon are duetting on the songs they co-wrote, I'm a little surprised Ed Sheeran isn't the one on "Living in Paradise", but hey.

Jon admits this release is "an album borne out of necessity" since they obviously couldn't do a Forever tour. (Check out Rolling Stone: Bon Jovi Revisit ‘Forever’ LP With Bruce Springsteen, Jelly Roll, and More.) As much as I'd still go see Bon Jovi if they toured, I don't think I really want them to unless Jon can get his live vocals back to where they were circa 2010. If he can't and we instead get more studio work, I'm okay with that.

What do you think of the new tracks? Or the upcoming album release?

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Feel free to share your thoughts below. 😊

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Bon Jovi 12.12.12 Concert recap

As most of you probably know, Bon Jovi was one of the many acts that came together for six-hour extravaganza that was 121212: The Concert for Sandy Relief at New York's Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2012. It was simulcast on about 60 or so television networks internationally and streamed live on about 30 websites, not to mention covered extensively across social media as it unfolded (which is how I had to follow it from work on the other side of the planet!).

Jon channeled his 13-year-old self, joining Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band on Born to Run, before returning to the stage later with Bon Jovi and playing the following set:

• It's My Life
• Wanted Dead or Alive
• Who Says You Can't Go Home - feat. Bruce Springsteen
• Livin' on a Prayer

The full set list for all the artists is at Noise11 among other sites. But of course, this is a Bon Jovi blog so here is the video of Bon Jovi's set:


And here's JBJ helping Bruce close his set with Born to Run:

Jon can't wipe the grin off his face. Neither can I. He's living a 70s kid's teenage dream. Hell, he's living one of MY teenage dreams, and I grew up in the 90s. I'd say he probably got the better deal too; I'm not that much of a Who Says basher but really, Jon gets to sing Born to Run while the Boss gets Who Says You Can't Go Home? :P

Did you watch the whole concert? What did you think?

Anyway, you can revisit all the #121212concert social media highlights at 121212.mahaya.co as well as download the benefit album on iTunes. Proceeds from the album are being donated to the Robin Hood Relief Fund. Here's the track list:

1. Land of Hope and Dreams (Live) - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
2. Wrecking Ball (Live) - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
3. Another Brick In the Atlantic Wall (Live) - Roger Waters
4. Us and Them (Live) - Roger Waters
5. Comfortably Numb (feat. Eddie Vedder) [Live] - Roger Waters
6. Hallelujah (Sandy Relief Version) [Live] - Adam Sandler & Paul Shaffer
7. It's My Life (Live) - Bon Jovi
8. Wanted Dead Or Alive (Live) - Bon Jovi
9. Got To Be Better In a Little While (Live) - Eric Clapton
10. Crossroads (Live) - Eric Clapton
11. You Got Me Rocking (Live) - The Rolling Stones
12. Jumpin Jack Flash (Live) - The Rolling Stones
13. No One (Live) - Alicia Keys
14. Who Are You (Live) - The Who
15. Baba O'Riley (Live) - The Who
16. Love Reign O'er Me (Live) - The Who
17. Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out On Broadway) [Live] - Billy Joel
18. Moving Out (Anthony's Song) [Live] - Billy Joel
19. You May Be Right (Live) - Billy Joel
20. Viva La Vida (Live) - Chris Martin
21. Losing My Religion (feat. Michael Stipe) [Live] - Chris Martin
22. Us Against the World (Live) - Chris Martin
23. Helter Skelter (Live) - Paul McCartney
24. Empire State of Mind (Live) - Alicia Keys

Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out

Bon Jovi paid tribute to the E Street Band's Clarence Clemons, with Jon delivering a touching eulogy to the Big Man before launching into this cover of Bruce Springsteen's Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out. The performance is from Horsens, Denmark on June 19, 2011.



EDIT: Here's another video of the performance.

Everybody's got a hungry heart...

Apparently our man Jon Bon Jovi was supposed to join his fellow Jerseyite Bruce Springsteen to perform "Hungry Heart" at Hyde Park last night but was denied because of a curfew:

“The show had run for three hours, and sadly had just nudged over the curfew limit when the organisers have to shut the sound off.

Jon was waiting at the side of the stage, ready to go, but when the plug was pulled it was just too late.

“It would have been an incredible ending to the show, and it's a huge shame it couldn't happen.

Bruce and Jon were gutted. It's probably just as well the crowd didn't know he was waiting on the side of the stage, as they would have been gutted as well.”

I don't think I'm being too biased in saying Bruce and Jon are two of the best live performers going around (I only hope I have as much energy and enthusiasm as Bruce when I'm 60!)... But to partially make up for the loss, here is an awesome joint performance of "Hungry Heart" from 1999.

Bon Jovi songs leaked

Apparently five new Bon Jovi songs have leaked.

But it seems "When We Were Beautiful" is being increasingly distributed so there's a good chance you'll hear it soon.

For anyone who followed the demo leak scam: In a slightly ironic twist, my signed/personalised copy of Johnny Lima's latest album Livin' Out Loud arrived in the mail today. :P

EDIT: A lot of people have said "When We Were Beautiful" sounds U2-esque, which it does. But the song it actually reminds me of is Bruce Springsteen's "Long Walk Home". There are some musical similarities, especially in the verses, as well as the general pensive and nostalgic sentiment of both. I like it.

Merry Christmas

Not everyone celebrates Christmas (myself included) but rather than a holiday of commercial and materialistic indulgences, it can be a time of reflection and generosity nonetheless. On this Christmas Eve, I'll leave you with these clips from the Hope Concert in New Jersey that Jon Bon Jovi appeared at a couple of nights ago.

BLUE CHRISTMAS


TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT - In this duet between two of Jersey's favourite sons, Jon takes lead vocals on Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run classic


Plenty more where that came from. Jon did another duet with Bruce, a duet with Southside Johnny, plus "Lost Highway" and "Who Says You Can't Go Home". Click here for a complete wrap-up (centred on Bruce Springsteen but covers the rest of the show too) and here for a YouTube guide to the concert.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! :)

Richie Sambora also gave MusicRadar an exclusive interview two days ago which you can listen to here. It seems Jon has thwarted Richie's solo album plans once more and the band will be heading into the studio in January to work on their new album.

PS - The last three Magic Memories from the Lost Highway tour will be up by early next year.

LH Magic Memory #10: JBJ and the Boss

Technically this magic memory wasn't even part of Bon Jovi's Lost Highway tour and it wasn't even Bon Jovi. WTF?!, I hear you say. But it did take place during the LH tour, and involved Jon Bon Jovi... and this is my blog so I will write, review and gush over whatever I like. ;)

The date was April 13, 2008. The location was the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The event was Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band's Magic tour. Jon Bon Jovi made a special appearance, and together the two New Jersey natives performed a rousing rendition of Bruce's classic "Glory Days". Like Jon, who is a youthful 46, Bruce seems to have defied the aging process and is still one cool rockin' daddy at the age of 58. The video begins at the second verse...



Think I'm goin' down to the well tonight
And I'm gonna drink 'til I get my fill
And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinkin' about it
But I probably will

Nice vocal crowd too. :)

For those unfamiliar with the E Street Band; that is Max Weinberg from Late Night With Conan O'Brien on drums, and Steven Van Zandt (with the bandanna) from The Sopranos on guitar. ;)

I love Bruce. But if you don't, I promise the next magic memory will genuinely be Bon Jovi the band from the Lost Highway tour. And it will be an effing awesome one. Watch this space.

Whole Lot of Leavin'

"Whole Lot of Leavin'" is Bon Jovi's most recent single from Lost Highway, but I thought it was only released in Europe. Later it surfaced VH1 but today, I heard it in Australia for the first time (on 96fm in Perth). This might be old news -- I don't listen to the radio that much nowadays -- but the title track is the only song from Lost Highway that I had heard on the radio here. It was played to death in the two months leading up to Bon Jovi's Aussie tour. The "Make a Memory" and "Till We Ain't Strangers Anymore" videos did get some decent airplay on musicMAX and CMC though.

Anyway, it's always nice to hear a Jovi song other than "Livin' on a Prayer" on the radio every now and then, so I thought I'd post about it! The "Leavin'" video was a bit controversial when it was released a couple of months ago -- Some fans didn't like the style or feared a rift between Jon and Richie Sambora -- but I love it. It's dark, mature and artistic... The only Bon Jovi video I can think of (off the top of my head, at least) where Jon doesn't flash his blinding pearly whites for the ladies. The vocals were also re-recorded live, which gives the whole video a raw, emotional touch.



Bon Jovi (especially Jon) gets compared to the Boss too often but I wonder if "Leavin'" was at all inspired by Bruce Springsteen's "Brilliant Disguise" video? Both use live vocals instead of the studio version; both shot in black and white; both focus on a guy in a room with a guitar; both very cool. :)