How to get the rights to record a cover of one of Bon Jovi’s demo songs?
 

Hey guys, so I’m looking to record and release a cover of Deep Cuts the Knife, one of the old Slippery demos which as far as I’m aware was never actually released but instead leaked (haven’t found a source either, other than some old threads on here). Does anybody know who holds the rights to this song? My guess would be either Mercury records or Jon himself but since this one was never properly released I’m thinking the rights to cover it might be a little harder to get than something that was actually on an album. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks everyone! :)

It's not in ASCAP's online database, which is weird, considering other unreleased (some never leaked) songs are.

Jon pulled his catalogue from ASCAP a few years ago. He's listed with Azoff's Global Music Rights now. I think the only songs of his that are still listed on ASCAP are the ones he co-wrote with another ASCAP writer.

You might find something here.

https://globalmusicrights.com/search

I searched on "Jon Bon Jovi" and it showed 1-25 of 386 results; but when I clicked "Show More" it took me to the dialpad on my phone, so you may have to call or register for the full list. I tried searching by title but it returned zero results.

Universal ultimately licenses most of the catalogue, they may even own SWW era material so Universal Publishing would be your first port of call. In truth though unless your cover is a hit noone cares. The saying goes 'where there's a hit there's a writ' but until then noone gives a shit. Put it on youtube and they won't take it down, they'll just demand all the money from the adverts.