Bon Jovi: The Journey Behind the "Slippery When Wet" Album

Bon Jovi has sold over 130 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. In 1986, a vibrant atmosphere filled the walls of Break For The Border, a lively Mexican restaurant situated in Central London. The occasion? A well-deserved celebration for the iconic rock band Bon Jovi, who were being recognized by their label, Mercury Records, for the immense success of their third album, Slippery When Wet. This record had skyrocketed them into the limelight, swiftly transforming them into a household name worldwide. As they basked in this newfound fame following a series of sold-out performances at the Hammersmith Odeon (now known as the Apollo), the restaurant was packed with journalists, fellow musicians, and various influencers from the rock scene who all gathered together to commemorate Bon Jovi’s meteoric rise.

Among the bustling crowd, the unmistakable sounds of “You Give Love A Bad Name” echoed through the speakers, signaling the arrival of the band, shielded by a flurry of label executives and security personnel. Jon Bon Jovi, exuding a contagious enthusiasm, raised his fist triumphantly and jubilantly shouted to the reporters in attendance, “We did it!” His proclamation resonated throughout the establishment, a sentiment that extended beyond just the band and their label. It echoed the dreams of countless supporters who had rooted for Bon Jovi since their inception.

The Environment Leading Up to Slippery When Wet

Early Days and Initial Struggles

Only months prior to this celebration, things were markedly different for the band. I had made a trip to New Jersey, eager to discover the potential of the upcoming Slippery When Wet album, a record that many anticipated to be Bon Jovi’s definitive breakthrough. But the band faced considerable pressure. Following their self-titled debut album in 1984, expectations were high for their second release, 7800° Fahrenheit. Yet, despite the optimism surrounding that album, Bon Jovi didn’t quite reach the level of stardom that many had predicted for them.

Jon Bon Jovi would later reflect, “Everything about that second album was wrong. We each faced challenges in our personal lives which impacted the music we created; it was not a pleasant process. I think we also chose the wrong producer. Lance Quinn just wasn’t the right match for us, and this contributed to the negative vibe surrounding the record. None of us wanted to endure that mental state any longer. We’ve moved beyond that and are ready to make something incredible.”

A Band at a Crossroads

The emotional toll of the previous album weighed heavily on the band members. As they gathered in a small rented apartment along the New Jersey coastline, one could sense a mix of anxiety and resolve. Jon fidgeted as he spoke, while guitarist Richie Sambora paced nervously. Bassist Alec John Such almost blended into the wall, and drummer Tico Torres absentmindedly drummed his fingers, while keyboardist David Bryan casually read the sports pages. This marked their first interview since finishing the new album, creating a palpable sense of tension.

Jon candidly announced, “We can’t share any tracks just yet. The record isn’t completely polished, and we’re eager for you to hear the final mix rather than a work-in-progress.” Beneath Jon’s optimistic exterior lay a man crossing his fingers, hoping that this album would finally deliver the breakthrough that had eluded them in the past.

Facing Doubts and Expectations

Questions loomed large. Was it true that Bon Jovi was on the verge of being dropped by their label before the release of Slippery When Wet? Why were they collaborating with outside songwriter Desmond Child? Were there thoughts of replacing their rhythm section? In search of clarity, Jon and I left the band behind and found a quiet spot on the beach where we could dive deeper into these pressing questions.

Addressing the label situation, Jon appeared puzzled by the rumors. “Not to my knowledge! Our managers, Doc McGhee and Doug Thaler, handle all those business aspects. We’ve received nothing but support from Polygram concerning this record. They’re eager to push it hard. Of course, there’s pressure to deliver, but the label wants to see us succeed.”

As we sat on the rocky beach, Jon continued, “What we’re trying to achieve is to balance the commercial need for sales with maintaining our artistic integrity. That’s just part of signing with a major label. It’s a learning curve; I remember when we did our first video for ‘Runaway,’ and one of the label executives mentioned how it was ‘recoupable.’ I had no idea what that meant at the time!”

Jon’s laughter was genuine, and it highlighted his unwavering belief in himself and his aspirations to be respected as a musician rather than just a rock star. “People often see me as this lucky pretty boy, but I’ve worked hard for everything I have. I’ve even swept floors at studios. My idols have always been the likes of Southside Johnny and Bruce Springsteen—these guys tell real stories, and I want my music to reflect that authenticity.”

Collaborating with Desmond Child

The Decision to Work with an Outside Writer

This dedication to storytelling led them to enlist Desmond Child, an outside songwriter, a route often associated with pop-centric artists rather than rock bands. Jon addressed this decision with enthusiasm, saying, “It was somewhat our choice, inspired by hearing what Bryan Adams and Tina Turner accomplished together. Our A&R guy, Derek Shulman, suggested Desmond’s name, and after considering it, we felt optimistic about collaborating with him.”

Jon acknowledged, “We’re evolving as songwriters, and I see nothing wrong with collaborating with someone who can elevate our work. He wasn’t here to change our essence; he merely wanted to help us refine our sound. He contributed to three tracks: ‘Livin’ On A Prayer,’ ‘You Give Love A Bad Name,’ and ‘Without Love.’ Each time, he helped us extract even more from our initial concepts. Think of how George Martin guided Lennon and McCartney, or how Andrew Oldham supported Jagger and Richards. Even the best artists benefit from working with seasoned professionals.”

Troubling Times in the Band’s Early Days

Despite their eventual success, the path leading to Slippery When Wet was anything but glamorous. Rather than luxuriating in high-end recording studios or indulging in extravagant lifestyles, Jon and Richie started the songwriting process in a basement at Richie’s mother’s home. “At that time, we were hardly rolling in cash,” Jon recalled. “I’d show up with pizza, banging on the door to wake him up around 1 PM, and we’d write until six when his parents came home. We were fiercely focused and knew that this time around, we needed a producer who could really capture our live energy and bring our stories to life.”

Conceiving Ideas Through Experience

The conceptual inspiration for “Wanted Dead Or Alive” derived from the exhausting tour that followed their previous album release. “I was on the bus, struggling to sleep, contemplating the strange yet exhilarating life we led on the road. It was a peculiar existence; long nights nestled in truck stops, showering at gigs—it was all quite surreal.” Influenced by songs like Bob Seger’s “Turn The Page,” Jon and Richie collaboratively expressed the concept of living a rock star lifestyle in their music.

Conversely, “Livin’ On A Prayer” dives deep into the working-class ethos that characterized Jon’s upbringing. He proudly shares, “I hold a strong connection to that song. It’s centered on relatable struggles between love and ambition as these two characters—Tommy and Gina—navigate their lives together. They embody resilience in tough times, representing what countless fans deal with, rather than the typical indulgence associated with rock star fantasies.”

The Power and Impact of “You Give Love A Bad Name”

The Magic of Collaboration

Another significant commercial element contributing to the Slippery When Wet album’s success was “You Give Love A Bad Name,” crafted in part during the band’s collaboration with Child. Jon reflected, “Desmond came to the basement, and we penned a song called ‘Edge Of A Broken Heart.’ While that track didn’t make it onto the album, the second song we worked on together, ‘You Give Love A Bad Name,’ had a much different fate. We demoed it and were pleasantly surprised, but never expected it to be a hit.”

Had they always envisioned it as a chart-topper? Jon chuckled, “We were going to go with ‘Shot Through The Heart’ as the title in line with the opening lyric, but had the sense to pull back on that idea. The last thing we wanted was to confuse listeners with our previous tracks.”

One speculation surrounding the song’s inspiration points to Jon’s short-lived relationship with actress Diane Lane. However, he maintained an air of mystery, deflecting when asked directly. “Is it about Diane? Maybe,” he teased.

Feeling Connected to Their Roots

The approach Bon Jovi took while developing Slippery When Wet reflected their commitment to understanding the pulse of their audience.

“We consider ourselves a grassroots band,” Jon explained. After writing the album, they made a cassette of the tracks and visited a local pizza joint, gathering feedback from enthusiastic fans. “Their excitement was infectious. Feedback from these fans ultimately determines whether or not we hit the jackpot with this album.”

As we sat on the beach, the waves crashing nearby amplified Jon’s growing passion. “Some people might think we should focus more on looks, but that’s far from reality. It took us ages to nail down our lineup; we’ve persevered through a lot together, and we’re not about to shift members at this stage. Everyone is here for a reason—we’re a family.”

The Unfolding Path to Success

Navigating Label Pressures

With hindsight, it’s compelling to consider the dynamics weighing on Bon Jovi leading up to the release of Slippery When Wet. There were undoubtedly discussions concerning the band’s future within the label. Derek Shulman, who had initially signed Bon Jovi, reflected, “I never doubted Jovi’s potential. However, you can bet we approached them skeptically before investing significantly. We had to meet the right conditions, and once we saw that, we were confident that this would become a successful record.”

Feeling optimistic, Jon asserted, “You’ll see why I believe in our potential after listening to these tracks. Everything just feels right. Our debut helped us learn; 7800° Fahrenheit honed us—and now, we’re finally coming together. Bruce Fairbairn deserves huge credit for everything this time around.”

The Right Producer

Having previously worked with Tony Bongiovi and Lance Quinn, Jon described Fairbairn as the perfect match for them: “We all moved into a two-bedroom apartment in Vancouver for pre-production, and it clicked with Bruce. He had an almost obsessive attention to detail, yet believed in us completely. We found that our recording sessions moved swiftly with him.”

Reflecting on the Slippery When Wet sessions, Fairbairn expressed his pride in the album. “I’ve had the privilege of working with so many talented artists, but Bon Jovi truly stands out. The pressure to produce commercial hits didn’t overshadow their authenticity or talent.”

The Essence of Slippery When Wet

Diving deeper into the album’s divergence from the mainstream production style, Jon remarked, “We’ve included surprises in this collection. A track called ‘Love Is A Social Disease’ was sought by Aerosmith, but we kept it because it’s perfect for us!”

Interestingly enough, the original title for the album had been “Wanted Dead Or Alive,” a name the band scrapped just before launch. Ultimately, Slippery When Wet netted significant commercial success, attaining number one on the Billboard charts and hitting number six in the UK. The release was propelled by the first single, “You Give Love A Bad Name,” which put Bon Jovi squarely in the spotlight.

Here is the list of songs on Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet album in the order they appear:

“Let It Rock”
“You Give Love a Bad Name”
“Livin’ on a Prayer”
“Social Disease”
“Wanted Dead or Alive”
“Raise Your Hands”
“Living in Sin”
“You Can’t Go Home”
“I’ll Be There for You”
“Without Love”
“Wild in the Streets”

Please note that the album was originally released on August 7, 1986. It has since become one of Bon Jovi’s most iconic albums.

Fame and Its Consequences

Living Under a Microscope

Following the album’s success, Jon noted, “I’m beginning to comprehend why success can be a double-edged sword. The lack of privacy is staggering. I can finally grasp Robert Plant’s perspective on fame—after spending so long trying to get noticed, once you achieve it, you realize that it might be the last thing you desire.”

Subsequently, Jon opened up about the pressures the band encountered during the recording process. “While I didn’t mention this last year, the truth is that we felt an immense weight to deliver a perfect third album. Everyone around us emphasized that if this project didn’t succeed, we wouldn’t have viable careers anymore. But we knew we were doing things right—we had gradually built a sturdy foundation over time, especially in the UK where our loyal fanbase has always been by our side.”

The Lasting Legacy of Slippery When Wet

Looking Back and Moving Forward

Fast forward 20 years, and Slippery When Wet stands as a defining work, having sold over 13 million copies worldwide. It has become a yardstick by which all subsequent Bon Jovi albums are measured. The record marked a significant turning point, allowing America to grasp the influences expounded by Def Leppard in 1983 with Pyromania. However, Slippery When Wet took those principles and amplified them—garnering attention not only from hard rock aficionados but also from mainstream radio listeners and pop enthusiasts alike.

Reflecting on the album’s enduring appeal, Jon stated, “I view it as a pivotal piece in our careers. For me, it represents an important phase in our ongoing narrative. I aspire to have a career as lasting as Frank Sinatra’s—his ability to remain relevant is truly inspiring. Slippery When Wet was a stepping stone, but a significant one.”

Music That Withstands Time

“I rarely listen to our older works,” he confessed. “Yet, the other night, I heard ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’ on the radio and thought, ‘It’s still on the air after all these years!’ It took me back to a simpler time, and I couldn’t help but smile when reliving that experience. It still stands strong.”

Conclusion

Slippery When Wet is more than an album; it’s a cultural phenomenon that encapsulates an era in rock music while showcasing the real struggles, stories, and resilience of a band that fought its way to the top. It’s a testament not just to Bon Jovi’s talent, but to their unyielding commitment to authenticity and the heart behind the music. As listeners continue to enjoy its timeless tracks, the legacy of this landmark album will undoubtedly endure for generations to come.