Friend of the show Julie Doran riffs on the fourth studio album by Bon Jovi entitled “New Jersey” from November of 1988 (Bad Medicine / Living In Sin / Born to Be My Baby / I'll Be There For You). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “Put a Little Love in Your Heart”by Al Green and Annie Lennox (from the motion picture “Scrooged”) STAFF PICKS: “Armageddon It” by Def Leppard — Rob & Christian. “Desire” by U2 — Julie. “I'm Sorry” by Hothouse Flowers — Bruce. “Never Tear Us Apart” by INXS — Steve Hardin. COMEDY TRACK: “Wild Thing” by Sam Kenison. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Bon Jovi took the rock world by storm with their massive third album, "Slippery When Wet." A big tour followed, and afterwards the band was anxious to demonstrate that they were not a one (album) hit wonder. They got into the studio at Vancouver, BC in May of 1988 and quickly recorded their fourth studio album entitled New Jersey. Originally going under the working title "Sons of Beaches," the band would settle on their home state as the name of the album. Bon Jovi wanted to make a double album, but the record label balked, fearing that the higher price tag of a double album would impact sales. The album still clocked in at close to an hour of play length, not uncommon during a time when CD's were beginning to stretch the length of albums past the more common album play times.
The result was a stellar success, debuting on the Billboard 200 albums chart at number 8, before moving to the top spot a week later, where it would remain for four weeks. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora wrote most of the songs on the album, with some assistance from songwriter Desmond Child. Five singles from the album went into the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with two topping that chart.
Bon Jovi would go on to an unusual achievement - remaining one of rock music's A-listers for decades. Bon Jovi would continue to sell out arenas, a feat limited to groups such as U2, Metallica, Elton John, and the Rolling Stones.
Friend of the show Julie Doran brings us this stellar album. We are also joined by friend of the show Steve Hardin as we cover for the absence of both Wayne and Lynch this week. In addition, fan of the Show Christian joins us to help Rob bring his Staff Pick.
Bad Medicine
Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora collaborate with Desmond Child in the writing of this song which went to number 1 on the US charts. The lyrics are pretty straightforward, comparing love to a drug. "There ain't no doctor that can cure my disease." The video features hand-held cameras provided to fans at the concert providing their "point of view" at the concert.
Living In Sin
The fifth single from the album still broke into the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100. This power ballad has lyrics that explore love being more powerful than the expectations of society. Bon Jovi is singing about his high school sweetheart, whom he would marry in Las Vegas while on the New Jersey Syndicate tour.
Born to Be My Baby
This single is another example for the collaboration with Desmond Child, and peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has a lot of similarities with Springsteen, with lyrics about a couple of working class lovers facing the world together. The video took the opposite direction from many highly produced videos of the time, opting for low budget black-and-white.
I'll Be There For You
The big hit from the album was this number 1 power ballad. With a runtime of 5:43, this song is the longest song to hit number 1 on the charts in 1989. The lyrics describe a guy desperately seeking to get his girl back, this time forever.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Put a Little Love in Your Heart by Al Green and Annie Lennox (from the motion picture “Scrooged”)
Bill Murray stars in this retelling of "A Christmas Carol."
STAFF PICKS:
Armageddon It by Def Leppard
Rob starts off the staff picks with the sixth single from the multi-platinum album, "Hysteria." High School Student and Fan of the Show, Christian, assists with his thoughts on the band. By the time this song hit number 3 on the US charts, the album had been out for well over a year. The lyrics are a play on words - “Hey, but are you gettin' it? Armageddon it.”
Desire by U2
Julie's staff pick has a blues feel and a Bo Diddley beat. The song is both a critique of the glitzy televangelist making money off his followers, and the ambition and glitz surrounding a successful rock band. It won a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group in 1989.
I'm Sorry by Hothouse Flowers
Bruce features a long lost hit from a Dublin group that combines Irish music with an eclectic mix of soul, gospel, and rock influences. You know, we all have times when we're "sitting back on our deep pile reclining chair" thinking about our lives and “looking over our misdemeanors, misgivings, misfortunes, and Miss Whatever her name is," and say "I'm sorry.”
Never Tear Us Apart by INXS
Steve closes out the staff picks this week. INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence wrote the lyrics that describe a couple with an instant, almost karmic connection when they first meet. This is the fourth single off the album "Kick" and went to number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
COMEDY TRACK:
Wild Thing by Sam Kenison
The sultry sounds of Sam Kenison take us out with this angry cover of the Troggs classic.