Spinner

Bon Jovi Tackle America's Problems on New Album

Jon Bon JoviBruce Springsteen isn't the only New Jersey rocker with a social conscience. Jon Bon Jovi, who like Springsteen raised money for President Barack Obama and has said in interviews he is friends with the Commander in Chief, tells Spinner the band's new album, 'The Circle,' was shaped by politics.

"Lyrically, I think it touches on who and what we are as a country right now," Bon Jovi says. "So when you listen closely to the lyrics of 'We Were Born to Follow' or 'When We Were Beautiful' or 'Work for the Working Man,' you think about those people from DHL who lost their jobs in Ohio. You go, 'I remember that, I know when that happened. That was November of '08.' So it marks moments of time for us."

Creating music to accompany rites of passage is nothing new for the Jersey boys. They've been told tales for more than two decades of how their music has been the soundtrack for other people's lives. "'Slippery When Wet' marked those milestones for a lot of kids and we've heard those stories now for 23 years," Bon Jovi says. "I'll meet people now that are working in government or running corporations or big grown adults and they go, 'Oh, man, 'Slippery' was my record. That was my teenage years, my make-out record.'"

What are some of the most memorable moments they've heard from people? "The guys in the Iraq war would come back and come see our shows and say they would do raids to 'Wanted Dead or Alive,'" he says. "Or people getting married to 'Never Say Goodbye.'"

"You have to write songs that are not only relevant to yourself, but also resonate throughout the world and throughout other people," guitarist Richie Sambora adds. "Luckily we've learned how to do that and it comes natural to us."

But if there's one song that really stands out for that, the track that has become Bon Jovi's anthem, well, it should come as no surprise. "Obviously 'Livin' on a Prayer' everybody related to," Bon Jovi says. "Tommy and Gina were characters that we created that became everyone -- everyone all over the world related to who those people were as well as we did."

'The Circle' is available now from Island.

Watch Bon Jovi's 'We Weren't Born to Follow' Video


Buy Bon Jovi's 'The Circle' on Amazon

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he\'sahypicrite

If JBJ really cared about humanity, he'd sell his multi-million dollar beachfront home and give the money to charity, and quit worrying about what I do with my paltry few dollars

February 01 2010 at 6:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jovifan

To hope pena: If you won't buy this new album because it reflects some "political views" THINK AGAIN. The album does not express "political views". It does express Jon and the band's concern about the economic state of our country and true empathy for those facing hard times. So many songs on this album are TOP RATE. For God's sake, don't be swayed by these naysayers! Get your wallet, your car keys, and get out there and get this new album. Don't miss out on something that could touch your heart.

December 24 2009 at 9:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bolt767


How does it feel now to have a non-Communist, non-Demoncrat governor of New Jersey now, Bruce and Jon Blonde Joki ?? NJ is a mess and its due to high taxes and other Demon-crat policies. These are the people you support and what hypocrites you are for supporting them. Don't talk to me about the every day person you feel sorry for who are out of work when you support Obama and other politicians who want to take every penny from us !!!

December 21 2009 at 9:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kathy

I have always loved Bon Jovi and their music. I don't have to buy into their political beliefs to enjoy the music. I don't agree with political views of my friends, but they are still my friends. Bon Jovi will still be my favorite band just as they have been when they first started. I will buy the new album and enjoy it for the music. I don't let other's political views dictate what I will listen to or not listen to.

December 20 2009 at 10:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tim

we can always blame Marilyn Manson. everyone else does!

December 09 2009 at 3:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rodel Tagua

Bon Jovi is one of the best band that involves their song to tackle the problem of the world not only the USA
so if you also wants to involve we have to be like them particularly JBJ vision to small like people in the philippines.

December 08 2009 at 11:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Suzy Q.

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November 17 2009 at 5:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Fruitofthevalley

Dear Loyal and Loving Supporting Democrats:

Welcome to your nightmare.

Love,

The Great Deceiver

November 16 2009 at 12:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tom

Sure sounds a lot like "Born to be my Baby." Runnin out of new sounds?

November 15 2009 at 2:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Fruitofthevalley

Actors get caught up in the Hollywood popularity scene, and when they hit stardom status, they begin to think they can flex some political input too! Unfortunately, most of them are too stupid and don't know shit, if they aren't reading a script.......and (they) themselves - don't know that!

November 15 2009 at 1:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply