Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer' becomes their first song to achieve Diamond status
Jon Bon Jovi accepted the award this week
Bon Jovi’s enduring 1986 anthem ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ has been certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Penned by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and serial hitmaker Desmond Child, ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ is about a young working class couple called Tommy and Gina who are struggling to make ends meet, and it’s widely regarded as one of Bon Jovi’s signature tunes.
Bon Jovi achieved the Diamond status for ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ on Tuesday (23rd July), and it represents 10 million sales and stream equivalents in the United States.
Jon Bon Jovi personally received the Diamond award from Bruce Resnikoff, President/CEO of Universal Music Enterprises, this week.
‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ is the first Bon Jovi song to achieve Diamond status, however the band have previously achieved the gargantuan US sales landmark with their third studio album ‘Slippery When Wet.’
The blockbuster 1986 record, which features ‘Livin On A Prayer’ and the singles ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’ and ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’, has shifted over 12 million copies Stateside and it’s triple Platinum in the UK.
Throughout their wildly successful career, Bon Jovi have sold over a combined total of 72 Million RIAA certified units to date including the album ’Crossroads’ (7x Platinum) and the singles “Wanted Dead Or Alive” (6x Platinum), “You Give Love A Bad Name” (5x Platinum) and “It’s My Life” (3x Platinum).
Bon Jovi's 'Greatest Hits' vinyl release:
In other Bon Jovi news, the band have announced that their compilation album ‘Greatest Hits’ will be released on 2LP vinyl on Friday 13th September 2024.
Available to pre-order here, ‘Greatest Hits’ will be available in various configurations at retail and through the artist store, including 1LP and 2LP variants on standard black vinyl and exclusive colours.
A million-seller in the UK, the compilation boasts ‘Runaway’, ‘Always’, ‘Bad Medicine’, ‘It’s My Life’, ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’, the aforementioned ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ and many more.
Take a look at other albums out in 2024:
Sir Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - 'Swing Fever'
Release date: Out now
The album, called 'Swing Fever', will see Rod Stewart and Jools Holland unite for 13 songs including classic songs such as 'Ain't Misbehavin'', 'Frankie And Johnny', 'Sentimental Journey' and 'Lullaby Of Broadway'.
The Waterboys - '1985'
Release date: Out now
The Waterboys' '1985' is a box set featuring six CDs and a hardback book. The box set follows the creation of their 1985 album 'This Is The Sea'.
Texas and Spooner Oldham - 'The Muscle Shoals Sessions’
Release date: Out now
Scottish band Texas have announced a brand new album titled 'The Muscle Shoals Sessions' with Spooner Oldham. It was described by the band as 'like nothing we've ever done before.'
Pet Shop Boys - 'Nonetheless'
Release date: Out now
Pet Shop Boys have announced their latest album 'Nonetheless' will be released in April. The album features 10 songs and comes in a variety of formats.
Pink Floyd - 'The Dark Side of the Moon' Collector's Edition
Release date: Out now
Pink Floyd will release 'The Dark Side of the Moon' Collector's Edition in April. The latest reissue of the album will be available on transparent vinyl with UV print.
Bruce Springsteen - 'Best Of Bruce Springsteen'
Release date: Out now
Bruce Springsteen will release a new greatest hits album called 'Best of Bruce Springsteen'. The album features 31 tracks on the digital version, and 18 on the physical version, such as his hits 'Born in The USA', and 'Streets of Philadelphia'.
Tina Turner - 'What's Love Got To Do With It' Special edition
Release date: Out now
A special edition of Tina Turner's soundtrack album to her 1993 biopic What's Love Got To Do With It, is being released with some songs which have not been heard before.
Crowded House
Release date: Out now
Crowded House released their eighth studio album 'Gravity Stairs' in May 2024. Speaking about the new album and the songs it features, Crowded House founder Neil Finn said: "It's a metaphor for getting a little older and becoming aware of your own mortality, your own physicality. Things are getting a little harder, and there's more determination needed to get to the top, but there's still the same compulsion to climb them."
The Wombles
Release date: Out now
50 years on from their chart domination, the novelty band The Wombles have announced they will be releasing a limited edition vinyl called 'Golden'. The record will feature all of their singles, including 'Wombling USA' which was previously only available as a B side of a limited cassette release in 2000.
Johnny Cash - 'Songwriter'
Release date: Out now
More than 30 years after they were recorded, 11 previously unreleased songs will be available for fans to enjoy. The album 'Songwriter' has been co-produced by Johnny son John Carter Cash, and music engineer, who worked with Johnny, David 'Fergie' Ferguson.
The Police - 'Synchronicity'
Release date: Out now
The Police released 40th anniversary editions of their final album 'Synchronicity' in July 2024. The album features 55 previously unreleased songs, along with their Number 1 hit single 'Every Breath You Take'.
Oasis - 'Definitely Maybe' 30th anniversary reissue
Release date: Out now
Released on Friday 30th August 2024, the exact day Oasis' 'Definitely Maybe' celebrates its 30th birthday, the deluxe reissue is available on 4xLP, limited-edition 2xLP, 2xCD and cassette formats alongside a variety of merchandise bundles).
David Gilmour - 'Luck and Strange'
Release date: Out now
Serving as his first album of new material in nine years, Pink Floyd musician David Gilmour will be releasing his fifth solo album 'Luck and Strange' later in 2024. It features a surprise appearance from the late Pink Floyd keyboard player Richard Wright, from a recording from 2007. The album was produced by David Gilmour and Charlie Andrew.
Madonna - 'Like A Prayer' (35th anniversary re-issue)
Release date: Out now
Madonna has re-issued her fourth studio album 'Like A Prayer' to celebrate its 35th anniversary. The album went to Number 1 around the world when it was released back in 1989, and spawned hits 'Cherish', 'Love Song' with Prince and 'Express Yourself'.
Billy Ocean - 'Suddenly' (40th anniversary re-issue)
Release date: Out now
Billy Ocean will be releasing his 1984 album 'Suddenly' on Ocean blue to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the album. The record will feature nine songs including his hits 'Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run)', 'Loverboy' and the title track 'Suddenly'.
Lightning Seeds - 'Tomorrow’s Here Today: 35 Years of Lightning Seeds'
Release date: Out now
Lightning Seeds will release 'Tomorrow's Here Today: 35 Years of Lightning Seeds' in October, closely followed by a UK tour.
Alison Moyet - 'Key'
Release date: Out now
Alison Moyet's album will feature 18 songs, including two new tracks. The album artwork was designed by Alison herself. Speaking about the album, she said: "I wanted to take the opportunity to look at the trajectory of the past four decades and explore songs that, in their original form, were never fully realised or have had their relevance to me altered by time."
New Order - 'Brotherhood: Definitive Edition'
Release date: 22nd November
New Order have announced they will be releasing 'Brotherhood: Definitive Edition' in November. The album was originally released in 1986 and included their song 'Bizarre Love Triangle'.
Kim Wilde - 'Closer'
Release date: January 2025
Pop icon, Kim Wilde, is set to release her highly anticipated 15th studio album, in January 2025. The 80s singer famed for 'Kids In America' announced the news alongside the release of her new single 'Trail of Destruction'.
'Closer' is Kim's first studio album since 2018's 'Here Come The Aliens' and is guaranteed to bring more hits, alongside that unmistakable voice. Intended as a companion piece to her fan-favourite 1988 album 'Close', this new offering is said to be made up of a combination of pop, rock and dance.
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