This Romeo is Bleeding...

Today is St. Valentine's Day. Originally observed by Catholics, the holiday surrounds as many as three "Saint Valentines." All three were martyrs. Much like all great literature, all our modern holiday traditions come from the Middle Ages.

It's customary for lovers to exchange tokens: candy, notes, flowers - and yes, rings. I suppose it's also customary for the unlucky in love to feel a little bummed on this, the most romantic of holidays.

I liken most power ballads to soap operas: steamy, emotional and - usually - just the right length to make a real impact.

I don't remember what month the Bon Jovi video for "Always" premiered, but I do remember the year: 1994. I was in 7th grade, and a big Aerosmith fan. I was watching a ton of MTV at the time because the channel was still actually about music at that point, and my 'Smith were in heavy rotation. So anyway, Bon Jovi released Cross Road in 1994. The mega-selling greatest hits package featured two new songs: "Someday I'll Be Saturday Night" and "Always."

"Always" was written for the movie Romeo is Bleeding, but when the New Jersey band actually saw the film, they were abhorred at the quality and yanked the song. It was probably smart to keep "Always" as that single alone really helped push Cross Road up the charts.

The video for "Always" is clearly big budget. It's also a little nuts, but the song is about a crazed stalker, so I suppose it fits.

I know a lot of you don't like nouveau Bon Jovi. Quite frankly neither do I, but back in the day...the songs, the videos = magnifico!

I can't think of a better song for Valentine's Day than "Always." Sure, it's about the stalker like I said, but it's romantic in that "I-want-to-kill-you-if-I-can't-have-you" sort of way. Really, isn't that what St. Valentine - all three of them - would have wanted?

Enjoy this avant garde Glam classic. Yes, it's a little Eyes Wide Shut meets "Every Rose Has Its Thorn." It is, after all, Bon Jovi.

Comments

[Joe]

Ahhhhh!!!!..The good old day..When Bon Jovi were still a rock band..HAHAHA!!!..Happy Valentine's Day to you and Eric Allyson..Take care! =)

[Red6ixx]

was never really that into Bon jovi - sure i had slippery when wet but they were too popular for me - i was one of those 'like them till they make it big brigade' Music snob maybe - couldnt help it i was young.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipcZr4ky8jo
This is my preffered Valentine song Hanoi rocks - Dont you ever leave me - love the band totally - very underated at the time.
Such a lovely song.

[Pat]

"Always" is one Bon Jovi song I've never been able to stomach, although that isn't a particularly small category.. Valentine's Day for me would have to be Thunder's "Love Walked In".

http://youtube.com/watch?v=szGtmXrWaU8

Of course, as I'm alone again this year, I think I should probably just stick to "Too Young to Fall in Love".

[fletch]

Hey Cathy,

Every night I get to lay you down in our Bed of Roses!
Keep the Faith and Buckle up...It's gonna be bumpy!!!

Thank You for Loving Me! I love you more! Happy Valentine's Day!

Love,
fletch

P.S. It's not old...we're just older!!!

[Christian Graus]

Someone asked me recently for a Valentines heavy metal song. I suggested Donation by Accept. Dunno how I manage to stay married....

[Sean]

Funny that Bon Jovi, the star of Moonlight and Valentino, John Carpenter's Vampires, and National Lampoon's Pucked, would have issues with the quality of Romeo is Bleeding. Not exactly a masterpiece either but come on!

[fletch]

Sean,

You're funny! :]

fletch

[Vince Neilstein]

Ahhhhh Allyson, I love you. We're about the same age and I also loved this song when it came out on MTV. That's Jack Noseworthy who is the star of the video; this video got him the lead gig in the short-lived show "Dead at 21."

[trivia companies Melbourne]

Good blog.

[trivia companies Brisbane]

Valentines day is the day of love.