Bon Jovi's fourth studio album, "New Jersey," released on September 19, 1988, marked a significant moment for the American rock band. Following the immense success of their previous album, "Slippery When Wet," the band was eager to prove their staying power and avoid being labeled a one-hit wonder. This ambition led to an intensive creative process, including initial plans for a double album, which ultimately faced resistance from their record label due
to concerns about pricing and market reception.
The album's creation began shortly after the conclusion of the "Slippery When Wet" tour in October 1987. After a brief three to four-week break, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora immediately delved into writing, producing demos for an initial batch of 17 songs. Despite their prolific output, the band members felt a considerable amount of pressure to replicate their previous success, particularly the feeling of having an "amazing song" like "You Give Love a Bad Name." Jon Bon Jovi openly expressed his desire to achieve this again, not for financial gain, but for the sheer satisfaction of their accomplishments.
Overcoming Creative Pressure and Crafting Hits
The pressure to create another chart-topping hit was palpable. Jon Bon Jovi admitted to a real fear of not being able to write a song as successful as "You Give Love a Bad Name." This anxiety was so strong that when he and Richie Sambora wrote "Love Is War," it ended up with the exact same chord progression as their earlier hit. This self-awareness led them to a second batch of songwriting sessions, where they collaborated with Desmond Child to produce tracks like "Bad Medicine" and "Born to Be My Baby."
"Born to Be My Baby" initially had an acoustic recording, but producer Bruce Fairbairn convinced the band to re-record it with electric instruments, shifting it towards a more metal style. Jon Bon Jovi later speculated that the song might have reached number one on the charts if it had been released in its original acoustic form. The song also echoed themes found in "Livin' on a Prayer," focusing on the struggles of a young working-class couple trying to make ends meet, demonstrating a continued connection to relatable narratives.
Production, Experimentation, and Album Title Evolution
Bruce Fairbairn, who had also produced "Slippery When Wet," returned to produce "New Jersey," marking his final collaboration with Bon Jovi. The recording took place at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. While the album retained the glossy production and anthemic qualities of its predecessor, the band also aimed for greater diversity and experimentation. This included a long, atmospheric intro on "Lay Your Hands on Me," harmonica and organ duels in "Homebound Train," and a flamenco guitar intro for "Wild Is the Wind."
Another interesting element was "Ride Cowboy Ride," a short, mono-recorded track credited to "Captain Kidd and King of Swing" (nicknames for Bon Jovi and Sambora), which served as an introduction to "Stick to Your Guns." The album's title itself underwent an evolution. Initially, the band considered names like "Sixty Eight And I Owe You One" or "Sons Of Beaches," the latter being a favorite that alluded to "Slippery When Wet." However, the vocalist felt that such titles and cover art would parody their previous work and pigeonhole them. They ultimately chose "New Jersey" to better represent the band's identity and evolution, moving away from relying on band photos for the cover, preferring the music to speak for itself.
