Dear MR. Jovi
My name is Jonathan. I am a huge fan of yours. I have been following you for 23 years now. It has been an amazing ride for me.
I’m not sure what got me hooked to your music at first. I was only 9 years old. I know that I enjoyed the music and the easy to understand lyrics, even if I didn’t know what they really meant. It was also the height of MTV for me as I religiously watched the weekly countdown to the video of the week. I was crushed at the end of the year when Living On A Prayer was number two to a U2 song. I never heard of this group or the song and I didn’t know anyone who knew this group name U2 or the song.
A few months later you released New Jersey. I listened to it religiously and loved every song on the cassette tape. Born To Be My Baby was my favorite.
In the summer of 1989 you headlined THE MOSCOW MUSIC PEACE FESTIVIL which was aired on MTV. I will never forget you and Richie were sitting on stools, wearing big cowboy hats and with the little boy joy you still passionately show even today, according to my mom, you played the best rendition of Wanted Dead or Alive. It was just you, Richie, and two guitars. It was amazing.
In 1990, I heard that Bon Jovi was breaking up. I didn’t want to believe it. However, when you released your solo sound track to the movie Young Guns II, I had mix feelings. I enjoyed the album but was crushed that it may be the end of Bon Jovi.
In 1992 Bon Jovi released Keep the Faith. I remember vividly, receiving it for Christmas in my stocking. I listened to it but it did not sound the same. I did not really like it. As I look back, I think I just was still too young to appreciate the sad and broken hearted ballads that mostly filled up the album. It just didn’t rock me. I only now appreciate the pain of bed of roses.
In 1994 I was thrilled when These days came out. When I listened to it, it hit me again on the good side. It didn’t come close to New Jersey but I still enjoyed it. It seemed to me to be a little more about the reality of life. It was a depressing album but like I said, it also showed me a bit of how hard life really can be.
1995 Brought a new experience in my life. You released the greatest hits album Cross Roads with a few new songs, most noticeable, always. With this album came a world tour. On July 30th, 1995 I went to my very first concert. My cousin Felicia, my twin Justin my first love, Lisa and I went to Bon Jovi. Unfortunately, I don’t recall much of that concert but the song Blood on Blood stuck out. The rocket sounds at the beginning of the song caught my attention. I also remember Justin telling me there was a big screen on the stage behind the band but I don’t remember if he told me what was on it or if he did, what it was. Unfortunately, my vision was gone by this time.
However, after listening to the songs on Cross Roads, I went back and purchased your first two albums. Just like everyone else, I loved the song Runaway.
The summer of 1997, you had went on a tour and was a part of Kiss 108 FM “Kiss concert 18”. My twin and I went to see you. It was a nice day of music but I could not wait to see you. I was not sure what to expect since it was you and a backup band but it didn’t matter. You still sang some old favorites along with some off the newest CD that came out that year, Destination Anywhere. It had a different sound and eventually it grew on me. Now the song “ugly” and “august 7th 4:15” are some of my favorite songs of yours.
The year 2000 brought new songs with old Bon Jovi rock sounds with the stadium favorite “it’s my life” from the release of Crush. “thank you for loving me” is a nice love ballad. “Just older” spoke to me and is one of my 5 favorite songs of yours of all time. It is how I feel about my bed too.
2001 Brought a new twist to old favorites with the release of one wild night, your first live album. I enjoyed this album because I could sit back and pretend I could see you at a concert playing.
In 2002 I remember voting on your website for the album title which I liked. I do not remember what I voted for but I know it wasn’t Bounce. This album was a bit different but still had inspiring songs with “everyday” and my favorite on the album “Joey”.
2003 Brought new experience to my life as so didn’t the album “this left feels right”. The twist you put to old favorite was interesting and for a couple of songs, it actually sounded better.
The following year, 2004, you released a box set of unreleased songs and different makes of some of my favorites. It was like a bunch of new songs and I enjoyed it a lot.
The time “Have a nice day” came out in 2005, I was thirsting for new Bon Jovi music. Who says you can’t go home, shot to the top of the charts and crossed over to the country chart hitting number one as well. I remember seeing you in concert with a graduate classmate of mine. It was at Gillette Stadium, the home of the New England Patriots. That was a cool experience.
You had followed up your introduction to country with a country album in 2007 called Lost Highway. I was pleasantly surprised how similar it was to your normal music. I enjoyed “everybody’s broken” and “seat next to you”
On Halloween of last year, I got the opportunity to fulfill a dream of mine. I bought tickets to see you open the New Meadowlands stadium in your home state of New Jersey. A little more than a week later I purchased “the circle” album. I absolutely loved this CD. I listened to it constantly. This album rocked, it talked to me and it strung my soul. Superman tonight, has that boy-girl love story while live before you die, my favorite track, has innocent reminiscing lyrics. I could go on about this album but just as the title says, it brings it back to the beginning. It just rocks.
Do you have something with November? Last month you put out a greatest hits CD with 4 new tracks on it. You also are coming back to Boston and of course, I’ll be there. Tickets went on sale in November. I have taken a lot of people to their first Bon Jovi concert but this will be a little special as I am taking my sister in law Lindsay. Her best friend is coming too. She is also a big Bon Jovi fan but has seen you a bunch of times.
I have seen you in so many of your movies and cameos on TV shows over the years. I enjoyed when you did the “today show” as well as the special you and the band did on Bravo.
Some of the other people I have got to see you with and some of the places I have seen you follow:
Cousin Felicia, Justin and Lisa at Greatwoods-Tweeter Center-Comcast Center
My cousin Felicia, sister Amanda and her friend Jane at Greatwoods-Tweeter Center-Comcast Center.
My sister’s friend Jessica at the Fleet Center-TB North Bank Garden-TB Garden with less than jake
My mom at Gellette Stadium with sheryl crow and goo goo dolls
Justin at Kiss Concert 18
My sister amanda and a bunch of her friends at Kiss Concert 2000
College friend at Gillette Stadium with lincon park
Justin at TB North Bank Garden
My X Nikki at “the Town Hall” to benefit Hillary Clinton
Cousin Felicia and her friend Jen and step-niece Melisa at Gellette Stadium with Nickle back
My mom at Mohegon Son Cosino
My cousin Hayley at the new Meadowland Stadium with Tim McGraw
… just to name a few of the 19 times? And then this coming March first, with my sister in law and a friend of hers like I mentioned earlier.
You have made a big influence on me in many ways. You have taught me about the hardship of life which I am fortunately not to have experienced firsthand. Another big thing is some of the lyrics I can identify with in ways I never thought anyone else have experienced.
I have also grown with your lyrics and music as they have matured. The first few albums were more about love and growing experience life as a young person. Now it is more about looking around and seeing what is around us and questioning and pushing others to do what’s right while also looking back at life and reminiscing.
I hope you will continue writing song, making music and touring.
Thank you
Keep rocking
Jonathan
TOP 10 FAVORITE BON JOVI SONGS OF MINE OF ALL TIME IN ORDER
(for this moment)
1. Born to be my baby
2. Live before you die
3. Someday I’ll be Saturday night
4. Just older
5. Blood on blood
6. My guitar lies bleeding in my arms
7. You give love a bad name (live)
8. Bed of roses
9. August 7th 4;15
10. Thank you for loving me
11. Bang a drum
12. The fire inside
13. Love is war
14. It’s my life
15. Living on a prayer
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