As I am duty-bound to say, Bon Jovi were my first love. Nearly forty years ago, when they released Slippery When Wet, I was almost eleven. They changed my life. They made music mine.
The fact they haven’t released a truly great record in around three decades is neither here nor there. Like that first love, they’ll always have a place in my heart. And so, whenever a new Bon Jovi release appears, I’ll always be excited.
Last year’s Forever was… fine. Solid, pleasant, a decent late-era Bon Jovi record. Now it returns in expanded form as Forever (Legendary Edition) — featuring 13 guest appearances from a host of famous names.
The only brand-new song here, “Red, White and Jersey,” finds Jon Bon Jovi living out his Springsteen fantasies, and to be fair, he does it well. Elsewhere, “Legendary” remains the anthemic standout, with James Bay adding a second vocal that fits perfectly.
And that’s largely the template — JBJ singing the first verse joined by various guests to varying results on the second. Sometimes it sounds a little too safe, like the backslapping “We Made It Look Easy” (this time with Robbie Williams). But sometimes, it really clicks. Jelly Roll is excellent on “Living Proof,” and there are welcome echoes of the band’s glory days, particularly “It’s My Life.”
MV favourite Jason Isbell lends his understated genius to “Waves,” while Ryan Tedder – a new name to these pages – impresses on “Seeds.” The good songs are still good; the weaker ones remain weak. “Kiss The Bride,” featuring longtime collaborator Billy Falcon, still doesn’t land — not to my tastes at all — while “The People’s House” benefits hugely from The War and Treaty’s soulful touch. The sheer fun of “Walls Of Jericho,” with Joe Elliott, is hard to resist.
“I Wrote You A Song” is sweet and perfectly suited to Lainey Wilson, while the breezy pop of “Living In Paradise,” featuring Avril Lavigne, works nicely and gives the record a dose of bright, youthful energy. Marcus King’s gorgeous voice elevates “My First Guitar,” and Carin León’s Spanish version of “We Made It Look Easy” adds a little flavour, even if it’s more curiosity than essential.
And then there’s the big one: The Boss himself joins JBJ on “Hollow Man.” It’s tender, authentic, and genuinely moving — the sound of two old friends trading lines and reflecting on where the road has taken them.
In “Legendary,” Bon Jovi sings, “Where I am is where I want to be.” Maybe that’s the key. Forever was the best album they could have made in 2024, and this Legendary Edition is a fitting, occasionally inspired, companion piece.
I’ll love them forever. They’re still legends. And this is… okay.
Rating: 7/10
