Bon Jovi – Burning Bridges (2015)
Release Date: August 21, 2015
Label: Mercury / Island Records
Type: Studio / Compilation (Transitional Album)
Genre: Rock / Arena Rock
Length: 43:41
Producers: John Shanks, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora
Overview
Burning Bridges is a transitional album by Bon Jovi, intended as a farewell to Mercury Records after decades of collaboration. Unlike a conventional studio release, it features previously unreleased tracks, B-sides, and a few new songs, providing fans with material that spans the band’s post-2000 era.
The album’s lead single, “We Don’t Run,” is a defiant anthem of resilience, reflecting both personal and professional challenges faced by the band. With melodic choruses, rock riffs, and socially conscious lyrics, Burning Bridges acts as a bridge between the Bon Jovi of the past and the band moving forward.
Tracklist
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We Don’t Run – 3:58
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Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning – 4:18
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Blind Love – 4:06
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Room at the End of the World – 3:42
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A Teardrop to the Sea – 4:17
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Amen – 3:48
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I Love This Town – 4:08
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I’m Your Man – 3:45
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Save the World – 3:55
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I Can’t Accept – 4:30
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Standing – 3:14
Bonus Tracks / Special Editions:
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“Who Says You Can’t Go Home” (Live Version – Deluxe Edition)
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Label Farewell: The album was released to fulfill Bon Jovi’s contract with Mercury Records, symbolically “burning bridges” as the band prepared for a new phase.
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Lead Single: “We Don’t Run” is widely interpreted as a declaration of independence from industry pressures and internal changes.
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Richie Sambora: This was the final Bon Jovi album featuring Sambora before his extended hiatus from touring, though his participation was limited.
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Compilation Nature: Many tracks were unreleased demos or B-sides, giving fans access to material not previously available.
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Tour Tie-in: Songs like “We Don’t Run” were performed during the 2015 Bon Jovi tour, blending new material with classic hits.
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Songwriting Collaboration: The album features contributions from Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and John Shanks, maintaining the band’s signature sound.
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Fan Focused: Marketed as a “fan album,” it provided longtime supporters with exclusive content spanning Bon Jovi’s post-2000 work.
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Chart Performance: Debuted at #13 on the Billboard 200, reflecting continued fan loyalty despite its non-traditional nature.
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Thematic Content: Many songs explore themes of defiance, perseverance, and closure, fitting the album’s transitional role in the band’s career.
Album Credits
Bon Jovi:
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Jon Bon Jovi: Lead vocals, acoustic guitar
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Richie Sambora: Guitar, backing vocals, talk box
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David Bryan: Keyboards, backing vocals
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Tico Torres: Drums, percussion
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Hugh McDonald: Bass guitar, backing vocals
Production Team:
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Producers: John Shanks, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora
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Engineers: John Shanks, Obie O’Brien
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Mixing: Bob Clearmountain
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Mastering: Ted Jensen
Mini Review
Burning Bridges is a raw and reflective transitional album, blending unreleased tracks and new material with Bon Jovi’s signature arena-rock energy. The standout “We Don’t Run” delivers defiance and resilience, while songs like “I Love This Town” and “Amen” offer introspection. Though not a full studio effort, it serves as a symbolic farewell to an era, providing fans with a glimpse into the band’s evolution and future direction.
