Jon Bon Jovi revealed the last song he’d sing if his performing career is drawing to a close – and admitted it wasn’t what most people would expect.

His future remains in doubt after he underwent vocal cord surgery in 2022. He previously explained that, while he’d been able to track upcoming Bon Jovi album Forever by taking his time, he still hoped to “do two-and-a-half hours a night four nights a week for months on end” – but he didn’t know if he’d ever be able to.

Asked by Classic Rock to choose one last song to perform, Bon Jovi replied: “Oh my God – just one? That puts me on the spot!”

 

He continued: “The first one that came to mind would be ‘These Days,’ which I guess nobody would ever think.” He quoted some of the lyrics: These days, the stars seem out of reach /These days, there ain’t a ladder on the streets / These days are fast, nothing lasts in this graceless age / There ain’t nobody left but us these days, adding: “I think that sort of encapsulates where I am at this moment in time.”

 

Documentary series Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story airs this week, which the frontman said aimed to be as honest as possible about his band’s history. “It was uncomfortable,” he allowed. “But all I’ve ever wanted to sell was the truth, and so if you’re not gonna show it warts and all, don’t bother.

“Once I had realized that I’d handed the reins to [director] Gotham Chopra and his producer and editor, I was solely focused on writing a record, and then this unexpected health issue that I had to deal with.

“So the last thing I was considering was, ‘How’s this documentary going?’ I had bigger fish to fry.”

Listen to Bon Jovi’s ‘These Days’

The ’80s Most Outrageous Rock Fashion

In the same way that ducktails defined the ’50s and bell bottoms became shorthand for the ’70s, neon-lit sartorial choices can be firmly placed in the Reagan years.

Gallery Credit: Nick DeRiso

Def Leppard

YouTube

Ripped Jeans

We see some cool jorts in Joe Elliott’s immediate future.

Kiss

Mercury

Kiss

If you’re going to wear a brooch, make it a super-scary brooch.

Ozzy Osbourne

YouTube

Ozzy Osbourne

Brought to you by Aqua Net.

David Lee Roth

YouTube

David Lee Roth

The gloves really tie it all together.

Twisted Sister

Atlantic

Twisted Sister

Needs more straps.

Whitesnake

Mercury

Whitesnake

Needs more fringes.

Rolling Stones

Rolling Stones Records

Rolling Stones

Protective eyewear not included.

Heart

Capitol

Heart

Sgt. Pepper called, and he wants his stuff back.

Guns N’ Roses

YouTube

Guns N’ Roses

Brought to you by Aqua Net.

Bon Jovi

Mercury

Bon Jovi

Turns out, shoulder pads weren’t just for football.

Van Halen

YouTube

Van Halen

Those red shoes are actually pretty awesome.

Poison

Elektra

Poison

A lot would change, but it turns out that bandanna wasn’t going anywhere.

Rush

Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

Rush

New wave in the front, prog in the back.

Quiet Riot

Pasha

Quiet Riot

“May potentially contain seizure triggers for those with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.”

Vinnie Vincent Invasion

YouTube

Vinnie Vincent Invasion

Brought to you by Aqua Net.

Aerosmith

Geffen

Aerosmith

Damn you, ‘Miami Vice.’

Sammy Hagar

Paul Natkin, Getty Images

Sammy Hagar

Also needs more straps.

Hall and Oates

YouTube

Hall and Oates

Don’t even think about it. Say, “No go.”

Starship

RCA

Starship

Surprisingly, wearing a tie with your T-shirt did not last.

Journey

Columbia

Journey

You should have seen what the bassist was wearing.

Moody Blues

Polydor

Moody Blues

One of these things is not like the others.

Yes

YouTube

Yes

When you want to look like Sting, but just miss.

Skid Row

YouTube

Skid Row

They married trouble, and had a courtship with hair gel.

Warrant

Wire Image / Getty Images

Warrant

Looks so good, it’ll bring a tear to your eye.

Emerson, Lake and Powell

Manticore

Emerson, Lake and Powell

That belt flip was classic.

Bruce Springsteen

YouTube

Bruce Springsteen

Needs more jackets.

The Who’s Pete Townshend

YouTube

The Who’s Pete Townshend

OK, OK, here’s your MTV. Take it easy.

Fleetwood Mac

Warner Bros.

Fleetwood Mac

Lindsey and Stevie fought about everything, even who could have taller hair.

Dokken