New Jersey (album)

New Jersey
Studio album by Bon Jovi
Released	September 19, 1988 (1988-09-19)
Recorded	May 1 – July 31, 1988
Studio	Little Mountain (Vancouver, Canada)
Genre	Glam metal[1][2][3] hard rock[4]
Length	57:30
Label	Mercury (North America) Vertigo (worldwide)
Producer	Bruce Fairbairn
Bon Jovi chronology
Slippery When Wet (1986) New Jersey (1988) Hard & Hot (Best of Bon Jovi) (1991)
Singles from New Jersey
"Bad Medicine" Released: September 12, 1988[5] "Born to Be My Baby" Released: November 24, 1988 "I'll Be There for You" Released: February 1989 "Lay Your Hands on Me" Released: August 1, 1989 "Living in Sin" Released: November 11, 1989

New Jersey is the fourth studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi, released on September 19, 1988, by Mercury Records. The album was produced by Bruce Fairbairn and recorded at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The album was the follow-up to the band's third album, Slippery When Wet, and reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart in its second week of release after debuting at number eight. It remained at the top for four consecutive weeks and was Bon Jovi's last album to do so until Lost Highway (2007).^[6] The album was named after the birth state of Jon Bon Jovi, New Jersey.

It produced five Billboard Hot 100 top ten hits, the most top ten hits to date for any glam metal album, including "Bad Medicine" and "I'll Be There for You", which both reached number one. The album was certified 7× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album also debuted at number one in the UK and was the band's first UK No. 1 album. New Jersey was released by the Soviet state-owned record label Melodiya, being the first American album to be officially released in the USSR.^[7][8] To celebrate the band's 30th anniversary in 2014, the album was repackaged with bonus tracks.

Background

The album was recorded very shortly after the Slippery When Wet Tour, because the band wanted to prove that they were not just going to be a one hit wonder.^[9] The album was initially planned to be a double album; however, this idea was rejected by the record label because they were skeptical about the higher price point and decided they would only release a single album.^[9] One working title for the album was Sons of Beaches, which alluded to the title of Slippery When Wet.^[4]

Recording and production

The album was produced by Bruce Fairbairn like its predecessor and recorded at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.^[4] It marked the final collaboration between Bon Jovi and producer Bruce Fairbairn.

When the Slippery When Wet Tour ended in October 1987, the band were inactive for about three to four weeks.^[4][9] Then Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora began making demos for 17 songs which would make up the first batch of songs written for the album. However, they began to feel a high level of pressure because they did not feel as though they had "the amazing song".^[4][9] Jon Bon Jovi said that "I really wanted to do it again, not for monetary reasons—I have plenty of money—but it was such an amazing feeling to have done what we've done.^[9] There was a real fear of not being able to write 'You Give Love a Bad Name' again." Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora sat together and wrote the song "Love Is War" but Jon Bon Jovi wanted to write a song that would prove to be just as successful as "You Give Love a Bad Name" so desperately that it came out with exactly the same chord progression. They later started on the second batch of songs and they wrote "Bad Medicine" and "Born to Be My Baby" with Desmond Child. "Born to Be My Baby" was originally recorded acoustically, however the producer Bruce Fairbairn persuaded them to re-record it with electric instruments in a much more metal style. Jon Bon Jovi has since said that he believed the song would have made number one on the charts if it had been released in its original form. This song has a similar theme to "Livin' on a Prayer", as it is about a young working class couple struggling to make ends meet.^{[citation needed]}

Although the glossy production and anthems from Slippery When Wet remained, the band wished to show a level of diversity on the album. The album is much more experimental with a long, atmosphere-building intro on "Lay Your Hands on Me", harmonica and organ duels on "Homebound Train" and a flamenco guitar intro on "Wild Is the Wind". "Ride Cowboy Ride" is a short song functioning as an introduction to "Stick to Your Guns" and was recorded in mono. The song is credited to "Captain Kidd and King of Swing", the nicknames of Bon Jovi and Sambora.^{[citation needed]}

"Love for Sale" was recorded and engineered by John P. Allen and Chris Cavallaro at Chalet Sound in Allenwood, New Jersey. All pre-production songs were recorded and engineered at Chalet Sound by Allen additional engineering by Cavallaro and Nejat Bekan.^{[citation needed]}

Release and reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[10]
Kerrang!	3.75/5[11]
Number One	[12]
Rolling Stone	[13]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[14]
The Village Voice	C+[15]

New Jersey debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 chart, but climbed to No. 1 the following week and spent four weeks at the top spot. It eventually sold 7 million copies in the United States. The album debuted at No. 1 in Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Sweden, New Zealand and Australia. "Bad Medicine" and the ballad "I'll Be There for You" both hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Born to Be My Baby", "Lay Your Hands on Me", and "Living in Sin" reached the Top 10.

New Jersey was released on July 1, 2014, as a 2CD "Deluxe Edition", which included the original album remastered along with B-sides and previously unreleased demos from the New Jersey/Sons of Beaches sessions. The "Super Deluxe Edition" includes both discs plus a DVD containing the documentary Access All Areas: A Rock & Roll Odyssey and New Jersey: The Videos. Both titles were previously available on VHS.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, except where noted.

Side one

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Lay Your Hands on Me"		5:58
2.	"Bad Medicine"	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Desmond Child	5:16
3.	"Born to Be My Baby"	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Child	4:40
4.	"Living in Sin"	J. Bon Jovi	4:39
5.	"Blood on Blood"	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Child	6:16

Side two

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Homebound Train"		5:10
2.	"Wild Is the Wind"	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Child Diane Warren	5:08
3.	"Ride Cowboy Ride"		1:25
4.	"Stick to Your Guns"	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Holly Knight	4:45
5.	"I'll Be There for You"		5:46
6.	"99 in the Shade"		4:29
7.	"Love for Sale"		3:58
Total length:			57:30

Japan release bonus track

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
13.	"You Give Love a Bad Name" (Live Version)	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Child	3:53
Total length:			61:23

1998 2-CD Special Edition bonus CD PHCR-90017~8

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Bad Medicine" (Live at Wembley Arena, 1988)	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Child	5:53
2.	"Bad Medicine" (Live on the Keep the Faith Tour)	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Child	8:22
3.	"Blood on Blood" (Live at Wembley Arena, 1988)	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Child	6:50
4.	"Born to Be My Baby" (Acoustic version)	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Child	4:54
5.	"I'll Be There for You" (Live at Lakeland 1989)		6:33
6.	"Lay Your Hands on Me" (Live at Giants Stadium, 1989)		5:35
7.	"Love Is War" (Studio outtake)		4:15

2010 Special Edition bonus tracks

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
13.	"Blood on Blood" (Live Version)	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Child	12:04
14.	"Born to Be My Baby" (Live Version)	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Child	5:47
Total length:			75:21

2014 deluxe edition

Disc 1: Original "New Jersey" Album Remastered bonus tracks

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
13.	"The Boys Are Back in Town[fn 1]" (Thin Lizzy cover)	Phil Lynott	4:05
14.	"Love Is War" (B-side from "Living in Sin" single)		4:14
15.	"Born to Be My Baby" (Acoustic version)	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Child	4:53
Total length:			70:42

Disc 2: The "Sons of Beaches" Demos

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Homebound Train"		6:32
2.	"Judgement Day"		4:18
3.	"Full Moon High"		4:42
4.	"Growin' Up the Hard Way"		5:31
5.	"Let's Make It Baby"	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Child	5:56
6.	"Love Hurts"		4:49
7.	"Backdoor to Heaven"		5:51
8.	"Now and Forever"		5:34
9.	"Wild Is the Wind"	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Child Warren	4:55
10.	"Stick to Your Guns"	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Child Knight	5:15
11.	"House of Fire[fn 2]"	Alice Cooper Child Joan Jett	5:01
12.	"Does Anybody Really Fall in Love Anymore?[fn 3]"	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Child Warren	4:57
13.	"Diamond Ring[fn 4]"	J. Bon Jovi Sambora Child	4:10
Total length:			67:31

1. Previously released on Stairway to Heaven/Highway to Hell compilation. Released in the UK as a 12” single B-side.
2. Demo of the song from Alice Cooper's 1989 album Trash.
3. This song was later recorded by Cher on her album Heart of Stone and by Kane Roberts for his album Saints and Sinners.
4. This song was later recorded for These Days.

Personnel

Bon Jovi

• Jon Bon Jovi – lead and backing vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar, harmonica
• Richie Sambora – electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, backing vocals
• Alec John Such – bass, backing vocals
• Tico "The Hit Man" Torres – drums, percussion
• David Bryan – keyboards, backing vocals

Additional musicians

• Scott Fairbairn – cello
• Audrey Nordwell – cello
• Bruce Fairbairn – additional percussion, horn

Additional credits

• Bruce Fairbairn – production
• John Allen – engineering
• Peter Berring – arrangement, additional vocals, vocal arrangement
• Chris Cavallaro – engineering
• Bob Rock – engineering, mixing
• George Marino – mastering
• Isabella Lento, Carmela Lento – photography, unknown association
• Hugh Syme – artwork, design
• Chris Taylor – engineering assistance
• Jim Williams – engineering assistance
• Tim White – photography
• Cameron Wong – cover photography

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1988–1989) Peak position Australian Albums (ARIA)[16] 1 Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[17] 5 Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[18] 3 Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[19] 36 Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)[20] 2 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[21] 4 Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)[22] 10 Japanese Albums (Oricon)[23] 2 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[24] 1 Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[25] 4 Spanish Albums (AFYVE)[26] 21 Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[27] 1 Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[28] 1 UK Albums (OCC)[29] 1 US Billboard 200[30] 1 Chart (1995-1997) Peak position UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[31] 8 Chart (2014) Peak position Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[32] 128 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[33] 150 Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[34] 36 Scottish Albums (OCC)[35] 44

Year-end charts Chart (1988) Position European Albums (European Top 100 Albums)[36] 52 Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[37] 27 Chart (1989) Position Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[38] 36 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[39] 67 Japanese Albums (Oricon)[40] 94 US Billboard 200[41] 4

Certifications and sales

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[42]	2× Platinum	165,000[43]
Austria (IFPI Austria)[44]	Platinum	50,000^*
Canada (Music Canada)[45]	5× Platinum	500,000^^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[46]	Platinum	51,126[46]
Germany (BVMI)[47]	Platinum	500,000^^
Italy (FIMI)[48]	Gold	100,000[48]
Japan (RIAJ)[49]	Gold	332,000[50]
Mexico (AMPROFON)[49]	Gold	100,000^^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[51]	Platinum	15,000^^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[49]	Gold	50,000[49]
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[52]	Platinum	100,000^^
Sweden (GLF)[53]	Gold	50,000^^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[54] 1989 certification	Platinum	50,000^^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[54] 1998 certification	Gold	25,000^^
United Kingdom (BPI)[55]	2× Platinum	600,000^^
United States (RIAA)[56]	7× Platinum	7,000,000^^
^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

• List of glam metal albums and songs

References

1. "Bon Jovi--More Mass Pop". Los Angeles Times. September 25, 1988. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
2. Rivadavia, Eduardo (December 2, 2013). "Top 10 Albums of 1988". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
3. Rolli, Bryan (July 1, 2021). "Top 30 Glam Metal Albums". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
4. Kuzminski, Anthony (September 19, 2018). "30 Years Ago: Bon Jovi Grow Up on 'New Jersey'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
5. "New Singles". Music Week. September 10, 1988. p. 31.
6. "AllMusic (Bon Jovi charts & awards) Billboard albums".
7. "netmusiccountdown". Historyking.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
8. "n-this-day". Historyking.com. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
9. Llewellyn, Sian (September 19, 2021). "Bon Jovi: How the New Jersey album nearly killed the band". Louder Sound. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
10. Ruhlmann, William. "Bon Jovi New Jersey review". AllMusic. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
11. Henderson, Paul (September 24, 1988). "Bon Jovi 'New Jersey'". Kerrang!. Vol. 206. London, UK: Spotlight Publications ltd. pp. 26–27.
12. "Review: Bon Jovi — New Jersey (Phonogram)". Number One. No. 287. London: IPC Magazines Ltd. December 14, 1988. p. 37.
13. Azerrad, Michael (November 4, 1992). "New Jersey". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
14. "Bon Jovi: Album Guide". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
15. Christgau, Robert. "Consumer Guide Reviews: New Jersey". Robert Christgau. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
16. "Australiancharts.com – Bon Jovi – New Jersey". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
17. "Austriancharts.at – Bon Jovi – New Jersey" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
18. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 772a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
19. "Dutchcharts.nl – Bon Jovi – New Jersey" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
20. Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 166. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
21. "Offiziellecharts.de – Bon Jovi – New Jersey" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
22. "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved August 20, 2024. Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Bon Jovi".
23. "ボン・ジョヴィ 4 NEW JERSEY／ボン・ジョヴィ-リリース-ORICON STYLE-ミュージック" [Highest position and charting weeks of New Jersey by Bon Jovi]. oricon.co.jp (in Japanese). Oricon Style. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
24. "Charts.nz – Bon Jovi – New Jersey". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
25. "Norwegiancharts.com – Bon Jovi – New Jersey". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
26. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
27. "Swedishcharts.com – Bon Jovi – New Jersey". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
28. "Swisscharts.com – Bon Jovi – New Jersey". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
29. "{{{artist}}} | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
30. "Bon Jovi Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
31. "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
32. "Ultratop.be – Bon Jovi – New Jersey" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
33. "Ultratop.be – Bon Jovi – New Jersey" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
34. "Bon Jovi: New Jersey" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
35. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
36. "European Top 100 Albums – 1988" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 52/1. January 1, 1987. p. 31. Retrieved November 30, 2021 – via World Radio History. Digit page 17 on the PDF archive.
37. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1988". hitparade.ch. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
38. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6625". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
39. "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
40. "1989年 アルバム年間TOP100" [Oricon Year-end Albums Chart of 1989] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 31, 2013. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
41. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1989". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
42. "The ARIA Report - Chartifacts - Week Commencing ~ 28th January 2008 ~ Issue #935" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 19, 2008.
43. "Pacing the Majors" (PDF). Billboard. January 20, 1990. p. A-10. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
44. "Austrian album certifications – Bon Jovi – New Jersey" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
45. "Canadian album certifications – Bon Jovi – New Jersey". Music Canada. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
46. "Bon Jovi" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
47. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Bon Jovi; 'New Jersey')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
48. "Bon Jovi - Gold Disc" (PDF). Music & Media. January 1, 1989. p. 11. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
49. "New Jersey Sales Award". August 20, 2024.
50. Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970-2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
51. "New Zealand album certifications – Bon Jovi – New Jersey". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
52. "Solo Exitos 1959–2002 Ano A Ano: Certificados 1979–1990". Solo Exitos 1959–2002 Ano A Ano.
53. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
54. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('New Jersey')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
55. "British album certifications – Bon Jovi – New Jersey". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
56. "American album certifications – Bon Jovi – New Jersey". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 3, 2012.