We Weren't Born to Follow

Last updated
"We Weren't Born to Follow"
We Werent Born To Follow.jpg
Single by Bon Jovi
from the album The Circle
ReleasedAugust 17, 2009
Studio
Sanctuary Studios, New Jersey
Genre Rock [1]
Length4:03 (Album version)
4:09 (Single edit)
Label Island
Songwriter(s) Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora
Producer(s) John Shanks
Bon Jovi singles chronology
"Whole Lot of Leavin'"
(2008)		"We Weren't Born to Follow"
(2009)		"Superman Tonight"
(2010)

"We Weren't Born to Follow" is the first single released in August 2009 from Bon Jovi's eleventh studio album, The Circle . [1] The single premiered on radio on August 17, 2009. The single was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. [2]

Contents

Since then, the song has reached the peak position on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 68. [3]

Music video

The music video, directed by Craig Barry and edited by Brett Langefels for the song was released on October 14, 2009. It features the band performing on the roof of the Clinton Recording Studios in New York City with skyscrapers visible behind them. Interspersed with these scenes are archive clips and pictures of important events and people in history. Designed and composited by Matthew Lucas-Valci, these scenes echo the themes of the song. The video includes images of: [4]

For the week ending November 21, the music video for "We Weren't Born to Follow" reached number 1 on the VH1 Top 20 in the USA.

In 2009, TBS used the song in its commercials for that year's Major League Baseball playoffs. [5] Jon Bon Jovi gave a copy of the song to his friend Bill Belichick, head coach of the New England Patriots, before its public release. The Patriots had initially planned to play it after touchdowns at Gillette Stadium, but ultimately chose to use "This Is Our House" instead. [6]

Track listing

United States CD Single [7]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."We Weren't Born to Follow" (Single Version) Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora 4:09
Total length:4:09
Japanese CD Single [8]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."We Weren't Born to Follow" (Single Version)Bon Jovi, Sambora4:09
2."We Weren't Born to Follow" (Instrumental)Bon Jovi, Sambora4:09
Total length:8:18
European CD Single [9]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."We Weren't Born to Follow" (Single Version)Bon Jovi, Sambora4:09
2."Blaze of Glory" (Recorded live at Madison Square Garden, New York City, July 2008.)Bon Jovi5:48
Total length:9:57
European CD-Maxi Single [10]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."We Weren't Born to Follow" (Single Version)Bon Jovi, Sambora4:09
2."Blaze of Glory" (Recorded live at Madison Square Garden, New York City, July 2008.)Bon Jovi5:48
3."In These Arms" (Recorded live at Madison Square Garden, New York City, July 2008.)Bon Jovi, Sambora, David Bryan 6:08
4."I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" (Recorded live at Madison Square Garden, New York City, July 2008.)Bon Jovi, Sambora, Desmond Child 6:22
Total length:22:28

Personnel

Bon Jovi
Additional musicians
Technical personnel

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [37] Gold35,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateLabelFormatCatalog
Japan October 21, 2009 Island CD UICL-5026 [38]
Europe October 23, 20090602527239415 [39]
0602527239408 [40]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Bon Jovi Releases New Single Ahead of Schedule". Rockstar Weekly. Archived from the original on 2009-08-26. Retrieved 2009-08-19. Pop rockers Bon Jovi have streamed the new single 'We Weren't Born To Follow' on their website. The song is the first taste of the new CD The Circle, scheduled for release on November 10. It shows the band returning to its rock roots.
  2. ↑ Bon Jovi Nominated for Grammy Award! † Bon Jovi News
  3. ↑ "We Weren't Born To Follow - Bon Jovi". Billboard .
  4. ↑ Video on YouTube
  5. ↑ "Bon Jovi weren't born to follow". mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  6. ↑ Traina, Jimmy. "Jon Bon Jovi Q&A". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
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  8. ↑ We Weren't Born to Follow (Japanese CD Single). Bon Jovi. New York City: Island. 2009. UICL-5026.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ↑ We Weren't Born to Follow (European CD Single). Bon Jovi. New York City: Island. 2009. 0602527239415.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ We Weren't Born to Follow (CD-Maxi Single CD Single). Bon Jovi. New York City: Island. 2009. 0602527239408.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 The Circle (Album). Bon Jovi. New York City: Island. 2009. p. 10. 602527245607.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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  31. ↑ "Bon Jovi Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  32. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2009". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
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  35. ↑ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-09-28.
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  37. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  38. ↑ "We Weren't Born To Follow: Bon Jovi LAWSON-TICKET HMV - UICL-5026". HMV . 2009-10-21. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
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