Top 10 Bon Jovi Songs
They give love a bad name. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 Bon Jovi songs.
For this list, we’ve chosen our entries based on a combination of the artist’s fan favorites and their most commercially successful songs.
#10: “In and Out of Love”
7800° Fahrenheit (1985)
“In and Out of Love” is a rockin’ good time off Bon Jovi’s second album. With Richie Sambora’s electric guitar, Tico Torres’s drums and Jon Bon Jovi’s trademark lead vocals, the single features the guys in all their glory; young, wild and having fun. The heavy metal and glam metal track managed to crack the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked within the top 40 of the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
#9: “It’s My Life”
Crush (2000)
Penned by Bon Jovi, Sambora and Max Martin, “It’s My Life” topped several charts around the world and was a top 40 hit in the U.S. It brought back the classic Bon Jovi ‘80s sound during the new millennium and was accompanied by a creative music video that features a die-hard fan who witnesses the band’s rebirth. Thanks to its anthemic, fist-pumping lyrics, this Crush single has also become a live staple.
#8: “I’ll Be There for You”
New Jersey (1988)
Co-written and co-sung by Bon Jovi and Sambora, this beautiful power ballad from New Jersey quickly became a smash hit. And that’s not surprising, considering the love for hard rock music at the time. “I’ll Be There for You” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and offered fans a taste of their sound’s future musical direction. With its hard rock and glam metal elements, the trademark Bon Jovi track was also their last chart-topper.
#7: “Runaway”
Bon Jovi (1984)
Bon Jovi wrote “Runaway” before the band was even formed. He initially recorded it with studio musicians and then re-recorded for Bon Jovi’s self-titled debut. It became the band’s first ever single and their first ever top 40 U.S. hit. And though they rarely play material from their first album now, this is one of the few songs that has stood the test of time and continues to be included in their live sets.
#6: “Born to Be My Baby”
New Jersey (1988)
The second single off New Jersey, “Born to Be My Baby” is a fast, up-tempo tune that was written by Bon Jovi, Sambora and Desmond Child. With its romantic mood, glam metal and hard rock vibes, and relatable lyrics, the track grabbed Billboard’s Hot 100 #3 spot. It also hit the top 40 of multiple charts worldwide.
#5: “Bed of Roses”
Keep the Faith (1992)
While the mellow “Always” could have landed here, it’s “Bed of Roses” that’s made our list. More intimate than some of the band’s other work, this Bon Jovi-penned hit climbed to #10 on the Hot 100. Written while the rocker was suffering through a hangover, this Keep the Faith power ballad has a melody that’s easy to get lost in, with its lengthy guitar riffs, soft piano and smooth vocals.
#4: “Bad Medicine”
New Jersey (1988)
This is another Bon Jovi/Sambora/Child collaboration from New Jersey that was awarded Billboard’s top spot. It’s a fast-paced track driven by David Bryan’s keyboards and Sambora’s hard rockin’ guitar. Then, there’s also Bon Jovi’s rapid-fire vocals. And they all blend together perfectly in this number that is just “what we need.”
#3: “Wanted Dead or Alive”
Slippery When Wet (1986)
Ever wonder what you’d get if you crossed a western with a rock and roll song? Well, if you did it right, probably something like “Wanted Dead or Alive.” This Bon Jovi and Sambora-written track was the third single off Slippery When Wet. Inspired by Bob Seger, the rousing country and hard rock number finished at #7 on Billboard Hot 100 and is one of their most well-known songs – in part thanks to its famous call-and-response chorus.
#2: “You Give Love a Bad Name”
Slippery When Wet (1986)
Most break-up songs are mushy ballads about regret and depression. Thanks to the writing team of Bon Jovi, Sambora and Child, this monster hit is all about kicking ass and taking names. With its appealing lyrics and catchy hooks, “You Give Love a Bad Name” was the band’s first Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper and continues to be a hard rock classic.
Before we rock out to our top pick, let’s look at some honorable mentions:
- “Lay Your Hands on Me” New Jersey (1988)
- “She Don’t Know Me” Bon Jovi (1984)
- “Never Say Goodbye” Slippery When Wet (1986)
- “This Ain’t a Love Song” These Days (1995)
- “Have a Nice Day” Have a Nice Day (2005)
#1: “Livin’ on a Prayer”
Slippery When Wet (1986)
Featuring the band’s trademark talk-box, this Slippery When Wet single topped the Hot Mainstream Rock Charts in the mid-1980s and became Bon Jovi’s second straight Billboard Hot 100 number-one and their signature tune. But that’s not all; thanks to its hard rock and glam metal sound and lyrics about Tommy and Gina’s blue-collar love, “Livin’ on a Prayer” found a home on MTV, earned international success and is now a triple-platinum-certified digital single that made its way back to the Billboard chart in 2013 – proving its endurance as a classic.
Do you agree with our list? Which Bon Jovi tune makes you want to dance? For more rocking top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.