Bon Jovi has plenty of music videos under their belt. Some of their best, most memorable videos capture the fun of a Bon Jovi show. Others? Well, they pretty much make Jon Bon Jovi literally cringe.
The topic of Bon Jovi music videos was discussed in a recent interview JBJ gave to Andy Cohen. Bon Jovi touched on band’s first single “Runaway,” which he called “technically socially conscience.” He said that when he used to take a bus from New Jersey to Manhattan to work at a recording studio, he would see young girls “working the bus station, if you know what I mean.” This inspired the song, and, unfortunately, the music video, too.
“When we made a video…’Wait a minute, I just learned to play the guitar and write a song. You want me to be a filmmaker? What the hell do I know?'” recalls Jon about the video for “Runaway.”
He continued, “I fell for it hook, line and sinker. And the stupid record company with the stupid video director who says ‘Fahrenheit 451’ [instead of ‘7800 Fahrenheit,’ which was the title of Bon Jovi’s second album] or whatever with his niece starring in the video, it’s like Jesus God!”
To drive his feelings home further, Jon says, “You want to embarrass me? Tie me to a chair and make me watch videos from my first two albums.” When Cohen follows up and asks if the “Runaway” video is included among that group, JBJ responds, “Horrible! Horrible!”
The fact that Bon Jovi and Cohen failed to mention those bitchin’ lavender leather pants he wore in the “Runaway” video is rather disappointing. Perhaps, the video’s plot visuals were embarrassing enough for him.
Bon Jovi: Their 35 Best Songs, Ranked
35. “Burning Bridges” – ‘Burning Bridges’ (2015)
ShareâBurning Bridgesâ is an interesting record because it was an LP released to fulfill the bandâs contractual agreement to Mercury records after being signed to the label for over three decades. Jon Bon Jovi told âBillboard,â âIt's the end of an era. I've stayed at that label my entire life -- 32 years. I am the longest-tenured artist on Mercury, or whatever they are called this week. But my deal was up, and that's that.â The title track was biting, and it showed the label split was not amicable as evident by its second verse: âAh, check the box, yeah, mark this day/There's nothing more to say/After 30 years of loyalty, they let you dig a grave/Now, maybe you could learn to sing/Or even strum along/But I'll give you half the publishing/You're why I wrote this song.â
34. “Do What You Can” – ‘2020’ (2020)
ShareInspired by the coronavirus pandemic, âDo What You Canâ also features fan-submitted lyrics that help showcase the many struggles everyday Americans faced during the early days of the global pandemic. (âThe chicken farm from Arkansas bought workers PPE/Not before five hundred more had succumbed to this disease/Honest men and honest women workin' for an honest wage/I got a hundred point one fever, and we still got bills to pay.â)
33. “She Don’t Know Me” – ‘Bon Jovi’ (1984)
ShareThe follow-up to their debut single âRunaway,â âShe Donât Know Meâ is interesting to look back on in retrospect. Itâs undoubtedly a great pop-rock tune. Clearly, there was massive potential with Bon Jovi, but they were still a work in progress. Also, its music video is cheese-tastic in the most â80s way possible.
32. “Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night” – ‘Cross Road’ (1994)
ShareItâs easy to think of âSomeday Iâll Be Saturday Nightâ as the *other* new song from Bon Joviâs 1994 greatest hits album âCross Roadâ because it wasnât the massive hit that âAlwaysâ was. However, âSomedayâŚâ definitely showed Bon Jovi could tackle serious themes all while still being defiant in the face of adversity.
31. “The Radio Saved My Life Tonight” – ‘100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong’ (2004)
ShareâThe Radio Saved My Life Tonightâ was the lone single from â100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong,â a box set made up of a bunch of unreleased b-sides and demos celebrating Bon Joviâs 20th anniversary. It was recorded in 1992, so it presumably comes from the recording sessions for âKeep The Faith,â but itâs a mystery how the track didnât make the album.
30. “Dry County” – ‘Keep The Faith’ (1992)
ShareMaybe âThe Radio Saved My Life Tonightâ didnât appear on âKeep The Faithâ because âDry Countyâ was nearly ten minutes long and there just wasnât enough room. (Kidding, of course.) One of Bon Joviâs most epic songs just on sheer length alone, âDry Countyâ is a tale about towns in the United States whose economy is based on the oil industry, but then the industry ends up leaving town. (âNow the oil's gone/And the money's gone/All the jobs are gone/Still we're hanging on.) âDry Countyâ may have been inspired by the oil industry, but its overarching themes are relatable for any town whose economy is based around one industry.
29. “This Ain’t A Love Song” – ‘These Days’ (1995)
ShareRichie Sambora is obviously an incredible guitar player, but one of his best contributions to Bon Jovi was his backing vocals and how they created an outstanding harmony with Jon Bon Jovi. âThis Ainât A Love Songâ is a great example of that and his guitar playing, of course. This is also the first of eight Bon Jovi songs featured on this list that were co-written by Desmond Child, who was undoubtedly influential to the bandâs success.
28. “Misunderstood” – ‘Bounce’ (2002)
ShareSometimes, you just step in it and say the wrong things at the absolute wrong time, but if you and your significant other just talk things out, youâll make it through. Thatâs the essence of âMisunderstoodâ in all its pop-rock glory.
27. “Say It Isn’t So” – ‘Crush’ (2000)
ShareUnlike âMisunderstood,â sometimes things just fall apart and you find out your significant other is fooling around with someone else. Does it suck? Yes, but Bon Jovi sure does find a way of turning heartbreak into one hell of an earworm.
26. “Captain Crash & The Beauty Queen From Mars” – ‘Crush’ (2000)
ShareSpeaking of earworms, âCrushâ was Bon Joviâs big âcomebackâ album, if you will, and it featured some absolute gems, like this *ridiculously* catchy love song that also boasts one of the coolest song titles in the entire Bon Jovi catalog. If you havenât listened to âCaptain Crash & The Beauty Queen From Marsâ lately, do so right now, but be prepared to have the track stuck in your head for about a week. Youâve been warned.
25. “American Reckoning” – ‘2020’ (2020)
ShareBon Jovi took a massive risk by releasing âAmerican Reckoning,â which was inspired by the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent police brutality protests that took place across the United States in the summer of 2020. While Jon Bon Jovi was active politically, Bon Joviâs music wasnât overtly political. Simply put, âAmerican Reckoningâ didnât pull any punches. (âGod damn thoseâ 8 long minutes/Lying face down in cuffs on the ground/Bystandersâpleadedâforâmercy/As one, copâshoved a kidâin the crowd/When did a judge and a jury/Become a badge and a knee/On these streets?â)
24. “Undivided” – ‘Bounce’ (2002)
ShareInspired by the events of 9/11, âUndividedâ is a driving arena rocker that almost feels quaint today. Remember when tragedy and adversity brought the country together? Maybe one day, we all can figure out how to stand united and âUndividedâ again.
23. “We Don’t Run” – ‘Burning Bridges’ (2015)
ShareWhile âBurning Bridgesâ was primarily made up of unreleased and unfinished songs, âWe Donât Runâ was one of the very few songs that was actually written for the contractually obligated album. Jon Bon Jovi co-wrote the song with producer John Shanks who played lead guitar on the album following the exit of Richie Sambora. Due to the underlining tension surrounding the LPâs release, âWe Donât Runâ perhaps didnât get a fair enough shake as a single, but itâs one hell of a driving anthem with an outstanding rhythm track from Tico Torres and Hugh McDonald.
22. “Who Says You Can’t Go Home (ft. Jennifer Nettles)” – ‘Have A Nice Day’ (2005)
ShareBon Jovi goes country and hits number 1! To say this duet with Sugarlandâs Jennifer Nettles was a success is an understatement. Not only did âWho Says You Canât Go Homeâ top Billboardâs U.S. Hot Country Songs chart, it also won the Grammy for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals, which remains Bon Joviâs lone Grammy in their decades-long career.
21. “In and Out of Love” – ‘7800° Fahrenheit’ (1985)
ShareItâs no secret that Bon Jovi had a tough go following up their self-titled debut album with Jon Bon Jovi even saying of â7800° Fahrenheit,â âI always overlook the second album. Always have, always will.â Despite this, âIn and Out of Loveâ is still a really great rock song and is another example of Tico Torres really being a damn good drummer.
20. “Bed Of Roses” – ‘Keep The Faith’ (1992)
ShareBon Jovi are no strangers to the power ballad, and they definitely arenât afraid to really lay it on thick when they want to. You can look no further than âBed Of Rosesâ for proof. âWith an ironclad fist, I wake up and French kiss the morning.â JBJ might be the only singer that could get away with penning lyrics like that. Schmaltzy? Yes, but you better believe youâll find yourself belting out that chorus if youâre alone in your car.
19. “Bounce” – ‘Bounce’ (2002)
ShareSimilar to power ballads, Bon Jovi are no strangers to big arena anthems, and one of their most underrated anthems might just be the title track to their 2002 studio album. âI been knocked down so many times/Counted out 6, 7, 8, 9/Written off like some bad deal/If you're breathing you know how it feels/Call it karma, call it luck/Me, I just don't give a f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f.â Seriously, whatâs not to love about that?
18. “Just Older” – ‘Crush’ (2000)
ShareâJust Olderâ is kind of like the anti-âGlory Daysâ; it acknowledges the past, but itâs all about looking forward. (âAfter all these years and miles of memories/Iâm still chasing dreams/But I ainât looking over my shoulder.â) The second verse is clearly about Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Samboraâs friendship, so that is definitely bittersweet since Samboraâs exit. But the song is basically an anthem about being middle-aged, which is brilliant and really there should be more of those!
17. “Never Say Goodbye” – ‘Slippery When Wet’ (1986)
ShareRemember that whole thing about Bon Jovi really laying it on thick with their power ballads? Yeah, this tasty tune about high school romance is just a prime example of that. Could it have been inspired by Jon Bon Joviâs high school sweetheart Dorothea Hurley who he married in 1989? Perhaps, and good for them for finding a way to stay married all these years later.
16. “Everyday” – ‘Bounce’ (2002)
ShareAfter the success of âCrush,â Bon Jovi didnât waste any time working on a new album and would release âBounce,â their eighth studio album, two years later. The lead single was the uplifting fist-pumper âEveryday,â which had a little bit more of a hard rock edge than expected but didnât lack the bandâs pop-rock sensibilities. Itâs another song of Bon Joviâs from the aughts you ought to revisit. Itâs aged incredibly well.
15. “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” – ‘Keep The Faith’ (1992)
ShareEven when grunge was booming, Bon Jovi was still churning out killer pop-rock songs. âIâll Sleep When Iâm Deadâ may have barely cracked the Billboard Hot 100, but the single faired much better overseas, which could explain why its music video chronicled the band touring Europe and even feature a nice homage to The Beatles film âA Hard Dayâs Night.â
14. “Wild In The Streets” – ‘Slippery When Wet’ (1986)
ShareClosing out âSlippery When Wet,â âWild In The Streetsâ ends one hell of an album with a bang. Many might think of it as Bon Joviâs definitive party song, and itâs certainly in the running. However, a decade and a half later, theyâd release another contender that this author feels is the superior party song. (If you want to skip ahead to see what it is, itâs ranked #10.)
13. “Born To Be My Baby” – ‘New Jersey’ (1988)
ShareWho can resist a âNa-na-na-na-naâ hook? Not Bon Jovi and certainly not their fans, who would help âBorn To Be My Babyâ become the bandâs fifth top-ten hit in the span of two years.
12. “Lay Your Hands On Me” – ‘New Jersey’ (1988)
ShareâLay Your Hands On Meâ opens up âNew Jerseyâ with a cheeky, sexy bang, which is very funny considering Dolly Parton would then turn the tune into a gospel song on her 2014 album âBlue Smoke.â âLaying your handsâ does have religious connotations, but that is definitely not what Bon Jovi exactly had in mind.
11. “Raise Your Hands” – ‘Slippery When Wet’ (1986)
ShareFrom New York to Chicago, from New Jersey to Tokyo, itâs damn near impossible to not...well...raise your hands to this song. It packs a big pre-chorus and an even bigger chorus. No wonder Bon Jovi has played the song 668 times live!
10. “One Wild Night (2001)” – ‘One Wild Night Live 1985-2001’ (2001)
ShareThe original âOne Wild Nightâ was featured on âCrush,â but a new remixed version was released less than a year later as the lead single from the bandâs live album 'One Wild Night Live 1985-2001.' To be frank, the second version is leaps and bounds better, and the original was already good! It is an instant party, and even though itâs ranked at number ten, too many people sleep on this song.
9. “Always” – ‘Cross Road’ (1994)
ShareIf power ballads are an art, then Bon Jovi is Picasso or Van Gogh or whichever *really* famous artist you prefer. This is a roundabout way of saying they are just *so* good at power ballads itâs absurd. One of two new songs on their 1994 greatest hits LP âCross Road,â âAlwaysâ was a smash hit all around the world. How could it not, really, with dreamy lyrics like, âWhen he holds you close, when he pulls you near/When he says the words you've been needing to hear/I'll wish I was him 'cause those words are mine/To say to you 'till the end of time/Yeah, I will love you, baby, always/And I'll be there forever and a day, always.â The song is so over-the-top delightful, it allows you to forgive the band for its weird music video with the plotline that makes no sense! (Seriously, go and watch it so you can judge for yourself.)
8. “Runaway” – ‘Bon Jovi’ (1984)
ShareThe one that started it all. If youâre reading this list you likely know the story, but if you donât, hereâs the short version: Jon Bon Jovi went to then-new rock station WAPP and took a copy of âRunawayâ with him. He befriended DJ Chip Hobart, who thought the song was a hit. The song would gain traction on WAPP, which led to JBJ to form Bon Jovi, and the rest is history.
7. “I’ll Be There For You” – ‘New Jersey’ (1988)
ShareBon Jovi has a lot of power ballads in their catalog, and many of them are very good, but âIâll Be There For Youâ is in another league. Jon Bon Jovi sings his ass off and Richie Samboraâs backing vocals compliment him perfectly. Itâs a big song without sounding bloated, and even though some might find the lyrics to be sappy, they donât come off that way. Bon Jovi has the magical ability to make pretty much anything sound sincere. Maybe thatâs what helped set them apart from most of their competition in the â80s and why theyâre still a live draw to this day.
6. “Keep The Faith” – ‘Keep The Faith’ (1992)
ShareIn 1992, Bon Jovi probably had no business being successful at the height of grunge, but they stuck to their guns and just continued to put out great music as evident with âKeep The Faith,â which was co-written by frequent collaborator Desmond Child. It was their first piece of new music since 1988âs âNew Jersey,â and while the band clearly grew up during their hiatus, they clearly didnât lose their touch. It remains a setlist favorite and a live highlight nearly three decades later.
5. “It’s My Life” – ‘Crush’ (2000)
ShareMuch like âKeep The Faith,â âItâs My Lifeâ was the first piece of new music following a lengthy hiatus. This time around, however, Bon Jovi had no business being successful at the height of nu metal, but they once again stuck to their guns. âItâs My Lifeâ both sounded like a Bon Jovi song but *didnât* sound like a Bon Jovi song. Not quite sure how they crafted that voodoo, but Max Martin, one of the biggest songwriters of all time and co-writer on this track, might have something to do with that. It was the perfect song released at the perfect time and introduced Bon Jovi to a new generation. Also, it was nice to hear that Tommy and Gina were still hanging in there.
4. “You Give Love A Bad Name” – ‘Slippery When Wet’ (1986)
ShareIt was make or break time for Bon Jovi on their third studio album. They needed something big, and they got that and then some with âYou Give Love A Bad Name.â The track was the lead single from âSlippery When Wetâ and was one of four songs Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora co-wrote with Desmond Child. The song would become Bon Joviâs first number one hit and help skyrocket them to rock superstardom.
3. “Bad Medicine” – ‘New Jersey’ (1988)
ShareWhen youâre a band thatâs released a massively successful album and are tasked with recording a follow-up, what are you supposed to do? Well, if youâre Bon Jovi, you proceed to put out *another* massively successful album and have the lead single top the Billboard Hot 100. The pressure on Bon Jovi had to have been intense, but the fact that they came back with a banger like âBad Medicineâ is a feat that really should get more credit.
2. “Livin’ On A Prayer” – ‘Slippery When Wet’ (1986)
ShareAt some point in our lives, weâre *all* Tommy and Gina, arenât we? âLivinâ On A Prayerâ is an epic sing-a-long, itâs an anthem and itâs additional proof that when used just right, the talk box is a game-changer. Another Bon Jovi/Sambora/Child collaboration, âLivinâ On A Prayerâ would become Bon Joviâs second number one hit and is tied with âYou Give Love A Bad Nameâ for being the song Bon Jovi has performed the most live, according to Setlist.fm.
1. “Wanted Dead or Alive” – ‘Slippery When Wet’ (1986)
ShareEvoking wild west symbolism about grueling road life, âWanted Dead or Aliveâ is a unique power ballad in Bon Joviâs arsenal, because it isnât about love. Itâs basically the â80s answer to Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Bandâs âTurn The Page.â Itâs cool and tough, but also poignant. Bon Jovi understandably attracted a lot of women to their shows, but âWanted Dead or Aliveâ was a song dudes could dig, too. While a number of songs (especially in those in the top ten) could be argued as being *the* best Bon Jovi song, âWanted Dead or Aliveâ is just so quintessentially Bon Jovi that you canât imagine anyone else singing it and it almost feels wrong even doing so. The exact count of faces Bon Jovi has seen in their career is unknown, but thanks to âWanted Dead or Alive,â we know that *all* of those faces were rocked.