Top tracks — play these first
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This Ain’t a Love Song — As the album's lead single, it captures the essence of the band's shift towards more serious themes while maintaining their signature melodic hooks.
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Hey God Start here — The track stands out for its poignant exploration of personal and societal struggles, reflecting the band's willingness to tackle deeper issues head-on.
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Something for the Pain — This song combines catchy rock elements with introspective lyrics about heartache, representing the album's balance between commercial appeal and emotional depth.
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Something to Believe In — With its soulful delivery and powerful message about searching for faith amid uncertainty, this track exemplifies the contemplative nature of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
These Days showcases mature songwriting and production but remains within familiar rock territory.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of layered guitar harmonies, with many tracks employing dual guitar solos that enhance the anthemic quality.
- Several songs incorporate a slower tempo and reflective lyrics, contrasting with the more upbeat choruses typical of earlier Bon Jovi work.
- The arrangement often includes orchestral elements, such as strings and piano, which add depth to the rock instrumentation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- reflective late-night moods
- steady, consistent energy levels
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Marked a shift to a more mature sound, establishing Bon Jovi's continued viability.
- Themes
- post-fame disillusionment· searching for meaning· heartbreak in excess
- Career context
- Released on June 19, 1995, These Days was Bon Jovi's sixth studio album and marked a significant departure from their earlier glam metal sound. The band had transitioned into a more mature rock style following the commercial success of their previous album, Keep the Faith, released in 1992. This album solidified Bon Jovi's evolution as they navigated the changing musical landscape of the mid-90s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Def Leppard· Aerosmith· Poison
Tracklist
- 1 Hey God Start here 6:11
- 2 Something for the Pain 4:48
- 3 This Ain’t a Love Song 5:06
- 4 These Days 6:28
- 5 Lie to Me 5:34
- 6 Damned 4:33
- 7 My Guitar Lies Bleeding in My Arms 5:41
- 8 (It’s Hard) Letting You Go 5:51
- 9 Hearts Breaking Even 5:06
- 10 Something to Believe In 5:25
- 11 If That’s What It Takes 5:17
- 12 Diamond Ring 3:46
- 13 All I Want Is Everything 5:16
- 14 Bitter Wine 4:34
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Dizzy Up the Girl
Goo Goo Dolls
Shares themes of introspection and emotional struggle, blending rock anthems with heartfelt ballads.
Dosage
Collective Soul
Explores post-fame disillusionment with a mix of hard-hitting rock and melancholic melodies.
Yourself or Someone Like You
Matchbox Twenty
Captures reflective lyrics on heartbreak and searching for meaning within a polished rock sound.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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