B-side Edge of a Broken Heart Format CD single, cassette Genre Rock
soft rock | Released September 20, 1994 Recorded 1994 | |
Length 5:54 (Album Version)
4:55 (Single Edit)
4:37 (Radio Edit) | ||
"Always" is a power ballad by Bon Jovi. It was released as a single from their 1994 album Cross Road and went on to become one of their best-selling singles, with a million copies sold in the U.S. and more than 3 million worldwide. The song reached #4 in the U.S. Billboard charts, No. 2 on the Mainstream Top 40 and was also an international hit, peaking at #1 in Canada, #2 in Australia and the United Kingdom, and #4 in Germany. It marks Alec John Such's final single with the band before he left the band in late 1994.
Contents
Song origin
The song was originally written for the soundtrack to the 1993 film Romeo Is Bleeding. After disliking the movie, the band decided not to lend "Always" to the producers. Jon Bon Jovi left the track on his shelf and forgot about it, until a friend found it and convinced him to re-record and release it on the band's Cross Road compilation album.
Music video
The music video featured Jack Noseworthy, Carla Gugino, Jason Wiles and Keri Russell.
Live performances
The song's powerful lyrics and power ballad sound made "Always" an instant hit at live concerts, but the high demand on Jon Bon Jovi's vocals have seen it rarely performed in concert following the band's 1995-1996 These Days tour. Hence, when it is performed it is done so in a lower key. The song is featured on the band's Live From London Video. During the 2005-2006 Have a Nice Day Tour it was occasionally performed in the acoustic style heard on the band's 2003 This Left Feels Right album. Recently the band has performed the original version on their Lost Highway Tour, particularly in the UK leg. A live version from the song, performed on the final night of the Lost Highway Tour has been included on the concert DVD from the band: Live at Madison Square Garden. Since then the song in its original version has been occasionally performed during every tour.
Track listing
Promo CD- "Always" ((Radio Edit)) (Jon Bon Jovi) 4:37
- "Always" (Edit) (Jon Bon Jovi) 4:52
- "Always" (Jon Bon Jovi) 5:52
UK CD single
- "Always" (Edit) (Jon Bon Jovi) 4:52
- "Always" (Jon Bon Jovi) 5:52
- "Edge of a Broken Heart" (Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Desmond Child) 4:33
German CD single
- "Always" (Edit) (Jon Bon Jovi) 4:52
- "Always" (Jon Bon Jovi) 5:52
- "Edge of a Broken Heart" (Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Desmond Child) 4:33
- "Prayer 94" (Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Desmond Child) 5:20
US Cassette single
- "Always (Edit)"
- "Never Say Goodbye"
- "Edge of a Broken Heart"