Listen to Bon Jovi's new original song 'Christmas Isn't Christmas'

Their first new material in over three years

Jon Bon Jovi in a Santa hat
Published 17th Nov 2023
Last updated 17th Nov 2023

Bon Jovi have premiered their first new song in over three years, an original festive tune called ‘Christmas Isn’t Christmas.’

Lyrically, it celebrates all that is wonderous about the Yuletide season, however Jon Bon Jovi longs for an absent person, singing: “Cause this year Christmas isn't Christmas without you.”

Complete with obligatory sleighbells throughout, the retro-sounding tune also sees Jon Bon Jovi croon about “fancy paper, pretty ribbons”, “snow falling”, “laughter and good cheer”, and “season’s greetings.”

Watch the lyric video for Bon Jovi’s ‘Christmas Isn’t Christmas’:

Bon Jovi recorded ‘Christmas Isn’t Christmas’ at a church in Nashville, Tennessee, and it’s their first musical morsel since they completed work on their 15th album ‘2020’ almost four years ago.

Alongside premiering the track, Bon Jovi have shared two photos from the recent recording sessions.

One photo depicts them standing in front of Santa’s Pub in Nashville with pub owner and local character Denzel 'Santa' Irwin. The second depicts the band recording the track inside the Nashville church.

Bon Jovi outside Santa's Pub
Bon Jovi recording 'Christmas Isn't Christmas'

Last week, former guitarist Richie Sambora said it was “time” for him to reunite with Bon Jovi for a 40th anniversary tour in 2024.

In December 2020, Jon Bon Jovi premiered a cover of The Pogues' Christmas classic 'Fairytale of New York'.

Feature: Planet Rock’s 40 greatest rock and metal Christmas songs

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Bon Jovi’s ‘Christmas Isn’t Christmas’ lyrics:

FANCY PAPER, PRETTY RIBBONS

WRAP EACH PRESENT THAT IS NEW

AND THE SOUNDS OF THIS GOOD SEASON FILLS THE NIGHT

WE’LL LIGHT A FIRE, SEND SEASONS GREETINGS

AND WE’LL SING A SONG OF YULE

THERES NOTHING WRONG BUT THIS YEAR CHRISTMAS ISN’T RIGHT

IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY

WE’LL GIVE THANKS AND WE’LL PRAY

FOR EVERY BLESSING AND THE DREAMS THAT CAME TRUE IT’S A BEAUTIFUL NITE

BUT I CAN’T WAIT FOR FIRST LIGHT

WHEN THE SKY WILL SHINE A DIFFERENT KIND OF BLUE

SNOWS STILL FALLING, FRIENDS ARE CALLING BRINGING LAUGHTER AND GOOD CHEER

WINE IS FLOWING AND ANOTHER YEAR’S GONE BY NOTHINGS CHANGED BUT LIFE KEEPS CHANGING SOME SAY HELLO SOME SAY GOODBYE

IT’S THE MEMORIES THAT KEEP ME WARM TONIGHT

IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY

WE’LL GIVE THANKS AND WE’LL PRAY

FOR EVERY BLESSING AND THE DREAMS THAT CAME TRUE

IT’S A BEAUTIFUL NITE

BUT I CAN’T WAIT FOR FIRST LIGHT

WHEN THE SKY WILL SHINE A DIFFERENT KIND OF BLUE

CAUSE THIS YEAR CHRISTMAS ISN’T CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LET YOU GO

WHEN YOURE THE ONLY THING I’VE EVER KNOWN YOU’RE THE REASON THAT I KEEP HOLDING ON SO NOW WHO’S STRONG AND WHO’S AFRAID

TOMORROW WON’T BE YESTERDAY TOMORROW JUST CAN’T BE LIKE YESTERDAY

FANCY PAPER, PRETTY RIBBON

PROMISE ME YOU’LL COME HOME SOON CAUSE CHRISTMAS ISN’T CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU

CHRISTMAS ISN’T CHRISTMAS...WITHOUT YOU

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