It's Jon Bon Jovi's Life--and His Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Jon Bon Jovi!  Yes, today is his 50th birthday.  I never stopped to think about how old he might be.  I just love his music and continue to be mesmerized by his "je ne sais quoi."  I guess he has this sort of magical power that puts me in a trance and makes me feel like a giggly 15-year-old....all while I seem to stop breathing watching his videos and listening to his music.  I am probably not in the minority, though, as I can imagine tons of women having this response.  That being said, let's get down to the music.

I chose "It's My Life" to celebrate Mr. Bon Jovi's birthday.  After all, it's his life, and he can proudly celebrate (and sing about) himself today!  I love this song, and even though it is from 2000, it's perfectly fine for an '80s music blog, because Bon Jovi IS the '80s.  The group, and Jon, are legendary.  There are several versions of this song out there, including the original, a "Storytellers" version, and an "Unplugged" version.  I prefer the original video and the "Storytellers" one.  The original video is an action-packed thriller of a piece, with lots of fancy stunt work and all kinds of stuff.  The "Storytellers" version lets us focus on Jon Bon Jovi and Ritche Sambora's beautiful vocals, harmonies, and awesome musicianship.  The lyrics are inspiring and really make me feel like getting "up and at 'em" so to say.  Jon sings, "It's my life...it's now or never...I ain't gonna life forever...I just wanna live while I'm alive.  My heart is like an open highway...like Frankie said I did it my way....I just want to live while I'm alive..."  Of course, Frankie is Frank Sinatra.  Very, very cool.  And Jon's heart is like an open highway?  Well, who can top that?  I feel myself getting weak in the knees...  Oh, Mr. Bon Jovi, hat's off to you!  We celebrate you and toast you today on your special day.  Thank you for being who you are and giving such great music to us (especially the ladies who aren't always paying attention to the actual lyrics but rather staring at you and smiling...).

Jon Bon Jovi and Advil? Oh no....

Pic from Jon Bon Jovi's Advil commercial

Yes, as you can see from the title, I ran across an ad today with Jon Bon Jovi for Advil.  I was mortified.  "Say it ain't so," was all I could think.  When I think of Advil, well, I think of joint pain and arthritis...but not Jon Bon Jovi!  I think the whole connection implies that he is aging, and I guess we all are, but can't we just pretend that time stands still?  Even I have joint pain and arthritis from years of clarinet playing, but I like to just forget about things like that.  Yes, in Becky's World, it's much happier to remember then fun loving days of one's youth.  So...

I decided to look at some Bon Jovi songs.  There are so many great ones, and I LOVE Bon Jovi.  It's amazing--I really liked them when I was younger, and now I am completely entranced and mystified.  I must say that I think Jon Bon Jovi looks better than ever.  He has not aged at all--just has smaller hair now :)  I like all of his hairdos, quite frankly.  When I looked at Bon Jovi's titles, I found "Born to Be My Baby" and had to pick this song.  I don't think it got as much airplay as some of their other tunes, but it sure is good!  I forgot until I watched the video this evening.  It is chocked full of coolness--or what I would have considered cool back in high school when the song came out.  Oddly enough, I still find it to be a great tune and video.  I love the way they are playing a bit in the beginning, testing the instruments.  Jon counts off, "two, three, four," and they get crankin'!  Awesome vocals, drums, guitars, and of course, lyrics.  Listen to the lyrics--they tell the story once again of a young couple without much money but with lots of love to keep them together through days of hard work to make ends meet.  Very romantic.  And he sings, "My heart beats like a drum (all night)...flesh to flesh, one to one (and it's alright)," and the group harmonizes with him--and it truly melts my heart.  I kind of feel like a silly teenager again, but hey, it's Jon Bon Jovi!  And when Ritchie Sambora looks at the camera and winks, well, that just ads to the melting factor.  Remember when he and Heather Locklear got married, and they were the perfect couple?  Oh well...at least the music survives :) Music will always survive, no matter how many times people break up, make up, etc...

Jon Bon Jovi - Dead or Alive?

So, yesterday, a story broke out all over the web about Jon Bon Jovi's death.  Low and behold, it was a hoax.  Whew.  That is good news, but that was certainly not funny!  Can you imagine?  For all the die-hard Bon Jovi fans out there, well, this hoax was blasphemous.  I am so glad he is alive and well - and looking quite good, too.  He was not "shot through the heart."  Nope, he is at home in New Jersey getting ready for Christmas.  Meanwhile, "You Give Love a Bad Name" would be a good song for this event, but my favorite Bon Jovi song is "Livin' On A Prayer."  The story of Tommy and Gina is one that is so romantic, and all the women out there who were in love with Bon Jovi fell even more deeply in love after hearing this song.  The story of these two kids surviving tough times together on love and not money is just really sweet.

The video is pretty cool, too.  All those members of Bon Jovi flying around in harnesses -- wow!  I wish I could have seen them live back in the '80s.  Their hair was amazing, and those outfits were the pinnacle of rock and roll glamour.  They were one truly rockin' "hair band."  They were not all just good looks, though.  Jon's vocals were powerful, and the guitar and drums were pure '80s magic.  My absolute favorite part of the song is the awesome modulation at 3:52.  "We've gotta hold on...ready or not.  You live for the fight when it's all that you've got." KEY CHANGE!  "Whoah...we're halfway there... WHOA OH...livin' on a prayer..."  Totally awesome!  Hope you enjoy this tune.  Praise to Bon Jovi!