One month from now, on my birthday as it so happens, Bon Jovi will release a new Greatest Hits "Ultimate Collection" of their best or most popular songs. That collection will include four brand new songs, which makes it an even sweeter deal, but of course I don't know those new songs yet, so they don't count here. Anyway, having identified my favorite songs by the Beatles and Led Zeppelin, it struck me that Bon Jovi has probably been the most significant rock and roll band since the end of that era. You may correct me if I'm wrong, though I might not agree with you.
Whatever the case may be, I set about determining my favorite Bon Jovi songs. I found that narrowing it down to only ten or even twenty-five was too hard and not as much fun, so I settled on my top fifty favorite songs. And here they be:
1. Livin' On a Prayer
2. You Give Love A Bad Name
3. Wanted Dead Or Alive
4. Whole Lot of Leaving
5. Last Man Standing
6. Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore (with Leann Rimes)
7. Seat Next to You
8. Any Other Day
9. Have A Nice Day
10. I'll Be There For You
11. Never Say Goodbye
12. Everybody’s Broken
13. Complicated
14. One Step Closer
15. Lost Highway
16. Who Says You Can't Go Home (with Jennifer Nettles)
17. Bad Medicine
18. Runaway
19. Bang a Drum
20. Superman Tonight
21. We Got It Going On (with Big & Rich)
22. Thorn in My Side
23. Welcome to Wherever You Are
24. Blaze Of Glory
25. (You Want To) Make A Memory
26. We Weren't Born To Follow
27. Wild Is the Wind
28. Walk Like a Man
29. Summertime
30. Wildflower
31. Santa Fe
32. Lay Your Hands On Me
33. Keep The Faith
34. It's My Life
35. Live Before You Die
36. Open All Night
37. Story of My Life
38. Stick to Your Guns
39. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
40. Say It Isn’t So
41. Everyday
42. Miracle
43. Fast Cars
44. Bed of Roses
45. Next 100 Years
46. Love’s the Only Rule
47. Born To Be My Baby
48. You Had Me from Hello
49. In And Out Of Love
50. Misunderstood
And my top favorite Bon Jovi albums, in approximate order of favoritude (which could easily be rearranged on any given day):
Lost Highway
Have a Nice Day
New Jersey
Slippery When Wet
The Circle
Blaze of Glory
Crush
8 comments:
"...having identified my favorite songs by the Beatles and Led Zeppelin, it struck me that Bon Jovi has probably been the most significant rock and roll band since the end of that era. You may correct me if I'm wrong, though I might not agree with you."
I won't correct you, because you're not wrong...says me, anyway.
My first memory of Bon Jovi is watching the video for Runaway on MTV in 1982. It's amazing to me that was 28 years ago. They are still making great music.
Thanks for sharing this list.
I think you might be getting the album "Full Circle" from Creed's new album. I think the new Bon Jovi album is called "The Circle." In any case, another great list! Awesome music.
Thanks for your comments, Kirsten. You discovered them before I did, in spite of the fact that I have a few years head start on you! You must have been precocious.
Zach, ah, yes, right you are! I've made the correction. Thanks for catching my mistake and letting me know.
My #1 Bon Jovi song didn't even make your top 50:
"On the Edge of a Broken Heart" from the Disorderlies soundtrack.
I honestly cannot see how Bon Jovi either rocks or rolls. Pop, maybe. I am impressed that one is able to name 50 Bon Jovi songs.
Two things.
1. Bed of Roses is far too low. One of the best, ironic ballads ever.
2. If you wanted to say "American" Rock Act, I think Bon Jovi might be up there - although I think Mellencamp and Prince top him. And over all, U2 tops them (even though I do love me some Prince).
Remarkably, I don't think I've ever heard "On the Edge of a Broken Heart."
Mlorfeld -- Ouch! ;-)
Bed of Roses wears on me after a while. I like the song, but it's not my favorite (obviously).
I'll grant that U2 is probably even more significant than Bon Jovi, and they've had as long or longer staying power. Good point. Not Prince, though. In my opinion, he hasn't done anything worthwhile since the 80s. Target is trying to clear out their glut of his latest attempt (Lotus Flower) at $1.99!
I loved Bon Jovi's music in the 80s, but I also think they've aged well, and their most recent albums have become strong favorites.
I wouldn't call them "heavy metal," certainly. Hard Rock at times, yes. But "rock and roll," absolutely. "Pop rock" on some songs, perhaps, but not "pop."
Well, Dad, I finally posted in response to this on my blog. I'm just getting started on the process for other artists, though. I'm just not as good or quick at this list-making stuff as you are! ;-)
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