This is the other half of my posts in response to Jon’s announcement that they’d be playing more rarities and album tracks during the tour for The Circle. (The first part listed five songs that they could cut to make room in the set list.) Now I’m going to list out the five songs that I think Bon Jovi should play during the tour.
- Dry County
I know. I’m grabbing for the low-hanging fruit here. Every real Bon Jovi fan wants this included in the band’s live performances. Why? Because it is really the best song that the band has ever created. It’s soaring, sweeping, epic and emotional. This song is really Bon Jovi at their best. No other band could have created Dry County. Plus, this song captures the themes of the current state of the economy and the middle class more than anything they wrote for The Circle. - Living In Sin
This song has been included in concerts far more often than Dry County and many other songs in the Bon Jovi catalog, and it was released as a single, so it’s not technically an album track or a rarity. However, it isn’t as well known as many of the other songs from New Jersey, and it is a personal favorite of mine–for a long time my favorite Bon Jovi song–and I have never heard it performed live. - Dirty Little Secret
One of the best balls-to-the-wall rock songs that Bon Jovi has written in the last ten years, and it’s a shame that it was never released in the US. (This should have been the lead single for Have A Nice Day.) Plus, this is true straight-up riff rock, and would be awesome live. - Rosie
If they’re going to let Richie sing lead on a song, why not have it be one of his own? I know this isn’t the most likely of scenarios (even if they did let Richie sing one of his own songs it would most likely be one of his singles) but Rosie is one of my favorites, and I would absolutely love to hear Richie sing this live. - I Believe
This was a great first track for Keep The Faith, and it would make an equally great live performance. The scream at the beginning can be easily eliminated without affecting the rest of the song, so that shouldn’t stop the band from performing it. This is Bon Jovi at their hope-filled, straight-up rock and roll best.
Honorable Mentions:
I didn’t list ‘Blood Money’ or ‘These Days’, because I have been lucky enough to hear both performed live during the Lost Highway tour, even though both were absolutely awesome and I would not object to their continued inclusion. Some of my other favorites, like ‘My Guitar Lies Bleeding in My Arms’ are too dark for good concert songs, or they are too obscure, like ‘Temptation’.
Related posts:
- Five Songs I’d Like to Hear Live in 2011
- More Tour Dates, with an Improved Opening Act
- Full Album Concerts during The Circle Tour?
- ‘Let Me Hear You Scream’ Video Review
- Bon Jovi Tour Announcement
Tags: Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, The Circle Tour
absolutely dirty little secret and dry county!! those two have been stuck in my head all day too!! i would love to see richie do harlem rain.. he can sing anything, his voice is amazing!!!
1. DAMNED. I know its a tough song for Jon to sing but this is, by far, my favorite song performed live.
2. Lay Your Hands on Me – I don’t know why they ever removed it from the set list but it has been ages since they performed it. I would love to see it again.
3. AGRRED! Dirty Little Secret for every reason you listed. Love this song!
4. Did I mentioned Damned?
5. Agree with I Believe
I love the first 2 you mentioned but have been lucky enough to see them both performed live a couple of times, most recently in July 2008 at MSG. Love Dry County but would trade it for Damned in a heart beat.
And if solo cuts are up for consideration, how about Every Word Is A Piece of My Heart? Bang a Drum? Destination Anywhere? Billy Get Your Guns?
There are just too many gems to choose from.
Peace, love and Bon Jovi!!
how about something to believe in?! that would be incredible. i agree with i believe, and fortunately living in sin and dry county are on the new dvd which is a bonus. however, i was fortunate enough to see dry county on the HAND tour, which was extra extra special!
[...] it might make it onto the set list for the next tour. I forgot about it when I did the post on the five rarities I’d like to see included in the set list for the Circle Tour, but it’d fit in with Jon’s limitations and it’s a great [...]