Bon Jovi – This House Is Not for Sale (2016)
Release Date: November 4, 2016
Label: Island / Mercury
Type: Studio Album
Genre: Rock / Arena Rock / Pop Rock
Length: 51:27
Producers: John Shanks, Jon Bon Jovi
Overview
This House Is Not for Sale is Bon Jovi’s fourteenth studio album, marking a new era for the band after Richie Sambora’s departure in 2013. With a mix of anthemic rockers and reflective ballads, the album emphasizes resilience, loyalty, and standing firm in one’s convictions, both personally and professionally.
The title track, “This House Is Not for Sale,” serves as a statement of integrity and perseverance, reflecting the band’s journey through lineup changes, label challenges, and decades in the music industry. The album blends classic Bon Jovi arena rock with modern production, proving the band’s continued relevance.
Tracklist
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This House Is Not for Sale – 5:23
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Knockout – 3:50
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Labor of Love – 3:52
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Born Again Tomorrow – 3:45
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Roller Coaster – 4:03
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New Year’s Day – 4:04
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September – 3:48
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God Bless This Mess – 4:02
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Reunion – 4:15
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The Devil’s in the Temple – 3:52
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Scars on This Guitar – 4:29
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Come On Up to Our House – 3:44
Special Editions / Bonus Tracks:
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“Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning” (Deluxe Edition)
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“I Love This Town” (International Bonus Track)
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Richie Sambora’s Departure: This was Bon Jovi’s first studio album without Sambora as a full-time member, though his influence is still evident in the songwriting.
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Lead Single: “This House Is Not for Sale” became a stadium anthem for fans, symbolizing loyalty, resilience, and the band’s integrity.
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Chart Success: The album debuted at #1 on the US Billboard 200, making it the band’s third consecutive US #1 studio album.
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Tour Tie-in: The This House Is Not for Sale Tour (2017–2018) featured both new material and classic hits, reintroducing the band’s live energy to fans worldwide.
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Songwriting: Jon Bon Jovi and John Shanks co-wrote the majority of the tracks, maintaining signature melody-driven rock hooks.
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Themes: Tracks like “Scars on This Guitar” and “Reunion” explore reflection, perseverance, and rebuilding, mirroring the band’s personal and professional transitions.
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Modern Rock Production: The album blends arena-ready riffs, layered vocals, and polished production, bridging Bon Jovi’s classic sound with contemporary rock trends.
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Album Cover: The imagery of a house with a keyhole door symbolizes strength, permanence, and protection of what truly matters.
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Promotional Campaign: The band released a behind-the-scenes video series showing the recording process and the album’s thematic meaning.
Album Credits
Bon Jovi:
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Jon Bon Jovi: Lead vocals, acoustic guitar
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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
Additional Musicians:
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John Shanks – Guitar, backing vocals, production
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Everett Bradley – Percussion, backing vocals
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Other session musicians contributed additional guitars, keyboards, and backing vocals.
Production Team:
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Producers: John Shanks, Jon Bon Jovi
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Engineers: Obie O’Brien, John Shanks
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Mixing: John Shanks, Serban Ghenea
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Mastering: Ted Jensen
Mini Review
This House Is Not for Sale demonstrates Bon Jovi’s resilience and reinvention in the post-Sambora era. The title track and “Roller Coaster” deliver anthemic, arena-ready energy, while songs like “Scars on This Guitar” and “God Bless This Mess” provide introspection and emotional depth. With strong songwriting, polished production, and themes of loyalty and perseverance, the album balances classic Bon Jovi rock with a modern sensibility, reaffirming the band’s enduring relevance.
