BON JOVI – “Please Come Home for Christmas” (1994 Mercury single)
Christmas of ’94 was a good one for Bon Jovi. Their first greatest hits record Cross Road was a smash, returning Bon Jovi to the charts. It spawned two hit singles: “Always” and later on, “Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night”. With all that going on, it is understandable if you missed another Bon Jovi single that was just under the radar.
“Please Come Home for Christmas” is billed as a Bon Jovi single, but in actuality it’s a Jon Bon Jovi solo track. It was first released exclusively to the album A Very Special Christmas 2 (1992), billed to Jon Bon Jovi and not performed with the band. By ’94, “solo” and “band” Bon Jovi were becoming blurred. Jon’s solo track “Blaze of Glory” was on Cross Road even though it’s from Jon’s first solo album. Nowhere on the “Please Come Home for Christmas” single is it indicated that this is a Bon Jovi solo recording, further blurring the lines.
None of that really matters; Bon Jovi is Jon’s band and this single gathers together his first three Christmas recordings in one place. It’s actually a great value.
The old Charles Brown seasonal classic has been covered over and over, notably by the Eagles. Jon’s version isn’t bad either. You either like Bon Jovi or you don’t. If you like Bon Jovi then this will probably be right up your alley.
Next up, one of the B-sides from Keep the Faith and an original song too: “I Wish Everyday Could Be Like Christmas”. This has the vibe of Keep the Faith, with full production by Bob Rock. Why can’t everybody be kind to each other every day like they are on Christmas? It ain’t easy to write an original Christmas song, and Jon did an excellent job on this one. I’ve always preferred it to “Please Come Home for Christmas”.
Finally, from the first Very Special Christmas album (1987), it’s a live take of “Back Door Santa” (Clarence Carter). That means it’s from the Slippery When Wet tour. Vintage Bon Jovi with cheesy keyboards right out “Social Disease”. It’s not good but it’s here! Meaning, Bon Jovi fans don’t have to look for A Very Special Christmas to complete their collections.
Two for three decent songs isn’t bad. All are non-album tracks, so that’ll make this single worth it to you.
3/5 stars
I never had this as I have never been huge on Christmas songs. I have all these songs so not sure where I got them, if it wasn’t the single and it wasn’t the Christmas albums you mentioned. hmmm!!
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I wonder if those tunes are on other compilations? I didn’t check my library but I think I Wish Every Day Could Be Like Christmas is on something else.
Sounds like you are well equipped for Christmas tunes Jon!
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Oops I meant John…I’m easily confused.
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I probably bought some bootleg CD of rare tracks on ebay years ago.
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I mean, that song is pretty obligatory Christmas music.
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Gah to this!
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I don’t really care who sings this, it’s a great song and that fact always shines through. That being said, I do think this version is pretty damn fine.
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I find this version doesn’t sound all that different from the eagles one (though admittedly, I’ve never listened to either all that carefully) – in a Christmas playlist, I like it!
Someday I’ll be Saturday night might be my favourite Bon Jovi tune
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I never cared for his version of this song. I can’t tell you why. I like blues and jazzy stuff at Christmas.
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I honestly don’t remember this song. Gonna check it out now.
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Meh, I’ll stick with the original thanks. The first A Very Special Christmas is a good Lp actually.
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