What Lies Beneath

Through the years, they are best known for their legendary rock anthems, sold out arena tours, and even the occasional pop ballad that is recognizable to the general public. But what Bon Jovi (and main writer/lead singer now known as Jon Bon Jovi) are not generally applauded for is the lyrical depth to their music and the range and harmonies in their vocals. With their new album The House Is Not For Sale due out October 21st, you won’t hear a drastically different overall sound, but a more intellectual music fan should once again be able to appreciate some creative and smart lyricism, specifically considering many of the words written describe the recent break-up then make-up with Mercury Records and sort of rebirth as a different band. Certainly some of the changes were simply personnel adjustments after Richie Sambora (co-writer of most of the aforementioned classics like “Livin’ On A Prayer”, “Wanted Dead Or Alive”, and “It’s My Life”) left the band after 30 years.
     But Bon Jovi serves its die-hard fans with a combo platter of big hits, popular “B-Sides” like “Lay Your Hands On Me” or “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” or “Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen From Mars”, and some lesser known emotionally-driven songs that, as one lyric states, were more than music/They were pictures from the soul. It is a bit too easy to declare many artists a great singer-songwriter and maybe some of the credit that is commonly doled out is given because of the ability to write a radio hit. But a deeper look at some of the work from those folks tells a different story. Pull up the lyrics to you-know-who’s “Bad Blood” or “Shake It Off” and reconsider your expectations for next-level songwriting.
    Then take a look at some songs that describe life in a way that feels like the artist is painting a picture for you that you didn’t know how to necessarily envision. Bon Jovi’s “While My Guitar Lies Bleeding In My Arms” talks about depression or loneliness by writing Misery likes company/I like the way that sounds/I've been trying to find the meaning/so I can write it down/Staring out the window, it's such a long way down/I'd like to jump, but I'm afraid to hit the ground. Or their song “Dry County” that speaks of hope and determination with I came here like so many did to find a better life/To find my piece of easy street/To finally be alive/And I know nothing good comes easy/All good things take some time/I made my bed I'll lie in it/To die in it's the crime. But love songs are loves songs with any superstar 80’s born hair-then-rock band and even some of their most famous ballads offer a little depth like in “Bed of Roses” and 'Cause a bottle of vodka/Is still lodged in my head/And some blonde gave me nightmares/I think that she's still in my bed/As I dream about movies/They won't make of me when I'm dead.
     Not only can the band write songs that might reach fans and listeners more than the average rock hit, but the underrated range and natural emotion in Jon’s voice brings an additional element to the foundation that is the writing and production of some of their catalog. Some might actually feel the pain of someone trying to find anyone to fill the loneliness after a night at the bar in “These Arms Are Open All Night” or maybe the fears of someone hearing the truth when he feels that he can’t provide for his partner in “Lie To Me” is something one can relate to. Or for the quieter folk, “Amen” tries to to share the short story of a man that feels blessed to have found the one he has.
     It seems that over the last three decades this man, and this band, has had something worth saying and they continue to try to do so with new albums and new tours every couple of years. Many know them for something you can hear on your local pop rock station, but few know them for being top-notch writers and singers. A quick look below the surface tells a much different story, sort of like the different one they’ve been telling throughout their career.