Guitar Solos

I thought this deserves a topic on his own since I've been reading over and over again about how the new song (WWBTF) has no solo, should have a solo. How WFTWM maybe will have a solo in the album version. How Richie will probably insert a solo in those songs when played live etc...

So everyone: let's give your ideas on solos in bon jovi songs !!

Do you really think EVERY bon jovi song should have a solo?
And can't a solo be good enough when it's a part that blends into the song? (like on WWBTF)
Should each solo be a 'show off' of what Richie can do on his guitar?

I think it's an interesting topic cause i'll tell you an anecdote of last year on solos:

Just after the belgian show on the LH tour, a friend of mine who is not that much of a Bon Jovi fan, but who went to the concert to check them out live, noticed very correctly that it is so obvious that in EVERY song around the same time Richie comes forward to do his solo in a song.
" It's like every song is just build up to that guitar solo moment as the highlight of the song". It's cool for a couple of times, but after the 10th time when we are at song number 10 in the set, it becomes a little bit of a joke - like a gimmic or something a bit outdated ..."

This friend of mine actually nailed it!

Now, I AM a true sambora fan. Without him Bon Jovi would just not be that great, BUT i don't think every song should have this typical solo spot. It's very cool when it's done sometimes and l love it when a good solo is stretched for minutes, but just maybe not EVERY song

What do you think?

How many WWBTF threads can come up in a day? Getting really excessive

(Guitar) solos are good. It's a highlight but BJ weren't the ones that invented that. It was an essential part even way back when it all started in the 50s.
It's one of those highlights you are waiting for. And that is the same thing with every rock band. I am not a fan of that chord strumming, really.
There should be more songs like Homebound train with Dave and Richie duelling. It always reminds me of the great Deep Purple.

Was interesting just taking a quick look at all the Lost Highway tracks.

Lost Highway
Whole Lot Of Leavin
We Got It Goin On
Everybody's Broken
Strangers
I Love This Town
Put The Boy Back In Cowboy

... all have guitar solos. In fact even One Step Closer and Lonely have mini guitar solos.

The only songs on that album with ZERO guitar solo are Memory, Seat Next To You and The Last Night.

Rock music has guitar solos. It just does, there's no getting around it. And possibly not every song needs one, but I can think of very few songs that aren't made better by a solo spot, or at least some kind of instrumental breakdown. Lyrics don't have to be happening all the time, and songs are supposed to have ebb and flow and build towards something.

I think people's main problems with WWBTF's "solo" are that: a) Jon's shout of "Guitar!" makes you think there's actually gonna be something good, and b) what's the point of having a solo if it's going to be so lazy? Why not just leave it out altogether, or try some other kind of bridge ... Last Cigarette's vocal breakdown comes to mind, or Homebound Train's instrumental freak out. No song is improved by 10 seconds of repeated chords for no reason

Maybe it's an early sign that they already have Bobby in mind for the upcoming tour!

Not every song should have a solo, but if you're in a rock band with a very talented guitarist like Richie, then obviously, we want to hear some.

I dont think people wouldn't of been too bothered about the solo in WWBTF, It's just the fact that Jon shouts 'Guitar' and there's hardly a solo.

The drums seem to be louder than guitar.

Ive always thought that since TD the solos are what lets the band down.
Some songs are crying out for solos but we don’t get them but when we do its like – why bother?
Not every song needs a solo but Jovi are a rock band and rock band means solos.

Oh please dont let it come true.
I am really tired of that big band thing. Am I the only one?

Hmm.. Intresting point of view. One Step Closer has a longer guitar solo than Lost Highway. And Lonely is almost as long as Lost Highway. And Make a Memory don't have a solo ? It has, not very long though.

I think many post-2000 tracks has some killer solos. Next 100 Years, Just Older, The Distance (live), Last Cigarette, Last Man Standing, Lost Highway etc.

I like Bon Jovis solos now days. I wouldn't have liked a Let It Rock or Keep the Faith solo in WWBTF or let's say IML. Some songs craves a great solo, some don't. The most post-2000 tracks don't craves long guitar solos.

Me too- I'd love to see just the 5 of them on stage for the next tour. Don't see this happening though.