Keep The Faith – Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi had been huge for a generation before this song was released as the title track of what was clearly their best album. They’d survived the hair-metal era with their popularity, if not their complete credibility, intact, but it was clear that they needed to step up a level if they were going to survive as a force.

That was in 1992. It’s now 2010 and the Bon Jovi caravan is still rolling. I think its safe to say that Keep The Faith did its job.

The song works as a re-invention because it manages to build a bridge between the big, bombastic rock anthems that had made the band chart topping machines and a more organic, heartland rock style that allowed them to grow up in public. Keep The faith was built around an incessant rhythm track that introduced a very welcome “funk” to the Bon Jovi formula. Bass and drums actually drive this song and lead vocalist Jon Bon Jovi seems content to settle into the groove.

Of course there’s still a big fist pumping chorus and a Richie Sambora guitar solo in there but these elements are able to play a more balanced role than they needed to in the past.

The song is actually the prototype for Bon Jovi’s later hit songs – it’s a suburban call to arms – it doesn’t actually give any instructions about how to break the cycle of mediocrity but it strongly urges not to succumb to it either.

There’s actually better songs on the Keep The Faith album (like Dry County, Woman In Love and If I was Your Mother), but as a statement of intent this song was as important in Bon Jovi’s career evolution as any.