By STEVE MASCORD
FOR about 20 minutes on Keep The Faith, Jon Bon Jovi fulfils all the potential he ever had as a rock performer and songwriter. He stretches his ability and exposes his soul to such an extent you can almost see blood escaping from his pores.
“In These Arms” is touching enough to be the pathos-laced highlight of any other rock record. Through sheer delivery, it’s the sort of song that transcends corniness to be truly moving, the song you’d want playing in the background when you propose to someone. The lyrics are, of course, nothing to write home about but the way the soft intro works up to an impassioned crescendo makes Jon’s desperate delivery memorable.
But you ain’t heard nothing yet.
“Bed Of Roses” is the most touching love song l’ve heard in ages. As I write, I’ve heard it five times today and it’s lost nothing of its effect. If anyone has trouble understanding how a man – or woman – could take a lover and still feel desperately devoted to his partner then this is required listening.
For sheer emotional power, it leaves Guns N’ Roses “November Rain” in the dust. And if, after listening to it, you still think it’s just Jon explaining to his wife how it’s okay for him to screw groupies then you’re a cynical arsehole.
But not even such an epic tearjerker can prepare the listener for the psychotic “If I Was Your Mother”.
Psychotic? – yes, this is Bon Jovi we’re talking about. Strings combined with a disturbing riff and stirring chorus underneath Jon lamenting he wishes he was as close to his girl as her mother. It’s the Beatles meets Led Zeppelin on a bad heroin trip. “You Give Love A Bad Name” it is not.
This review appeared in On The Street on November 10, 1992
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