Bon Jovi had two moderately successful albums under their belt. However, they weren’t happy with the fact they weren’t superstars yet. So, changes had to be made. Not in the band line-up as it was still Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Tico Torres, David Bryan and Alec John Such. Nope. They needed to change their approach. One of the first things they chose to do was bring someone in to help with the songs. That person was Desmond Child. Desmond didn’t try to change who the band was with the songs, but he helped refine them, make them better. Jon and Richie wrote well together, but with Desmond’s help, the songs became stories that connected with people, but first they had to record them.

To do that, they changed even more stuff. Jon was listening to Black & Blue’s album ‘Without Love’ and he loved the production of it. So, he reached out to Bruce Fairbairn and he was hired as producer..with some other cat named Bob Rock as the engineer. The band moved to Little Mountain Studios in Vancouver, Canada and the record was started. The album was finished and released on August 18, 1986 and would become a 12,000,000 selling album making it Diamond. It would spark 4 Top 40 singles of which 2 went to #1 and would see the band tour massively. They would start out the tour as an opening act, but by the end they were the headliners. The band got what they wanted and they were now Superstars!

But before we get to the music, let’s talk about the album name and cover. It was inspired by a trip to The No. 5 Orange strip club in Vancouver. The boys saw this stripper who stripped all the way down to nothing, stepped in to a shower and lathered herself all up. That was motivation for the boys to finish the album and inspired the Slippery When Wet name. One of the original names was ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’ and had the boys dressed as cowboys, but that was scrapped. They did use that cover for the single though.

The original cover of the album was very controversial. The band wanted a woman, all soaked and wet in a T-Shirt that said Slippery When Wet. When the label saw it, they slammed on the breaks. They felt the U.S. market stores would not allow it so it was changed to just a wet black plastic bag with the album name drawn on it. That original cover did get released in Japan and it was used on the 12″ Single to the first single “You Give Love a Bad Name” which I have below, autogrpahed by Jon. I think I like this cover better than the actual cover used. I’m just sayin’.

The album opens with the epic “Let It Rock”. David Bryan’s keys mixed with a drawn out Sambora guitar note give us an eerie opening that builds in intensity, a killer key riff than BAM! a bunch of “Woah Woah’s” and the song kicks in to full gear. This bombastic opener screams anthemic arena rock and hair metal at its best. Jon’s voice draws you in and takes command of the song and gets your ready for a new and improved Bon Jovi.

The first single from the album is up next with “You Give Love a Bad Name”. The song was originally written for Bonnie Tyler and called “If You Were a Woman (and I Was a Man)”, but the song did nothing so Desmond Child re-wrote it for Bon Jovi and the rest is history. The song went to #1 and the beginning of the rise to super stardom had begun. The song checks all the boxes, big chorus, epic guitar solo, killer bass line, pounding drum fills and pure intensity. The song will have you singing along instantly as the song feels familiar and exciting. You can’t get it out of your head.

Then sit back and hold on for one of the band’s biggest songs every. It opens with a wicked bass line, finger cymbals and a talk-box. But that wasn’t all that was great about it, it is the story of Tommy & Gina in “Livin’ on a Prayer” that makes this such a great song. Jon has a way of making the songs human and easy to connect with. The everyday person with problems just like you so the songs feel personal.  The song is loosely based on Desmond and his girl-friend as she worked in a Diner, but he was a taxi driver and not working at the docks.  It was that Blue Collar feel to the song that made it resonate with so many people.  It was a time when Bon Jovi actually wrote songs that told a story that connected with people and not try to write just to make a hit. The funny thing about this one is that Jon didn’t like it, but Richie was able to convince Jon that this was a hit and it should be on the album. Thankfully for the band, it was as it went to #1 as well. Hugh McDonald who is currently the bass player for Bon Jovi in 2023, was the bass player on this song back in 1986.

Then we get to the first misstep on the album, “Social Disease” with the orgasmic woman stops after about 5 seconds and says “Wait, that’s it??”. A song filled with humor, but for me always felt too contrived and sleazy for my taste.

Instead, I like to get to the next song, “Wanted Dead or Alive” which was inspired by old western movies and Jon thought the lifestyle of a band was similar to that of the outlaws in those movies.  Instead of horses, the band takes the tour bus (which is sort of a large steel horse) from town to town and raping and pillaging in each town…okay not really, but they were getting all the chicks and making tons of money performing, just not stealing it. That whole cowboy vibe is felt in the music using acoustic guitars as well as electric.  There was a western sound with a hard rock edge and when they do play this as full acoustic, it is drenched in that sitting around the campfire feel telling stories of the road (or old west).  Richie Sambora’s guitar playing on this song spectacular and his background vocals mixed with Jon’s vocals takes this song to the next level.  And Richie’s solo is one of the most memorable he has done and how well it fits in with vibe of the song is magical.  Musically, according to Jon Bon Jovi, the song is inspired by Bob Seger’s song “Turn the Page” and if you listen to the song you hear that the slow driving tempo and groove and seriousness of the song and you can see why it was so inspiring.

“Raise Your Hands” is another anthemic arena rock song. It feels like it was meant to be played live as it already feels that way. It is loud, spectacular and exciting. There is an electric energy so the song and one that will get you moving. It rocks out in every way with a huge chorus, crowd cheers and a blistering solo. Get on your feet and raise your hands!!

Then we slow things down with “Without Love” which gives us another ballad. Not as exciting as anything prior, but it shows even the deep cuts aren’t half bad. The song is catchy, although a little repetitive at times, yet still will have you swinging a light in the air.

Then the energy is ramped back up with “I’d Die For You”. David’s keyboard riff is killer and exciting. Jon attacks the lyrics and vocally is fully committed. Richie lays down a nice solo with Tico pounding away at the skins. This is one of the hidden gems on the album. Not a single, but easily could’ve been one. When you love someone so much, you’d do anything for them and this song celebrates that feeling in a big way.

There is one thing Bon Jovi does well and that is ballads and with “Never Say Goodbye”, they nail it again. The final single from the album sees the band mix a little country, a little blues and rock together to give us another heart wrenching ballad. The bass line is powerful and has a nice groove, the guitar wails as if filled with tears and the drums sounds sad and lonely. Jon gives it all the feels with his powerful vocals. A job well done by all.

The album closes out as huge as it opened with “Wild in the Streets”. The energy level is ramped up to 11 and that simple beat and groove feels like old time rock & roll especially when Richie drops that solo. David’s keyboards accentuate Tico’s drums and Alec’s bass. Jon screams out the lyrics with a passion and vigor that only grows louder in the chorus. A good time had by all with this one. I am almost sad it is over. Time to flip the vinyl back over and start again.

Track Listing:

1. Let it Rock – Keeper
2. You Give Love a Bad Name – Keeper
3. Livin’ On A Prayer – Keeper
4. Social Disease – Delete
5. Wanted Dead or Alive – Keeper
6. Raise Your Hands – Keeper
7. Without Love – Keeper (1/2 Point)
8. I’d Die For You – Keeper
9. Never Say Goodbye – Keeper
10. Wild in the Streets – Keeper

The Track Score is 8.5 out of 10 Tracks or 85%.  The move to Vancouver and getting Bruce Fairbairn on the boards and bring in the song-doctor Desmond Child really put the band on a new path.  They wanted to become superstars and ‘Slippery When Wet’ did that and then some for the band.  The album has three of thirr biggest songs ever with “You Give Love a Bad Name”, “Livin’ On a Prayer” and “Wanted Dead or Alive” as well as some massive deep cuts that are anthemic and made for the rock arena with “Let it Rock”, “Raise Your Hands” and “Wild in the Streets”.  Jon and Richie’s writing really matured with this album and the band seemed to really find their groove. It was the start of great things to come for them. My Overall Score is a 4.5 out of 5.0 Stars. It isn’t my favorite Bon Jovi album, but is pretty damn close!

NEXT UP: BON JOVI – ‘NEW JERSEY’ (1988)

THE BON JOVI COLLECTION SERIES:

1. Bon Jovi – The Albums Box Set (2017)
2. Jon Bongiovi – The Power Station Sessions (1980-1983) (2001)
3. Bon Jovi – Bon Jovi (1984)
4. Bon Jovi – Shot Through the Heart: Live in Cleveland, OH March 17, 1984 FM Broadcast (Bootleg)
5. Bon Jovi – 7800° Fahrenheit (1985)
6. Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet (1986)
7. Bon Jovi – New Jersey (1988)
8. Bon Jovi – New Jersey: Super Deluxe Edition – Disc 2/DVD (1988)
9. Bon Jovi – “I’ll Be There For You” – Cassette Single (1988)
10. Jon Bon Jovi – Blaze of Glory (1991)
11. Jon Bon Jovi – “Blaze of Glory” – Cassette Single (1991)
12. Richie Sambora – Stranger in this Town (1991)
13. Bon Jovi – Keep the Faith (1992)
14. Bon Jovi – “I Believe” – 7″ Single (1992)
15. Bon Jovi – Crossroads (1994)
16. Bon Jovi – “Please Come Home for Christmas” – CD Single (1994)
17. Bon Jovi – These Days (1995)
18. Bon Jovi – Live From London – DVD (1995)
19. Jon Bon Jovi – Destination Anywhere (1997)
20. Richie Sambora – Undiscovered Soul (1998)
21. Bon Jovi – Crush (2000)
22. Bon Jovi – Live From Osaka E.P. (2000)
23. Bon Jovi – “Thank You For Loving Me” – CD Single (2000)
24. Bon Jovi – The Crush Tour – DVD (2000)
25. Bon Jovi – The Love Songs E.P. (Promo) (2001)
26. Bon Jovi – Tokyo Road: Best of Bon Jovi (2001)
27. Bon Jovi – One Wild Night Live: 1985-2001 (2001)
28. Bon Jovi – Bounce (2002)
29. Bon Jovi – Unauthorized: Rock ‘n Roll Legends – Bootleg DVD (2002)
30. Bon Jovi – This Left Feels Right (2003)
31. Bon Jovi – Target E.P. (2003)
32. Bon Jovi – Wild in the Streets: Unauthorized – Bootleg DVD (2003)
33. Bon Jovi – This Left Feels Right – DVD (2004)
34. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Part 1) – (2004)
35. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 1, Part 2) – (2004)
36. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 2, Part 3) – (2004)
37. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 3, Part 4) – (2004)
38. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 4, Part 5) – (2004)
39. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 5, Part 6) – (2004)
40. Bon Jovi – Have a Nice Day (2005)
41. Bon Jovi – Live from the Have a Nice Day Tour (Walmart Exclusive) (2006)
42. Bon Jovi – Lost Highway (2007)
43. Bon Jovi – Lost Highway: The Concert (2007)
44. Bon Jovi – The Circle (2009)
45. Bon Jovi – When We Were Beautiful Documentary DVD (2009)
46. Bon Jovi – Live at Madison Square Garden – DVD (2009)
47. Bon Jovi – Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Collection (2009)
48. Bon Jovi – Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Video Collection – DVD (2010)
49. Bon Jovi – Inside Out – DVD (2012)
50. Richie Sambora – Aftermath of the Lowdown (2012)
51. Bon Jovi – What About Now (2013)
52. Bon Jovi – Live E.P. (RSD – 2013)
53. Bon Jovi – Live 2 E.P. (RSD – 2014)
54. Bon Jovi – Burning Bridges (2015)
55. Bon Jovi – This House is Not For Sale (2016)
56. Bon Jovi – This House is Not For Sale – Live From the London Palladium (2016)
57. Bon Jovi – The Albums Box Set – The Extra LP (2017)
58. RSO – Radio Free America (2018)
59. Bon Jovi – 2020 (2020)
60. Bon Jovi – 40th Anniversary Box Set (TBA – I Hope it is out by the time we get here)

We’ve reviewed a bunch of pieces already over the years and won’t review again. They are as follows:

1. Bon Jovi – The Brotherhood Tour Book (1988-1990)
2. Bon Jovi – Bon Jovi Tour 2011 – Tourbook
3. Bon Jovi – The Rock History – Bootleg CD
4. Bon Jovi – “You Give Love A Bad Name” – 12″ Single
5. Bon Jovi – “You Give Love a Bad Name” – 7″ Single
6. Bon Jovi – Red Hot & 2 Parts Live E.P. – 12″ Single
7. Bon Jovi – “Wanted Dead or Alive” – 7″ Single
8. Bon Jovi – “Bad Medicine” – 7″ Single
9. Bon Jovi – “Born to Be My Baby” – 7″ Single
10. Bon Jovi – “I’ll Be There For You” – 7″ Single
11. Bon Jovi – “Lay Your Hands on Me” – 7″ Single
12. Bon Jovi – “Living in Sin” – 7″ Single