Bon Jovi – Crush (2000)
Release Date: June 13, 2000
Label: Mercury / Island
Producer: Luke Ebbin, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora
Genre: Hard Rock / Pop Rock
Length: 56:39
Tracklist:
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Say It Isn’t So – 3:33
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It’s My Life – 3:44
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Thank You for Loving Me – 5:09
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Two Story Town – 4:28
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Just Older – 4:29
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Next 100 Years – 4:56
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Mystery Train – 4:35
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Save the World – 5:02
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Captain Crash & the Beauty Queen from Mars – 4:27
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She’s a Mystery – 4:12
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One Wild Night – 4:32
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Bounce – 4:32
Special Editions / Bonus Tracks:
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“I Could Make a Living Out of Loving You” (live version)
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“I’ll Be There for You” (live version)
Overview
Crush marked Bon Jovi’s return to the global stage after a seven-year gap since These Days, during which Jon Bon Jovi pursued solo projects and the band members explored side ventures. The album successfully modernized their sound for the new millennium, blending hard rock, pop rock, and contemporary production, while maintaining the anthemic qualities that defined their stadium-rock identity.
The album’s biggest hit, “It’s My Life,” became an anthem for a new generation of Bon Jovi fans and introduced the band to younger audiences worldwide. Produced by Luke Ebbin, along with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Crush is a tight, radio-friendly collection of both high-energy rockers and heartfelt ballads.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Comeback Album: Crush was Bon Jovi’s first studio album in seven years, ending a brief hiatus from recording.
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Massive Hit: “It’s My Life” reached #1 in 18 countries and remains one of the band’s signature songs.
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Collaboration: The album’s modern production was guided by Luke Ebbin, who helped update Bon Jovi’s sound for the 2000s.
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Did You Know? The song “It’s My Life” features a spoken-word intro inspired by Frank Sinatra’s storytelling style.
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Chart Success: The album debuted at #9 on the Billboard 200, and hit #1 in the UK, Australia, and Germany.
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Fan Favorite: “Thank You for Loving Me” became a popular wedding ballad and is still widely used in ceremonies.
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Music Videos: The video for “It’s My Life” features young actors in a quest to attend a Bon Jovi concert, reinforcing the song’s theme of living boldly.
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Tour Tie-in: The Crush Tour (2000–2001) supported the album with stadium shows worldwide, solidifying the band’s enduring popularity.
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Songwriting: Richie Sambora co-wrote most tracks, bringing signature guitar riffs and melodic hooks to the album.
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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Hugh McDonald: Bass guitar, backing vocals
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Tico Torres: Drums, percussion
Production Team:
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Producers: Luke Ebbin, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora
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Engineers: Obie O’Brien, Luke Ebbin
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Mixing: Bob Clearmountain
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Mastering: George Marino
Mini Review (66 words)
Crush represents Bon Jovi’s successful reinvention for the 2000s, combining contemporary rock production with their signature anthemic sound. “It’s My Life” became a generational anthem, while ballads like “Thank You for Loving Me” showcase the band’s enduring ability to craft heartfelt songs. With tight production, memorable hooks, and stadium-ready choruses, Crush reestablished Bon Jovi as a global force, appealing both to longtime fans and a new, younger audience.