Bon Jovi is a very diverse band but...
 

..what song did they write and record that surprised you the most?

For me it is Temptation. Not my fav of all time but it's a good track; sounds like something the Doors would have done in the 60's.

The whole of These Days album. It shows maturity not present in any other Bon Jovi album. I hoped Crush would be a further development of the bands sound and style; a continuation of the New Jersey to Keep The Faith to These Days progression. In a way, Crush was surprising because it seemed like a huge leap back towards simple songs, with simple music and lyrics. I really hope These Days wasn't a fluke.

These Days Album is very different from other albumns....May be because it is dark albumn or may be it is because of musical arrangements...

if you talk about song-wise, (It is hard) Letting You Go and Something To Believe In will be my choice.

A song called 'STAY' (in single Say it isn't so).
I do really like that song, so touchy... :wink:

"She's A Mystery" maybe...even though I hated it.

this is great question! And maybe for Jon it's "Midnight In Chelsea". I hate that song too. It seems the surprising ones aren't for me. Not that they shouldn't experiment, but I am surprised when they put out something that I don't like. Since I believe Richie and Jon to be the greatest writing team I've ever known.

The song..."Lets make it Baby"

Just listen to the lyrics and the way Jon sings them to find out why.

I relise now that they were just having fun, but its the last thing that I thought they would create

Hey KRB,

You are perfectly right when u say that These days is much different to any other album....

however to me I feel that the band are pesimistic in it, instead of being optimistic (like they usually are).

To me These days is the 2nd worst BJ album made. Bon Jovi were coming off their 3 best albums (SWW, NJ, and KTF), and I guess no band can continue making albums at the quality of these 3, because they are just the best!!!!

However while I say that These Days was a pesimistic album, and that its low on my fav BJ albums charts, that doesn't mean that its not an alright album (its just up against stiff competition)

Diamond ring ... nice, but i was really surprised.

I respect everyone's opinion here, but I actually wouldn't say I was suprised at These Days. It fit in with their progression, and they had to show they can be serious, GREAT songwriters. In my opinion, it is their BEST album. It literally gives me chills. Good example, the last line in "My Guitar Lies Bleeding In My Arms"...Just LISTEN to the emotion in Jon's voice as he holds the word "arms" and Richie harmonizes with it. Whewww..truly amazing. My biggest suprise was Bounce...I will say that because I expected something similar to Crush. Since Crush was so big commercially (here in the states..it was the biggest since Jersey, it has sold half a million more than Keep the Faith did, by Soundscan numbers), I thought that it would be more like it. When I heard "Everyday" I really felt it would sound like Crush, because I felt it fit right in with it. I was suprised when I popped in Bounce...it has everything on it. I love it, and can't wait till the next album (although I am really hoping Bounce picks up on the charts). Finda figures though, here in the states, my favorite albums are the ones that sell the least (ex. These Days). I do think Bounce will gain some momentum though, with the new singles that will be put out (hope they get more airplay than the followups to "It's My Life" did) and the Superbowl appearance.

You're totaly right Deleveled,
i don't think anyone was REALLY surprised by "these days" the album,
Just some songs, as i said, 'diamond ring', it's a super song, BUT it surprised me, but i love it.
You said it, this album, lyrics, vocals harmony, etc ...was representing them at this moment, "it fit with their progression", the maturity in this cd is evident, there was a change somewhere, but still Bon Jovi, it's nice, very nice.