Bon Jovi – ‘Forever (Legendary Edition)’ (2025) – Album Review (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)

Last year, Bon Jovi released their 16th Studio album, ‘Forever’. It was an album I wasn’t sure we would ever get. Jon had some serious vocal issues, so bad in fact he needed surgery. Back… More

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Bon Jovi – ‘Forever (Legendary Edition)’ (2025) – Album Review (The Bon Jovi Collection Series)

Last year, Bon Jovi released their 16th Studio album, ‘Forever’. It was an album I wasn’t sure we would ever get. Jon had some serious vocal issues, so bad in fact he needed surgery. Back in 2022, Jon Bon Jovi went under the knife to fix his vocal cord problem that had been well documented by the cruel trolls of the internet. After watching the documentary, ‘Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story’, we got to see first hand how bad things were for Jon. It is amazing he is even able to still sing. When I did the review of the ‘Forever’ album, I asked…will we ever see them live again? We were real unsure back then, now the answer is a resounding yes. They have announced a few shows in 2026 with more to come in 2027 from what I hear.

After the release of ‘Forever’, Jon received a lot of phone calls from artists wanting to cover songs off the album. So many, in fact, he stopped and had an idea. Why have people cover the songs when they could join him and sing with him and make a duet album of all the songs from the album. And that is what he did. The album came out on October 24, 2025. The band added one new track called “Red, White and Jersey” to give the fans a little something new for buying the album again. However, that was not needed as the artists that joined Jon were enough for me to want to grab it. I mean, come on…he has Robbie Williams, Joe Elliott (Def Leppard), James Bay and Bruce Springsteen…that was enough for me. In fact, the list of artist is very diverse covering Rock, Country, British Pop and even Gospel.

Like with the last album, I bought one of every physical format including vinyl and CD. This time around though I went with the standard black vinyl instead of a colored variant. I kept it simple and save a few bucks. My vinyl collection for Bon Jovi is still complete! With format aside, how do the songs stand up as duets, honestly, I was a little surprised at how well they do. We might as well get to it and discuss.

The new version of the album opens with a brand new song called “Red, White and Jersey”. Like a lot of songs on the album, there is a committee writing the songs. This one has Jon, John Shanks, Ashley Gorley and Casey Brown. Regardless of how many writers, the song is an uptempo, nostalgic sounding track that sees Jon reminiscing about his past and how no matter how famous they became, they would always be New Jersey people at their heart. A nice little rock anthem feel to it and a great opening track. David Bryan’s keyboard is the heart of the song and there is also some great guitar work and Tico pounds the crap out of those drums. I think this could be a good live track. This track was sung by Jon, no duet on this one.

“Legendary” is a song that pays tribute to his wife but is also another nostalgic looking song harking back to the band’s past and looking in to the future as well. It is a song Jon has done a lot lately which is a very uplifting, anthem vibe to it. The bridge/chorus is so catchy and you can’t help but get swept up in it. There is a line that mentions Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” and Van Morrison’s “Brown-Eyed Girl” and it helps give the song some familiarity. The duet on this one is with one of the great new British singers to come out in years and that is James Bay. He has such an amazing vocal, but in my opinion he is very underutilized. There are only 2 verses and James gets one, but I don’t hear too much of him in the chorus which he would’ve elevated with that great tone he has. A missed opportunity. Still a great song.

If you thought the first two songs were nostalgic, “We Made It Look Easy” feel like it even more so. It is Jon taking a look back at his youth and all the things he’s done. Another huge chorus, a great hook and some great Jon story telling…which I feel has been missing for years. Not a heavy rocker at all, but a great soft rock song that makes you feel good looking back. There is more great guitar picking on this one and like all the songs, musically they are great. One of the many writers on this song is Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic which I think is cool as he is pretty freaking talented himself. But he doesn’t sing with Jon. It is the amazing Robbie Williams and it is so cool to have him on the track. He compliments Jon well and they actually utilized him more in the choruses to lift them even higher.

Next up is “Living Proof” and it brings back the talk box which I don’t think we’ve seen in over decade. As cool as it is to have the talk box back, I will note that it doesn’t sound as cool as when Richie does it. I’m sorry, it just doesn’t. However, that doesn’t detract from the song as this is another killer track. A great driving beat, upbeat tempo and another feel good track. On ‘2020’, Jon really didn’t sing so much as speak sing the songs. This time, Jon is singing and I couldn’t be happier he seems to be doing better. The duet is with country singer Jelly Roll and man, that guy can sing. Jelly Roll might be country, however, this song rocks and he keeps that vibe. The little grit in vocals make him fit that rock side pretty well. I’m a fan of his so I was glad to see him here.

“Waves” sees Jon working with more outside writers and this time it is the great Jason Isbell and I can hear his influence on the song for sure. Especially now that Jason is singing the duet with Jon. It is slower tune while the chorus is louder and more upbeat. An AOR track for sure, but Jason gives it a more country vibe with his vocals and you know what, I’m okay with that. Again, we have more interesting lyrics and I am really digging what they are putting out here. Heck, we even get a half-way decent guitar solo.

Then with “Seeds”, we get a similar song as “Waves”, but they fit well sitting next to each other. This one sees Ryan Tedder again and even more outside writers. And since Ryan helped write it, makes sense to add him as the duet partner. Ryan is a great pop singer and another vocal that compliments Jon really well. When they blend their vocals together, it is a nice moment. The song is a little more upbeat then “Waves”, but not by much. It is really good and so far I am not disappointed in anything I’ve heard. Actually, it is very enjoyable.

That was until we get to “Kiss the Bride” that Jon wrote with Billy Falcon. So guess who is singing with him. If you guessed Billy Falcon then you’ve been paying attention to the last 2 songs. A song written for Jon’s daughter who was getting married. That is sweet. It is a very pleasant piano opening bit. When Jon sings, it is too sweet, too sugary, it is causing my teeth to ache and head to hurt as a result. Sorry, it is a little too cheesy and trying a little too hard. Billy Falcon matches Jon’s soft, tender vocals well, but even Billy can’t save this one. A side note, I’ve noticed lately Bon Jovi’s ballads aren’t as good as they used to be. The song will make you cry, but not for the right reasons (too harsh, sorry).

“The People’s House” saves they day. With a “Keep the Faith” bass line (best on the album), we get a charged up, energy filled track. It has a gospel vibe to it. So for Jon to pul The War & Treaty in to sing was pure genius. Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter are pure gospel gold. Some of the best singers you will hear and they elevate this song to whole other level. It is solely written by Jon and it is nice to see he can still do a good song without the help of other people. Since this is one of the better tracks on the album…maybe he should do that more often. Might be the best one on the album with The War & Treaty addition.

“Walls of Jericho” was not a song I enjoyed on the original album. Jon brings in another 80’s rock icon with Joe Elliott and that has made my interest in hearing this one improve greatly. It opens with some cheesy gang vocals chanting out the cheesy lyrics with a country twang on the guitar. Shoot me now. Okay, that part hasn’t changed for me. However, when the verses kick in, it does improve as Jon sounds good. The chorus is still big and rather corny. Second verse comes and Joe Elliott sounds amazing, but even he can’t really make this a great song. He has grown on me a little, so maybe I don’t hate it as much, but still not a favorite.

“I Wrote You A Song” is another ballad and some more David on piano. I mentioned earlier that Bon Jovi doesn’t do ballads well anymore. I will be the first to admit I was wrong, but sadly I’m not. This one is as bad as the other. It is woefully inadequate to garner any caring emotions or oohs & ahhhs. I don’t think Jon sounds that great on here, sadly, and Lainey Wilson is his duet partner and she is a little too country to pair up with Jon. She’s a great singer in her lane, but I don’t like the two together here or the song in general. He’s singing a pop ballad she’s singing country. Doesn’t work for me.

The next track is an unusual matchup. It is Jon writing with Ed Sheeran…yeah, you read that right…Ed Sheeran. Ed was staying at Jon’s house as Ed wanted some advice from Jon. Somehow, this strange pair works well. The song “Living in Paradise” is the result and is a fun upbeat track. Now, if he history serves on this album, then Ed should be singing, but disappointingly that is not the case. Would’ve been cool though. Instead, we still get Avril Lavigne and she is no slouch herself. The chorus is memorable, catchy and man is it huge. Bon Jovi is the king of big choruses. Avril handles the 2nd verse and she slays. The girl hasn’t lost a step in the last 20 years and might be getting even better vocally. Back to Ed for a second, How about a full Ed and Jon album…come on…let’s do it.

Now we get to one of my favorite songs on the album and that is “My First Guitar”. Jon has been reunited with his very first guitar after he purchased it back from the guy he sold it to 45 years ago. How cool is that. I guess you could say this is a love song and a ballad and it is amazing. So, I was wrong. Bon Jovi can still do a good ballad. Even if it is a love song about his love for his first guitar. There is something cool about this song, the chorus is simple but says it all. “I’m in love with my first guitar”. And who isn’t. It also mentions playing old Kiss records. Kudos Jon…good job! And written solely Jon. See, need more of that. Now, let’s get to Marcus King…man, what a beautiful vocal. I think he should’ve been all over this song a little more, but when he is there, it is a nice new flavor for the song.

“Hollow Man” proves I can be wrong about a song. The original album, I hated. But this time around, the song has grown on me. Add in the legendary vocals of Bruce Springsteen and Damn! I now get this song. Two native New Jersery residents together gives album it’s legendary edition name. Bruce’s vocal have so much character and mileage that you really start to feel the lyrics. The song finally has that heart and soul I was looking for during the original album.

The final song on the album is something completely and utterly different. It is a Spanish version of “We Made it Look Easy” titled, “Hicimos Que Parechiera Facil”. Jon sings in Spanish and is accompanied by Carin Leon who is such an amazing singer. I think it proves it is a good song when you change the language and it still sounds brilliant. Actually, I respect adding this to the album.

Track Listing:

Red, White and Jersey – Keeper
Legendary – Keeper
We Made It Look Easy – Keeper
Living Proof – Keeper
Waves – Keeper
Seeds – Keeper
Kiss the Bride – Delete
The People’s House – Keeper
Walls of Jericho – Keeper (1/2 Point)
I Wrote You A Song – Delete
Living in Paradise – Keeper
My First Guitar – Keeper
Hollow Man – Keeper
We Made It Look Easy / Hicimos Que Parechiera Facil (with Carin Leon) – Keeper

The Track Score is 8 out of 12 Tracks or 82%. I will admit, this was a good album on the original release. As a duet album I think it borders on great. There are some really good songs. I feel the story telling was better than it has been and I love the nostalgic feel of some of the songs. Nostalgia is always good. Jon’s vocals will never be where they were, but they are better than where they were on ‘2020’. I couldn’t be happier for him that he is on the mend as he sounds really good here. The duet partners are some really great choices and at times I feel the guests are underutilized, at times they add so much flavor and texture it actually improves the songs. I gave the album a 3.0 and this album has grown on me a lot since I reviewed it a year ago. Now, My Overall Score is a 4.0 out of 5.0 Stars. An album I was not interested in when I heard it announced, but after hearing it, it is the album I didn’t know I needed.

THE BON JOVI COLLECTION SERIES: