Bland and shallow. I think that Raven hit on the head with journey comment. Look nobody can deny (like Journey) they have good songs that are fun to rock out to, but they are not an artist of real substance like Bruce SPRINGSTEEN. Compare "Livin on a Prayer" to any Bruce's great songs about a similar subject: "Born to Run","the Promised Land","The River" or "Atlantic City" among many others and there is no comparison. Bon Jovi songs are mainly slick production over a sing along chorus, I mean think about it, rarely can I remember Bon Jovi verses but damn if I can't sing every chorus to every hit. Bon Jovi is entertaining but they're so shallow if they were a pool it wouldn't even cover your toes.
Mellencamp, Springsteen, and Petty all began in the 70s, but commercially peaked in the 80s. Name one decent band or performer who started in the 80s and played "heartland rock"? REM is kinda sort like that, but who else? And by the 90s, the same audience drifted over to Garth (gags). PS, at least Journey has Wheel in the Sky.
sorry good hit songs none of their 'best' songs were ever that great. now to hear them roll out and play 'half way there' over and over makes me want to stab myself in the eyes.
http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/bon-jovi-top-tour-earnings-chart/ http://www.accesshollywood.com/beyonce-bon-jovi-score-2013s-top-money-making-tours_article_88277
You compare one of Bon Jovi's two most overplayed beat-to-death-by-the-radio songs to 4 of Springsteen's songs. How's that fair? Bon Jovi had other songs you know, about the subject of "you can do it". "I Believe", "Welcome to Wherever You Are", "The Distance", etc.
Bon Jovi was better when they didn't play "heartland rock". That's what's strange about the thread to me. I didn't know there were people out there that preferred more recent Bon Jovi to the 80s stuff. Anything after New Jersey doesn't need to be talked about, IMO.
So you prefer the glam metal Bon Jovi? I like all BJ but there's plenty of people that think their glam days was all production/radio but like the more mature songwriting of the later albums.
This is the best Bon Jovi: <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/s86K-p089R8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
WTF I just found out Sambora left, I thought people were joking! :/ I couldn't find any news articles confirming it the first time looking. http://www.billboard.com/articles/n...ining-bon-jovi-in-2014-i-would-think-about-it I hope he returns. Wouldn't be the same.
And this: <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/omLgJe9cnCw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
You've opened up a can of worms, OP: <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ifm00JEjSeo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I've seen both Bon Jovi and Bruce play in Jersey, and the fans of both shows took the experiences to the next level. That being said, Bruce is in a different class.
All my life all I've asked is when Bon Jovi gonna speak to me. But I think they're living in another world, tryin to get their message through.
Okay, so we're posting favorites now? Here's mine: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Xcz5HRme9BM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Just sounds like they're having a blast playing this.
This song is cool tho, 7800* Fahrenheit is so underrated. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5U6Y4xSa0HY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
So many music snobs in here. Ill take bon jovi over springsteens constipated, need to take a laxative, shtick any day of the week. I was recently at a bon jovi concert. Most non pretentious guy onstage ive seen. Spent 5-10 minutes total talking for the entire 3 hour set. He knew what the fans were there for. Everyone in the stadium had a good time singing along to his overplayed pop rock songs. We all went home humming living on a prayer and feeling good. What else do you want from music? If you want philosophy, go read a book
Honestly, while I don't really care for the band and their music, it's always been Sambora and Bon Jovi are what makes the band what it is. The other members...while always present...are pretty much along for the ride. So, when Sambora called it quits, it doesn't even feel like Bon Jovi any more. It might as well just be the singer touring solo with whatever supporting band members he wants to bring along. I mean...if they are playing all their hits that Sambora developed a reputation as a good guitarist on...it's just wrong to see someone else up there playing it as they didn't even write it. It feels pretty much like Axel Rose's current incarnation of Guns N Roses without Slash. I wouldn't pay to see it if I was a fan of the band. I guess I understand why Bon Jovi was forced to carry on without Sambora because Sambora had to do what's right for him. But, it's like you are getting half the band on tour. That's all I'm going to say about that.
I've always thought Sambora was overrated as a guitarist. His solos were always very dull and bland for me. And I must admit, it always annoyed me that he tried to dress like SRV (hat, sultan of swing guitar strap, etc.). I'd be interested to hear what other guitarists think of his playing. I did think he and Jon's harmonies were great. Their voices sound good together. Their Behind the Music was pretty interesting. I thought it was strange that they fired their bass player so late in the game because he couldn't hack it live. That's fine, but why was he in the band for so long before that if he couldn't play Bon Jovi songs live? Did he get worse as he went along? I don't think the music got any more complex. Was there a bass player under the stage playing the songs during their hey-day?
