The Top Ten Songs by Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi, the pretty-boy band from New Jersey, are known for more than just the lead singer’s good looks. Over the past 20 years, the band has recorded dozens of records and have enjoyed numerous hit singles. More than just a pretty face, lead singer Jon Bon Jovi has grown with the times, devoting his time to kids in need and also to his pride and joy, the Philadelphia Soul football team. With band members Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Tico Torres and David Bryan still writing and still touring, the band is just as great as they were in the 1980’s-and all but one of the original members are still in the band, a rarity in the tumultuous world of rock and roll. Here are the top ten songs by Bon Jovi:

1. Runaway-This 1984 song from the group’s self-titled debut effort was popular – it became a top 40 hit – but it didn’t give Bon Jovi the success that they craved. Still, when compiling a top ten list, this song has to be on it, due to its catchy chorus.

2. In and Out of Love- This memorable song had a great music video that accompanied it. A single from the 1985 album, 7800 Degrees Fahrenheit, In and Out of Love has an irresistible hook to it and it helped to get the band noticed.

3. Wanted Dead or Alive-This is the song that brought the lighters out during the early Bon Jovi concerts. From their multi-platinum 1986 album Slippery When Wet, this was one of several songs that made it to the top of the Billboard charts. A few years later, an acoustic version of this song was performed at the MTV Music Video Awards by Jon Bon Jovi and Sambora, which in essence started the MTV “Unplugged” series. This song is considered to be an anthem for Bon Jovi fans everywhere.
4. You Give Love a Bad Name-Another song from the album Slippery When Wet, this song was the band’s very first number one hit. The songs lyrics, about a bitter breakup, rang true for millions of fans.

5. Livin’ on a Prayer-This memorable song, about a working class couple named Tommy and Gina, was another huge hit for the band. With songs like this, about working hard to make ends meet, fans felt that the band could relate to them. The music video was also memorable, featuring Jon Bon Jovi “flying” across the stage in a long leather coat.

6. Let it Rock-This overlooked song was the opening track on the Slippery When Wet album. It’s a great song, featuring phenomenal guitar work by Richie Sambora. Back in the day, as soon as you heard the opening chords to this song, you knew the whole album was going to be great.

7. It’s My Life- From the 2000 album Crush, this song sounds like old-school Bon Jovi. Definitely a catchy tune and it even references old friends Tommy and Gina, who were first mentioned in the song “Livin’ on a Prayer” 14 years earlier.

8. Bed of Roses- Okay, so every band has their ballads and this is Bon Jovi’s. From the 1992 album Keep the Faith, this beautifully written song still melts women’s hearts everywhere.

9. Blaze of Glory- This song was featured in the 1990 movie Young Guns II, which starred Emilio Estevez. Although this song was recorded as a solo project by Jon Bon Jovi, the band chose to include it on their greatest hits compilation. It’s a recognizable song even today.

10. Who Says You Can’t Go Home- From 2005’s Have a Nice Day, this song is all over the airwaves, thanks in part to the fact that Bon Jovi recorded a second version of this song with country singer Jennifer Nettles. This version marked the first time a rock band made it to number one on the country charts. Leave it to Bon Jovi to do just that!