To complete a memorable hatrick of ballads, Jon decided to deliver arguably the most lyrically superior Bon Jovi love song, BED OF ROSES, to his beloved Sydney fans (note that it was only played at this concert during the entire Australian tour). By that point, the word ‘phenomenal’ (and all words similar) was not part of my vocabulary, because by the time I’ll Be There For You finished, I thought that it couldn’t be used anymore, as a new word would need to be used to describe anything that topped the I’ll Be There for You performance. And there I was, listening to the piano introduction to the TLFR arrangement of Bed Of Roses, and baffled as to what word would be fitting to define that point in the show. Simply, one word was all that was needed- Ultimate. My dream was exceeding expectations. Suffice to say, I love the original version of the song. Looking back, the most passionate version of the song being sung was the 1993 Milan performance ( the closest performance). Jon’s voice was just flawless, giving every lyric that little bit extra. In saying so, I really do believe the TLFR arrangement was breathtaking. To experience every lyric of this legendary ballad up close was the ultimate dream for any diehard fan (or any fan as a matter of fact). It is definitely a powerful ballad and would stage a good fight against Always and I’ll Be There for You (and others) in determining the ultimate Bon Jovi ballad. From the moment the song commenced with the first verse “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 blond gave me nightmares, I think she’s still in my bed, as I dream about movies they won’t make of me when I’m dead”, through to the main chorus “I want to lay you on a bed of roses. For tonight I sleep on a bed on nails. I want to be just as close as the holy ghost is and lay you down on bed of roses”, and until the climax and best part of the song “When you close your eyes, you know Ill be thinking about you. While my mistress she calls me to stand in her spotlight again. Tonight 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…” Speechless!!


As they concluded the most remarkable performance ever witnessed by a Sydney crowd, Jon reloaded his rocking roll bullets with HAVE A NICE DAY. Again, it was a crowd and personal favourite. From Richie’s powerful electric guitar introduction til the last lyric, I sung my heart out like there was no tomorrow. When singing it, I reflected on certain stages of my life in the past where this song was applicable. One of the funniest moments was when Jon sung the line “when the word gets in my face, I say, have a nice day” and the camera pointed to Richie raising his middle finger. It appeared on the big screen. That’s class in a very unique way.

Hugh’s bass beats introduced KEEP THE FAITH, a song that went down really well live. It was full of energy and the lyrics were extremely relevant. It’s a song that really emphasises the importance of always believing, and not letting the corruption of present day society dictate your life. My favourite lyric is when Jon pronounced with aggression “I’ve been walking in the footsteps of society’s lies. I don’t like what I see anymore and sometimes I wish that I was blind. Sometimes I wait forever to stand out in the rain, so no one sees me crying trying to wash away the pain. Mother father, there’s things I’ve done I can’t erase. Every night we fall from grace. It’s hard with the word in your face trying to hold on, trying to hold on.…” That is such a strong lyric and that’s essentially why I love this band, because they are able to produce such meaningful and relevant lyrics and perform them exceptionally.

As Keep the Faith concluded, Tico drummed into I’LL SLEEP WHEN I’M DEAD, a definite live inclusion. Sometimes, the lyrics to the songs are overshadowed by its party nature and rhythm. Indeed, it’s a song that Jon uses to get the crowd involved. It was definitely fun. Jon really earned top dollar as a performer here. The rolling stones hit JUMPING JACK FLASH & DANCING IN THE STREETS was also incorporated in the performance and was received well by the crowd. The whole Acer Arena was just buzzing and everyone was really enjoying themselves. I don’t think one person wanted to go home. In my opinion, the song really goes down well live with the way it is performed. However, I’ve always had the feeling that if the song was remade in a slow/ballad type style, the way the lyrics would be delivered would add a whole new dimension to the song, similarly to how some of the songs for TLFR were remade. For a lyric like “Until I’m 6 feet under, baby I don’t need a bed. I’m gonna live while alive and sleep when I’m dead. Till they roll me over and lay my bones to rest, I’m gonna live while I’m alive and sleep when I’m dead”. That is such a relevant lyric that should be embraced by all humans, because these days, it’s so easy to let life get the better of you. Ultimately, as long as one is alive, then one must make the most of their time alive, because once dead, there is no going back, hence, dwelling on the problems of life must be combated with embracing the positives, the simple things.

When Jon started singing “its alright, it’s alright”, WHO SAYS YOU CAN’T GO HOME was due. It had become a staple song for every live show. Whilst it wasn’t one of my all time favourites, I could see why the song was relevant lyrically and why the band enjoyed playing it at every concert. I was moved when ¾ through the song, it slowed down to a point where only the piano was played, and then Jon smoothly sung “It doesn’t matter where you are. It doesn’t matter where you go. If it’s a million miles away or just a mile of the road, take it in and take it with you when you go, take it in, take it with you when you go, who says you can’t go home”. It is a reminder that no matter how far away you are from your home, something will always bring you back. In a way, it’s a tribute to the band, who have spent many years of their life on the road, but had never forgotten their roots in New Jersey.

Then, the moment came. The pinnacle moment of a Bon Jovi show arrived. It’s what every fan had been waiting for. As Jon started singing in an acapella arrangement “We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got, cause it doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not. We’ve got each other and that’s a lot for love - well give it a shot. Ohhhh, were half way there. Whooaho Livin on a prayer, Take my hand and well make it - I swear. Whooaho Livin on a prayer”, to introduce LIVING ON A PRAYER, 18,000 enthusiastically joined in and sung with and without Jon (and without the band). At one point, it was just the crowd singing the verse and once completed, Jon declared “Now that’s why I keep coming back to Sydney Australia”. The crowd went mad. Never in my 23 ½ year existence had I witnessed a louder crowd. The only time similar was the U2 concerts in Sydney 2006, whereby each concert at Telstra Stadium had 80,000 people. I must say, the crowd capacity at Acer Arena was only 18,000 but the noise level was equivalent to that of a U2 concert with 80,000 people singing along to Sunday Bloody Sunday, Where The Streets Have No Name and With Or Without You. Quite incredible!!! Jon’s voice was superb. It was a special feeling to be witnessing this legendary song in my home city Sydney, especially the piano/harmonic introduction, which was just spine tingling. As I was listening to Jon singing it first hand, I couldn’t help reflecting on the past and how the song was pivotal in helping me overcome some tough periods. The most explosive lines that just produced a powerful shock to the heart, mind and soul were “Gina dreams of running away. When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers, baby its okay, someday…” and “We’ve got to hold on ready or not. You live for the fight when its all that you’ve got”. The latter line sends me back in time to when the boys played this song on the Slippery When Wet tour back in 1986-1987 period and after that line was sung, fireworks were set off going into the chorus (). That is just out of this world. Even though I was only 2 years old at the time (therefore not experiencing the real thing), I definitely watched it many times on DVD and have heard stories from those who were lucky to be there during that period, like my mate Steve back in 1987 when they performed in Sydney. Whilst there were no fireworks in 2008, the delivery of the song itself was just fireworks, and it was crystal clear that every person in the crowd had been touched by that song at least once in their lifetime, and for those that had heard it for the first time at Acer Arena, they too would have been moved by such a song. It’s a song that reveals one of the most well known stories created in music about the ordinary working class man and woman and the struggles that couples encounter during times of hardship. This legendary song typifies the artistic geniuses that both Jon and Richie are in being able to create a fictional story in a song that is apparent and existent in the lives of many. It’s a song that has inspired people across every age group and every generation since its release in 1986. 22 years later, it still raises the roof top of every arena. That’s the sign of a legendary song.