Whats the backstory behind Bad Medicine, I'll Be There For You And Rosie?

would've been a monster sounding song on New Jersey, with Fairbairn's production, a proper finished vocal from Jon, and a ripping solo from Richie.

Rosie is a strange one for me. I love Richie's version but I don't feel like it fits on Stranger - it's too Bon Jovi. If I had to remove any song from the album it would be that.

Yet, while it suits Bon Jovi's style better, I really don't think it's stronger than anything on New Jersey. Replacing anything from that record with Rosie would make it a weaker record....

Not even 99 in the shade ?
Although I appreciate the party vibe, musically it is blunt, it is just audible because it was recorded by that band in that era with that production.

yea, the last two songs are fun songs, but there is a noticeable dip in quality compared to the rest of New Jersey, imo.
All we have to judge Rosie by is a rough demo, and as mentioned I think if it had received the same treatment as the the other songs on New Jersey, it would have really elevated it. I also like Growing Up The Hard Way and Now And Forever in their rough demo stage, it would've been interesting indeed if the record company had approved the double album.

It's fun and it fits on the album, as does Love For Sale. Both have thier place on the album. If I was forced to remove one it would be 99 In The Shade, but I think 99 give the album a better lift in the second half of the album with a 100% fun song. Until then a lot of the album is very serious. I don't think Rosie would do the same job as well...

I think the NJ outtakes are interesting to hear but I understand why the double album idea was rejected. A lot of the outtakes sound like they were searching for the next Livin On A Prayer or the next Never Say Goodbye. With choruses and nananana parts that try to be catchy but its all a bit half-baked.

I don't think it was rejected because of the quality of the songs, I think it was more of a cost issue.

I know thats the story why the record company thought it was a bad idea. But listening to all the songs I think they really managed to pick the best stuff. But who knows, it may have been a killer album. I vaguely remember they had the plan to make one vinyl side completely acoustic? Thats an interesting thought.

How far into the album's production was that? Would this have still included the acoustic Born To Be My Baby? Because I'm struggling to think of many songs from NJ that would work on acoustic. Living In Sin, IMO, would not be as strong without the heavy usage of keys.

I have no clue exactly when that was. But I remember reading it in some magazine back then. I guess these songs would be on there:

Born To Be My Baby
Diamond Ring (it was played acoustic on a radio show during the release of NJ)
Ride Cowboy Ride
Love For Sale

And one or two extra tracks. The demo version of Stick To Your Guns is mainly acoustic guitars and that works pretty well. Like most of their songs, they always sound great when its just Jon and Richie, so I dont think it would be a problem for them to select songs that worked acoustic.