On this day September 3 1988, Bon Jovi released their hard rocking single Bad Medicine from the album New Jersey. Serving as the lead single, the track was a bold declaration that the band had no intention of slowing down after the massive success of their previous album.
Bad Medicine quickly climbed the charts with its infectious chorus, big arena sound, and Jon Bon Jovi’s signature vocals. It became the band’s third number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying their position as one of the dominant forces in 80s rock. With a chorus built to be shouted by stadium crowds and a music video that parodied the very idea of overproduced rock promos, the song was both a hit and a wink at the genre’s bombast.
80s insight: The music video for Bad Medicine featured real fans filming the band on camcorders, making it a meta take on the MTV era’s obsession with glam and excess.
Bad Medicine quickly climbed the charts with its infectious chorus, big arena sound, and Jon Bon Jovi’s signature vocals. It became the band’s third number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying their position as one of the dominant forces in 80s rock. With a chorus built to be shouted by stadium crowds and a music video that parodied the very idea of overproduced rock promos, the song was both a hit and a wink at the genre’s bombast.
80s insight: The music video for Bad Medicine featured real fans filming the band on camcorders, making it a meta take on the MTV era’s obsession with glam and excess.
