Slippery When Wet

Its a staple of my teen years - so a bit fun

The hits hit, the non-hits were lame

Just dont like it

3.5/5 Nice album, bot got bored at the middle.

Pretty good start to this album-I didn’t realize how hard they actually rocked back in the day! “Let it Rock” is the perfect opener with a stadium feel. Then the second track ruins it with the pop/rock hit “You give love a bad name”. Just so overdone, and why I’ve never been drawn to Bon Jovi. And then “Livin on a Prayer”? All the hits on one album I guess. So far only liking the songs I don’t “know”. Fourth track is crap. Then “wanted dead or alive”. Damn! They really made it with this album! Unfortunately all way too overplayed for me. I gave it a good solid play twice, but not for me. Listen again: no Purchase for my collection: no Favourite Song: the first one. It’s the only good song.

First track sounds like Argent's Hold your head up- but Shitter. I don't remember the 80s being this horrible when I lived through them. Three massive hit singles and some sub Aerosmith rock music. I will never listen to this album through choice ever again. 2/5

Livin' on a Preyer

I understand the appeal, just not my cup of tea.

Album was ok with huge classic singalong songs. Not my cup of tee but i understand it. (2.5/5.0)

Over-produced, over-confident nonsense.

No.

It’s cheesy, but everything is well put together and it’s full of big songs. I like it despite myself.

Funny, this album comes after KISS's Destroyer and I could almost cut and paste my KISS comments here. In a nutshell: bad music (this better than Kiss though), too much posing, but a number of fun party hits. I'm totally happy for this to exist, but it is almost a parody of itself. This extremely commercial, poppy "metal". But one can't deny that "Livin' on a prayer" and "You give love a bad name" are top songs to hop around as a teenager on a party (I've been told). So I'd say a 2* plus 1* for entertainment value. There is worse crappy music than this.

I'd heard so much of this growing up and in college. Great 80s rock

In my last review I noted that the jazz album I was assigned was very complicated, and I didn't quite get it. I think the generator heard me and as a prank assigned me Bon-fucking-Jovi, AKA the dumbest, most surface level testosterone filled cock-rock in existence. And while I appreciate the irony I'd be hard pressed to say I don't prefer to listen to something a little less dated. I'm fully aware of the hits on this thing, being a plague upon any sort of karaoke or sing-along. I cannot imagine the quality of the non-hits. Going into this with very low expectations, and I only hope that there is something here warranting my time. Let it Rock From the generic song title I'm expecting a generic song. It's loud, compressed and the keys sound really low quality, while the composition of the intro is kinda interesting it ends up sounding pretty bad on the recording. The energy is pretty okay. Sound kinda hollow. Hate the group vocals. Bon Jovi himself is at least a competent performer, though his voice is kinda rough to listen to. He has a lot of prescense in the recording and I feel he has full control over the track's energy. Omega dated. Did not like. 2/5 You Give Love A Bad Name I feel like it would be reductive to not at least acknowledge that while this track is dumb as all hell, it is still iconic to some degree. Ubiquitous with 80's hair metal, this track is extremely catchy with a well constructed refrain and subsequent guitar hook. It's obnoxious and loud, has some awful lyrics, but it's at the same time so cheesy that it comes out the other end as stupidly charming. It's awful, it shouldn't work at all, but it's also really fun outside of the perspective of it being a tad overplayed. I want to be pretentious and say I hate this, but it's genuinely impossible to. Decent. 3.5/5 Livin' On A Prayer Oh boy, another one... Many of the points in my review of the previous track still technically stand when it comes to this one as well. This one however I have a much less charitable relationship to. When it comes to music that's extremely popular it's often hard to shake your associations with the track when listening to it through a critical lens. When I hear this song I hear drunk people at 3am outside my terribly insulated student appartment badly belting out the chorus on their balcony while I'm trying catch a few hours of sleep before my shitty weekend job the next morning. Is it that bad? Perhaps, no? Have I been one of those drunk people badly belting out the chorus at one point? Perhaps, yes? It's iconic I guess, but for being a plague upon society I'll give myself a freebie and allow myself one single slip up. And while accepting that it's a bit hypocritical as it contains basically all the same qualities as the previous track, I can't shake my biases. I bestow the honour - With all the compliments in the world the title of: God Awful. 1/5. Social Disease Wtf is that intro. Uncomfortable. And this is what you get when a Bon Jovi track lacks any of the aforementioned iconic assosiations that the previous tracks had. The lyrics are extremely unflattering and vapid. Awfully dated production, an annoying chorus and terrible sounding vocals. Sounds almost predatory. Bad. 1/5 Wanted Dead or Alive. Luckily the last one of these megahits and perhaps the least notable one at that. It's cheesy and dumb and extremely unbelievable. Perhaps the single most dated sounded song in the history of mankind. It's like it's approaching the stage of fossilization. I'll give it this, it remains catchy, but those background effects and production techniques do not make the cut. I'd like to picture Bon Jovi as a little kid playing make believe with himself, trying to visuallly imagine himself as this bad ass outlaw in his sandbox. It has that juvenile energy which makes it impossible to take seriously. Strongly dislike. 1.5/5 Raise Your Hands More slop. The main guitar riff is almost okay I guess. Probably works better in the stadium than on the record. Here it only comes across as obnoxious. "From New Jersey to Tokyo", yep those two places have plenty in common, makes perfect sense... The musical equivalent to a lobotomy. Awful. 1/5 Without Love If aliens were to try to replicate human music the lyrics would sound something like this. Beyond ridiculous. Okay this might be the most dated sounded track in the history of mankind. Those synths could genuinely not be replicated today. Baffling, almost so bad it's good. It's at least very entertaining if nothing else. Bad in the best way. 1/5 I'd Die For You The Mayor of Cheesetown himself has outcheesed himself once again. Those synths, those guitars, the vocal delivery... I'm impressed, it cannot get more 1986 than this. Probably the single worst song I've heard from this generator so far, but I can't help but find it fascinating. It's repetitive, it's dumb, it drains me of brain cells, but it's entertaining as all hell with it's cheesiness and over the top camp. I'm broken. 2/5 Never Say Goodbye I'm at a loss for words... No redeemable qualities. Never seems to end. Feels like an infinite loop of the same unbarable chorus. Awful. 1/5 Wild In The Streets I like the energy of the track. As far as this album goes this is one of the more barable choruses, though the vocal delivery is pretty rough. Suffers from the same repetitiveness as many other tracks on here. Contains nothing of substance. A wall of sound with the occasional belting of a madman peaking through it. While some of the other tracks were at least entertaining in their ridiculousness, this one only comes across as annoying. Strongly dislike. 1.5/5 An experience to say the least. Life changing, really. Made me appreciate the smaller things in life, like silence and peace. All the while providing plenty of time for me to contemplate my life choices leading up to me reviewing this interesting piece of media at 1am on a work night. I'm honestly quite impressed by how something that sucks this much can be this entertaining. It's like the audible version of a trainwreck. A sonic puzzle where you're tasked with trying to piece out any sort of substance or meaning out of the corniest lines ever delivered in a set of lyrics. It's incessant in its bombardment of cheese of the lowest quality, enough to make the lactose intolerant amongst us toilet bound for at least the duration of the album's runtime. Has more cliches than a soap opera and contains songs that have been scientifically engineered to be as annoying as possible. With repetitive choruses, mindnumbing guitar hooks and synths that are so obnoxious they could piss off a deaf person, this album is a perfect storm of slop. It's not all bad, as if you're in the right mood this abhorrent datedness can come across as pretty funny - In a "help me!" sort of way. Comes with the worst associations possible, containing songs that have been a plague upon society, forever resistant to any sort attempt to remove them from the public conciousness. In that sense it deserves some respect, as while overplayed and annoying, the hits from this thing has at least managed to establish themselves as iconic songs in the rock 'n' roll canon. And while personally this is an era I can't stand, it remains important especially to the format of live stadium shows. I could definitely see this being innovative as to bringing heavier music into the public sphere. I could also imagine that the techniques used to set up and produce these songs live on stage would be important even today. However as fun as this might be live in Bon Jovi's prime, it doesn't translate well to an album format, especially through modern ears. Bon Jovi's skills as a performer, being a fairly entertaining front man still shines through however, though that alone cannot save how obnoxious I find the songs on here to be, especially as his grating voice adds to my dislike of it. I recognize this is a low hanging fruit for ridicule as this era isn't exactly fondly looked back on from a critical perspective, but I can't help but agree with the sentiment that this is just awful. 1/5 Fave track. You Give Love A Bad Name Least fave track. Never Say Goodbye

Damn. This album has like all Bon Jovi's hits. This ruled. Does it make me think they were maybe a one album band? Yes. Was it still an amazing album? Also yes. Need to go track this CD down to blast it in the car, this was everything you want a classic rock album to be, even past the three major hits.

Very important in that nobody can safely say “we’re halfway there” without being hit with the whoooaaaooohhh

Every song sounds the same but in a different font. Overall great album though

I had a Bon Jovi era back in middle school. I've long moved past them, but this is still an okayish, if not fairly cheesy, listen.

Argh, it’s so big and overdone, but at the same time there’s no denying it had a huge impact

When asked if they wanted extra cheese, BJ clearly answered in the affirmative. That this poor excuse for a hair band ever got into the RRHOF is ridiculous. What a waste of time (other than being good for a chuckle) and certainly a waste of a lost in this esteemed list.

Old-school. OK!

Started up and made me think of 'mr. Crowley' for some reason. Some classic hits that are hard not to sing along to. The other unfamiliar songs sound just like those hits, just less catchy.

Not really my thing but the album felt very kind of definitive of that genre of cheesy 80s pop rock, certainly felt like a relevant album and was enjoyable enough

Rock and roll. Dad rock.

meh

"A loaded six-string on my back" is one of the corniest lines in the history of rock. This album didn't feel like much beyond the singles, but the singles are massive. 3.5

this slaps in a way bruce springsteen fucking wishes he ever could

Didn't realize that almost all of the Bon Jovi songs I know were from the same album. Unfortunately it's still just not very good as an album. 2.5

Slippery When Wet is often seen as a classic among classic rock albums and after listening to it, i can absolutely see why because it genuinely is great. I thought these songs had already lost their luster seeing as i have heard the singles like You Give Love A Bad Name, Livin' On A Prayer and Wanted Dead Or Alive on classic rock stations quite a lot but they were all seriously great songs and the others are still no slouches in the slightest. And this goes without saying that there was not a bad song in sight on this album as they are all greats in their own way. I do think that something is preventing me from 5 staring this album but it is still a great one regardless. Best Song: I'd Die For You Worst Song: Never Say Goodbye

This alum has everything the 80's has to offer, but only the bad stuff. Bon Jovi's vocals are a mix between Bruce Springsteen, Axle Rose, and Steve Perry and is not married well at all. The lyrics are so basic and predictable. The rhyming patterns are maybe a hair above what a kindergartener would come up with. I knew roughly half this album from it being played at ball games, grocery stores, crap bars in suburbia, and gas stations. I don't get how this album/music/artist is revered at all, let alone 40 years after this crap came out. Bon Jovi is for D students who peaked in 10th grade and work at an instant oil change place down the road from their ex-wife's house, hoping she comes in for an oil change so he can win her back. 1.5/10 #29/1001

Bon Jovi sucks

Yeah, no, I'm not listening to this, thanks though

Sounds like J-Pop for me for some reason! Love most songs, especially let it rock, and wanted dead or alive. Sometimes I felt there’re too much grit.. sometimes I was just impressed by his belting technique..he could easily reach D#5, and I believed he could still go much higher than that. Im being picky but many songs are more like ballad? It lacks one unique element to push it to five. It’s a nice album but what about his artistic personality and originality. It’s a perfect commercial album but this doesn’t make it a five. Still very very good tho. I enjoyed it a lot.

I’ve been listening to a lot of Bruce Springsteen recently and wanted to try some more Bon Jovi. This album hit me at a time when I would likely appreciate it more than other times. Not quite a 5 but very solid given the catalog. Added a couple new songs to the setlist but mostly it’s the big 3 here, and that’s okay because they’re all bangers.

so fun fact, i grew up absolutely fucking hating bon jovi. my mother is on the younger side, and was an absolute 80's hair metal band groupie. whitesnake, poison, motley crue, def leppard, warrant, you name it, she was listening to it. and then of course, there was Bon Jovi. we listened to that man everywhere we went. it was constantly playing where i actively avoided him and his music for so long. i still to this day can't really stomach is 'Have a Nice Day' era of music (mid-2000's release). that being said, i was not glad that this came up on the list, but i went in with an open mind and was actually pleasantly surprised. 'you give love a bad name', 'livin on a prayer', and 'wanted dead or alive' are very good songs. theyve stood the test of time, and they're bangers for sure. the rest of the album, especially the back half, still feels like its feeling out how poppy they can go in their third album without losing their core audience but also getting more radio play. wild in the streets brought it back, but overall i think the back half lost its gusto. high 3, low 4 for me. ill bump it to the four stars for 3 banger tracks that have stood the test of time.

Had no idea all three of these massive hits are on one album. The production and editing of these songs is very interesting because it’s enough polish to make them “radio hits” but not over done which still gives it an authentic rock/head banging feel. Wanted dead or alive comes in a nice spot as the #5 track to slow it down some and change up the vibe as the first four songs are all relatively up beat with a similar tempo. Even some of the songs I didn’t know sound just very confident and feel like they could have been a single as well. Excellent album to see on this list.

Hell yeah, brother. Rocks from front to back and was a blast to listen to. Three massive hits on this album as well, so it’s an easy four. Only negative thing is the corniness from this era of rock not holding up is there sometimes.

Another 9/10 album for me. Some all time songs on here! Hearing everyone in a stadium sing "Livin On A Prayer" together is an amazing experience. I can't hear "Wanted Dead or Alive" without thinking of Deadliest Catch. The not top songs are pretty good, but their all very similar. This was close to 5 stars for me.

Living on a prayer is good. Overall it's a good album but I get quite bored of this type of rock sometimes

Jam packed with radio singles. Bon Jovi has never been a band i listen to but you can't deny why this album made them so popular. A little corny but a fun listen. 3.7 rounded to a 4.

The top review for this opens with “One of my absolute favourite things in the world is how much hipsters loathe 80s Bon Jovi.” and I’d just like to say that I loathe Bon Jovi in any decade.

Halfway through this album, I wondered why I thought I don't like Bon Jovi. What on Earth! This album is absolutely full of bangers.

einzigi bangers send gsi YOU GAVE LOVE A BAD NAME und livin on a prayer. de rest esch ned so nice gsi tbh

Muito fixe, tem bangers que já conhecia e não sabia, não estava muito na vibe deste tipo de musica na altura mas foi fixe. Música favorita: "You Give Love a Bad Name"

yeah you could come into my bedroom in the middle of the night while i'm having the deepest sleep of my life and scream "SHOT THROUGH THE HEART" at me and I'd jump out of the bed and return "AND YOU'RE TO BLAME" 5/5

They have a knack for churning out catchy riffs and hook lines. And the man himself as a private citizen seems to be a decent human being. But. By God, the catchy tunes and riffs are so stupid any annoying. Well, except for the bass line and drums at the start of Keep the Faith, before the rest of the band joins in. But that's a different album, anyway. But there's Livin' on a Prayer here, which also starts with an okay bass line before the keyboards come in and all the rest, making it an 80s hair rock anthem. Well, it's socially conscious, much like Springsteen's stuff. But by God I really can't stand the music. If you're wondering: A friend of mine at school was hugely into them, that's why I srill know more about their discography than I wish to know. It's all a bit too much. And yet. Drunk at my uncle's 3rd or 4th wedding reception, I can't guarantee that I won't be air-guitaring and air-fist-pumping to Livin' on a Prayer. So Bon Jovi has that questionable honour over KISS in my hook. Still. What a chore to get through this.

Love this album. Hair rock ftw!

Lots of great hits.

3.5 I know, it’s goofy. But it’s my dad’s favorite album and so I relate it to him, and we listened to it so much in his car growing up. So I have good memories of it :)

Oh god, not another 80s hair/metal/leotard noise-makers.

surprised!

I’m sorry, you’ll never make me like Bon Jovi

My god this is fun. 80s hair rock is a vibe

This is the kind of rock music my mom likes

Like a greatest karaoke hits album.

Not for me, but the obvious hits

👎

There are some absolute heaters on this album

A begrudging 4 stars. Good job, Jon B. More like Blippery Bhen Bet. I don’t know.

And we’re back to albums that I can’t say are for me, but they’re not overly bad. If this is your thing, you must love this album.

I’m I liked this less than I thought I would. I thought I’d like the hits? I guess I always considered Bon Jovi to be a notch above glam/metal arena rock. Boy, was I wrong. Thumbs down.

The hits are the hits for a reason. The rest is mostly forgettable 80s shlock, partly quasi-unlistenable AOR dreck. Definitely not an album anybody must hear before they die. This surely must hold some sort of record for Most Pinch Harmonics per Second, right?

I was actually once really into hair metal for five minutes, and specifically this Bon Jovi album, then somebody gave me a mix tape with the Buzzcocks, Joy Division, Pixies and Stiff Little Fingers, and that was the end of that😆 Still an enjoyable nostalgic listen for me ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I've always been a bit of a Bon Jovi hater, but this wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. The first 3 songs are great, and there's a few others across the rest of the album. Still a bit cringe though in general

For 80s machismo rock, not bad. The hits were good but the rest was lacking

No, just no

The hits are massive and this arena hair metal rock can be so much fun. But I'm so tired of hearing Livin' On A Prayer and the other hits everywhere, all the time, no escape. I compare them to other songs I've heard a million times on classic rock stations that I think I'm sick of hearing...until I put them on some good speakers at home and realize, yeah that's still incredible. Led Zeppelin, for example - I'm sick of hearing Immigrant Song so often through shitty speakers. But when I play the album at home, it always sounds fresh and rocks my socks off. It's one of the best first tracks of all time from an album of no skips. I didn't feel the same way about the popular songs from this album even with "the good headphones." And the rest of the songs were just fine. The singles are incredibly catchy, fun-to-sing-along-to, great pop-rock songs. It's not you, Bon Jovi, it's me. I just need some space.

I get it now. This is the album that finally made me realize my mistakes on rating music from the past. TIME AND PLACE. I grew up as a kid in the 80’s. I never loved this band, even back then, but it was a very popular band and I did have this on cassette and cd. I liked it back then. I haven’t been a fan of them since that time. Now listening to them almost 40 years later, I get that you have to have lived during the time to accurately judge them. It’s more than just the music on the album. It’s about the culture and what was happening it at the time. Today this album is a funny laugh and is barely worth 2 stars. If you judge it back in the 80’s it’s a 5 star masterpiece. It is a fun album regardless.

80s hair metal as distilled I think than it ever could be. Bangers here.

I'm a little torn on this one. It has some ICONIC songs and while I'm not a fan, they are the soundtrack of some people's lives. However, I hate the keyboards in this hair rock period and Bon Jovi's really suck the life out of the songs. Richie Sambora is friggin amazing and the songs, although the most cliché ridden songs ever written, are catchy and arena rock ready. It probably deserves at least a 3.5, but I'm going with 3 while CONSIDERING going to 4.

Solid album of crafted pop rock. Can't deny the commercial success that this had but the overproduction gives rock a bad name.

Je m'attendais à un truc kitsch et nul. J'ai pas été déçu.

Pretty decent, some 80s classics on this one

Love it

Oh good grief, that album title. Oh good grief, the banal lyrics. Oh good grief, the tired cliches. Oh good grief, a talkbox. Oh good grief, the hastily replaced cover art.

Popular music (‘pop’) works to an identifiable formula. (Not that it is formularistic, which is something else altogether.) I only fully understood this when I started to learn piano (the first of many times. I should accept defeat gracefully and get on with my life.) Slippery When Wet is pop music, given the bells and whistles necessary to fit it into a sub genre of pop (in this case, to be ultra-specific, late 80s poodle metal. Yes, they were pioneers.) It’s ok for what it is, with a couple of cracking songs (‘Livin’ On A Prayer’, ‘Wanted Dead And Alive’). But no more than ok, and largely disposable. No one learnt anything ever from listening to this album, which (I think) is the base criterion for a truely indispensable recording.

There are a lot of bad hair metal albums out there. This is not one of them. Even if the genre might be played out, this still stands as an example of how it can be done right.

lol what are we doing? Favorite track: Livin' On A Prayer 2.5/5

Trashy neon spandex cock rock that I reasonably enjoyed in spite of myself

Some bangers on here but it turns out my tolerance for Bon Jovi ends after about 4 songs

One of the best rock albums ever. Up there with appetite and others. Hit after hit after hit simply a perfect stoorm and mix of love and disdain and rocking non stopping.

Oh man, "Livin' on a Prayer" is such an anthem! It's one of those songs my body is hardwired to react to. I can't not sing along and pump my fist when it's on. "You Gave Love a Bad Name" is another banger, and "Wanted Dead or Alive" is a fun one too. And I wasn’t as familiar with “Raise Your Hands” but it’s just as much of a rock anthem. The rest of the album is excellent. There’s a power ballad with lyrics about banging in the back of a car (“Never Say Goodbye”), a top shelf Springsteen knockoff (“Wild in the Streets”), and a bunch of open-hearted, hair metal songs about love. “I’d Die For You” is particularly good. It’s a great pop album all around.

I grew up thinking Bon Jovi was such a lame guy, like a fake rock and roller. But as I've gotten older and started to embrace music from other era's as not being "corny" but taking them more for what they are, I've really grown to appreciate this stuff. This album rocks really hard, and right from the start you get some crazy high energy guitar shred right into Bon Jovi's awesome soaring voice. He's a great singer and front man and sounds great on top of these tracks. "You Give Love A Bad Name" is one of the more memorable songs of the 1980's. I'm noticing that I write a lot in my reviews "This song is one of the best of the 19XX's", but I can't help it and I'm not the most eloquent person so forgive me there but yea... this is one of the best songs of the 1980s, same with "Livin' On A Prayer". Both of these tracks sync together so well- it's hard to describe but I can picture being in the studio or in the practice room and having these choruses just appear out of thin air and looking around the room like "holy shit we've got something here". That feeling is my favorite thing about being a songwriter. The bass line on "Livin' On A Prayer" is so great. It's very simple but there's a lot of complexity in the chord progression there for a 1980's pop rock song. How great is the bass part again at the big key change at 3:25? It's so fun! And that talk-box guitar part is so special and a color that is seldom used. Yet another timeless chorus too. "Wanted Dead Or Alive" is really the third part of the trident of sick tracks on this album, even if it falls behind the two other hits in play counts (as per Spotify). This song I think is one of my mom's favorites, I feel like I heard it a trillion times growing up but I'm not sick of it; in fact, I'm going to play it twice today. "ON A STEEL HORSE I RIDE" Great album cover. For me this is a high 4, like a 4.8, and enough to round up to a 5 (which is rare for me to round a high 4 up). The three big hits are so monstrous that they propel this album into the stratosphere of "truly great".

How my teenage angst and young broken heart are thankful for Bon Jovi. “Cross Road” never left my ears, and that compilation album wouldn’t be half what it is without “Slippery When Wet”! It doesn’t surprise me to see so many low ratings from the haters, just makes me love it more… 5+

Some bangers on here but also a load of pish.

I will always love this album 😂 First half is top notch

There's the seriously dated, hairy and cheesy anthem rock, but there's also the band of the first album I bought with my own money (Bon Jovi's '88 "New Jersey"). Which is to say that I want to like this - and it and the band has my sympathies - but even after dialing in some nostalgia and irony for my listening pleasure, outside of the hits, going through the whole album was, well, tough. I had not listened to Bon Jovi in a looong while and so this experience reminded me of Bruce Springsteen (#140, #279) meets Def Leppard (#67) and this will, sadly, be my rating: let's say 2.8.

Bon Jovi to jednak kozak granie jest. "Living on a Prayer" to totalny banger. Dla mnie wciąż piosenką dzieciństwa będzie "It's my life", ale jak teraz trochę uważnie przysłuchałem się "Living...", to jeszcze bardziej doceniłem. Słuchając tego albumu miałem mnóstwo najróżniejszych skojarzeń i asocjacji. Od "The Final Countdown" Europy, przez Aerosmith, X-Japan, big bandowy jazz, aż po jakąś muzykę w stylu Castelvani (otwierające "Let It Rock"). Glam rock to mega przyjemna muzyka rozrywkowa, a w wykonaniu Bon Joviego niesamowicie buja. Do tej pory znałem w sumie trzy jego hity ("Living...", "It's my life" i "You Give Love a Bad Name", nic zaskakującego), ale chętnie posłucham trochę więcej. Ciekawostka, którą odkryłem na Wikipedii - w Japonii ten album wydano jako "Wild in the streets" (nazwa ostatniego utworu z albumu), a "You Give Love a Bad Name" nazywa się "Zabroniona miłość" (かっこ禁じられた愛).

It's like a Bon Jovi of Rock Music.

Classic 80s

Boy, did I ever play this one a lot at that time. Still a fun listen all these years later.

7/10 Nostalgia takes this one. This was the only album my Dad had in his jeep when I was learning how to drive. Still incredibly listenable if not my cup of tea normally 3-12-2025

it's funny I know You Give Love A Bad Name so well and hear it all the time. But I never would have been able to tell you who sings it. lol Livin on a prayer too! Well I was only going to give this a 4 because I never really was into Bon Jovi but the fact that it had so many hits and the nostalgia feelings it gave me when I was walking during my lunch and listening to this, deserves a 5.

Very standard issue this sort of thing. I didn’t hate it, but I’ll never play it again.

Oh what a crazy good album! Bon Jovi has always been a favorite of mine growing up listening to all the music! It has some of their best songs! Classic album from a classic band! One of the best hair bands and albums from the 80s

I just can't do glam. The cringey lyrics certainly don't help. You've gotta have a lot of skill to pull off sex noises in a song and in my eyes they just don't.

I was ready to hate this album since 80s hair metal is one of my least favorite genres - but I have to admit, that this album is fun, well made and produced, and actually if this was played at a festival I'd enjoy listening to it. Wanted Dead or Alive is my favorite from this album. I don't think I'd listen to it regularly but it was a nice enough listen for today.

Has some fun karaoke songs, but that is the only good part of the album. Pretty cheesy otherwise.

Very 80s big hair. Hits are very memorable, but not that great, and not much beyond that

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would! There are some real classics on this album, and the rest of the album is fairly consistent. Not something I'd return to, but I'll give credit where it's due.

Poodle rock at its best! Monty is definitely a fan 🐩. I love this album because it reminds me of a time long, long ago. I saw them at MK bowl and they were fabulous - lots of singing along and people generally having a great time. Some songs are (very) silly (Wild in the Streets!) But I love the nostalgia of this album - I was in my first job and generally having a jolly time ... wild in the streets, indeed 😅

They did what they did, millions loved them, and he was adored by many! Sadly not me, and listening to this now doesn't change anything. It's indie rock & roll for me :) The second star is for the 'Livin' on a Prayer' bassline which is really cool, especially through the chorus.

Way overblown, way overly-theatrical, and absolutely brilliant. So many unexpected favourites that I hadn’t heard before, besides the big hits. Without Love, Raise Your Hands and Let It Rock were awesome.

This album serves as a vehicle for the delivery of Livin’ On A Prayer & You Give Love A Bad Name. It’s the sugar coating on a tablet allowing the medicine to pass directly into your bloodstream. But I wouldn’t eat paracetamol for the capsule. And I wouldn’t listen to this album for the tracks that aren’t the two huge singles. The rest of the album is a big hairball of glam rock fluff. Sorry mum!

Undeniably full of classic rock hits but not my thing

Very enjoyable. Very fun. Some absolute bangers on it, along with some great hidden gems.

In den 70/80ern habe ich viel Metal gehört. Und da waren solche prototypisch radiotauglichen, irgendwie hardrockig melodischen Mainstream Songs/Bands per se untendurch bei den Jungs. Das war Musik für die Mädchen. Heute würde man sagen: Die Käufer:innen dieser Platte hören auch gerne: Michael Bolton, Bryan Adams, Celine Dion...

Fun listen but 2.5

8.5/10. ICL this is kinda goated. So much fun all the way through, the only tiny thing I can say is that maybe towards the end of felt a tad too poppy for me. But this album literally has three all time classics including one of my favourite rock tunes ever 'Wanted Dead or Alive'. This stuff is just full of energy, great vocals, solos and riffs, a blueprint for rock music. I did originally give this a 5 but I think upon further thought it has to knock down to a four purely because it's replay value as an album is less than my other 5s.

i went through a bon jovi phase in middle school back in the late 80’s. i’m not proud of it, but it is true. it’s not that i don’t still like hair metal today, but there are much better bands from that genre that i still will listen to. richie sambora is a mid-level lead guitarist at best and i can think of a handful of guitarists just off the top of my head from that era that can play circles around him (vito bratta, c.c. deville, george lynch, warren demartini, nuno bettencourt, mick mars). for some reason david bryan, the keyboard player, is shoehorned into songs that sound weird with keyboards (more on that later). the rhythm section is perfectly serviceable. and jon bon jovi comes across as the pretty boy in high school that had a very punchable face. with all of that out of the way, on to the album review… side a “let it rock” - the album opener and many people’s introduction to the band (they had two albums before this, but this was truly their commercial breakthrough). it opens with a keyboard solo that sounds like it was lifted straight from phantom of the opera. weird. anyway the song is about how they are here to rock and you’d better not get in their way. “you give love a bad name” - the lead single and JBJ is PISSED. something about some girl broke his heart and he’s calling her out about it. he’s got millions in the bank and a very handsome (yet still punchable) face… i think he’ll be ok. “livin’ on a prayer” - i do not, nor have i ever, gave a shit about tommy or gina, but richie does fiddle around with the talk box, so that’s pretty cool. next… “social disease” - this one is a fun one, actually. i always liked this one. “wanted dead or alive” - JBJ tries to rebrand himself as a badass cowboy on a “steel horse” with a “loaded six string on his back”. and in a genre full of cringe lyrics he utters “i’ve seen a million faces and i’ve rocked them all”. yikes. side b “raise your hands” - when i first heard this song, i thought it was the heaviest riff ever… again, i was in middle school. this song was featured in the movie spaceballs, so there’s that. “without love” - this song is a total “filler” song. “i’d die for you” - song about JBJ’s undying commitment to his girl of the week. i’m not convinced. oh, and more unnecessarily gratuitous keyboards. “never say goodbye” - obligatory power ballad on the album. ol’ jonny and the girl who “lost more than that in his backseat” is certainly a more moving story that tommy and gina. “wild in the streets” - for a song with “wild” in the title, it might be the most boring song on the whole album. and richie blatantly rips off “johnny b. goode” in the guitar solo. not cool. there you have it. i hadn’t listened to this album in well over 30 years and hoping i’ll never have to listen to another bon jovi album again.

Still a pleaser (minus a dumb song or two). I might be over “the hits” but I can’t hold that against an album.

Never cared for Bon Jovi. To slick, too radio-friendly

There is something a little embarrassing about this album. It's cringey, it's dated, it is very much what it is. But It's got 2 massive singles that I'm absolutely sick of in Bad Name and Prayer, and 2 great singles in Wanted and Gooodbye. Wild In the Streets sounds like a bruce song off the river. The rest of the album tracks are okay. It's a 3

My sister had this album on cassette tape when I was a kid and we listened to it quite a number of times. I know all of the song pretty well, and love them all. Definitely peak Bon Jovi in my opinion. I listened to it twice and could have gone more, five stars easily.

A great album!

2.5

It's a bit dumb, but it's fun. It's packed with hits, and they're all fun. I'm not sure why it gets the Nickelback treatment.

Felt like I was down the shore in the summer yelling at bennys

Música de Alsa. Cada vez que estoy feeling it, aparece la voz híper forzada de Bon Jovi a sacarme. Tiene algún que otro tema icónico, si lo tengo de fondo sigo el ritmo con los pies, pero no creo que lo vuelva a escuchar entero nunca más. De las que no conocía, I'd Die For You es la mejor, principalmente por el instrumental; Never Say Goodbye está bien también. PD. Odio la forma de poner mayúsculas en todas las palabras del título de las canciones, incluidos los artículos.

Iconic album.

bubblegum metal.

It's sad that this is the only Bon Jovi album on the list. It just feels wrong not to have him on my worst artists list

I mean, we know the songs. Very 80s rock. Honestly, I don't think I've ever been like, yeah let's listen to some bon Jovi. So yeah, meh

this one's for the cougars

Fav: Livin’ On A Prayer Least Fav: Without Love I mean it’s a safe metal album, but it’s less egregious than other hair metal albums on this list…

Solid hair metal, not perfect but more hugs than misses and the actual radio hits are very strong.

So this was pretty great back then and stands up after all this time. Wanted Dead or Alive will always be a massive song and this will remain a all time great LP

A Big Mac of a rock record Soulless and lacking in substance but not unpleasant whilst it’s going down

Man, he had some good hits from this album, but man, I got tired of him yelling at me by the end of it. Even had to skip through a couple of them.

Enjoyed the album cuts more than the famous singles. Bon Jovi gets really old for me otherwise

Bon Jovi’s best hits

Bon Jovi just is what it is right? And what they do they're good at. Do I love it? Not really. But I think they're probably good well written songs

Yeah it's pretty good stuff. It's just generic ROCK but it is what is it and it's quite fun. Can't say I choose to listen to Bon Jovi but hey, it's all good.

A fun listen with bags of hits. All those years listening to and recording the charts paid off and I knew most of the lyrics.

Really enjoyed this album if truth be told. It came as a timely respite coming on the back of another painfully worthy Elvis Costello album. Be warned there are 6 (SIX) of them lurking within the generator. Some may describe this as 'hair metal' or bubble gum pop or whatever. I think what they are griping against this album because it has, shock/horror, melodic choruses! And that is why I rate it higher than any stoner/shoe gazing trite nonsense from, Sound Garden, My Bloody Valentine etc... A joyful music experience, long may they rock! 4 stars

Take nothing away, Wanted... Is a great track. The rest is all I abore about 80s/90s 'metal rock' the same stupid guitar sound over every track. Bigger is not always better. Bon has some decent pipes, but thats about my lot.

Bioomerinhalt

Easy one right, have to hate “hair metal” derogatory term in itself. Yeah it’s a dated sound, but most things do sound of their time. It will kill your cholesterol levels,but it's music for fun, and sometimes that's enough. Rather listen to this at the right time than many of the "listen to how serious I am" brigade. 4 Stars sometimes music can be just entertainment.

I usually walking to work and back. 20 mins there, 20mins to get home. For the first half of this I was so on board. Great fun. Karaoke killer. Stop the snobbery, embrace the absurd! Second half I’m back to being a grumpy middle age music snob. I think the strength of the singles can carry it through to four stars though.

Z.T. bekannte Melodien. Ansonsten halt Rock. 2,3

What can i say? It's bon jovi

I was never a fan of formula rock. Props for trying.

Love in the back seat is a theme in at least two songs, so if Bon Jovi gives you a lift and you care for personal hygiene, insist on sitting in the front passenger seat. A weekend of dropping in and out of this record has led to two comparisons: Tom Petty for the aimably retiring choruses (co-written hits aside) and Melt-Banana for the guitar squeal. Neither aspect is as strong, but I had a good time. Now let’s pretend that “Wanted Dead Or Alive” is a Beckettian paean to clarity in existential state.

It is exhausting listening to such good-natured mediocrity. The world in which this was relevant just does not exist any more. That's all I got..

Definitely using a private spotify session for this one. I didn't like it when it came out, hair metal cheese, with the MTV network shoving the hits from the album down our throats. I don't know how many hair metal bands the success of this album spawned, but I hated that genre. An album as juvenile as its name.

i love bon jovi

Awesome album. Apart from the radio hits, there are 3 or 4 other great songs on here. My ear could be clouded by nostalgia since this was a huge album in my house when I was a kid. Either way, it's a romp back through the '80s for me.

Look. I'm not going to pretend that this album is a masterpiece or anything. Bon Jovi's 1986 album Slippery When Wet is the definition of cheesy 80s hair metal. But it is some damn good cheesy 80s hair metal. This is a good album. Admittedly, my enjoyment of this album could be attributed to some level of nostalgia. "Livin' On A Prayer" was one of the first rock songs I ever fell in love with after I sang it with my fifth grade class for my elementary school's choir festival like 7 years ago. This song is special to me. It's also just a great fun song, as is the album's other huge hit, "You Give Love A Bad Name." The other songs aren't as amazing as those two, but there's some bangers in here. The style is fun and VERY 80s. I would understand if someone told me this album's aged poorly, but I don't care. Besides, the album at least has writing that isn't offensive. The writing's fairly basic all things considered, but it serves its purpose well. Jon Bon Jovi's vocals are strong too. They fit the vibe very well. Admittedly, this isn't a super complex album, but this kind of music has a special place in my heart. Sure, I can absolutely appreciate the "hipster shit" of the world. Some of my favorite albums from the project have been the most unconventional. But I also have to admit that I really like cheesy 80s hair metal, and it's hard to get much better in that regard than Bon Jovi. 4/5.

Album - Slippery When Wet Artist - Bon Jovi Release - 1986 Genre - Glam Metal/Pop Metal/Pop Rock/Hard Rock Heard it before? - N Heard OF it before? - Y One thing I like about criticism is learning about a critic's personal connection to the art through their life, emotions, career etc. As someone with a 52 year old dad who got divorced when I was 1, I think I can finally qualify for a review similar to the ones I enjoy best. The singles ("Livin' On a Prayer," "You Give Love a Bad Name," "Wanted Dead or Alive") are naturally burnt into my brain against my will, but like most songs like that, they come differently when in an album context. I get why they've been played into the ground by throwback radio stations and karaoke goers, they're good songs. Except for "Never Say Goodbye." It's 80s hair metal, shitty ballads are par for the course, but it still doesn't excuse their shittiness. The other cuts seem to reach for a purpose before being shut down by 80s-isms that plague them, like incorrect use of reverb ("Let it Rock") or those fake horns ("Social Disease.") The second side proves better, "Raise Your Hands" being a song buried in the back of my head and "Without Love" being a song that's also decent enough to mention but also decent to the point that I don't have anything to say about it. I have no reserved nostalgia for this album, but I do remember it, and I think that gives it some purpose in this list. Shot through my ears, and they're to blame, Bon Jovi gave hair metal a good name, or the best name it could have, at least. 5/10

GOAT album

Peak glam rock

Couple bangers but otherwise not memorable

Although I really enjoyed the two hit songs on the album, the lyrics are really cheesy to the point where they became comical. It's like the album equivalent of going to the Olive Garden and never telling the waiter to stop while they're grating cheese on your pasta. Some may like this amount of cheese but I can only handle so much of it! Also, SQUIDWARD ON A CHAIR!!

Ok, but only just!

An over-excitable producer paired with the symbol of generic Mum rock unite to mildly irritate us all.

Classics! Although, listening too much would ruin it for me...

-I had never listened to any of Bon Jovi’s music besides Livin’ On A Prayer, but was aware that it’s the sort of thing people seem to either love or hate. maybe depending on their age and demographics? -I suppose I don’t fall into either of those factions, I thought it was alright tbh. Very cheesy vocals but sometimes cheesy is good. Like a lot of high-intensity 80s rock it got me hyped so I can’t be too mad -Favorites are You Give Love A Bad Name and Livin’ On A Prayer

Too much corn, hair and glitter for me liking. An easy-going album, it just doesn't offer much variety and its formula hasn't won my heart.

I'm so wet when listening to the first half, then it's a slippery slope.

The Devil himself is responsible for any hair metal ending up on this list.

Cheesy 80's hair metal is definitely a guilty pleasure of mine, but I've never been a Bon Jovi guy cause I grew up in the 90's when they were a shitty adult contemporary band for moms. I'll stick with Twisted Sister.

3 out of 5. Hair metal being hair metal.

Yes it’s dated now, yes it’s a bunch of cliched AOR staples, yes it has about as much depth as a summer puddle, but I defy anyone to not shout along to Livin’ On A Prayer or Wanted Dead Or Alive if they hear them in the car or in a bar. And for that it gets 3 solid stars.

Some classic songs

bangers

2.5

I had a quick look at the reviews when I began my first listen, wow so much negativity. This album starts off quite strong so I was thinking 4 for sure but it really drops off after Wanted Dead Or Alive so it'll have to be a 3.

Got two sets of nostalgia with this one - heard it at a friend's house a bunch as a teen, where I roundly mocked him for being insufficiently metal. Then later, when I was living in Japan, I learned that some of these songs are tremendously fun to sing at karaoke. Proper get-the-whole-room-wailing-along stuff. This album is super front-loaded, eh? Really drops off from track 6 onwards. There are some 5 star tracks, for sure, but the whole thing isn't quite getting to a 4. My inner teenage metalhead is assuaged. Fave tracks - "You Give Love a Bad Name", "Livin' On A Prayer", "Wanted Dead or Alive", duh!

Mid. Good choruses but repeat way too many times.

Lots of talent on here, especially the guitar work, but it's from that genre of juvenile writing that denies music can be anything but party accompaniment.

Hair metal shouldn't have been invented, i just wasted almost an hour of my life. listen to something worth your time please

This album makes me think of fires at our friend's cabin when I was young - this is one of the albums that was always being played on those nights.

Sang along to the radio hits form my childhood but the rest was average

Some good ole rock'n roll! :-)

Bangin

Cheesy but undeniably fun.

Overall: 5/10 The very definition of "okay". The best thing about the album is that if you're able to get over how cheesy and outdated the songs are then you'll end up having a pretty good time. The hits are good, the non-hits just exist. I certainly wouldn't have included it in the list, just listen to the singles and you're good. Fav Song: Wanted Dead or Alive Least Fav Song: Wild in the Streets

Damn, what bangers, all on one album. I knew all of the songs, just didn't know they all came out on this.

This is basically Van Halen for teenaged girls. It might not be capital A art, but it’s a whole lot of fun. 3.8/5

I’m not a fan of this genre at all, but “Wanted Dead or Alive” is objectively a banger. Too bad the rest of the album is mostly generic butt-rock.

really enjoyable rock album

One of those albums that although the music is something I personally can't abide, the sheer undeniability of the tunes is evident.

here I am, thinking about Bowie and the gallery all over again. in a deliberate attempt to sell as many units as possible, Bon Jovi's third album is devoid of anything that could be called unique or interesting, either topically or instrumentally. I've discussed my frustration at the ubiquity and assumed supremacy of the classic rock canon, and glam metal albums like this represent the nadir of that entire group of recordings. the title must refer to the synths, which are barely audible and only serve to coat the guitars in a layer of gross slime. I'll give Jon Bon Jovi slight props for being a pretty capable singer, but the timbre of his singing voice just makes my skin crawl. the blurb written about Slippery When Wet in the 1001 Albums book talks a lot about how universal the themes of these songs are, and that's all well and good; but, again, Bon Jovi's approach to these themes reveals nothing about who they are as people. one of the reasons Bruce Springsteen, whose influence is all over this music, is so revered is the distinct quality of his lyricism; even when he's telling fictional stories akin to the ones on "Living on a Prayer" or "You Give Love a Bad Name", he places them in a very believable, vivid universe with his writing, both of music and words. a recurring theme with these reviews has been that I really want to hear someone's unique perspective from either of those angles, and I don't feel like I came away from this understanding anything about the members of Bon Jovi as artists or human beings. the band's take on a pop rock sound akin to that of Springsteen or Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers falls more in line with heavy metal, but it's so sanitized that it barely registers as metal. there's guitar solos and power chord riffs, but it never feels blood-pumping, exciting, haunting, or any of the other qualities that great metal can have. so I guess this record simply doesn't work for me at any level. the worst thing an album can do for me is nothing. light 2/10.

Solid hair metal album.

Boy this list really can be a whipsaw sometimes. First, this is album 1002 for me, which I didn't see coming. Second, I go straight from some world music to this, the most American album possible. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing. The hits still (mostly) hit as far as I'm concerned. When the mood and circumstance is right Slippery When Wet could be just the thing. My own mood and circumstances don't take me there often but that's more of a personal problem the indictment of Bon Jovi. It's alright if you have a good time.

“Metal” made safe for the masses through masterfully crafted pop songs. And they’re all here.

Koko levyn ajan pysyy I’m wanted dead or alive -asenne, eli kunnon meininkiä! Pidän siitä, ettei edes balladeissa aivan pysähdytä. Kasari parhaimmillaan.

Alkuun on ladattu pari hittiä, mutta lopulta kaikki degeneroituu ihmeelliseksi halpa-Springsteen-imitaatioksi. Hititkin ovat peruskulutuksessa kuuntelukelvottomia - toisin kuin baarissa saati karaokessa. 2,5

Parents loved Bon Jovi, listened to a lot of this growing up. Only recognised the big hitters though, think a greatest hits was typically on rotation. He does the 80s rock and roll thing pretty well but after van halen and aerosmith recently I need a rest from this type of thing. Nostalgia carried this up to a 3.5 for me but I think it's probably at least a point below that.

One of my car CDs. Picked it up for one euro a few years ago. Very decent - some filler, but the big and popular songs are varied enough - You Give Love A Bad Name, Livin' On A Prayer, Wanted Dead or Alive, and I'd Die For You are excellent. Much better rock voice than most give him credit for, even if this approaches easy-listening rock.

Never heard a bon Jovi album before but this was exactly as I was expecting..... Crap! I've always disliked loving on a prayer and you give love a bad name. Reminds me of 2am in my hometown "nightclub" Also don't like the faux bad boy rocker thing

0.5

I guess I like Bon Jovi more than I thought. (5.3) ★★½

Catchy hooks and great hits and some heartland rock mixed in. 3.5 stars

Solid hair metal album. The singles are all enjoyable as is the closer, "Wild in the Streets". Not my preferred style, but good for what it is. 3.5.

“WOAH! WERE HALFWAY THERE WOAH!! LIVIN ON A PRAYER!!! TAKE MY HAND WELL MAKE IT I SWEAR WOAH! LIVIN ON A PRAYER!!!!!!” With the extended number of albums on the 1001 list I’m probably only about a tenth of the way there but colossal everlastingly brill hair metal anthemry such as this does make it easier. Social Disease the one main iffier cut plus a few forgettable ones near the end and Raise Your Hands, Let It Rock and Wild In The Streets other top drawer songs besides the huge, hella fun hits.

Look, I get why hair metal gets a bad rap. Or at least, I can imagine the general perception of hair metal. To a lot of people, not just headbangers and metal purists, it can be a joke to even call these groups "metal" in the first place. Bands like Poison are a lot closer to 'NSYNC than they are to something like Metallica. I mean, you listen to "Unskinny Bop" — you call that a "metal" riff? It's not even heavy! And, y'know, they got all these upbeat "nuthin' but a good time" drinkin' n' partyin' fun times songs about girls, girls, girls... And it's like, unless you're Guns N' Roses, there's rarely any danger or edge to this kinda music. You could play this stuff to your grandma, and at most she might ask about how much hairspray they inhale. It's never been a very respected genre, in short. Sure, the Sunset Strip might've brought in the big bucks, but they were always gonna be a punchline next to acts like Venom and Slayer. And as much as I can understand that, frankly, I don't care. To me, hair metal was never about how real or heavy or dangerous they are — it's just fun music. That's all I ask from them, so I really can't complain, can I? I mean, goodness, I'm the kinda person who unironically enjoys the ROCK OF AGES movie soundtrack, 'coz I enjoy the genre (and GLEE-style theater kid Broadway covers, I guess) that much. (And, y'know, in light of what I said above, it's funny that the movie ROCK OF AGES wants to act like ending up in a pop boy band is such a terrible fate — worse than a stripper! — but that's completely off-topic...) One of the bands covered in the show and on the soundtrack is — hey, hey, I get to tie back in with the review topic: Bon Jovi! Which... Actually, it's funny. Despite my pre-amble, I don't... Entirely consider Bon Jovi to be hair metal? No, honestly, I've kind of always slotted them in more alongside arena rock. Journey and all that. Which is another genre widely derided, labelled "corporate rock..." And, y'know, I don't care about that perception either. Look, lemme jus' cut to the chase: I love this album. A lot. Wall to wall, it's fun, upbeat, and poppy. The chorus of "You Give Love A Bad Name"? So much fun to sing and shout along to. The whole vibe of "Wanted Dead Or Alive"? So badass. The talkbox riff on "Livin' On A Prayer"? Iconic, and also a blast to try and imitate. And that's not even bringing up the **key change**. Abrupt? Oh, for sure; it comes straight damn outta nowhere. But at the same time, it's **amazing**. The way Jon goes for that "WOOOOAAAH-OOOOOAH!!!!!" is... Like, gosh, it's cheesy in the greatest possible way. I mean, there's a damn good reason these songs have stuck around for as long as they have; they're straight-up classics, full stop. It's impossible to not wanna crank these up as loud as you can. But those are just the singles. They're monsters, in and out of the context of the album. How do the rest of the songs hold up? OK, so this might sound like a back-handed compliment, but I mean this in the nicest, most-positive way possible: they're good enough that they don't bring the rest of the album down.'Cuz of course, they were always gonna be "lows" in comparison, but that's just because the album's hits tower so highly in general. These deeper cuts are still a lot of fun on their own, and keep the energy up. I can't imagine any song other than "Let It Rock" kicking things off. "Social Disease" has, y'know, **an opening**, but damn if I don't dig those horns. "Without Love" and **especially** "Never Say Goodbye" are as good of hair ballads as you can get. And "Wild In The Street" — now **that's** the best non-single on the album, honestly. Burner of an album closer. Honestly, in regards to these songs, I feel like the worst thing I can say about this album is that it's front-loaded. All of the singles, the best songs on the album, are on the first side. I'll stand by the deeper cuts, of course, but I can't blame people for never playing side two. (Also, "I'd Die For You" is probably the weakest song here, but I can give it a pass.) All n' all and all around, I think from my tone you've already assumed that this album is a 5. It's just a blast, front to back. Any complaints I have, they're outweighed tenfold by how much I enjoy listening to this. I mean, that's just hair metal for you, as long as you're not thinking too hard about it. This was an incredibly fun one to get on Christmas Eve, and I can only hope the one my group gets tomorrow can match up. (And seriously — that boy band parody is actually the best song from the ROCK OF AGES movie? Seriously, it rules.)

While mostly just simple songs about girls and partying, hair metal still kicks all kinds of ass, and these tracks are no exception. 4.5 bumped down to 4.

Easy, easy 5 – probably a 10, really. I knew this was the one with the big 3 hits of “You Give Love a Bad Name”, “Livin’ on a Prayer”, and “Wanted Dead or Alive” – it was always going to get a 3, bare minimum because of those 3 tracks. The real question, for me, was simply if the rest of the album would live up to the remarkably high bar of those tracks. It did that, and more – I’m really annoyed at myself for not digging deeper into this album; everything on here just fucking kicks ass. Say what you will about 80s rock like this – yes, it’s been overplayed to hell & parodied to the point where some of these tracks have lost some of the same impact they had 38 years ago… but I just don’t fucking care, man. When it rips, it rips, and this album rips in the fastest 44 minutes I can remember. Let It Rock is a fantastic opener where the charisma of the album oozes in spades immediately, followed by the starstudded 1-2 punch of You Give Love a Bad Name & Livin’ on a Prayer – I am genuinely hard pressed to think of any other 80s rock album that has a 2-track stretch comparable to that. Social Disease is fun; bit of a Phil Collins vibe in the percussion, and it’s baked in a lot of 80s production tricks that just fit my tastes. Wanted Dead or Alive is the other of the big 3 here, and this is my first time realizing that he’s been singing about the band the whole time (“steel horse” should’ve been obvious, I know). The first half of this album is just banger after banger. Past that, the entire second half of the album was blind to me, but man, it fucking rocks – Raise Your Hands has a Britpop structure with an American edge that elevates the track for me, and feels like a great stadium cut. Without Love is drenched in a pop song structure, and reminds me a lot of Jefferson Starship, but that’s part of why I liked it a lot. I’d Die For You feels like this hybrid of The Police & Journey that clicked really well for me, if a little cheesy in the chorus. If I have any complaint, it’s that Wild in the Streets & Never Say Goodbye should’ve flipped their track order – they both rock, with Wild in the Streets feeling like a very Springsteen-esque cut, but Never Say Goodbye is like, custom made to end concerts, and it should’ve ended this album. Ultimately, this is just pure 80s heavy glam metal at one of its finest points, and I’m a pure sucker for it. Perhaps it just struck me really well on a first listen, but I think I'll be coming back to this one for a while. I really do wish I had heard some of these tracks before now, but better late than never – it’s a very easy 5 for my tastes, and it just fucking rules. We gotta get more tracks with key changes in these 1,001 albums.

Look. They can play. And Desmond child gave them hooks the size of the Empire State Building. And Jon’s vocals can be great. Listen to that truckers change when he goes up when you think he’s at the top of his range in livin on a prayer. Great musicians. David Bryan went to Julliard. Richie Sambora was genuinely one of the better post van Halen shredders. Tico Torres is an incredible percussionist. And the late Alec Such was a pocket bassist. Ok Jon tries to be Springsteen. Or the guys from Motley Crue. Or a cowboy. It all more or less works. A lot of people loved this. I actually saw two concerts on this tour. What stuck me is how loud it was - the Sydney entertainment centre wasn’t t built for the size of the rig and add 10000 screaming girls and I damaged my hearing. Second that the show was tightly choreographed. No jamming. No rock and roll danger. This isn’t a criticism (though critics have gone to town on this aspect). A highly professional show which impressed me - at least what I could hear. They deal with cliches in one of the only two ways it’s possible to do it. One you can be like Zappa and subvert them. Or you can write them like you invented them. Jon takes the latter approach. Does it work? Yes. It’s a little bit like having McDonald’s. Fun. Have it occasionally and you won’t get much nutritional advantage and you won’t get much surprise but it’s fun occasionally. 3 stars.

Bon Jovi, eh? It’s a struggle sometimes to review albums that sold a bazillion copies but are desperately uncool. And that’s the space where Slippery When Wet lives. I was 16 years old when Slippery When Wet was released, and I had already shifted my allegiances to the alternative scene, back when ‘alternative’ really was a whole different industry to mainstream, with completely different bands and venues and radio and record stores. That difference collapsed post-Nirvana, when ‘alternative’ become a generic marketing term used by the major industry to try to sell a polished-up version of the music we’d been listening to for a decade (until they squeezed all the life out of ‘alternative’ and moved on to the next thing). But that’s a story for another day. But you couldn’t avoid Slippery When Wet (or the singles at the very least). I still watched music video shows, and the videos for You Give Love Bad Name, Livin’ on a Prayer and Wanted Dead or Alive were ubiquitous for most of 1986 and 1987. My skater mate, Tim, used to refer to the talk-box guitar intro to Livin’ on a Prayer as “the wanker song”, because that’s what it sounded like to him; “wanker, wanker, wa- wa- wanker”. We used to refer to Bon Jovi as ‘heavy plastic’, and the members of the band as ‘poodles’ based on their haircuts. Oh how we laughed! But as time goes by, I am becoming less sniffy about mainstream music. I have to acknowledge the influence of Carl Wilson’s amazing book Let’s Talk About Love: What Other People Have Such Bad Taste. While he is largely examining his own prejudices about Celine Dion, the arguments certainly apply to Bon Jovi as well. Getting snobby about ‘mainstream’ and ‘uncool’ records is really a way for pretentious middle-class males (nearly always males) to maintain cultural capital by denigrating (very) popular culture. I highly recommend chapter 8 ‘Let’s Talk About Who Has Bad Taste’ for the argument in full. And Bon Jovi is definitely uncool. I note that, even with their current poptimist philosophy, Pitchfork have never reviewed a Bon Jovi record or included a track on any ‘best of’ list (exception; best karaoke songs). But it is pretty clear that Jon Bon Jovi and his merry band of poodles were not concerned about cool or cultural capital; they were reaching for the brass ring. Their previous albums were moderately successful but unexceptional, and they had the ambition to conquer the world and were willing to do whatever it took to achieve that. They teamed up with Desmond Child with the express intention of writing hits, then employed Bruce Fairburn (ably assisted by Bob Rock, on the verge of becoming the go-to guy for hard rock bands seeking world domination) to produce them with a slick sheen. They got themselves some fancy clothes and big hair, a state of the art lighting rig, and choreographed a compelling live performance set with wire-work, pyro, and well-honed rock star moves. It was a smart move to have all the videos show off their live performance chops; they were a slick and charismatic band who had clearly spent time studying Freddie Mercury’s performance at Live Aid and rehearsing a lot. They could work the crowds and the cameras, and it looked like the best show you’ve ever seen. The videos are still compelling (especially the bit in Livin’ on a Prayer where they switch from black and white rehearsal footage to full colour audience footage. That move was cribbed in the 1995 Isaac Mizrahi documentary Unzipped to great effect). The album is slick and sleek, with all the songs sounding great; full of sing-along melodies and the hookiest of hooks. The lyrics are often cliched – at best they read like pale copies of Bruce Springsteen – but cliches are always relatable, and they were aiming for widespread appeal here. Props especially to Richie Sambora for playing compelling lead guitar that is far more melodic and musically compelling than was the fashion in hard rock at the time. He plays with panache but keeps the pyrotechnics under control (although maybe leans a little hard on the pinch harmonics sometimes). Again, I suspect Queen was an influence. Livin’ on a Prayer is still, to my mind, one of the best constructed pop songs of the 1980s; great tune, a chorus for the ages, hooks aplenty, memorable arrangement and guitar work, and the greatest trucker’s change modulation in pop history (made all the more perfect by dropping a beat from the previous bar, which propels the song into the key change like a slingshot. Clever). The only quibble I have is with the way the guitar solo was recorded. It’s exquisitely constructed and played but seems to be oddly mic’ed to me – unlike the rest of the album, there seems to be a lot of room ambience, which is strange. The most interesting song to my mind is Wanted Dead or Alive, a paean to the travails of being the biggest, hardest working band in the world. It’s a humble brag really, because life is sooooo hard being this successful (but secretly, it’s actually really cool, like being a cowboy). Except that they wrote the song BEFORE they were the biggest band in the world; it’s a statement of their ambitions. When Jon Bon Jovi sings “I’ve seen a million faces and I’ve rocked them all”, he is willing his dream into existence. And, to his credit, he did it. They knew what they needed to do to be the biggest band in the world, and they went and did the hard work. It wasn’t cool, but millions of people liked it enough to buy the album and see the tour and establish Bon Jovi as a massive band with a massive career. I can respect that, and I’m pretty sure I have a copy of this album that I picked up along the way somewhere. But I never play it because it’s not really my thing. But if you like it, that’s cool too.

Still sounds pretty good for all my reservations about them. A very good pop rock album with great singles - with a sound that hasn’t dated much. And doesn’t outstay it’s welcome.

4.25

Glemte at rate for lang tid siden, men det var fedt, god stadionsrock og har nogle virkelig virkelig ikoniske sange

I wasn’t a huge Bon Jovi fan in the Eighties but they’ve really grown on me. Nearly gave this a 5!

Oh, just fuck right off. Bollocks to Bon fucking Jovi.

Oh Jesus. So terrible

insane intro.. sitten iskee peruskomppi 50bpm voi saatan. wooooooah wooooooooooooooouh waaaaaaaaoaoooooooaaaaaaaaaa. olden music golden music... ei mene paremmaksi kuin tämä MUSIIKKI ei nykyajan äÅÄRÄT VITTU twerkkaukset paskat puhelin puhelin puhelin pliil poolp vittu VITTU!!!!!! 0% nainen 100% transu 0% awesomeness. EVERYBODY WITH ME: woooooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa wooooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. I guess they hate the perceived inauthenticity of it all? Maybe they hate that it's a good bit of fun? Or maybe simply because it's such a "white dude thing" and that's an easy target for hipsters. Either way, fucking lol. I hate it because it sounds like fucking ass deadn or alvi

God i hate bon jovi

Baby you give love, a bad name!!

Finally, we’ve arrived at the McDonald’s of hard rock. Every rock fan knows their most famous songs, but I was surprised to discover that nearly half of these hits come from just one album. While this album is packed with timeless rock classics, I found it to be somewhat repetitive and lacking in excitement. At times, I jokingly wondered if the songs had switched over, as it felt like I was listening to the same track for 15 minutes straight. Outside of the hits, the rest of the album didn’t leave much of an impression; everything seemed to blend together. As someone who has never been a Bon Jovi fan, this was my first experience with a full-length album of theirs, and I can confidently say that my opinion hasn’t changed.

This is as generic as it gets. Mass produced with nothing to say.

Hot. Classic. It just sounds a bit old these days, but the theme and punch is there. So many classics. I am hesitant to give 4stars just considering the amount of other similar music like this album is also out there that i would have personally chosen instead of this one. But this is a solid 3.75/5

Classic.

So earnest it almost can't be parodied. A lot of music of this ilk is just the same. Bon Jovi has a big leg up on its contemporaries in that the musical production is of a really high caliber and that several tracks step away from the mawkish lyricism and end up in sports anthem territory. I would like to note that the lyrics that made Bon Jovi a total heartthrob today would read like a stalker's missive to his intended victim. This initial thought gave me a few chuckles through the listen. Not bad. I'll never again listen in its entirety. I will back folks up at karaoke.

3.5 some classics

gosh i love the energy the drums bring. definitely added for future reference.

Cheesy 80s rock. Wanted to hate it, but actually quite enjoyed it. Feel-good tunes with good production.

Proof that you can write silly songs specifically aimed at commercial airplay and still end up with a solid record. It's just solid craftsmanship. Richie Sambora is kind of a beast.

Overly commercial, borderline silly and not my genre at all - yet Slippery When Wet just rocks. Richie Sambora is phenomenal and the songwriting is some of the best this genre has to offer. You just have a good time in the company of this.

Not for me

5000 points from 13 year old lou

I kind of missed the 80s because I was in a cult, so I don't really have the connection to that decade that most people my age seem to. That said, I *did* attend public school, and there were certain things that were so big thatchy were able to pierce that protective bubble of anti-secularism that I was encased in, and this is one of those things. I don't think I've ever heard the entire album, but even under my rock, You Give Love a Bad Name, Wanted Dead or Alive, and Livin' On a Prayer were ubiquitous. Now, I don't really like 80s pop, so this one will be interesting. OK. The aforementioned hits were nice little walks down memory lane, for sure. but oh my god, it is cheesy as fuck. The production is dreadful - I now understand why so many older albums are remastered - this one could definitely use some love. If this is your cup of tea, it's probably quite good, but it's not mine. I think 2.5 stars. I'll bump it up to 3 stars because I do recognize how massive it was, and how influential Bon Jovi was for a minute. Here's a fun/weird tidbit: you know how when you listen to an album, and it ends, your streaming service will keep playing song it thinks you'll like based on whatever algorithmic formula is in play? I started typing this during the last song of the album and the next song was Def Leppard. Makes sense, yeah? the song after that was...One Step Closer by Linkin Park. ohhhhkaaaay...

## In-Depth Review of *Slippery When Wet* by Bon Jovi Released in 1986, Bon Jovi's *Slippery When Wet* marked a pivotal moment in rock history, propelling the band to superstardom and defining the sound of the 1980s. The album is characterized by its catchy hooks, anthemic choruses, and relatable lyrics, which resonate with themes of love, resilience, and the struggles of everyday life. This review explores the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, influence, and presents a balanced view of its pros and cons. ### **Lyrics Analysis** The lyrics of *Slippery When Wet* exemplify Bon Jovi's storytelling prowess and emotional depth. The album features several standout tracks that convey powerful narratives: - **"You Give Love a Bad Name"**: This song captures the essence of betrayal in a toxic relationship. The vivid metaphors and sharp imagery illustrate the pain of deception, making it relatable to anyone who has experienced heartbreak. - **"Livin' on a Prayer"**: Perhaps the most iconic track from the album, it tells the story of Tommy and Gina, a working-class couple facing financial hardships. The song's hopeful message and sing-along chorus have made it a timeless anthem for perseverance. Jon Bon Jovi's ability to create characters that resonate with listeners is evident here, as Tommy and Gina symbolize countless couples striving for a better life. - **"Wanted Dead or Alive"**: This track draws parallels between the life of a touring musician and that of an outlaw. It reflects on loneliness and freedom while using cowboy imagery to enhance its narrative. The line "I'm a cowboy on a steel horse I ride" evokes feelings of nostalgia for the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. - **"Never Say Goodbye"**: A poignant ballad about enduring love and parting, this song evokes nostalgia and longing. Its heartfelt lyrics resonate with anyone who has experienced loss or separation. The lyrical themes throughout *Slippery When Wet* revolve around love, struggle, and resilience. The characters portrayed in these songs reflect broader societal issues faced by many during the 1980s, making them timeless. ### **Musical Composition** Musically, *Slippery When Wet* is a blend of glam metal, hard rock, and pop elements. The production features polished instrumentation that enhances its commercial appeal: - **Instrumentation**: The album showcases Richie Sambora's exceptional guitar work, particularly his use of the talk box in "Livin' on a Prayer," which adds a unique texture to the song. Sambora's guitar solos are prominent throughout the album, providing both melodic hooks and emotional depth. - **Production Quality**: Produced by Bruce Fairbairn, the album benefits from a high production quality that captures the band's energetic live sound. Fairbairn's expertise in creating anthemic rock tracks is evident in songs like "Raise Your Hands," which features an infectious rhythm and crowd-pleasing choruses. - **Vocal Performance**: Jon Bon Jovi's vocal delivery is both powerful and emotive. His ability to convey vulnerability in ballads like "Never Say Goodbye" contrasts with the bravado found in more upbeat tracks such as "You Give Love a Bad Name." ### **Themes** The central themes of *Slippery When Wet* reflect both personal experiences and broader societal narratives: - **Resilience**: Many songs focus on overcoming adversity, as seen in "Livin' on a Prayer." The message encourages listeners to hold on through tough times. - **Love and Relationships**: The complexities of love are explored through various lenses—betrayal in "You Give Love a Bad Name," nostalgia in "Never Say Goodbye," and youthful passion in "I’d Die for You." - **Identity and Freedom**: Tracks like "Wanted Dead or Alive" explore themes of identity within the rock lifestyle. The juxtaposition of fame with loneliness creates a relatable narrative for many artists. ### **Production Insights** The production process for *Slippery When Wet* was crucial to its success: - **Collaboration with Desmond Child**: The partnership with songwriter Desmond Child was instrumental in crafting hit singles that combined catchy melodies with relatable lyrics. Child’s influence helped shape many tracks into radio-friendly hits. - **Recording Environment**: Much of the writing occurred in Richie Sambora’s mother’s basement, reflecting a grassroots approach to songwriting. This humble beginning contributed to the authenticity found in their music. - **Audience Testing**: Before finalizing tracks, Bon Jovi sought feedback from local fans at a pizza place in Sayreville, New Jersey. This engagement ensured that their music resonated with their target audience. ### **Influence and Legacy** *Slippery When Wet* not only defined Bon Jovi’s career but also had a lasting impact on rock music: - **Cultural Impact**: The album became emblematic of 1980s rock culture, influencing countless artists across genres. Its blend of glam metal aesthetics with relatable storytelling set a template for future rock bands. - **Commercial Success**: With over 28 million copies sold worldwide, it remains one of the best-selling albums of all time. Its singles dominated radio airplay and MTV rotation during its release. - **Enduring Popularity**: Songs from *Slippery When Wet* continue to be staples at concerts and remain relevant across generations. Their themes resonate with new audiences while maintaining nostalgic value for long-time fans. ### **Pros and Cons** #### Pros - **Catchy Melodies**: The album is filled with memorable hooks that make it accessible to a wide audience. - **Strong Singles**: With multiple chart-topping hits like "Livin' on a Prayer" and "You Give Love a Bad Name," it showcases Bon Jovi’s ability to create anthems. - **Relatable Themes**: The lyrics address universal experiences such as love and struggle, allowing listeners to connect deeply with the music. - **High Production Quality**: The polished sound enhances both radio playability and live performances. #### Cons - **Filler Tracks**: Some critics argue that certain songs like "Social Disease" lack depth compared to the stronger singles. - **Predictability**: The formulaic approach to songwriting may feel repetitive for some listeners accustomed to more experimental music. - **Overexposure**: Due to its immense popularity, some tracks may feel overplayed or clichéd among certain audiences today. ### Conclusion Bon Jovi's *Slippery When Wet* stands as a landmark album that encapsulates the spirit of 1980s rock music while addressing timeless themes through engaging storytelling. Its blend of catchy melodies, powerful performances, and relatable lyrics has secured its place in music history as one of the defining albums of its era. While it does have its shortcomings—such as some filler tracks—the overall impact of *Slippery When Wet* remains profound, influencing generations of musicians while continuing to resonate with fans worldwide.

It's fun and full of bops

You Give Love a Bad Name, Livin' On A Prayer, Wanted Dead Or Alive have been constants on rock radio since I can remember so I'm well familiar with those, but I had never checked out a Bon Jovi album. It was solid overall. I prefer other 80s rock/metal bands over this for sure, but this was a good listen nonetheless.

Мне как-будто в уши накончали, еб твою мать 3/10

Never liked Bon Jovi. Never will like Bon Jovi. 3/10

Enjoyed it on the whole, but got a little repetitive

There are so many awful people on this list: Nazis, incest committers, sexual assaulters, and more pedophiles than you can shake a stick at. And then there is Jon Bon Jovi. I am sure he has done plenty of terrible things, and his involvement in professional and semi-professional sports definitely makes me think he might be a bad person, but he has also been married to his high school sweetheart for forty years, campaigns for Democratic candidates, has given millions to charity, works in soup kitchens, and even talked someone off a bridge and prevented their suicide. Great right? No. I am sorry if this makes me a hipster, but this sucks. This is music for children. This is just what you listen to after "Baby Shark" and before real music. I am glad that Mr. Bon Jovi is out there doing good, and it is much appreciated, but if I never hear another one of his songs again, my life would be improved.

Over the years I have liked Bon Jovi songs. With the exception of the greatest hits, I have never listened to a complete album by this band. I tend to like their slower jams like Wanted Dead or Alive or Never Say Goodbye over the big anthem hits. And boy do they like making big anthem hits. Overall, it’s an OK album. Some of the lesser-known songs were pretty bad though.

Great album with plenty of songs already on some of my playlists. Simply good rock music.

# 370 : Great album, I liked it. The perfect Hair Metal album. This might be one of the their best albums. I forget how great this stuff is, It's a bit overplayed these days but still awesome. Not a bad track in the bunch.

I HATE IT I HATE IT I HATE IT I HATE IT

ghostbusters core aesthetic, надоело после 2 песни

Мне приснилось, что я оцениваю этот альбом, но я забыла что писала...

3☆/5 11.22.2024

Pop hair rock

So many good songs on here

Aww yeah. Absolutely love me some hair metal.

Better than I thought it would be

It’s not as good as I remember it but there are some great songs.

Classic trip back to the radio days of my youth. Nothing groundbreaking, but fun and full of memories.

I am not a fan of Bon Jovi, and it's not that they are bad. I'm just not into pop-hair metal. If I listened to hair metal, I would tend toward Motley Crue. I have never heard this album in its entirety, and apart from the hit radio songs, I find this one mostly forgettable.

Great album! I remember my older sister listening to this and I thought it was the heaviest music I could imagine. There couldn't possibly be anything heavier, this was it. Obviously I was wrong but I still like the album and think that it rocks. It flashes me back to thinking about how cool my sister was listening to this super heavy music.

takes me back a bit, some memorable, if dated tunes

This album surprised me. I thought I was going to hate it, or at least dislike it, but if I were to describe it in one word, it would be ‘decent’. It’s enjoyable, but nothing really great. You can make an argument for it deserving to be here, but it’s not a must-have. All the songs are fine, but nothing rises above that. I understand why someone would give this 1 star, and I also understand why someone would give it 5. Overall, this is just an alright album.

solid background music

Full of hits and punchy. Each song individually is easy to listen to. Relentlessly high tempo and upbeat until Never Say Goodbye, then right back to it. Honestly I could have done with more variety. I can entirely see why this album was such a commercial success though.

5.5/10 This was fine, I guess, totally listenable but not for me. Another entry into the genre of American rock or hard rock that takes itself Very Seriously whilst being occasionally silly Good tunes & voice, some songs come across as ridiculous (the cowboy one) But a fine inoffensive listen Best: Livin’ On A Prayer

This is an album with some serious hits, that do still hold up. If you want a good example of classic rock, worth a listen.

The non hit tracks were better than I was expecting. Solid album

I'm certainly not a biggest fan of Bon Jovi, but I c'mon you gotta give it to him. It's a banger of an album with bangers of songs. It's pure fun. They had fun recording it, I'm having fun listening to it. 4.5/5.

Classic rock pop album. A few nice tunes that have stood the test of time

100 Albums in. Wow. Only what? 3 years and a bit to go? I honestly can't wait to see what else the generator pops up for me as it has already been quite the eclectic journey through many musical avenues; some of which I never would have explored had I not been doing this project. So we close the book on one milestone and climb onto the next with Bon Jovi’s ‘Slippery When Wet’. A pretty explosive LP that took elements of heavy metal, injected it with pop flavours to make the genre more radio friendly, and kept the popularity of the ever polarizing sub-genre of hair metal going strong in the 80's. It can be a good or bad thing depending on your views and tastes, and whether they align with anthems that feel designed for big stadiums; which is what I have always associated Bon Jovi with. And for me, this side of metal music has always been a mixed bag. I can say the same for 'Slippery When Wet'; there's a lot to love here. But it's so entrapped in its own genre that it almost becomes a tiring listen... almost. You can’t deny the absolutely timeless hits ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’, ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’, and ‘Wanted Dead Or Alive’ are still absolute bangers to this day. Unbelievably heavy and catchy riffs, drums that smack you in the ear with such force you can’t help but pay attention, and slick production so clean you could eat a salad from the surface. And you can rest assured that the album is full of similar tracks that are layered with different flavours; the surprisingly jazzy ‘Social Disease’. The synth heavy ‘Raise Your Hand’. The dramatic and urgent ‘I’d Die For You’. And the preppy finisher ‘Wild In The Streets’. All of it jacked up with Jon Bon Jovi’s powerful voice that he just never seems to be able to restrain in any way whatsoever. It’s as much to the album’s credit as it is to its detriment. Which leads me to my problem with this brand of metal: it is energetic, it’s constantly heavy, and it’s appropriately cheesy at times. But as I mentioned above, it can become tiresome as an entire tracklist of these elements float by. Bands like Kiss, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper’s brief visit to the genre etc, who craft these stadium anthems, I have always thought had monstrously good songs to pick and choose from, and albums that generally don’t break out into an “essential listening” category. And while it may be unpopular, this is my opinion of ‘Slippery When Wet’. I like this album, but I don’t love it. I could listen to the whole thing maybe on an odd occasion. But I’d prefer to just pick out the standouts for an appearance on one of my many daily playlists. If you like wide, expensive, and bombastic stadium songs - then ‘Slippery When Wet’ supplies it in spades. Even if it’s not totally your thing, the hits are strong enough to carry it at least. 3/5

Maturing is realizing every Bon Jovi song sounds the same…

Whoa we're halfway there... whoaaa oh livin on a prayer!!!! 🤘🏻 I was so excited to see this on my list!!!! I already knew I liked it, and was nice to relisten for the first time in years. Theres big tunes on this tracklist, but also some hidden gems My mum had this album, and as a teenager I would go through her cd collection and put any good ones on my ipod. Slippery When Wet was one of the few albums I copied over in full! I really really enjoyed it 5 ⭐️

One of the only Bon Jovi Albums I have. Came out around 1987 or so, was a staple in my school bus playlist.

Too much fade to black but has a couple of bangers

Man this is bad and just have no redeeming qualities. Lowest common denominator music. At least Jon Bon Jovi seems like a good dude. But man, this list could really help itself ditching this kind of stuff.

Definitely some classics on here, but also some cheesy 80s music on here.

Absolute banger of an album. This is a perfect album for cruising down the highway on a road trip. Three of their iconic hits came of of this album. I love the organ on the opening track playing around with the theme from Wanted Dead or Alive. Extremely fun listen start to finish.

No doubt this album belongs on this list. You still can't go to a bar without hearing these songs, nearly 40 years later. I just really can't stand the forced singing, paint by numbers songwriting and made for MTV image.

Već vidim kako će se svi posrati po ovome 😅 But not me, još nešto na što sam kao klinka otkidala (znam album napamet 😂) i iako sad naravno gledam drukčije na kvalitetu glazbe, teško ću biti nepristrana i posrat se po ovome kao da čujem nešto prvi put. Iako, sigurno nije isto kao kad sam tada slušala, tako da me baš zanima kako će mi sad sjesti. Jao kakav blast from the past, ono kad se vidiš kako upadaš negdje u grmlju nakon jednog piva. 😁 Izuzetno mi je bio zabavan uvijek ovaj album u tom vremenu i mogla sam ga stvarno puno puta poslušati, što se i dogodilo. 😂 Mislim, klavijature su mi apsolutni vrh, ostalo iz sadašnje perspektive i ne toliko, ali kužim zašto mi se i tada ovo sviđalo - jednostavno volim taj zvuk. Osim dosta hitova, ali nekako oduvijek posebno volim Wanted Dead or Alive. Ima isto pjesama tu koje su mi dosadne tipa Raise Your Hands i Without Love. Šta ja znam, uspjela sam zavajbati iako ne slušam to više. Neka kaže tko šta hoće, ali po meni ovaj album zaslužuje biti tu. Istovremeno, bilo je tu i drugih njegovih albuma koji su mi jednako napeti bili. Mislim da bi me bolilo da ne dam dobru ocjenu. Tako da će biti 4/5 ili 7/10.

Prva pjesma i nije bila toliko loša, ali kad sam čuo drugu oko mi je krenulo titrati. Možda on ima nekih dobrih b strana pjesama, ali od ovih hitova lagano proljevčić kuha u meni O bože, Livin on a prayer me tjera na to da ja sebe propucam kroz srce i da okrivim nju Lagano mi ovo zvuči kao glazba za bajkere koji potajno vole pegging A što ovaj gated kanta sner zvuk ne volim... Nisam ga skuzio na prvu jer sam se zgražao nad drugim stvarima, ali sad kad sam ga čuo, jedino to čujem. Mislim, super kome je ovo dobro, ali ja ću stati ovdje jer po ovome jedino mogu kenjat, a tog sam već i previše napravio

4.5/10 A ne znam. Na stranu sto Bon Jovija dozivljavam kao isfuranog i kao visak na 80s plejlistama, moram priznati da mi skroz ima smisla sto je ovaj album ovdje. Ovo mu je vjerojatno i najvaznije sto je izdao od muzike. Na pocetku odmah krece jako sa hitovima, kasnije se malo razvodni, iako se u ovakvim glam-metal-pop-rock stvarima uvijek nesto dogadja. Osobno mi sve to zvuci slicno i brzo se izliže, obicno nakon 3-4 stvari, ako ne i prije. Tako da necu puno duljiti oko ovog albuma, ovo mi tesko moze ici iznad neke prosjecne ocjene zbog gore navedenih razloga, ali neka ga.

Oh yeah this is an EASY 5 iconic album

Fun album! It was nice to hear some other Bon Jovi tracks aside from the ones I've already been exposed to, though I could see why those were so popular to begin with. Great instrumentals, but I didn't love the vocals in all tracks, just a few. 'Wanted Dead or Alive' slaps heavy and wins my fave.

I wanted to hate this more but it genuinely was more enjoyable than other stuff I've rated lower here.

Brilliant. I played this album to death when it first came out.

Nah

BJ was huge back in the day, but still can't forgive my brother and his best friend for playing this 1,000 times while I sat in the back of a 79 Camaro freezing my ass off so they could look cool with the windows down in winter time.

I still know every word to every track. Somewhere along the line Bon Jovi stopped being rebellious and became my mom’s band.

Surprisingly good 80 s hard rock

I actually groaned out loud when I got this as my album of the day. I had it in my head that Bon Jovi is crap. I went into it thinking I was going to hate it and then the strangest thing happened. I started to like it. A lot. This album is basically just hair metal/arena rock. Big guitars and drums with really catchy riffs, hooks and solos. Singalong choruses, crisp production. Dad rock but with more hairspray. There are a couple of criticisms. Firstly, I would have rather this album lean slightly more towards the hard rock and heavy metal side of things instead of pop, but that's purely just personal preference. Secondly, I still think 'Livin' on a Prayer' is very overplayed, butchered to death on karaoke and probably my least favourite track on here. Thirdly and most importantly. Jon Bon Jovi's voice. It's difficult to describe, but I'll try. It's like he's putting on a "cool" voice, like his upper lip is curled up whilst singing. There's a certain whine to it. It isn't quite rough, raspy and harsh, and it isn't quite as clean as a whistle, it's this really awkward middle ground and despite how objectively good at singing he may be, I'm not a fan. Plus his diction when singing those high notes is pretty bad. Despite this though, it's not quite enough for me to take away a star from the rating. This is a really fun album, just don't take it too seriously. I enjoyed this a hell of a lot, and I hate myself for saying that.

Fun album. The great songs - Livin' on a Prayer, You Give Love a Bad Name, and Wanted Dead or Alive - are classics. The rest of the songs are more forgettable.

It was kind of fun to go back and revisit this album, however, it’s not something that will make its way back into my regular rotation, primarily because I’ve heard it so many times since I was a kid. Despite its undeniable classic status, it feels like it’s more of a nostalgic trip than a staple for my current playlist.

"Slippery When Wet" is the third album by American rock band Bon Jovi. Glam metal, pop metal, pop rock and hard rock. Yep. Critics credit it as an album that turned heavy metal into a radio-friendly format and breakthrough for hair metal. For better or for worse. The big hits were written by Jon Bon Jovi (lead vocals, guitar), Richie Sambora (guitars, synths, backing vocals) and Desmond Child (songwriter). It was a massive success commercially staying at #1 in the US for eight weeks and it also made it up to #6 in the UK. It had generally positive reviews. A held guitar note and spiraling organ keys open the album and the song "Let It Rock." I think they were going for a Deep Purple intro. Sounds very 80's pop metal and overly produced. The band kicks it into a standard rock song. The loud chorus vocals go back and forth with "Woah" and "Let It Rock." The next song starts "Shot to the heart and you're to blame...You give love a bad name." Yeah, a strong, repetitive catchy chorus. Layered guitars and synths. This is the first single and really kickstarted the album commercially. A slow synth intro and that covered guitar with the talk box sound begins "Livin' on a Prayer." Another song with a loud vocal chorus and another one with a cursory guitar solo in mid song (that's most songs on this album). At least Tommy and Gina have each other if he doesn't make it as a guitarist. I wonder if he ever did? Jon compares himself to a cowboy thief in "Wanted Dead or Alive." The song was inspired by Bob Seger's "Turn the Page." They should have just covered that song. Oops, some other heavy metal band did that. More acoustic-guitar based. These lyrics sounded as ridiculous today as they did back in 1986. And, what would a 80's pop metal album be without a ballad. Enter "Never Say Goodbye." He doesn't want the best of times to go away. I will say Jon does give probably his best vocal performance on this song. On the positive side, the album has the guitar and general sound that the late 80's hair metal music would copy, catchy choruses and Jon Bon Jovi appears to be a very good guy. But, what really annoyed me on this album was: the very 80's sounding over-production and over-mixing, the hair metal guitar tricks (whammy bar, voice box), the overuse of loud and repetitive vocal choruses and the word "woah," the cursory mid-song guitar solo on every song, the cursory metal ballad and the memory of bad 80's music (hello Heart). If you can get past these, there's a chance you'll like the album as a whole.

It's all fun and catchy but then Never Say Goodbye happens. It sounds like a schlager dressed as a rock ballad and it's so disastrously bad that I kinda want to lower the mark to 3/5

good classic rock. a lot of classics on this album, and some that don't really keep up with the rest. still good tho

It's ben Jobi

Unfortunately kinda mid

Tbh I didn’t hate it. Should have ended on Livin on a Prayer though

Ugh the prom king rock. I did not enjoy this album as a whole. I liked the singles aka the ones society pushed on me but everything else is dribble.

high school quarterback rock. earns points for it's hugely influential hits, loses points for their oversaturation and the types of people who get hype for them. Also loses points for "hair metal" not holding up as a genre in 2024 https://slate.com/culture/2018/04/how-bon-jovi-influenced-pop-music-despite-its-critics.html

I was never a big fan of Bon Jovi, it's alright.

Bon Jovi might be the worst big Metal band of the 80's. Terrible vocals, bad songwriting, annoying stadium rock anthems that are overplayed the second they were presented the first time. In fact, they aren't even barely Metal. They are weak Hard Rock that tries too hard to be something like Metallica and even this "best" album of theirs is still pretty bad overall. The album opens with 'Let It Rock' which already shows why Bon Jovi is so popular but still so bad. It's a song that combines Glam Metal and Hard Rock with a lot of Pop influences that turn the song... well Pop. And that is something that destroys the good things that might be lurking way beneath the surface. There is just too much synth organ at the start and once the actual track hypes itself up, you are already not interested anymore. The production and the mixing is way too muddy and noisy to be pleasent and the vocals are just bad. I can praise the energy as well as the anthemic vocals in the chorus but the chorus is also the only thing that makes it somewhat okay even if the entire track is still not good. 'You Give Love a Bad Name', is nearly a good song. It's okay but not good, not even close. Rather, it's listenable with a legendary chorus but again, the vocals are terrible. With just some very fun parts, that are destroyed by verses and brings the overall enjoyment to a point that it's not more than an average AOR Glam Metal track. The synthpop influences on 'Livin' on a Prayer' give it a legendary intro and even if the song is so overplayed and it still has terrible lyrics, both production and songwriting is much better which makes this an above average track which I do not mind listening to once in a while. It's still one of the most overrated songs of all time. With 'Social Disease' they seem to add influences from Jazz-Rock which is executed pretty badly. The moaning and synthesized intro is even worse and the Pop influences are even bigger. The song is just a big mess of weird additions of which only a few are somewhat helpful. But it could've been worse which does not mean that it's good. It's average. The Country and Western influences on 'Wanted Dead or Alive' are not only musically but also lyrically which makes it incredibly stupid. This is a Rock album and not a Willie Nelson album. This is just unpleasant to listen to and without a doubt a really bad song. Like actually terrible. On Side B, 'Raise Your Hands' introduces a much heavier sound that actually helps the song have somewhat of a credibility. I do not think that it's good but if every song was like this, the album might've been better. It's mainly the songwriting as well as the mixing that really throws me off. If the song wasn't just thrown together like it is here, it might not have been as bad as it turned out. It's not abhorrent but it's bad. If that wasn't enough, 'Without Love' is one of the corniest and most annoying "sentimental" songs I have ever heard. The songwriting causes physical pain to me and is just terrible. It's supposed to be a love song to cry to but I am just crying because I think it's torture to listen to the entire thing without going insane. 'I'd Die for You' starts off somewhat promising but once the vocals start, I know that it's going to be the same as the last one: terrible. The lyrics and the songwriting is just absolutely terrible and the chorus is easily one of the most lackluster things I have ever heard. A third grader would've came up with something more interesting. The mixing is horrible again but that is established at this point. I wish that I could say goodbye to the album already but 'Never Say Goodbye' sadly isn't the final song. It goes even deeper into that stream of sentimental Pop with the Metal around it which ends up sounding just bad. Again. The song has horrible: songwriting, lyrics, production, mixing, ideas, and more I guess. There is nothing of value to get out of these songs. Finally, the album ends with 'Wild in the Streets' which, can you guess?, is absolute garbage. It's bland, annoying, bad and has an amount of emotional value where even a fly's buzz could create something more inspiring. My only thought when hearing this is, if someone can turn off the terrible Springsteen cover band. It's just bad. favourites: Livin' on a Prayer (still not good) least favourites: Without Love, I'd Die for You, Wild in the Streets, Never Say Goodbye, Wanted Dead or Alive Rating: light to decent 3 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

Admittedly, this does has a lot of classic hits. But they're all just, you know, pretty good.

This is undeniable

Wataguy!

got halfway through the album. it only made sense.

feels like playing rockband on the wii highlights: you give love a bad name, livin’ on a prayer, social disease (mar 18 2026)

I mean this thing has some SINGLES

I enjoy a bit of Bon Jovi. But only a bit. Really only the singles stand out on this album. The rest is very generic 80s rock.

Cracking album, with some big tunes, as rock music started making its comeback in a difficult decade dominated by pop, electro, and the end of disco. A good listen.

80’s rock

Great 80a rock.

fine, probably?

Some of these other reviewers need to get their nose out of the air, their head out of their asses, and stop taking music (and themselves) so seriously. Is this the absolute peak of music?? No, but welcome to the music industry. They find what sells and duplicate to oblivion! With multiple tracks with over a billion plays on Spotify, this is a mega album. It’s fun, high energy, nice solos. I think I’d typically rate this 4/5 but I’m rating up to stick it to the sticks-in-the-mud that think they’re too good for this hair metal.. screw them