Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles reunite for Do What You Can duet

Way back in 2006, Bon Jovi won a Grammy for Best Country Collaboration for "Who Says You Can't Go Home", which featured Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland. They've joined forces again, this time for a country duet of "Do What You Can". Because I guess the country-tinged band only version isn't country enough?

I'm not knocking country music here, just sayin'.

Anyway, here's the official video of the "Do What You Can" by Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles:

If you're thinking it looks familiar, that's because it's pretty much the same video we saw last month, with clips of Jennifer added to it. But I had fun watching it again.

You can download/stream the duet version of "Do What You Can".

Jon and Jennifer had teased the latest collab before it was announced, with both of them quoting "Who Says" lyrics on their socials, followed by screenshots from different angles of the same scene in the video. So it wasn't really a surprise when we found out the duet was dropping.

What do you think of this version?

Who say’s you can’t go home? https://t.co/7VFrUF6RXK

— Jon Bon Jovi (@jonbonjovi) September 11, 2020

When you can't do what you do… you do what you can. pic.twitter.com/omzwuGM9rL

— Jon Bon Jovi (@jonbonjovi) September 12, 2020

When you can't do what you do… you do what you can. pic.twitter.com/gLM1SxesVO

— Jennifer Nettles (@JenniferNettles) September 12, 2020

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Bon Jovi in Indianapolis 22/03/17

Bon Jovi took their This House Is Not For Sale Tour to Indianapolis, which is apparently their first concert in Indiana since 2003, when they did a half acoustic/half electric show. (If memory serves me, a planned 2013 concert in Indianapolis was cancelled.) Here's what was played in 2017:

Set list: Indianapolis, IN, USA - Bankers Life Fieldhouse - 22 March 2017

1. This House Is Not For Sale
2. Knockout
3. You Give Love a Bad Name
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot Of Leavin'
6. Roller Coaster
7. We Weren't Born To Follow
8. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
9. We Got It Going On
10. Who Says You Can't Go Home
11. It's My Life
12. We Don't Run
13. God Bless This Mess
14. Scars On This Guitar
15. The Devil's In The Temple
16. Lay Your Hands On Me
17. Born To Be My Baby
18. Have A Nice Day
19. Bad Medicine
20. Keep The Faith
    
    Encore:
21. Reunion
22. Wanted Dead Or Alive
23. Livin' On A Prayer

"Reunion" was performed for the second time this tour.

Videos from Indianapolis

This video features the start of the encore after a longish wait, during which someone yells "Never Say Goodbye" (a song they should seriously think about including in the sets; I think Jon can sing the acoustic version without damaging himself). Anyway, Jon starts talking at 2:25, revealing that they're starting a campaign to come and play "Reunion" at graduation ceremonies in the US:

(UPDATE: The embedded video doesn't work that well, so here's the link to the video on Facebook.)

"Who Says You Can't Go Home":

If you'd like to share any videos from Indianapolis, feel free to link to them in the comments.

Were you at this show?

David Bryan & Friends at Carrara Idol 2014

David Bryan performed in Milan, Italy for Carrara Idol on April 8, 2014, backed by the Matt O'Ree Band. He reportedly played the following songs (not sure on the set order):

• Underground - from "Memphis" the musical
• The Music Of My Soul - from "Memphis" the musical
• Who Says You Can't Go Home
• In These Arms
• Wanted Dead or Alive
• Bed of Roses
• Memphis Lives in Me - from "Memphis" the musical
• Livin' On a Prayer
• Bad Medicine
• When Love Comes to Town - U2 & BB King cover
• Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen cover
• Senza Una Donna / Without A Woman - Zucchero & Paul Young cover
• Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis cover
• Twist and Shout - The Top Notes/Isley Brothers/Beatles cover

Here's a selection of videos from the show:

David Bryan Carrara Idol 2014 Hallelujah + Senza Una Donna


David Bryan Carrara Idol 2014 Music Of My Soul


David Bryan - Who Says You can't go Home Live at Carrara Idol


David Bryan Carrara Idol 2014 Bed Of Roses


David Bryan "Livin' on a Prayer" Carrara Idol 2014


David Bryan Carrara Idol 2014 When Love comes to town

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

Jon Bon Jovi - Skavlan interview + Hurricane Sandy benefit

While in London recently, Jon Bon Jovi guested on Norwegian talk show Skavlan and talked about Hurricane Sandy, the political climate in America and his career trajectory. He also shared a bit of a bromance with Robbie Williams who was one of the other guests.


Jon cut short his planned European promotional tour in the wake of the devastation caused by the superstorm.

Backed by Lorenza Ponce and Bobby Bandiera, he performed a beautiful acoustic rendition of Who Says You Can't Go Home and Livin' on a Prayer for the Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together appeal on November 2.

Videos from Columbus and Uncasville

Not too long now before Bon Jovi plays in Des Moines, so let's catch up on a few videos from the previous two shows.

From Columbus, Ohio (May 10, 2011)...

Wanted Dead or Alive

Jon rests a fan's JBJ and Richie Sambora dolls on his guitar during Wanted.
To David Bryan: "No that's not you! It's me!" Poor Dave! :P

Who Says You Can't Go Home (partial)

Why the heck would I put Who Says, I hear you ask! Well, it's less for the song and more for the funny moment where Jon stops the song in the middle to have a chat to event security guard Troy about how women stick their boobs in his face trying to take photos. Everyone is out of time when Jon tells the band to resume the song from the second chorus, but he doesn't give anyone the Infamous Stink-Eye. ;)

I'll Be There For You

Filmed from the pit (i.e. from behind Jon) as Jon is out on the platform. Additional lyrics (I think -- corrections welcome as always):

I'll be there for you
If you want me to
I'll be the air for you
I'll do anything
Well, I'll be there for you
Ooh yeah
Ooh yeah
Oh, I'll be there for you
If you want me to be
Through this driving rain
I'll take the weight of the world off your shoulders
Just call
Just call my name
Just tell me, my friend, that you'll be comin' back again
And I'll be there
I can hear you
Let me hear you
Let me hear you sing!

And from Uncasville (May 7, 2011)...

Last Man Standing

I guess Have a Nice Day is considered fairly mediocre in many circles, but it's an album that means a lot to me personally so it's been good to see this played semi-regularly since The Circle Tour, even if I'm not 100% sold on it as an opener, and there are other HAND songs I prefer.

So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star

This Byrds cover was rather unexpected. Not sure if it has special significance or if Jon just felt like throwing it in. Prior to this, Rock 'n' Roll Star was last performed at the Jon Bon Jovi and Friends Starland Ballroom show in January.

More videos on Hath's Circle Tour Blog.

Dry County, sound issues, and JBJ playing Dad in New York City (MSG 3)

Yes, I know I'm two weeks late for videos from Bon Jovi's Madison Square Garden show on March 5, 2011... What can I say? Love alone doesn't pay the bills. ;) I wasn't originally going to post vids from this show because while the set list was still good, it's not like they played something I haven't already showcased on this tour.

But I decided it was worth posting a couple of videos of this incredible "Dry County" from that night. Might well be one of the best versions they've done in recent years; everyone sounds great.



There were also technical issues at this show with the PA system dying as it had in Boston. Jon took the band off stage once he realised no one could hear anything.


And this is "Who Says You Can't Go Home" immediately after they returned to the stage. One of the very few times I will post a video of this song on Blame It On The Love, because I know how passionately many of you hate it. :P


The Doors' "Roadhouse Blues" is a cool song , but the real reason I posted this here was because of Jon's comment: "I gotta keep Jakey entertained over there so he don't play his DS game!" I guess when your father's just always been a rock star, it's not terribly exciting anymore. ;)

Jon Bon Jovi and Sugarland

Jon joined Sugarland on October 18, 2010 in New York City for the American Express Unstaged event. With a bit of luck, "Who Says You Can't Go Home" will be uploaded to the Amex YouTube channel (Some of the other Sugarland songs are up). For now, the best I can do is this 1:48 snippet with dodgy sound:


Hath has, however, posted a cool picspam of the performance on her blog.

Bon Jovi Grammys performance

Bon Jovi's performance of the Grammy-nominated "We Weren't Born to Follow", Grammy winner "Who Says You Can't Go Home" with Jennifer Nettles, and the winning song "Livin' on a Prayer" at the 2010 Grammy awards is already on YouTube.



I'm really undecided about this performance. It wasn't horrendous or anything. I mean, it could have been worse -- but it could have been better too. Jennifer is clearly covering for Jon on the high notes of "Prayer" but that's what basically happens at concerts (with the band and crowd singing for Jon what he hasn't had to since the 80s). If "Always" had won the poll, it would have been more obvious if and where Jon needed "saving".

"Prayer" might have packed more punch with the key change, but I don't know what Jennifer's range is like and this isn't like a Bon Jovi concert with tens of thousands of screaming fans to help out.

Overall, a pretty standard television performance, albeit before a bigger audience.

Videos from the Kick Off

Here are some vids from the WPLJ show at Meadowlands Stadium yesterday.

WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GO HOME


WE WEREN'T BORN TO FOLLOW


YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME


IT'S MY LIFE


WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE


LIVIN' ON A PRAYER

Jon Bon Jovi at Clinton fundraiser

Videos from the Hillary Clinton fundraiser in New York that JBJ headlined on January 15.

HELP! (Beatles cover; partial)


WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GO HOME


LIVIN' ON A PRAYER (partial)


A CHANGE IS GONNA COME (Sam Cooke cover)


HERE COMES THE SUN (Beatles cover)


Jon's sounding pretty good here, although I wish he had covered Little Steven's "I Am A Patriot" like he did at a John Edwards rally in 2004.

Jon is also set to perform at the Barack Obama inaugural celebration.

A distinct lack of Republican musicians?

Less than three weeks out from the US Presidential elections, and Bon Jovi are the latest musicians (following the Foo Fighters, Heart, John Mellencamp, and Jackson Browne) to take issue with the Republicans' use of their work. Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin has been playing "Who Says You Can't Go Home" at her campaign rallies this week. Jon gave this statement to TMZ.com:

We are surprised to hear that our song, "Who Says You Can't Go Home" was used by the McCain campaign at rallies yesterday and today. We wrote this song as a thank you to those who have supported us over the past twenty-five years. The song has since become a banner for our home state of New Jersey and the de facto theme song for our partnerships around the country to build homes and rebuild communities. Although we were not asked, we do not approve of their use of "Home".

Of course, JBJ is a known Democrats supporter but this isn't even a political issue to me. More like "moral rights". I know I can be insanely protective of my work, whether it's published or not. While art is open to interpretation, as an artist, I'd hate for my works to be misappropriated. I cringe when people try to turn Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" into a flag-waving celebration. Or when people dedicate Heart's "All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You" to their spouses. Although the use of "Who Says" by the Republicans doesn't miss the point to THAT extent!

It does raise another issue though. Most of musicians, artists, and entertainers you see tend to support the Democrats. As far as Republican musicians go, I think we've got Kid Rock, Ted Nugent, Johnny Ramone, Hank Williams Jr, and I'm sure many others. Might be safer for the Republicans to go with one of those next time.

In other news, I cobbled together a header and promotional banner for the blog. Do you like them?

LH Magic Memory #9: Who Says in Coventry

"Who Says You Can't Go Home" was the song that built the bridge between rock and country pop for Bon Jovi back in 2005. In my native Australia, only the rock version was released and from memory it didn't even chart... But the duet with Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles was huge in North America and it's likely there would have been no Lost Highway album without it. "Who Says" has been played at every show since the Have a Nice Day tour and I personally don't think it needs to be played as often as it is outside the US and Canada; There are rarer tracks that are much more popular over there than "Who Says".

However, I think "Who Says" packed a pretty good punch at Ricoh Arena in Coventry on June 24, 2008, when an 8-year-old kid named Jack wandered onto the stage in the middle of the performance! Jon played daddy for awhile in this very cute exchange, before getting Jack to sing with him for the rest of the song. Check out the rock star with the young gun on this AEG Live pro shot.



Props also to David Bryan for not messing up the (extended) keyboard riff in the middle like I would have. :P