On The Download: Bon Jovi's 'We Weren't Born To Follow'

Access Hollywood - September 19, 2009 1:02 AM PDT
Story photo: On The Download: Bon Jovi's 'We Weren't Born To Follow'Bon Jovi Getty ImagesAccess Hollywood

By Steve Harding

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- "We Weren't Born To Follow" is the first single off Bon Jovi's 11th studio disc, "The Circle" (due out November 10). It has raced up the HOT AC chart faster than any of the band's previous singles -- a strong feat given their catalog. It is a catchy, radio friendly rock song, the likes of which we have grown to expect from the band.

Bon Jovi has successfully released music for over 25 years now. That's right... 25 years! Who would have thought... from the band that so quickly became the most notable, "big hair '80s rock band" of that era?! I would guess that even the most ardent fans of the band, never mind the haters, have mumbled at one point, "Aren't these guys and their music supposed to be long gone by now?" And Bon Jovi proved us all wrong.

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Over those 25 years, frontman, songwriter, actor and model Jon Bon Jovi has been called by many -- nothing more than an undying '80s mainstream pin-up, and by just as many -- a modern day Frank Sinatra. Either way you swing, Jon, along with faithful guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, and drummer Tico Torres, have released memorable, sing-a-long rock songs with an incredible track record of consistency (starting back in 1983 with the release of the single "Runaway").

"We Weren't Born To Follow" is yet another.

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The melodies and guitar sounds will be familiar to Bon Jovi fans. You get wisps of "It's My Life" and "Born To Be My Baby," to name an easy couple. And I will bet each listener finds a few comparisons of his or her own. But that's not a bad thing. It's what true fans want and expect. When Jon's crackled tones start belting the chorus, "we weren't borrrnnnn to faaallow," you can't help but sing along.

As for the lyrics, Jon has continued to look towards love... and then society... for inspiration... maybe turning more to the outer world as the years have gone on. And that is what you have here. In a simple, obvious summation, 1988's love story "Born To Be My Baby" is now 2009's "We Weren't Born To Follow," a song about the current state of the union, a call to the country. He has taken the personal story of "Tommy and Gina" (Living On A Prayer") out of the battle, in order to make an anthemic cry out to us all.

All and all, "We Weren't Born To Follow" is another solid single from one the most successful rock bands of all time. And as a taste of what's to come on the full disc, "The Circle," it's great news for those longtime fans who are waiting for another full dose of Bon Jovi's "Bad Medicine."

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MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: On The Download - Bon Jovi - Rock - Music - Richie Sambora

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comments 1-10 of 18  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • CINDY
    Have' heard the song . probably won't buy it. still waiting to go home. some body or something keeps getting in the way in Huron. lol Cindy
    report abuseposted October 24, 2009 3:40 PM PDT
  • CINDY
    Have' heard the song . probably won't buy it. still waiting to go home. some body or something keeps getting in the way in Huron. lol Cindy
    report abuseposted October 24, 2009 3:40 PM PDT
  • Hikaru Hitachiin
    I LOOOOOVE JON!!!!! D'; WHY WASNT I BORN IN THE 80's!!!!!!!♥♥♥
    report abuseposted October 18, 2009 2:46 PM PDT
  • E C
    The song's cool! cant wait for the new cd.
    report abuseposted September 21, 2009 5:00 PM PDT
  • Jukhj
    LOL.... search " ec4bag " on google to get the same designer bags with Karolina and Jessica. " ec4bag " is just for fashion ladies, wow! only $99-$199 Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Fendi, Coach, Miu Miu, Dior, Hermes, Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino...
    report abuseposted September 21, 2009 3:17 AM PDT
  • Jhgfgj
    LOL.... search " ec4bag " on google to get the same designer bags with Karolina and Jessica. " ec4bag " is just for fashion ladies, wow! only $99-$199 Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Fendi, Coach, Miu Miu, Dior, Hermes, Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino...
    report abuseposted September 20, 2009 3:16 AM PDT
  • Andrea
    Bon Jovi rocks. Have seen the live at least 9 times!!! They are great live. And Jon gets better and better every time. Just keep rockin' guys!!!!
    report abuseposted September 19, 2009 3:28 PM PDT
  • JRT
    wow, 25 years and he's only had one really good song! Well that's all I liked anyhow....
    report abuseposted September 19, 2009 11:59 AM PDT
  • kamies
    i loved them in the 80s my mom is now 72 and can tell me more about them than i ever knew. she has all the albums and has watched all of their interviews. my friends always say her mom is in love with join bonjovi and its true. iwish i could afford tickets to go see him perform but i just keep buying her cds and hope thats good enough. rock on jbj.
    report abuseposted September 19, 2009 5:03 AM PDT
  • kamies
    i loved them in the 80s my mom is now 72 and can tell me more about them than i ever knew. she has all the albums and has watched all of their interviews. my friends always say her mom is in love with join bonjovi and its true. iwish i could afford tickets to go see him perform but i just keep buying her cds and hope thats good enough. rock on jbj.
    report abuseposted September 19, 2009 5:03 AM PDT
comments 1-10 of 18  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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