Bon Jovi – Have a Nice Day (2005)
Release Date: September 20, 2005
Label: Island / Mercury
Producer: Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, John Shanks
Genre: Hard Rock / Pop Rock
Length: 48:49
Overview
Have a Nice Day is Bon Jovi’s tenth studio album, marking a return to the band’s classic hard rock sound while incorporating contemporary production. The album features anthemic choruses, stadium-ready hooks, and socially aware lyrics, reflecting both personal and political themes. The title track, “Have a Nice Day,” became an instant hit, recognized for its defiant lyrics and bold, up-front rock energy.
Produced by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and John Shanks, the album blends arena rock swagger with radio-friendly pop rock, creating a record that resonates with longtime fans and a new generation of listeners.
Tracklist
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Have a Nice Day – 3:48
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I Want to Be Loved – 3:52
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Welcome to Wherever You Are – 4:33
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Who Says You Can’t Go Home – 3:27
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Right Side of Wrong – 4:03
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Wildflower – 4:17
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Last Man Standing – 4:44
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Story of My Life – 3:57
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Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore – 4:24
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I’m Yours – 3:28
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Ugly – 3:29
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Ordinary People – 4:45
Bonus Tracks / Special Editions:
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“Love for Sale” (Japan Edition)
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“I Get a Rush” (Deluxe Edition)
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Chart-Topping Single: “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” became a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart when recorded as a duet with Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland — making Bon Jovi the first rock band to top that chart.
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Social Commentary: “Last Man Standing” was inspired by Jon Bon Jovi’s reaction to corporate downsizing and the decline of American manufacturing, delivering a message of resilience.
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Did You Know? The album was recorded in Los Angeles and New Jersey, combining West Coast production polish with East Coast rock grit.
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Commercial Success: Have a Nice Day debuted at #1 on the UK Albums Chart and #2 on the US Billboard 200, selling over 4 million copies worldwide.
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Tour Tie-in: The Have a Nice Day Tour (2005–2006) saw Bon Jovi performing in arenas and stadiums globally, with the title track as the main anthem of the set.
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Music Videos: The video for “Have a Nice Day” features a bold, rebellious theme with a signature red smiley face motif, which became a visual symbol for the album era.
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Signature Sound: Tracks like “Welcome to Wherever You Are” and “Story of My Life” showcase the band’s balance of introspection and high-energy rock.
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Critical Reception: Praised for returning to the arena rock roots while maintaining modern production values, the album is often seen as one of the band’s strongest post-2000 efforts.
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: Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, John Shanks
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Engineers: Obie O’Brien, John Shanks
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Mixing: Bob Clearmountain
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Mastering: Bob Ludwig
Mini Review
Have a Nice Day marks Bon Jovi’s confident return to arena-ready rock, combining energetic riffs, soaring choruses, and socially conscious lyrics. The title track delivers defiance and attitude, while songs like “Last Man Standing” and “Story of My Life” showcase introspection and melodic sophistication. With polished production and strong hooks, the album balances commercial appeal with rock authenticity, reaffirming Bon Jovi’s enduring relevance in the mid-2000s music scene.