Bon Jovi – Living in Sin [with B-side: Love is War] (1989)
Living in Sin was released on November 11, 1989, and is the 5th single release off Bon Jovi’s New Jersey album. The song was written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora and was the band’s very last single release in the 1980’s. The single peaked at #9 in the US Billboard Hot 100, which resulted in the lowest chart position from all New Jersey single releases. But, personally, I find this release to be a real gem because of its previously unreleased B-side: Love is War – therefore, we will dedicate this post to the mentioned song.
According to Wikipedia, ‘Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora sat together and wrote the song “Love Is War” but Jon Bon Jovi wanted to write a song that would prove to be just as successful as “You Give Love A Bad Name” so desperately that it came out with exactly the same chord progression. (Wikipedia.org, retrieved on June 29, 2015)’ Maybe that is the reason why I like the song so much.
Love is War has that typical 80s-Bon Jovi-touch in regard to everything – melody, harmonies, arrangements and feel. Just the chorus makes you want to raise your fist in the air and shout out loud… “Tell me why, love is war. When the battle is done you still want more. Every broken heart is tryin’ to even the score. It’s the way of the world, love is war.”
I don’t know if the song was ever officially released on a special edition album, Best of, or similar compilation. Plus, I wonder why the song was dropped in the first place. The song is stronger and has more radio appeal than at least a couple of songs on the New Jersey album; let alone acceptance it could have found at concerts.
Anyhow, my verdict: Because of the B-side, Love is War, the Living in Sin single release off of Bon Jovi‘s New Jersey album is worth having.