Bon Jovi (album)

Last updated
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi Album.jpg
Studio album by
Bon Jovi
ReleasedJanuary 23, 1984 (1984-01-23) [1]
Recorded1982–1983
Studio Power Station (New York City)
Genre
Length38:33
Label
Producer
Bon Jovi chronology
Bon Jovi
(1984)		 7800° Fahrenheit
(1985)
Singles from Bon Jovi
  1. "Runaway"
    Released: February 1984
  2. "She Don't Know Me"
    Released: 22 May 1984
  3. "Burning for Love"
    Released: 17 October 1984

Bon Jovi is the debut studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi, released on January 23, 1984, by Mercury Records. Produced by Tony Bongiovi and Lance Quinn, it is significant for being the only Bon Jovi album in which a song ("She Don't Know Me") appears that was not written or co-written by a member of the band. The album charted at number 43 on the US Billboard 200. [5]

Contents

Aside from the hit single "Runaway", songs from the album were rarely performed live after Bon Jovi released Slippery When Wet in 1986. However, on the band's 2010 Circle Tour, songs including "Roulette", "Shot Through the Heart" and "Get Ready" were performed. The album was ranked the 11th best rock album of 1984 by Kerrang! magazine. [6]

The song "Shot Through the Heart" should not be confused with the much better-known "You Give Love a Bad Name" from Slippery When Wet. [7]

On 25 January 2024, the band announced and released the 40th anniversary edition of the album on the same day. [8] [9] [10]

Background

In 1980, Jon Bon Jovi (born John Francis Bongiovi) began work at Power Station, a Manhattan recording facility co-founded by his cousin, Tony Bongiovi. Jon made several demos and sent them out to record companies, but failed to make an impact.

In 1982, Jon went to local radio station WAPP 103.5FM "The Apple". DJ Chip Hobart listened to the demos and loved "Runaway", deciding to include it on the station's compilation album of local homegrown talent. The studio musicians who helped record "Runaway" were known as The All Star Review. They were: guitarist Tim Pierce, keyboardist Roy Bittan, drummer Frankie LaRocka, bass guitarist Hugh McDonald, and additional singers David Grahmme and Mick Seeley (Seeley also composed the distinctive keyboard riff that opens the song). In 1994, McDonald would later replace Alec John Such as Bon Jovi's bass guitarist, initially only as a touring and session musician, before becoming a full member in 2016.

The song began to get airplay around New York. Jon signed to Mercury Records, part of the PolyGram company. He wanted a band name and the A&R staff at PolyGram came up with Bon Jovi.

In March 1983, Bon Jovi called David Bryan (then known as Rashbaum), who in turn called bass guitarist Alec John Such and an experienced drummer named Tico Torres. At that time Bon Jovi's lead guitarist was Dave Sabo, a childhood friend of Jon's who later formed the band Skid Row. Sabo was never intended as a full-time member of the band, and was soon replaced by Richie Sambora.

"We weren't a good band", Bon Jovi said in 2007. "We didn't become a good band until the third record, but we had a drummer who could keep time, which you should never take for granted. But I did okay for a 22-year-old. I'd only been in a studio for three years total prior to that record and I didn't know anything about comping a vocal – where you take a word or a line from one track and piece it together. I was thinking, My God, I'm so bad that they have to put my vocals together for me. The engineer was saying, Don't fret, Jon: even Freddie Mercury and the greats have to comp a vocal." [11]

Release and reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [2]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [12]

AllMusic has retrospectively rated Bon Jovi three-and-a-half out of five stars. Leslie Mathew, who reviewed the album, said: "The songs may be simple and the writing prone to all clichés of the form, but the album boasts a pretty consistent hard rock attack, passionate playing, and a keen sense of melody", and called the album "an often-overlooked minor gem from the early days of hair metal". [2]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Runaway"
3:50
2."Roulette"
4:38
3."She Don't Know Me" Mark Avsec 4:02
4."Shot Through the Heart"
4:16
5."Love Lies"
4:06
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."Breakout"
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Bryan
5:20
7."Burning for Love"
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
3:51
8."Come Back"
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
3:56
9."Get Ready"
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
4:07
1998 special edition bonus CD PHCR-90011/2
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Runaway" (live Le Zenith 1988)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Karak
5:18
2."Roulette" (live BBC Friday Rock Show)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
5:39
3."Shot Through the Heart" (live Japan Tour 1985)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Ponti
 
4."Burning for Love" (live Japan Tour 1985)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
 
5."Get Ready" (live Japan Tour 1985)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
7:04
6."Breakout" (live Super Rock '84)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Bryan
6:26
7."Runaway" (live Super Rock '84)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Karak
 
2010 special edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Runaway" (live Japan Tour 1985)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Karak
5:18
2."Roulette" (Live Japan Tour 1985)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
5:39
3."Breakout" (live Japan Tour 1985)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Bryan
6:26
4."Get Ready" (live Japan Tour 1985)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
7:04
2024 40th Anniversary bonus tracks (CD release only; not found on vinyl or cassette editions) [13] [14] [15]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
10."Runaway" (cassette writing demo)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Karak
2:14
11."Runaway" (pre-production studio demo)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Karak
4:08
12."Runaway" (alternate version)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Karak
4:18
13."Runaway" (extended version, 2024 mix)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Karak
4:42
14."Come Back" (reference vocal version)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
4:15
15."Roulette" (live Tokyo 1985, Obie O’Brien mix)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
5:38
16."Breakout" (live Tokyo 1985, Obie O’Brien mix)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Bryan
7:06
17."Runaway" (live Tokyo 1985, Obie O’Brien mix)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Karak
5:17
18."Get Ready" (live Tokyo 1985, Obie O’Brien mix)
  • J. Bon Jovi
  • Sambora
7:03

Personnel

Bon Jovi

Additional musicians

Production staff

Design

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for Bon Jovi
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [25] Gold50,000^
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong) [26] Gold10,000*
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [27] Gold25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [28] Silver60,000^
United States (RIAA) [1] Platinum1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bon Jovi</span> American rock band

Bon Jovi is an American rock band formed in Sayreville, New Jersey in 1983. The band consists of singer Jon Bon Jovi, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, guitarists John Shanks and Phil X, percussionist Everett Bradley, and bassist Hugh McDonald. Original bassist Alec John Such left the band in 1994, and longtime guitarist and co-songwriter Richie Sambora left in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richie Sambora</span> American musician (born 1959)

Richard Stephen Sambora is an American musician, singer, and songwriter, best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Bon Jovi from 1983 to 2013. He and lead singer Jon Bon Jovi formed the main songwriting unit for the band. He has also released three solo albums: Stranger in This Town in 1991, Undiscovered Soul in 1998, and Aftermath of the Lowdown released in September 2012.

<i>7800° Fahrenheit</i> 1985 studio album by Bon Jovi

7800° Fahrenheit is the second studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi. It was released on March 27, 1985, through Mercury Records. The album's title is a reference to the supposed melting point of rock, which is equivalent to 4315.5 °C. In the United States, the Fahrenheit scale is in general use, suggesting the album consists of "American hot rock". The album's artwork introduced the classic 1980s Bon Jovi logo that would later be used on Slippery When Wet and New Jersey. 7800° Fahrenheit spent 104 weeks on the Billboard 200 albums chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 19, 1987. The singles "Only Lonely" and "In and Out of Love" both charted on the Billboard Hot 100.

<i>Slippery When Wet</i> 1986 studio album by Bon Jovi

Slippery When Wet is the third studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi, released on August 18, 1986, by Mercury Records in North America and Vertigo Records internationally. It was produced by Bruce Fairbairn, with recording sessions taking place between January and July 1986 at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver. The album features many of Bon Jovi's best-known songs, including "You Give Love a Bad Name", "Livin' on a Prayer", and "Wanted Dead or Alive".

<i>New Jersey</i> (album) 1988 studio album by Bon Jovi

New Jersey is the fourth studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi, released on September 19, 1988, by Mercury Records. The album was produced by Bruce Fairbairn and recorded at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The album was the follow-up to the band's third album, Slippery When Wet, and reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart in its second week of release after debuting at number eight. It remained at the top for four consecutive weeks and was Bon Jovi's last album to do so until Lost Highway (2007). The album was named after the birth state of Jon Bon Jovi, New Jersey.

<i>Keep the Faith</i> 1992 studio album by Bon Jovi

Keep the Faith is the fifth studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi, released on November 3, 1992, by Mercury Records. It is Bon Jovi's last studio album to feature all five original band members as bass guitarist Alec John Such was dismissed from the band in 1994, though it was not his last release with the band. It is Bon Jovi's first album to not be produced by either Lance Quinn or Bruce Fairbairn. The album was produced by Bob Rock and was recorded at the Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia. Keep the Faith marked a change to a "more serious interpretation of the band's pop-metal groove". It is also Bon Jovi's longest album to date, clocking in at 66 minutes.

<i>100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Cant Be Wrong</i> 2004 box set by Bon Jovi

100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong is a box set by Bon Jovi, released in 2004 through Island Records. A collection of demos and B-sides, it was released to celebrate the band's twentieth anniversary and their milestone of selling 100 million records worldwide.

<i>Cross Road</i> (album) 1994 greatest hits album by Bon Jovi

Cross Road is the first official greatest hits album by American rock band Bon Jovi, released on October 11, 1994, by Mercury Records. The album contains hits from all previously released albums from their debut, Bon Jovi (1984) to Keep the Faith (1992). The album also features two new tracks: the hit singles "Always" and "Someday I'll Be Saturday Night", as well as a new, updated rendition of "Livin' on a Prayer" entitled "Prayer '94" available only on the North American versions. "Runaway" was never recorded with the current band, though at that time there were plans to put a "Runaway '94" on the album but it was never recorded. The diner located on the cover of the album is the Roadside Diner in Wall Township, NJ, near the crossroads of Route 33 and Route 34.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Livin' on a Prayer</span> 1986 single by Bon Jovi

"Livin' on a Prayer" is a song by the American rock band Bon Jovi from their third studio album, Slippery When Wet. Written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child, the single, released in late 1986, performed strongly on both rock and pop radio and its music video was given heavy rotation at MTV, giving the band their first song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and their second consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit.

<i>This Left Feels Right Live</i> 2004 video by Bon Jovi

This Left Feels Right Live is the third of Bon Jovi's live concert videos. Filmed at Atlantic City, New Jersey, this features the band's performance at the Borgata on November 14 and 15, 2004. The DVD was directed by Tony Bongiovi - Jon's younger brother, not his cousin of the same name.

<i>Stranger in This Town</i> 1991 studio album by Richie Sambora

Stranger in This Town is the first solo studio album by Richie Sambora, the guitarist from the New Jersey band Bon Jovi. The album was released in 1991, while Bon Jovi was on a 17-month hiatus. Jon Bon Jovi also released a solo album, Blaze of Glory (1990), during this period.

<i>Destination Anywhere</i> (Jon Bon Jovi album) 1997 studio album by Jon Bon Jovi

Destination Anywhere is the second solo studio album by Jon Bon Jovi, released on June 16, 1997 and features music from the film Destination Anywhere released in the same year. It follows his successful 1990 soundtrack Blaze of Glory, from the film Young Guns II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Runaway (Bon Jovi song)</span> 1984 single by Bon Jovi

"Runaway" is the debut single by American rock band Bon Jovi. It was originally recorded in 1981 for the so-called "Power Station Demos" at the beginning of singer Jon Bon Jovi's career, featuring the vocalist backed by session musicians.

<i>The Power Station Years: The Unreleased Recordings</i> 1998 compilation album by Jon Bon Jovi

The Power Station Years: The Unreleased Recordings, first released as John Bongiovi: The Power Station Years, is a compilation of previously unreleased songs recorded by vocalist/guitarist Jon Bon Jovi that was first released as a 10-track compilation in 1998. They were recorded in the early 1980s at The Power Station recording studio, where John worked basically as an intern for his cousin and then owner Toni Bongiovi. Helping out running errands, cleaning, etc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Living in Sin (song)</span> 1989 single by Bon Jovi

"Living in Sin" is a power ballad by American rock band Bon Jovi. It was written by lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, and was released on October 7, 1989, as the fifth single from their fourth album New Jersey. It also was the fifth single from New Jersey to chart in the Top 10, allowing Bon Jovi to hold the record for the most songs from a glam metal album to reach the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and the Cash Box Top 100, peaking at #9 on both charts. It also reached #37 on the Mainstream rock charts.

<i>Lost Highway</i> (Bon Jovi album) 2007 studio album by Bon Jovi

Lost Highway is the tenth studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi, released on June 19, 2007, in the US through Island Records. Produced by John Shanks and Dann Huff, the album was recorded at Black Bird Studios, Nashville and NGR Recording, Hollywood.

<i>Burning Bridges</i> (Bon Jovi album) 2015 studio album by Bon Jovi

Burning Bridges is the thirteenth studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi consisting of new songs, as well as formerly unreleased and unfinished songs. Released on August 21, 2015 by Mercury Records. Produced by John Shanks, it was the first release since the departure of former guitarist Richie Sambora in 2013, with Shanks handling the lead guitar parts. Burning Bridges is their last album to be released through Mercury, marking the end of their 32-year relationship with the label. According to Jon Bon Jovi, the album serves as a "fan record" to tie in with an accompanying international tour: "It's songs that weren't finished, that were finished, a couple of new ones like the one we released as a single 'We Don't Run'." Burning Bridges was followed by This House Is Not for Sale, the band's fourteenth studio album released in 2016 which featured all new songs.

<i>This House Is Not for Sale</i> 2016 studio album by Bon Jovi

This House Is Not for Sale is the fourteenth studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi. It was released on November 4, 2016, by Island Records. It is the band's first studio album with Phil X on lead guitar after he replaced founding member Richie Sambora in 2013, as well as the first album to feature bassist Hugh McDonald as an official member after having played with the band in a touring/session capacity since 1994.

<i>Radio Free America</i> (album) 2018 studio album by RSO

Radio Free America is the debut studio album released by RSO, a duo featuring Bon Jovi ex-guitarist Richie Sambora and Australian guitarist Orianthi. The album was released May 11, 2018.

<i>2020</i> (Bon Jovi album) 2020 studio album by Bon Jovi

2020 is the fifteenth studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi. The album was initially set for release on May 15, 2020, through Island, but was later pushed back to October 2, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

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  2. 1 2 3 4 Bon Jovi at AllMusic
  3. ↑ Popoff, Martin (2014). The Big Book of Hair Metal: The Illustrated Oral History of Heavy Metal's Debauched Decade. Minneapolis, Minnesota. p. 59. ISBN   978-0-7603-4546-7. OCLC   858901054.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ↑ McPadden 1/26/2015, Mike. "Kingmakers In Makeup: 15 Future Metal Superstars That Opened For Kiss". VH1 News. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved 2021-05-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ↑ "Allmusic (Bon Jovi charts & awards) Billboard albums".
  6. ↑ "Rock List Music.uk". Archived from the original on 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
  7. ↑ Schonfeld, Zach (May 10, 2018). "Every Bon Jovi Album, Ranked: Celebrating 'Slippery When Wet,' 'New Jersey,' and All the Rest". Newsweek . Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  8. ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo (2024-01-21). "40 Years Ago: Bon Jovi's Debut Album Points to Bigger Things". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  9. ↑ Peacock, Tim (January 24, 2024). "Bon Jovi's Self-Titled Debut Album Celebrates 40 Years With Deluxe Edition". UDiscover Music. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Bon Jovi Commemorates 40th Anniversary Of Self-Titled Debut 'Bon Jovi Deluxe Edition' Out Now". Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). February 7, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  11. ↑ Blake, Mark (August 2007). "My brilliant career: Jon Bon Jovi". Q #253. p. 67.
  12. ↑ "Rolling Stone Album Guide". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 2011-06-28. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
  13. ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo (2024-01-21). "40 Years Ago: Bon Jovi's Debut Album Points to Bigger Things". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  14. ↑ Peacock, Tim (January 24, 2024). "Bon Jovi's Self-Titled Debut Album Celebrates 40 Years With Deluxe Edition". UDiscover Music. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Bon Jovi Commemorates 40th Anniversary Of Self-Titled Debut 'Bon Jovi Deluxe Edition' Out Now". Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). February 7, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  16. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Albums – Week Commencing 28th January 2008" (PDF). The ARIA Report . No. 935. January 28, 2008. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 February 2008. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  17. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN   978-951-1-21053-5.
  18. ↑ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN   4-87131-077-9.
  19. ↑ "Charts.nz – Bon Jovi – Bon Jovi". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  20. ↑ Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN   84-8048-639-2.
  21. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Bon Jovi Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Top Pop Albums of 1984". Billboard. June 23, 2022. Archived from the original on December 31, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1987". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 14, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Bon Jovi – Bon Jovi". Music Canada. March 31, 1987. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  26. ↑ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1989". IFPI Hong Kong. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  27. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('1st Album')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  28. ↑ "British album certifications – Bon Jovi – Bon Jovi". British Phonographic Industry. July 22, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
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