Jon (mostly) on These Days?

Hey everyone,

Most people, well people in their right mind would say that These Days was BJ's finest moment, and although the band has dug out a few of the gems one can find on this particular album lately (they've been playing Dry County for example, and Lie to me once or twice I believe last time they were in Europe, Richie even sang the title track I think?), it's well known Jon - not sure about the rest of the guys, has sort of an aversion towards it.

So what I'm looking for is interview excerpts or just general knowledge ie what you guys know about the hows and whys regarding this 'denial'.

Thanks in advance!

I saw an interview asking him why the album was so 'depressing' and whether it was because of bad personal experience. Jon replied that they felt great when they wrote the album and that the sound they ended up with was what felt natural at the time.

Maybe we don't see so many TD songs anymore because they're off a more serious album which Jon might see as being too serious or slow for playing on really exciting live shows. Another possibility is that becuase this album was written when his vocals were arguably at their best, they have become harder for him to sing at such high quality. Whatever the case, I'd like to see some more TD tracks live on tours.

I found another interview from 2003 with a brief mention of These Days:
http://www.cosmopolis.ch/english/cos..._interview.htm

The lyrics on "Everyday" reinforce the message that Bon Jovi has always forwarded as a band, perseverance in the face of adversity...making the best out of a bad situation and coming back stronger.

Jon: We've always tried to find the optimism, and that's what been signature for us throughout the years. Even through a darker record like "These Days" we were feeling rather optimistic, even though at the end of the day when people would bring it up and say, "God this is a dark record, why are you guys so upset?" And I would say "Gee, we're in a great mood" but what has worked for us throughout the 20 years we've been making records is trying to find the optimism in any subject that you write about. You know, if it's "Keep The Faith" after the riots in L.A., or if it's "Everyday" after the World Trade Center" you try to find the optimism. A reason for people to wanna go on.

Uh, okay then.
Anyway, I've never seen anything where Jon has badmouthed the record. I just think he, sadly ignores it because it wasn't a hit in the US, and isn't the type of music people associate with BJ.

Yeah, dunno what I was thinking about Dry County...

If I was them, it'd be the one album I'd be proud of, weird, especially considering the more recent outings they could at least cling on to it!

Well, 6 songs from the album all got played at least once at various points during the LH tour, with songs from the album being played a total of 48 times, making it the 3rd least played studio album (with 7800 and Bounce lower than it).

(Source for the above, as ever, is bonjovi-archives.com)

I think it is partly because it wasn't a big hit in the US that the band practically disowns it (especially at US shows), but I think I recall Jon also saying that the songs are a bit of a downer, and in general he want the Bon Jovi live experience to have more of a party atmoshpere.

Go figure

One of most fav bj albums

Jon really gets on my nerves at times. His decision making does leave a lot to be desired in my opinion. I mean this geezer, will play WSYCGH, Captain Crash etc to death. However, when it comes to the bands better material Dry County, five or six songs from These Days, hell even Any Other Day from LH, he decides that its not "live" material. Well to be honest if I hear WSYCGH or Captain Crash one more time at a Bon Jovi concert, whilst there best songs continue to get neglected, I might seriously start to think about not going to their concerts. As for the last few that I have been too, I have been able to predict the set-list and consequently end up disappointed.