Legendary - new single

I think that Jon made a very good decision in 2000's to concentrate on US, because they were in real danger there to really fall of the charts (remember, IML charted relatively badly and Crush was only No. 9). With new found success in the US, Europe was still strong.

However, I do agree about rest of the world. The band oddly neglected South America and Asia in general, even Japan in particular through the years. Japan was always a backbone of band's planetary popularity. And South America did have some live tours after 2009, but it seems as an afterthought. Especially as you say, in 90's Jovi was worldwide phenomenon, when US basically left the band more or less.

One can always be cynical and say those markets are not prosperous enough (and Japan has been stagnating for 20 years), but that is not fair. Cause in the 90's, band was thriving in much less "prosperous" countries and making their name there for decades to come, and then to never visit again and neglect in marketing sense is odd

Totally agreed. It's completely sad they'd have to change their sound entirely to sell to that audience again. It's incredibly naive and short sighted to say if they put out a rock single everyone will come back. So they come back to a pop/rock album that fizzles out all over again.

"if only the band would release what I think is a good song" is a wild take that has plagued this board for literally decades.

He's selling the song, of course he's going to say that. He's going to say the last five albums were all number 1 hit albums. Why do people care what he says to the press to move copies, it's literal PR. He's not going to admit the truth. Yeah he could do it far less cockily but end of the day, who cares. He's not going to release a song at this point in the band's career that will please everyone.

I get what you are saying, but if they released a great song, then people outside of the fan base would be saying that it's a great song. No one, and I mean no one, outside of the existing fan base is saying that Legendary is a great song. Until the band take a risk with a single and release something different from the same old formula, then that's all they are ever going to get. they are clearly happy to keep playing it safe, which is fine, but if you keep doing the same thing that you always do, then you will always get the same results.

But is it really naive and short sigthed? Perhaps 15 or 25 years ago yes, but nobody knew then that longevity of rock bands will be this far reaching. Nowadays, your "body of work" as Jon likes to say, means more than new stuff on the radio. Most stadium bands in Europe didn't have a hit in decades basically. Even newer bands like Kings of Leon.

Take example of Def Leppard. They have their audience, period (very similar to Jovi in Europe). Do they try for pop/rock/AC radio with new single? No, they put out hard rocking stuff, not to everybody's taste, but not "everybody" will even care to listen. Jon still thinks he has world's ears and that he has a shot if the song is "universal" enough. I think he's making grave mistakes for over 15 years now, but counter forces (iconic legacy) are swimming in opposite direction.

If he really thinks he sells 70-thousand people stadiums in Europe because last 5 albums have been No. 1 in numerous countries, he is in denial. And he is.

Agreed, and it just results with slowly dwindling fanbase. Which is okay I guess, but it's not like Jon and the band (and record company) cannot chose something else from albums, which always have something better. At least then discriminate between NA and Europe or something. Cause Europe desperately needs another HAND at least.

EDIT: And I'm not even sure they're completely happy, but in denial. Otherwise, you would have a live playlist consisting of 1st singles from all newer albums, which is rational if you believe those singles are best vehicles for your contemporary popularity (which I have serious doubt that Jon is in so much denial). So the live setlist would necessarily have:

Everyday, Make a memory, WWBTF, BWC, This House, Limitless, Legendary.

The list grows, and it grows in very "toilet break" kind of way. Again, it's delusional to think this is a backbone of Jovi's modern success. If Jon thinks so, even worse. But I think he knows it's not, but it's best he thinks he can provide. I think he's wrong. Best would be to come to terms that no new hits are happening and just put your best effort music out. Not only would different singles be picked, but probably few different songs on albums, lifting them also. However, this obviously didn't happen, but we can discuss and wish.

He's not in denial, he knows exactly where the sales are coming from. It's the image he's projecting to make the band look more important than it is. Those are two distinctly different things.

I'm not sure I understand the comparison to Kings of Leon, are they doing stadiums in Europe? I think Def Leppard is a great example. I wish the band would follow their lead for social media videos and content.

Which I think they're fine with. I don't know if they're terrified to rock the boat or what. I also don't think he's trying to write for radio and top 40. He's openly admited those avenues won't touch them. I honestly don't think he cares and knows there are better songs on the album. Why he chooses to play it so god damn safe, I can't figure out.

This House Is Not For Sale is at 30 million streams, Limitless is at 15 million and Legendary is currently at 3 million. I see a decline there. Could Legendary eventually crawl to 15 million maybe, but it isn't getting to 30 million imo. Physical sales are pretty much meaningless at this point, but 2020 was the first album I didn't bother to buy.

If you're core audience is like 100,000 people at this point what is the point of a big band like Bon Jovi catering to that small of a group. If you're going to go the catering route why not cater to the few million people or so interested in a proper rock album. From what I can tell even with all the damage done by Jon turning his back on rock, about 1 million individual people as least gave Legendary a listen on spotify, it probably would've been higher if it weren't for the singles released from 2020.

A legacy band like Metallica has a song called Lux Æterna which is currently at 70 million streams after a year and a half. Those are the kind of numbers Bon Jovi could still be doing if their fan base hadn't been constantly shrinking over the last 15 years. A proper rock song like Have A Nice Day is nearing 100 million streams and it wasn't released during the height of streaming.

How does lying improve sales or streams? It hasn't helped at all from what I can tell. No one can release a song that will please everyone, but he is currently releasing songs that please very few people.