Agree with opinions expressed above, it's embarrasing comparing lyrics from post 2000 albums with These Days. Musically it had so much going on too, and didn't suffer from the 'wall of sound' production recent albums have.

Good album? Yes... but Slippery, Faith and Jersey all trump it IMO.

These Days is my favourite Bon Jovi album. There is such an incredible depth to be felt both from a lyrical and a musical point of view. It actually sounds like they tried to pour everything they had into the writing and recording of that album. The outcome is stunning.

I recently bought the vynil version on Ebay and it was (once again) like listening to an entirely different record. It sounds even more sophisticated.

The question I keep asking myself is: How can a band write and record a song like Something To Believe In AS WELL AS writing and recording such lyrical and musical rubbish like We Got It Going On? (this being only one of a view examples, and yes I know it gets crowds going)

Agree!

I'd like to think that Bon Jovi keeps reinvesting itself. People ignore the first two albums which I think are amazing. Not so much lyrically but vocally and instrumentally. So raw.

Slippery and Jersey (& Blaze & Stranger) are my masterpieces. This is when Bon Jovi were at their best commercially and the songs just ruled that error in time. Talk about great chemistry. I could listen to those albums cover to cover and never skip a song.

I like Faith and TD and love certain songs on both albums but it doesn't do it for me Cover to Cover. Jons vocals were def at his peak and song writing is incredible but for some reason I can't get through the entire album without skipping. Although I can't find a bad song. I just contradicted myself but I can't explain it.

And post 2000, we all know how that story goes. I think the difference is Jons lack of vocal range and emotion. As far as the lyrics go, I don't know. There are some great songs out there where I can't even understand the lyrics. People listen to Italian Opera and don't even know the language. IMO it comes down to lack of vocal range and emotion.

But I don’t dislike the songs. There is that fine line between good and great and I feel the band just keeps missing it. The Circle, for me, is pretty darn close but I agree, it's no TD

one of the things i love about Jovi is they aren't unidimensional. I love diversity, and to some extent, i find that in this band. TD is one of my favourite albuns by any artist, yet it's a dark gloomy album and i honestly can't imagine a show where only TD type songs are played. that would make me feel incredibly miserable :) this gloomy mood of the album is part of the appeal, like someone here said, but i believe it's also why so many people don't like it. you'd have to be in a certain state of mind to listen to it, IMO.

taking your examples, STBI is a very introspective song which pretty much represents the mood of most of the album. WGIGO is a party song which is not meant to be taken seriously, and is part of a much more laid-back easy-going album. not all songs have to have this serious aspect to it to be great songs. that's not saying they don't write junk songs and this is probably what you meant. they do and they have. i just don't think you can put songs like these 2 you referred in the same level.

love everything about this album my fav without a doubt:) love the lyrics and emotion and 'my guitar' to me is pure gold, i no most people always say will they ever write another slippery? hell id be happy with another record that has the same emotion and power of these days:D

These Days is my favorite album. Not just my favorite Jovi album - my favorite album of all. I didn't find it until more than a decade after it was released, so I still vividly remember how awestruck I was when I played it the first time. Yes, some of the songs are sad, but others are angry (Hey God) or touching (Diamond Ring). I think the album deals with lots of emotions, and I don't find it depressing at all even though I listen to at least some of it almost every day.

I think after all these years of wondering, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that These Days is my favourite Bon Jovi album. Definately a hidden gem amongst an array of more "popular" albums is considered by a lot of people to be the last in the "classic" series of Bon Jovi albums.

It's one of those albums that's timeless yet very "of-it's-time" as well. It's darker, angrier and sincere lyrically and the music was much richer. The songs made you feel like Jon and the boys were really on your side more than ever. They became more like human beings and the songs were much more relateable. I've owned the album for almost a decade now and it still gets regular spins in my stereo and even today I i get something new or different out of every listen. Especially as I am getting older and maturing as an adult I've found certain songs are speaking (or have spoken) to me more in relation to past and present experiences. Some songs on there have helped me through tough times in years past and others more recently.

Indeed, it does get overrated on here I suppose due to the fact that as I said before, it's considered to be the last classic album before the mediocre line of material from Crush onward, and it's one of the least remembered amongst casual fans and the media. But this is probably what draws people to the album more. It's much darker (possibly their darkest) than previous albums but I wouldn't go as far as calling it depressing. (You want depressing? Go listen to Coldplay) Even in the bleakest of moments, there's still a sense of underlying optimism within the lyrics.

I'll waiting for the band to release an album that I would consider a true successor to These Days.

I'll take anything from These Days. BUT - the title track has been with me for almost 15 years and has stood the test of time. Up until recently, if anyone made me list my favorite song (with no ands, ifs or buts) I would have said Thunder Road By Bruce Springsteen. These Days has stood my test of time and is rapidly approaching Thunder Road which is a real dilemma for me.

Not to change subject, but surely Kathleen you would have to have Jungleland ahead of Thunder Road? lol....perhaps even For You or Growing up...... aww they all are great piano tracks!