Why Daniel Franklin Gomez Loves Bon Jovi!

Click on the above to enlarge, you’ll find the answer there.

This was my article that appeared in the February 2010 issue of Junk Magazine, an entertainment magazine that I have been contributing for over 8 months now. I review 3 albums every issue although I missed out on the March 2010 issue, look out for the next issue (either April or May) where I return with a review of 6 albums. I go simply by the name of, Daniel.

I hope to be able to continue to contribute to Junk Magazine, and if you know any magazines that are looking for people to review music albums, let me know as I’m keen to expand on this hobby.

Taken from their latest album, this is Bon Jovi’s second single after “We Weren’t Born to Follow”, a song that I never really embraced as opposed to this one. I like the music video because it’s refreshing, but I couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed towards the end as it became a little cheesy. Although I can see why they did it, to deliver the message of the song across.

DOWNLOAD Bon Jovi – Superman Tonight MP3

Jeff Beck, Randy Jackson (yes, that American Idol fella who contributed to the bass), Sir Elton John, Aldo Nova, Lou Diamond Phillips (that LaBamba guy!) and Little Richard!

Jon Bon Jovi - Blaze of Glory (Young Guns II Soundtrack)

DOWNLOAD Jon Bon Jovi – Blaze of Glory (Young Guns II)

1. Blaze of Glory
2. Blood Money
3.  Dyin’ Ain’t Much of a Livin’
4. Miracle
5.  Santa Fe
6. Billy Get Your Guns

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Bon Jovi to Play at the Grammy Awards 2010

Bon Jovi Song Selections at the Grammy Awards 2010

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Bon Jovi - The Circle Album Review

In 2000, Bon Jovi started off the decade with a bang, as “It’s My Life” that pummeled them back into the spotlight. In 2002, they released a very electronically-dependent album in Bounce, which yielded “Misunderstood” and my favorites “Undivided” and “Bounce”, though I felt it lacked individuality.

In 2005, I thought “Have a Nice Day” was an awe-inspiring album, with a number of songs made it to my permanent playlist – “Bells of Freedom”, “Dirty Little Secret”, “I Am” and “Welcome to Wherever You Are”.

Bon Jovi - The Circle (Album Review)

In 2007, they took the country route, to my apprehensiveness, though the final result was praiseworthy. Lost Highway showcased superior tracks like “Any Other Day”, “Everybody’s Broken”, “Make a Memory”, “One Step Closer”, “Til We Aint’ Strangers Anymore”, “The Last Night”, “Walk Like a Man” and “Whole Lot of Leaving”.

The Circle is emphatically a very fresh Bon Jovi, a Bon Jovi reloaded so to speak. The 12 songs are very nouveau and not as commercial as their previous albums from the year 2000 on. “We Weren’t Born to Follow” however is NOT a testament to how great this album is. It feels like a compendium of epic soundtracks, the soundtrack of life that addresses reality through positivity.

We Weren’t Born to Follow 6/10 I shall not comment on it any further. Definitely a WRONG choice as a lead single. It’s OK, but it doesn’t have the staying power, like their 2002 single “Everyday”.

Bon Jovi - When We Were Beautiful - Album Review

When We We Beautiful 9/10 I just can’t get enough how EPIC this track is and it will sure as shooting heighten the atmospherics in concerts. The drums and the African-esque backup makes it a superb track. DOWNLOAD THE MP3 HERE

Work for the Working Man 8/10 I wasn’t sure of this track when I heard the snippet. The intro purposefully borrows “Livin On a Prayer”’s bass-line to a certain extent. The lyrics are magnificent and very genuine.

Superman Tonight 8/10 This track is made to be a soundtrack. It has all the elements as a perfect song conclusion of a heroic movie. Like most of the songs on the album, it moves through various stages of intensity, slow to fast bursts. Excellent.

Bullet 6/10 The intro and guitar works is nothing short of kickass! Unfortunately, that’s where all the points were given. The song itself is not as enkindling, although it’s very un-Bon-Jovi-like, it is refreshing. I feel the lyrics to the chorus could’ve been better.

Thorn in My Side 5/10 I’m not a fan of this track, though I enjoy the progression of its verses. The whole assemble is very Avril Lavigne-like, pity that the noise that obliterates the delivery of the lyrics. Not a fan of the chorus either.

Live Before You Die 5/10 It’s a narrative track, reminiscent to the song “Joey” they wrote in their 2000 album “Crush”. It showcases Bon Jovi’s storytelling magnitude, which has been subdued over the years though more commercial productions. Points for the lyrical content.

Bon Jovi - The Circle (Album Review)

Brokenpromiseland 9/10 How awesome is this track! A refreshfully attention-getting storytelling, Bon Jovi at their best. It’s also consecrated with a very un-Bon-Jovi-like components of the vocal backups. The chorus knocks the track out of the ballpark!

Love’s the Only Rule 7/10 This one has the Bon Jovi forum fans raving about. Though I think it’s a smashing track, I don’t believe it’s the best on this album. It packs a big chorus though I felt the end of the chorus, lacks originality of sorts.

Fast Cars 4/10 Not one of my favorite I must say. It might grow on me, though I won’t bet my house on it. It’s one of those tracks that is pleasant to hear ONCE, because it’s new, but you’ll get bored of it before you know it.

Happy Now 6/10 They got the verses right but it feels strange listening to a band like Bon Jovi singing a song like this, a mismatch maybe? I like the lyrics on it because it is a satirical outcry - “Can I be happy now?”.

Learn to Love 9/10
The verses may not be as compelling, but damn, the chorus is exquisite. They absolutely nailed it, a sobering look at positivism, which ends thunderingly, “You’ve gotta learn to love the world you’re living in”. What a brilliant ending choice of the album!

VERDICT: 8/10 There are some EPIC tunes here, arguably their best in a long time!

I am 2 days late on this breaking news but I finally caught up with the action to read about Bon Jovi’s next album this November. If you must know, Bon Jovi is my favorite band. They have so many upbeat songs that could easily lift my spirits, and I clung to them since Blaze of Glory in 1991, to help me to where I am today.

Their new single, doesn’t have that Bon Jovi magic but in distinctive Bon Jovi fashion, though the verses gave so much promise as when it comes to writing catchy tunes no one can conjure up as easily as Bon Jovi. The lyrics are pick-me-ups, great for those who need uplifting.

DOWNLOAD MP3 BON JOVI – WE WEREN’T BORN TO FOLLOW

This one goes out to the man who minds the miracles
This one goes out the ones in need
This one goes out the sinner and the cynical
This ain’t about no apology
This road was paved by the hopeless and the hungry
This road was paved by the winds of change
Walking beside the guilty and the innocent
How will you raise your hand when they call your name?

Yea, Yea, Yea,
We weren’t born to follow
Come on and get up off your knees
When life is a bitter pill to swallow
You gotta hold on to what you believe
Believe that the sun will shine tomorrow
In that saints and sinners  bleed
We weren’t born to follow
You gotta stand up for what you believe
Let me hear you say
Yea, Yea, Yea, ooooohhh Yea

This ones about anyone who does it differently
This ones about the one who doesn’t sit and spits
This ain’t about our living in a fantasy
This ain’t about giving up or giving in

Yea, Yea, Yea,
We weren’t born to follow
Come on and get up off your knees
When life is a bitter pill to swallow
You gotta hold on to what you believe
Believe that the sun will shine tomorrow
In that saints and sinners  plea
We weren’t born to follow
You gotta stand up for what you believe
Let me hear you say
Yea, Yea, Yea, ooooohhh Yea

I remember seeing an interview of Jon Bon Jovi, telling how this song was came about. It was written in a hotel room, where he woke up, suffering fomr a hangover. He asked for the hotel to send up a piano and they did.

He started composing what was to be one of the greatest love songs of all time, “Sitting here wasted and wounded at this old piano.” For the most of us, waking up with a hangover means a guilty rollercoaster ride that includes headache, nausea, light sensitivity, lethargy, thirst, depression – the works.

The next pub outing, I’m gonna drink myself silly, and wake up with a hangover to attempt to write a song. Hmmm, I can see it now, “Lying in bed while the world spinning around and around and around and around”. A hit in the making I tell ya.

Bon Jovi – Bed of Roses

Sitting here wasted and wounded
At this old piano
Trying hard to capture
The moment this morning I don’t know
‘Cause a bottle of vodka
Is still lodged in my head
And some blonde gave me nightmares
I think that she’s still in my bed
As I dream about movies
They won’t make of me when I’m dead

With an ironclad fist I wake up and
French kiss the morning
While some marching band keeps
Its own beat in my head
While we’re talking
About all of the things that I long to believe
About love and the truth and
What you mean to me
And the truth is baby you’re all that I need

I want to lay you down in a bed of roses
For tonite I sleep on a bed of nails
I want to be just as close as the Holy Ghost is
And lay you down on a bed of roses

Well I’m so far away
That each step that I take is on my way home
A king’s ransom in dimes I’d given each night
Just to see through this payphone
Still I run out of time
Or it’s hard to get through
Till the bird on the wire flies me back to you
I’ll just close my eyes and whisper,
Baby blind love is true

The hotel bar hangover whiskey’s gone dry
The barkeeper’s wig’s crooked
And she’s giving me the eye
I might have said yeah
But I laughed so hard I think I died

Now as you close your eyes
Know I’ll be thinking about you
While my mistress she calls me
To stand in her spotlight again
Tonite I won’t be alone
But you know that don’t
Mean I’m not lonely I’ve got nothing to prove
For it’s you that I’d die to defend

This was Jon’s first solo album, when Bon Jovi took a hiatus. It was nominated for the Academy Award for the Best Original Song, and won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song and American Music Award’s Favorite Pop Rock Single.

The song epitomizes the album, that focuses on redemption and the past catching up to you. It starts off with a couple of lines from the Young Guns II flick, “You are not a God.” “Why don’t you pull the trigger and find out.”

And the hook begins, to one of rock music’s most memorable tune. It is almost as intense as “Wanted Dead or Alive”. 

Jon Bon Jovi – Blaze of Glory
[audio:Jon Bon Jovi - Blaze of Glory.mp3]

I wake up in the morning
And I raise my weary head
I’ve got an old coat for a pillow
And the earth was last night’s bed
I don’t know where I’m going
Only God knows where I’ve been
I’m a devil on the run A six gun lover
A candle in the wind, yeah

When you’re brought into this world
They say you’re born in sin
Well at least they gave me something
I didn’t have to steal or have to win
Well, they tell me that I’m wanted
Yeah, I’m a wanted man
I’m a colt through your stable
I’m what Cain was to Abel
Mister catch me if you can

I’m going down (down) in a blaze of glory
Take me now but know the truth
I’m going out (out) in a blaze of glory
And Lord, I never drew first but I drew first blood
I’m no one’s son, call me young gun

You ask about my conscience
And I offer you my soul
You ask if I’ll grow to be a wise man
Well I ask if I’ll grow old
You ask me if I’ve known love
And what it’s like to sing songs in the rain
Well I’ve seen love come, I’ve seen it shot down
I’ve seen it die in vain

Shot down (down) in a blaze of glory
Take me now but know the truth
‘Cause I’m going down (down) in a blaze of glory
Lord, I never drew first but I drew first blood
I’m the devil’s son, call me young gun, na… yeah

Each night I go to bed
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
No I ain’t looking for forgiveness
But before I’m six foot deep
Lord, I gotta ask a favor
And I hope you’ll understand
‘Cause I’ve lived life to the fullest
Let this boy’s die like a man
Staring down a bullet
Let me make my final stand

This Bon Jovi song has similarities with Joan Osborne’s One of Us when Jon takes on the verses. Nevertheless, it is a catchy track. It speaks of going around in a merry-go-round, about being stuck in a rut that you can’t get out off.

Nothing changes, when you turn on the TV, same shit different day. Thus, after a while, your life becomes boring. This song clearly encapsulates that feeling.

Bon Jovi – Two Story Town

I couldnt sleep took a walk down second avenue
Sick of dreaming dreams that never come true
One way street and I know where its leading to
Theres a for sale sign on the front door of the city hall
The subway line got graffiti crawling off the wall
I could take a hit but I dont want to take the fall

Thats just one side of the story
In this two story town

Its just the same old sights
And the same old sounds
I want to take my car and drive out of this two story town
Its the same old ship going down
Im going down, down ,down, down, down
Its a two story town

Theres a girl that I sleep with she’s got ecstasy eyes
He promised her roses and american pie
I called her and my demons and I kissed them both goodbye

Seven days of monday morning
In a two story town

One shot to make a move now
The ghosts are calling me out

As always, I typically say these words when I blog about a Bon Jovi song – “It’s one of my favorite Bon Jovi songs”, from easily over 120 of them. This track taken off 1992’s Keep the Faith did fairly well in the American and British Charts.

It speaks of everlasting love and devotion, coupled with a soulful and emotional voice of Jon Bon Jovi. It can be construed as a rock ballad, with its lyrics, and this song remains as one of my top 10 Bon Jovi songs ever!

Bon Jovi – In These Arms

You want commitment take a look into these eyes
They burn with fire, wntil the end of time
And I would do anything
I’d beg, I’d steal, I’d die
To have you in these arms tonight
Baby I want you like the roses want the rain
You know I need you like a poet needs the pain
I would give anything my blood my love my life
If you were in these arms tonight

I’d hold you I’d need you
I’d get down on my knees for you
And make everything alright
If you were in these arms
I’d love you I’d please you
I’d tell you that I’d never leave you
And love you till the end of time
If you were in these arms tonight

We stared at the sun and we made a promise
A promise this world would never blind us
These are my words our words were our songs
Our songs are our prayers these prayers keep me strong
And I still believe
If you were in these arms tonight

Your clothes are still scattered all over our room
This old place still smells like your cheap perfume
Everything here reminds me of you
And theres nothing that I wouldnt do 

And these were our words
They keep me strong, baby!

There is nothing else better than to describe MY FAVORITE Bon Jovi song, which is ultimately, MY FAVORITE song EVER. I’ve been in love with it in 1994, and 14 years later, I’m still in love with it. It made me who I am today.

I’m a year closer from being Saturday Night – this post is a birthday present to myself to keep on rocking! 

Bon Jovi – Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night

Hey, my name is jim, where did I go wrong
My lifes a bargain basement, all the good shits gone
I just cant hold a job, where do I belong
Im sleeping in my car, my dreams move on

My name is billy jean, my love was bought and sold
Im only sixteen, I feel a hundred years old
My foster daddy went, took my innocence away
The street life aint much better, but at least I get paid

And tuesday just might go my way it cant get worse than yesterday
Thursdays, fridays aint been kind but somehow Ill survive

Hey man Im alive Im takin each day and night at a time
Yeah Im down, but I know Ill get by
Hey hey hey hey, man gotta live my life
Like I aint got nothin but this roll of the dice
Im feelin like a monday, but someday Ill be saturday night

Now I cant say my name, and tell you where I am
I want to roll myself away, dont know if I can
I wish that I could be in some other time and place
With someone elses soul, someone elses face

Oh, tuesday just might go my way it cant get worse than yesterday
Thursdays, fridays aint been kind but somehow Ill survive

Hey, man Im alive Im takin each day and night at a time
Yeah Im down, but I know Ill get by
Hey hey hey hey, man gotta live my life
Im gonna pick up all the pieces and whats left of my pride
Im feelin like a monday, but someday Ill be saturday night

Some day Ill be saturday night
Ill be back on my feet, Ill be doin alright
It may not be tomorrow baby, thats ok
I aint goin down, gonna find a way, hey hey hey

Im feelin like a monday, but someday Ill be saturday night

Jon Bon Jovi, now that’s a fairytale come true. He started off sweeping floors at a recording studio, 25 years later, Bon Jovi is one of the biggest rock band on the planet, selling over 120 million records worldwide.

1. “Success is falling nine times and getting up ten.”
When the going gets tough, giving up is way too easy. Life, it’s not only about accomplishing goals but also getting through trials and tribulations with full of satisfaction. Trials will continue to hound our lives, but, it is up to us to look straight ahead and you will be able to see the sign of rewards to come.

2. “Nothing is as important as passion. No matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate.”
The boring 9-5 office job. It’s not too hard, really, but ultimately, boredom kills off who we are, and thus, passion goes down the toilet. Do something you love, so you’ll love your life. I was stuck in a job that I didn’t like at all, not because of anything, but for the lack of passion. I’m now with a company, doing something I love, sports. It doesn’t get any better than this!

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3. “Don’t get too comfortable with who you are at any given time – you may miss the opportunity to become who you want to be.”
The dreaded comfort zone, killer of hopes and dreams. The second we become comfy with our living condition, we will stop trying to go after our dreams. Dreams, are designed to be hard.

4. “Miracles happen everyday, change your perception of what a miracle is and you’ll see them all around you.”
I know a lot of complainers out there, who are blinded by the beauty of life by focusing on negativity. Life has its good and bad, concentrate on the good for once.

5. “Each one of you has something no one else has, or has ever had: your fingerprints, your brain, your heart. Be an individual. Be unique. Stand out. Make noise. Make someone notice. That’s the power of individuals.”
Need I say more?

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6. “Map out your future – but do it in pencil. The road ahead is as long as you make it. Make it worth the trip.”
Life, is not fated. So screw you douche bags who believe it that bullshit. Life, is flexible and full of twists and turns. Be spontaneous, and develop a commitment. There are many paths that lead to the same goal, some are more fun. Take the scenic route and enjoy life while reaching for your goal.

7. “The only enemy is ignorance.”
“Ignorance is bliss” is a stupid quotation. Being ignorant, like the PAS political party in Kelantan, will only lead you to a shallow life and start believing that women should not wear lipstick or high heel shoes because it will invite unwanted attraction by men. Balls. Be open-minded for crying out loud, there is more to this world than oppressed dumb-holes going around preaching about the greatness of their religion. You can take that religion of yours and shove it up your arses.

Bon Jovi – (It’s Hard) Letting You Go

It ain’t no fun lying down to sleep
And there ain’t no secrets left for me to keep
I wish the stars up in the sky
Would all just call in sick
And the clouds would take the moon out
On some one-way trip

I drove all night down streets that wouldn’t bend
But somehow they drove me back here once again
To the place I lost at love, and the place I lost my soul
I wish I’d just burn down this place that we called home
It would all have been so easy
If you’d only made me cry
And told me how you’re leaving me
To some organ grinder’s lullaby

It’s hard, so hard – it’s tearing out my heart
It’s hard letting you go

Now the sky, it shines a different kind of blue
And the neighbor’s dog don’t bark like he used to
Well – me, these days
I just miss you – it’s the nights that I go insane
Unless you’re coming back for me
That’s one thing I know that won’t change

It’s hard, so hard – it’s tearing out my heart
It’s hard letting you go

Now some tarot card shark said I’ll draw you a heart
And we’ll find you somebody else new
But I’ve made my last trip to those carnival lips
When I bet all that I had on you

It’s hard, it’s hard, it’s hard, so hard
It’s hard letting you go
It’s hard, so hard, it’s tearing out my heart
But it’s hard letting you go

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Our points, our actions were interpreted in the wrong way, causing us nothing but headache when our real intentions were misconstrued. This tune encapsulates that feeling on the dot.

Bon Jovi – Misunderstood

I should have drove all night, I would have run all the lights
I was misunderstood
I stumbled like my words, did the best I could
Damn, misunderstood

I’m hanging outside your door I’ve been here before
Misunderstood
I stumbled like my words, did the best I could
Damn, misunderstood
Intentions good

They have since closed down, possibly because of my perpetual hounding. This song is certainly a raucious opener to a arguably a great album, hampered by reliance of electronics.

Bon Jovi – Undivided

That was my brother lost in the rubble
That was my sister lost in the crush
That was our mothers, those were our children
That was our fathers, that was each of us
A million prayers to God above
A million tears make an ocean of

One for love, One for truth
One for me, one for you

I found spirit, they couldn’t ruin it
I found courage in the smoke and dust
I found faith in the songs you silenced
Deep down it’s ringing out in each of us
Yeah… yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Where we once were divided, now we stand united
We stand as one… undivided.

How many hands? How many hearts?
How many dreams been torn apart?
Enough, enough… the time has come to rise back up as