‘We Weren’t Born to Follow’ did all right as the lead single from The Circle. However, I think that was more due to it being new Bon Jovi material, and not really on its own merits. I wasn’t enthusiastic about it when it was released, and I still don’t think it’s all that great of a song.
‘Superman Tonight’ for the second single was an immensely better choice–even if I thought that the video was silly in the context of what was obviously a love song. (But then Bon Jovi has always made a lot of music videos that don’t necessarily connect well with the lyrics of the songs.) Superman is one of the best songs on the album and one of the best ballads that they’ve put out in the last ten years, surpassed only by ‘Make a Memory’ from Lost Highway.
At this point, I’d like to see ‘Bullet’ or ‘Brokenpromiseland’ released as the third single. This is partially because I like these songs–I won’t pretend that that doesn’t play a part in why I’d like to see them released as singles. However, I also think that these are the best straight-up rock songs on the album, and real rock songs are pretty scarce in the music scene right now.
‘Bullet’ would be the all-around best choice from what I can see. It would be in keeping with the current social consciousness kick that the band has been on, while still delivering a song that knows how to rock. Under the great hook, the lyrics are a great meditation on violence in our society. Plus, this song shows that it’s possible to produce a song with a conscience without it sounding trite, preachy, or boring.
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I agree wholeheartedly but I think Working Man will be the next single. Or possibly Love’s the Only Rule, as they’re playing it every night.