Bon Jovi – These Days (1995)
Release Date: June 27, 1995
Label: Mercury / Vertigo
Producer: Peter Collins
Genre: Hard Rock / Adult Contemporary / Rock
Length: 65:29
Tracklist:
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Hey God – 6:36
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Something for the Pain – 5:55
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This Ain’t a Love Song – 5:12
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Lie to Me – 6:38
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Damned – 5:22
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These Days – 6:22
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My Guitar Lies Bleeding in My Arms – 7:04
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(It’s Hard) Letting You Go – 5:03
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Diamond Ring – 4:49
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Shadows – 6:21
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All I Want Is Everything – 6:07
Japanese/International Bonus Tracks:
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“I Could Make a Living Out of Loving You”
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“If I Was Your Mother” (live version)
Overview
These Days is Bon Jovi’s sixth studio album and marked the band’s most mature and introspective work of the 1990s. Following the massive success of Keep the Faith and the Cross Road compilation, the album explores deeper themes of struggle, faith, and personal reflection, moving further from the glam-metal sound of the 1980s.
Produced by Peter Collins, known for his work with Rush and Queensrÿche, the album features layered guitar work, complex arrangements, and longer compositions, exemplified by epic tracks like “Hey God” and “My Guitar Lies Bleeding in My Arms”. It was especially well-received in Europe and Asia, where it topped charts in the UK, Germany, and Japan, while achieving moderate success in the U.S.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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International Success: The album peaked at #1 in the UK, Germany, Japan, and Australia, making it Bon Jovi’s most successful release outside the U.S.
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Singles: Notable singles include “This Ain’t a Love Song,” “Something for the Pain,” and “Lie to Me.”
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Did You Know? “Hey God” tackles social issues, with lyrics addressing homelessness, war, and despair—a rare socially conscious theme for the band.
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Mature Sound: Many songs feature slower tempos, richer instrumentation, and introspective lyrics, showcasing the band’s growth as songwriters.
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Album Artwork: The cover features a monochrome photograph of Jon Bon Jovi against a blurred urban background, reflecting the album’s reflective tone.
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Longest Track: “My Guitar Lies Bleeding in My Arms” clocks in over 7 minutes, highlighting Richie Sambora’s melodic guitar solos.
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Tour Tie-in: Songs from the album were heavily featured in the These Days Tour, which ran across Europe, Asia, and North America.
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Cultural Impact: The album solidified Bon Jovi’s reputation as a band capable of emotional depth beyond stadium anthems.
Album Credits
Bon Jovi:
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Jon Bon Jovi: Lead vocals
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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 (unofficial member)
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Tico Torres: Drums, percussion
Production Team:
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Producer: Peter Collins
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Engineer: Obie O’Brien
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Mixing: Peter Collins & Obie O’Brien
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Mastering: Bob Ludwig
Mini Review
These Days captures Bon Jovi at their most reflective and ambitious, combining epic compositions with thoughtful lyrics. Tracks like “Hey God” and “My Guitar Lies Bleeding in My Arms” demonstrate the band’s willingness to tackle serious topics, while singles like “This Ain’t a Love Song” balance accessibility with maturity. Musically and lyrically sophisticated, the album solidified Bon Jovi’s 1990s relevance and remains a high point in their post-glam-metal evolution.
