New Jersey | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 19, 1988 | |||
Recorded | May 1 – July 31, 1988 | |||
Studio | Little Mountain (Vancouver, Canada) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 57:30 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | Bruce Fairbairn | |||
Bon Jovi chronology | ||||
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Singles from New Jersey | ||||
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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). [6] The album was named after the birth state of Jon Bon Jovi, New Jersey.
It produced five Billboard Hot 100 top ten hits, the most top ten hits to date for any glam metal album, including "Bad Medicine" and "I'll Be There for You", which both reached number one. The album was certified 7× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album also debuted at number one in the UK and was the band's first UK No. 1 album. New Jersey was released by the Soviet state-owned record label Melodiya, being the first American album to be officially released in the USSR. [7] [8] To celebrate the band's 30th anniversary in 2014, the album was repackaged with bonus tracks.
The album was recorded very shortly after the Slippery When Wet Tour, because the band wanted to prove that they were not just going to be a one hit wonder. [9] The album was initially planned to be a double album; however, this idea was rejected by the record label because they were skeptical about the higher price point and decided they would only release a single album. [9] One working title for the album was Sons of Beaches, which alluded to the title of Slippery When Wet. [4]
The album was produced by Bruce Fairbairn like its predecessor and recorded at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. [4] It marked the final collaboration between Bon Jovi and producer Bruce Fairbairn.
When the Slippery When Wet Tour ended in October 1987, the band were inactive for about three to four weeks. [4] [9] Then Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora began making demos for 17 songs which would make up the first batch of songs written for the album. However, they began to feel a high level of pressure because they did not feel as though they had "the amazing song". [4] [9] Jon Bon Jovi said that "I really wanted to do it again, not for monetary reasons—I have plenty of money—but it was such an amazing feeling to have done what we've done. [9] There was a real fear of not being able to write 'You Give Love a Bad Name' again." Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora sat together and wrote the song "Love Is War" but Jon Bon Jovi wanted to write a song that would prove to be just as successful as "You Give Love a Bad Name" so desperately that it came out with exactly the same chord progression. They later started on the second batch of songs and they wrote "Bad Medicine" and "Born to Be My Baby" with Desmond Child. "Born to Be My Baby" was originally recorded acoustically, however the producer Bruce Fairbairn persuaded them to re-record it with electric instruments in a much more metal style. Jon Bon Jovi has since said that he believed the song would have made number one on the charts if it had been released in its original form. This song has a similar theme to "Livin' on a Prayer", as it is about a young working class couple struggling to make ends meet.[ citation needed ]
Although the glossy production and anthems from Slippery When Wet remained, the band wished to show a level of diversity on the album. The album is much more experimental with a long, atmosphere-building intro on "Lay Your Hands on Me", harmonica and organ duels on "Homebound Train" and a flamenco guitar intro on "Wild Is the Wind". "Ride Cowboy Ride" is a short song functioning as an introduction to "Stick to Your Guns" and was recorded in mono. The song is credited to "Captain Kidd and King of Swing", the nicknames of Bon Jovi and Sambora.[ citation needed ]
"Love for Sale" was recorded and engineered by John P. Allen and Chris Cavallaro at Chalet Sound in Allenwood, New Jersey. All pre-production songs were recorded and engineered at Chalet Sound by Allen additional engineering by Cavallaro and Nejat Bekan.[ citation needed ]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [10] |
Kerrang! | 3.75/5 [11] |
Number One | [12] |
Rolling Stone | [13] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [14] |
The Village Voice | C+ [15] |
New Jersey debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 chart, but climbed to No. 1 the following week and spent four weeks at the top spot. It eventually sold 7 million copies in the United States. The album debuted at No. 1 in Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Sweden, New Zealand and Australia. "Bad Medicine" and the ballad "I'll Be There for You" both hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Born to Be My Baby", "Lay Your Hands on Me", and "Living in Sin" reached the Top 10.
New Jersey was released on July 1, 2014, as a 2CD "Deluxe Edition", which included the original album remastered along with B-sides and previously unreleased demos from the New Jersey/Sons of Beaches sessions. The "Super Deluxe Edition" includes both discs plus a DVD containing the documentary Access All Areas: A Rock & Roll Odyssey and New Jersey: The Videos . Both titles were previously available on VHS.
All tracks are written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, except where noted.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Lay Your Hands on Me" | 5:58 | |
2. | "Bad Medicine" |
| 5:16 |
3. | "Born to Be My Baby" |
| 4:40 |
4. | "Living in Sin" | J. Bon Jovi | 4:39 |
5. | "Blood on Blood" |
| 6:16 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Homebound Train" | 5:10 | |
2. | "Wild Is the Wind" |
| 5:08 |
3. | "Ride Cowboy Ride" | 1:25 | |
4. | "Stick to Your Guns" |
| 4:45 |
5. | "I'll Be There for You" | 5:46 | |
6. | "99 in the Shade" | 4:29 | |
7. | "Love for Sale" | 3:58 | |
Total length: | 57:30 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
13. | "You Give Love a Bad Name" (Live Version) |
| 3:53 |
Total length: | 61:23 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Bad Medicine" (Live at Wembley Arena, 1988) |
| 5:53 |
2. | "Bad Medicine" (Live on the Keep the Faith Tour) |
| 8:22 |
3. | "Blood on Blood" (Live at Wembley Arena, 1988) |
| 6:50 |
4. | "Born to Be My Baby" (Acoustic version) |
| 4:54 |
5. | "I'll Be There for You" (Live at Lakeland 1989) | 6:33 | |
6. | "Lay Your Hands on Me" (Live at Giants Stadium, 1989) | 5:35 | |
7. | "Love Is War" (Studio outtake) | 4:15 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
13. | "Blood on Blood" (Live Version) |
| 12:04 |
14. | "Born to Be My Baby" (Live Version) |
| 5:47 |
Total length: | 75:21 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
13. | "The Boys Are Back in Town [fn 1] " (Thin Lizzy cover) | Phil Lynott | 4:05 |
14. | "Love Is War" (B-side from "Living in Sin" single) | 4:14 | |
15. | "Born to Be My Baby" (Acoustic version) |
| 4:53 |
Total length: | 70:42 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Homebound Train" | 6:32 | |
2. | "Judgement Day" | 4:18 | |
3. | "Full Moon High" | 4:42 | |
4. | "Growin' Up the Hard Way" | 5:31 | |
5. | "Let's Make It Baby" |
| 5:56 |
6. | "Love Hurts" | 4:49 | |
7. | "Backdoor to Heaven" | 5:51 | |
8. | "Now and Forever" | 5:34 | |
9. | "Wild Is the Wind" |
| 4:55 |
10. | "Stick to Your Guns" |
| 5:15 |
11. | "House of Fire [fn 2] " |
| 5:01 |
12. | "Does Anybody Really Fall in Love Anymore? [fn 3] " |
| 4:57 |
13. | "Diamond Ring [fn 4] " |
| 4:10 |
Total length: | 67:31 |
Bon Jovi
Additional musicians
Additional credits
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [42] | 2× Platinum | 165,000 [43] |
Austria (IFPI Austria) [44] | Platinum | 50,000* |
Canada (Music Canada) [45] | 5× Platinum | 500,000^ |
Finland (Musiikkituottajat) [46] | Platinum | 51,126 [46] |
Germany (BVMI) [47] | Platinum | 500,000^ |
Italy (FIMI) [48] | Gold | 100,000 [48] |
Japan (RIAJ) [49] | Gold | 332,000 [50] |
Mexico (AMPROFON) [49] | Gold | 100,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [51] | Platinum | 15,000^ |
Norway (IFPI Norway) [49] | Gold | 50,000 [49] |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [52] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
Sweden (GLF) [53] | Gold | 50,000^ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [54] 1989 certification | Platinum | 50,000^ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [54] 1998 certification | Gold | 25,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [55] | 2× Platinum | 600,000^ |
United States (RIAA) [56] | 7× Platinum | 7,000,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
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. The band has been credited with "bridging the gap between heavy metal music, rock and pop with style and ease".
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 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.
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.
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".
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.
These Days (stylized as (these Days)) is the sixth studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi, released on June 27, 1995, by Mercury Records. This was the first album Bon Jovi released after the dismissal of original bass guitarist Alec John Such, and their first album to be recorded officially as four-piece band (without an official bassist, but featured Hugh McDonald as a session/touring member on bass guitar). The album, produced by Peter Collins, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, is praised by many critics and fans as their best album. These Days is overall a darker album in contrast to the band's usual brand of feel-good, inspiring rock songs and love ballads.
Crush is the seventh studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi. It was released on May 29, 2000, by Mercury Records in the UK and on June 13, 2000, by Island Records in the US. It was produced by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Luke Ebbin. The album marks the longest timespan between studio albums for the band, with five years between the release of These Days (1995) and this album. After the initial plan to team up with producer Bruce Fairbairn fell through because of his death a year earlier, Bon Jovi and Sambora hired Luke Ebbin to update their sound.
One Wild Night Live 1985–2001 is the first live album by the American rock band Bon Jovi, released on May 22, 2001. The album includes live covers of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" and performance of the Boomtown Rats' "I Don't Like Mondays", with a guest appearance by their lead singer Bob Geldof. The album charted at number 20 on the US Billboard 200 chart.
Bounce is the eighth studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi, released on October 8, 2002 through Island Records. Produced by Luke Ebbin, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, the album was recorded at Sanctuary II Studio in New Jersey.
Skid Row is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Skid Row, released on January 24, 1989, by Atlantic Records. After signing with manager Doc McGhee, Skid Row signed with Atlantic and began recording its debut. The album was recorded in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, with producer Michael Wagener, and received mixed reviews upon its release. The band toured behind the album mainly as an opening act, supporting Bon Jovi and Aerosmith in 1989–1990. The album peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 and was certified 5× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1995 for shipping five million copies in the United States. It generated four singles: "Youth Gone Wild", "18 and Life", "I Remember You" and "Piece of Me", all of which were accompanied by music videos and received heavy rotation on MTV. The album's commercial and critical success made Skid Row a regular feature in rock magazines and brought the group nationwide popularity.
This Left Feels Right is a compilation album by Bon Jovi, released in 2003. An album featuring new versions of the band's songs from previous albums, it charted at No. 14 on Billboard 200. It's a "trip down memory lane" as Jon Bon Jovi described the album. It features revamped versions of many of Bon Jovi's biggest hits, often in a more somber style. Many of the 80's hard hitting chart-rockers are presented in a different light as soulful ballads.
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.
Have a Nice Day is the ninth studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi, released on September 20, 2005. Produced by John Shanks, the album was recorded at Sanctuary Sound II in New Jersey, and Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood, California.
American rock band Bon Jovi has released 16 studio albums, three live albums, five compilation albums, five EPs, 66 singles, 14 video albums, and 71 music videos. Bon Jovi has sold over 130 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. As of 2018, the band has sold 21.8 million albums in the US Nielsen SoundScan era. Billboard ranked Bon Jovi as the 45th Greatest Artist of all time, achieving 6 No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 & 4 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. According to Recording Industry Association of America, Bon Jovi has sold 34.5 million albums in the United States.
"Bad Medicine" is a song by American rock band Bon Jovi. It was written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Desmond Child, and was released on September 12, 1988, as the lead single from the band's fourth album, New Jersey (1988). The song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, Bon Jovi's third single to do so, and became a top-10 hit in Australia, Canada, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
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.
The Circle is the eleventh studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi. Released on November 10, 2009, the album was produced by John Shanks. The album debuted at number 1 in several countries, including the U.S., where it sold 163,000 copies in its first week.
What About Now is the twelfth studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi. Produced by John Shanks, the album was released on March 8, 2013 in Australia and March 12, 2013 in the United States. The album was promoted throughout the band's 2013 Because We Can: The Tour. It is the last album to feature lead guitarist Richie Sambora before his departure from the band the following month.
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.
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.