Bon Jovi – “Keep the Faith” (1992) – CD Maxi Single (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)

The lead single off the album of the same name was “Keep the Faith’. It was released on October 7, 1992 almost a full month prior the album release. The song went straight to #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and all the way to #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 giving the band another Top 40 hit. It had major success around the world going Top 10 in over 9 countries including the UK which is where you would find the single we are showing off today. This is one of two CD singles released in the UK for this song. I don’t have the other one, so I will need to work on that one day.

“Keep the Faith” is a very inspiring song about faith and holding on throughout any troubles or adversities that come your way. Be strong and push your way through it and have a little faith that you will make it out the other side. The song for me is about hope and inner strength and why it is a personal favorite of mine.

The single, “Keep the Faith”, opens with a killer bass line then Tico’s drum beat settles in a blistering groove. The song is uplifting and almost happy without being cheesy. It drives forward like a marching army and I think actually outdoes the opening track on the album for inspiration. The guitar solo on this one sees Richie slay with those fingers as they fly over the frets. One of his best on the album. There is a funky groove throughout from Hugh McDonald and we get aggressive vocals from Jon which gives us a solid rocker of a song. Jon actually speaks a portion of the vocals which adds to the impact of the song and I think gives it a little something extra special. The song on this single is the album version and not a radio edit.

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My Sunday Song – “Shock Me” by Kiss

For My Sunday Song #133, we are tackling one of my favorite Ace songs from Kiss called “Shock Me”.  It was off the 1977 album, ‘Love Gun’ and it was actually the first song Ace had the lead vocals on.  He had written other songs, but never sang.  Ace intended for Gene to sing, but Gene pushed it back and encouraged Ace to sing this one.  And thankfully that happened as it was a showcase for Ace during their live shows.

On December 12, 1976, Kiss was in concert in Lakeland, Florida when Ace touched a railing that had not been properly grounded and let’s say he got the shock of his life.  That incident was the inspiration for the song even though that is not what the song is about.  The song is about one of Kiss’ favorite subjects.  Nope, not rock & roll, but sex.  That is right, sex.  I know!!  You are surprised and you can’t believe it, but it is the truth.

Now Ace doesn’t have the best voice, but he has a great rock voice.  It is a little gritty and dirty and it is rough just like rock should be.  If you want a pretty voice, go listen to pop music.  I believe I read that Ace recorded this by lying down on the ground.  I don’t know if that is true, but that does sound like something he would do.

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