Released May 1, 1994 Recorded 1992 Label Mercury | Format CD single Genre Hard rock, heavy metal | |
Length 9:52 (Album version)
6:37 (Radio edit) | ||
"Dry County" is a song by American rock band Bon Jovi. It was released in May 1994 as the sixth and final single from their 1992 album Keep the Faith. It was written by Jon Bon Jovi. "Dry County" stands as the band's longest song released so far, with a length of 9 minutes and 52 seconds. A shorter 6-minute version reached #9 in the UK singles chart and #1 in Latin America.
Contents
Lyrical interpretation
"Dry County" is about the decline of the US domestic oil industry and its effect on those whose income relied on it. In live versions of the song, during the buildup to the second guitar solo, Jon Bon Jovi often includes a monologue about the struggles of life generally.
Song structure
"Dry County" is an epic ballad that contains several rises, climaxes, and instrumental solos, in the vein of such long rock epics as "Free Bird", "Child in Time", "Stairway to Heaven", "Telegraph Road", "I Want You (She's So Heavy)", "Bohemian Rhapsody", "New York City Serenade "and "Jungleland".
Live performances
Although "Dry County" is considered a fan favorite, it was only played regularly on the Keep the Faith Tour. On May 13, 2006, Bon Jovi played "Dry County" live at the first concert of the summer leg of their Have A Nice Day Tour in Düsseldorf, it was the first time it had been played live in 10 years, and went on to be performed on further occasions on that tour and on the band's more recent Lost Highway Tour. The band's followers often display signs requesting the song. It was also included in the setlist on The Circle Tour. It has also been performed on the Because We Can Tour.
UK release
CD 1:
- "Dry County"
- "Stranger in This Town (Live)"
- "Blood Money (Live)"
CD 2:
- "Dry County (Live)"
- "It's Only Rock n Roll (Live)"
- "Waltzing Matilda (Live)"