Jump to content

Always (Bon Jovi song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Always"
Single by Bon Jovi
from the album Cross Road
B-side"Edge of a Broken Heart"
ReleasedSeptember 12, 1994 (1994-09-12)
GenreRock
Length
  • 5:52 (album version)
  • 4:55 (single edit)
  • 4:37 (radio edit)
LabelMercury
Songwriter(s)Jon Bon Jovi
Producer(s)Peter Collins
Bon Jovi singles chronology
"Dry County"
(1994) 		"Always"
(1994) 		"Please Come Home for Christmas"
(1994)
Music video
"Always" on YouTube
"Always" (Alternate Version) on YouTube

"Always" is a song by American rock band Bon Jovi. The power ballad[1] was released in September 1994 by Mercury as a single from the band's first official greatest hits album, Cross Road (1994), and went on to become one of their best-selling singles, with a million copies sold in the US and more than three million worldwide.[2] The song reached number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming their 11th and last top 10 hit. It was an international hit, peaking at number one in Belgium, Canada, Ireland and Switzerland, number two in Australia and the United Kingdom, and number four in Germany. The music video for the song was directed by Marty Callner. "Always" was bass player Alec John Such's final single with the band before he left in late 1994.

Song origin

[edit]

The song was originally written by Jon Bon Jovi for the soundtrack to the 1993 film Romeo Is Bleeding, starring Gary Oldman as a corrupt cop and Mafia aide who is renounced by his wife. After being unimpressed by a preview screening of the movie – which was a critical and box office flop[3] – he decided not to lend "Always" to the producers. Bon Jovi commented, "The script was great: the movie wasn't." He left the track on his shelf and forgot about it until John Kalodner, a friend and A&R executive, found it and convinced him to re-record and release the song.[4]

Critical reception

[edit]

Larry Flick from Billboard described "Always" as "a charming new tune that banks on a crisp guitar breeze generated by Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi's familiar rasp." He added, "With lush orchestration by Michael Kamen and gradual shifts in tempo, grand track is easily one of the band's most interesting efforts to date. Prepare for deservedly active airplay well into the fall season."[5] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton wrote, that it "is an epic ballad of the type they are so fond of penning and a bit of judicious promotion smashes it straight into the Top 5."[6]

Alan Jones from Music Week gave the song four out of five and named it Pick of the Week, writing, "An intense rock ballad, with strings and piano filling out the group's sound, and Jon Bon Jovi delivering a strong, stylish lead. Shame about the weak bridge. Even so, this is sure to soar with a TOTP appearance already in the bag."[7] Tommy Udo from NME declared it as "softy rock", commenting, "It's really between Jon Bon Jovi and Bryan Adams for the title as king of that genre which involves straining for the high notes in a big, emotional, best-a-man-can-get ballad. Bon Jovi wins because every track sounds like the theme for a crap epic starring Kevin Costner."[8] Another NME editor, Paul Moody, said the song "is so Bryan Adams it turns up on his doorstep whenever it gets lost."[9] Jonathan Bernstein from Spin viewed it as "karaoke Bryan Adams".[10]

Music video

[edit]

The accompanying music video for the song was directed by American television director Marty Callner.[11] It features Jack Noseworthy, Carla Gugino, Jason Wiles and Keri Russell. There is also an alternate version of the video that is just the band performing the song.

The original version of the video reached 1 billion views on YouTube (the band's third song to do so) in March 2024.[12]

Live performances

[edit]

The song's powerful lyrics and power ballad sound made "Always" an instant hit at live concerts, but the high demand on Jon Bon Jovi's vocals have seen it rarely performed in concert following the band's 1995–1996 These Days Tour. The song is featured on the band's Live From London video. During the 2005–2006 Have a Nice Day Tour it was occasionally performed in the acoustic style heard on the band's 2003 This Left Feels Right album. The band performed the original version on their Lost Highway Tour, particularly in the UK leg. A live version performed on the final night of the Lost Highway Tour was included on the concert DVD Live at Madison Square Garden. Since then, the song in its original version has been occasionally performed during every tour.

Track listings

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "Always"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[77] 5× Platinum 350,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria)[78] Gold 25,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[79] Diamond 250,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[80] Platinum 100,000‡
Netherlands (NVPI)[81] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[82] Gold 5,000*
Russia (NFPF)[83]
Ringtone 		Gold 100,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[84]
(since 2015) 		Platinum 60,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[85] Gold 25,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[86] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[87] Platinum 600,000^
United States (RIAA)[88]
Physical single 		Platinum 1,000,000^
United States (RIAA)[89]
Digital single 		Gold 500,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom September 12, 1994
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Mercury [90]
Japan October 7, 1994 Mini-CD [91]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The 21 best power ballads". The Telegraph. July 23, 2015.
  2. ^ "Bon Jovi". Fantasy Music League. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  3. ^ Miller, Randy (June 21, 2016). "Romeo Is Bleeding". DVD Talk. Retrieved January 22, 2019. ...critical and commercial misfire.
  4. ^ 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong (DVD). 2004. 7 minutes in. Island Records.
  5. ^ Flick, Larry (October 1, 1994). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 59. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  6. ^ Masterton, James (September 18, 1994). "Week Ending September 24th 1994". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  7. ^ Jones, Alan (September 17, 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream – Singles – Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 18. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  8. ^ Udo, Tommy (September 17, 1994). "Singles". NME. p. 48. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  9. ^ Moody, Paul (October 15, 1994). "Long Play". NME. p. 52. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  10. ^ Bernstein, Jonathan (January 1995). "Spins". Spin. p. 76. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  11. ^ "Bon Jovi: Always". IMDb. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  12. ^ Aniftos, Rania (March 13, 2024). "Bon Jovi's 'Always' Music Video Hits 1 Billion YouTube Views". Billboard.
  13. ^ Always (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Bon Jovi. Mercury Records. 1994. 422-856 226-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ Always (US CD single disc notes). Bon Jovi. Mercury Records. 1994. 856 227-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ Always (US cassette single cassette notes). Bon Jovi. Mercury Records. 1994. 856-227-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ Always (US maxi-CD single liner notes). Bon Jovi. Mercury Records. 1994. 856 331-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ Always (European & Australasian CD single liner notes). Bon Jovi. Mercury Records. 1994. 856 184-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ Always (Australasian cassette single sleeve). Bon Jovi. Mercury Records. 1994. 8561844.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ Always (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). Bon Jovi. Mercury Records. 1994. PHDR-915.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ^ Always (UK CD1 liner notes). Bon Jovi. Mercury Records. 1994. JOVCD 14, 856 229-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ^ Always (UK CD2 liner notes). Bon Jovi. Mercury Records. 1994. JOVCX 14, 856 185-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ^ Always (UK cassette single sleeve). Bon Jovi. Mercury Records. 1994. JOVMC 14, 856 228-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ^ "Bon Jovi – Always". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  24. ^ "Bon Jovi – Always" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  25. ^ "Bon Jovi – Always" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  26. ^ "Bon Jovi – Always" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  27. ^ "Hits of the World: Canada" (PDF). Billboard. January 21, 1995. p. 48. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  28. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7983." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  29. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2677." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  30. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 46. November 12, 1994. p. 26. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  31. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 46. November 12, 1994. p. 24. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  32. ^ "Adult Contemporary Europe Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. December 24, 1994. p. 18. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  33. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  34. ^ "Bon Jovi – Always" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  35. ^ "Bon Jovi – Always" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  36. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (10.–16.11 '94)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). November 10, 1994. p. 16. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  37. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Always". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  38. ^ "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 52. December 24, 1994. p. 10. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  39. ^ "Regional Airplay: South" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 41. October 8, 1994. p. 27.
  40. ^ "M-1 TOP 40". M-1.fm. November 6, 1994. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  41. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 46, 1994" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  42. ^ "Bon Jovi – Always" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  43. ^ "Bon Jovi – Always". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  44. ^ "Bon Jovi – Always". VG-lista. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  45. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  46. ^ "Bon Jovi – Always". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  47. ^ "Bon Jovi – Always". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  48. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  49. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  50. ^ "Bon Jovi Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  51. ^ "Bon Jovi Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  52. ^ "Bon Jovi Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  53. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1994". ARIA. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  54. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1994" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  55. ^ "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1994". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  56. ^ "RPM Top 100 AC Tracks of 1994". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  57. ^ "1994 in Review – Sales Charts" (PDF). Music & Media. December 24, 1994. p. 24. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  58. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1994" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  59. ^ "Árslistinn 1994". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1995. p. 25. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  60. ^ "1994 In Review, Regional Airplay: South" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 52. December 24, 1994. p. 19.
  61. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1994". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  62. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1994" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  63. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1994" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  64. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1994" (in German). Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  65. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1994". Music Week. January 14, 1995. p. 9.
  66. ^ "Top 100 Hits for 1994". longboardsurfer.com. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  67. ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles 1995". ARIA. Retrieved February 14, 2021 – via Imgur.
  68. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1995" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  69. ^ "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1995". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  70. ^ "1995 in Review – Sales Charts" (PDF). Music & Media. December 23, 1994. p. 14. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  71. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1995" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  72. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1995" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  73. ^ "Top 100 Hits for 1995". longboardsurfer.com. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  74. ^ "1995 The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 51. December 23, 1995. p. YE-80. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  75. ^ "Ultratop Nineties 500: 1-50" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  76. ^ Lwin, Nanda. "Top 100 singles of the 1990s". Jam!. Archived from the original on August 29, 2000. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  77. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  78. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Jon Bon Jovi – Always" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  79. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Bon Jovi – Always" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil.
  80. ^ "Italian single certifications – Bon Jovi – Always" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "2024" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Always" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  81. ^ "Rabo Top 40 - 28 januari 1995" (PDF) (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 3, 2015.
  82. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Bon Jovi – Always". Recorded Music NZ.
  83. ^ "Российская индустрия звукозаписи 2011" (PDF) (in Russian). Lenta. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 17, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  84. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Bon Jovi – Always". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  85. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011.
  86. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Always')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  87. ^ "British single certifications – Bon Jovi – Always". British Phonographic Industry.
  88. ^ "American single certifications – Bon Jovi – Always". Recording Industry Association of America.
  89. ^ "American single certifications – Bon Jovi – Always". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  90. ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Music Week. September 10, 1994. p. 29. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  91. ^ "オールウェイズ | ボン・ジョヴィ" [Always | Bon Jovi] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Always_(Bon_Jovi_song)&oldid=1252484996"