For My Sunday Song #358, we are going to dive in to the title track of Aldo Nova’s 1991 comeback album ‘Blood on the Bricks’. The song kicks off the album and was the first single. It is also a collaboration between Aldo Nova and his long time friend Jon Bon Jovi. After Aldo helped Jon with his debut solo, Jon returned the favor and helped on this one. The song and the album were released on Jon’s own label Jambco Records which was part of Mercury Records.

The song is a dark view on inner city life. It is a sad commentary on the amount of crime in the big cities, the increase in gang violence, how unsafe life is there and a very unfavorable opinion of how the police handle it all. What is awful about this commentary is that 30 years later, it really isn’t any better and might be worse now. This song is really just as relevant today as it was back in 1991.

The drum barrage to kick it off gets the blood flowing. Then the guitars and bass coming roaring in and Aldo comes in with the vocals and there is a heck of a lot more energy as this song is a pure on rocker with heavy guitar, blistering riffs and a solo that will knock on your ass. The vocal deliver is a cross between Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer” and Kiss’ “Hide Your Heart” as it is telling a story of a hard, rough life. Aldo does sound great, but it is the guitar’s that are the star here as Aldo rips and shreds all over the place with this one. The second star is Kenny Aronoff’s drumming as it is spectacular and the driving force to the song. A stellar comeback track for Aldo Nova!!

Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. Can you hear Bon Jovi in this song? Is it good because of Jon’s influence or is it good because it is Aldo doing what Aldo does best and that is rock out.

“Blood On The Bricks”

The word is out; there’s gonna be a gang fight
Everybody knows that someone’s goin’ down
The night is hot; the moon is like a spotlight
So many screams; I swear I never heard a sound
Not a sound

You hear the sirens sing all night long
To live in the jungle, boy, you gotta be strong

Sometimes you gotta fight
(Get ready!)
There’s the cut of the knife
(Get ready!)
So roll the dice on your life
(I’m ready!)
And pray the night don’t bite you

See the switchblade dance, a brother go down
(Blood on the bricks, blood on the bricks)
There’s a new breed comin’, gonna rock this town
(Blood on the bricks, blood on the bricks)
You better run for your life
(Get ready!)
‘Cause if you’re standin’ up, we’ll fight you

Well it’s a war zone, baby, and I need a friend
Even the rats are out of town by ten
You better keep your ass behind locked doors
While the cops treat all this like a civil war

So here they come to fight
(Get ready!)
You better watch your back tonight
(Get ready!)
I got them in my sights
(I’m ready!)
Rumble!!!

Well you’re all invited to a switchblade dance
(Blood on the bricks, blood on the bricks)
You’re quick on your feet; it might be your last chance
(Blood on the bricks, blood on the bricks)
And if I hit you once, you’re gonna kiss the ground
(Blood on the bricks, blood on the bricks)
‘Cause there’s a new kid comin’, gonna take this crown
(Blood on the bricks, blood on the bricks)
You better run for your life
(Get ready!)
‘Cause if you’re standin’ up, we’ll fight you

Can you hear the sound… of an ambulance going downtown?
Nobody’s safe tonight!

I see the names there written all along the wall in
(Blood on the bricks, blood on the bricks)
Don’t have to buy the paper, you can read it all in
(Blood on the bricks, blood on the bricks)
You know that just last night, I lost another friend
(Blood on the bricks, blood on the bricks)
One of these nights, it’s gonna have to end
(Blood on the bricks, blood on the bricks)
But ’till then…

(Get ready!)
(Are you ready?)
(I’m ready!)

Rumble!!

Written by Jon Bon Jovi and Aldo Nova