"Because We Can"
Single by Bon Jovi
from the album What About Now
ReleasedJanuary 7, 2013 (US radio)
January 8, 2013 (iTunes)
February 20, 2013 (CD - Japan)
February 22, 2013 (CD - Europe)
Recorded2012, JBJ Home Studio, NJ
GenrePop-rock
Length
  • 4:00 (Album version)
  • 4:05 (Single Edit)
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Bon Jovi singles chronology
"This Is Our House"
(2011) 		"Because We Can"
(2013) 		"What About Now"
(2013)
Music video
"Because We Can" on YouTube

"Because We Can" is the first single released from Bon Jovi's twelfth studio album, What About Now.[1] The single premiered on radio on January 7, 2013. Richie Sambora characterized the new material as a compilation of "different elements"; yet reassured old fans that they will be just as pleased with the new work as they have been with the old for over 30 years.[2]

Commercial performance

As of March 20, 2013, the song has sold 83,000 copies in the US.[3]

Critical reception

"Because We Can" has received mixed reviews from critics, with critics either giving the song extremely positive or extremely negative feedback. Rick Florino of Artistdirect gave "Because We Can" a review of 5 out of 5 stars, calling the song "epic" and "invigorating" and favorably comparing it to their previous song "It's My Life".[4] Billy Dukes of UltimateClassicRock.com reacted negatively to the song, giving it a rating of 3/10 and calling it "too damn cheery" and "mainstream", and dubbed the chorus "hackneyed".[5] Glenn Gamboa of Newsday gave the song a rating of 3 out of 4 stars, calling the "fresh" song "distinctly-present day" and "upbeat", however unfavorably compared the song to Fun, saying that the song was "off-putting" and would not gain the band any new fans.[6] Melinda Newman of HitFix gave the song a B− and called it "anthemic" and "populist", however stated that the song would not change anyone's opinion on the band if they did not like them to begin with. Newman called Jon Bon Jovi's vocals in the song "nasally", however stated that the song was "far better" than their 2009 song "We Weren't Born to Follow".[7] Simon Ramsay of Stereoboard.com agreed with Newman that the song would not change anyone's opinion on the band, giving the song a rating of 3 out of 5 stars, unfavorably calling it "easily the most commercial piece of pop candy" that the band has ever done.[8]

Music video

The music video for the song, directed by Fisher Stevens, premiered on January 29, 2013. It shows the band performing at a boxing arena. There are four different versions of the video, with titles "The Original", "The Boxer: Act 1", "Astrid: Act 2" and "The Beginning: Epilogue".[9]

Track listing

Digital download
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Because We Can"Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Billy Falcon4:00
European CD Maxi [10]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Because We Can"Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Billy Falcon4:00
2."Keep the Faith" (Live at New Meadowlands Stadium 2010)Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Desmond Child7:09
Japanese CD Maxi [11]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Because We Can"Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Billy Falcon4:00
2."Because We Can" (Instrumental)Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Billy Falcon4:15
3."Keep the Faith" (Live at New Meadowlands Stadium 2010)Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Desmond Child7:09

Chart performance

References

  1. ^ "New Single "BECAUSE WE CAN" available at iTunes today, coinciding with global radio launch!". Bon Jovi. Archived from the original on 2013-01-16. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  2. ^ "Richie Sambora says new Bon Jovi record marks a musical evolution!". examiner.com. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
  3. ^ "Phillip Phillips' 'Idol' return means big sales boost". USA Today.
  4. ^ "News".
  5. ^ "Bon Jovi, 'Because We Can' – Song Review".
  6. ^ "Review of Bon Jovi's 'Because We Can'".
  7. ^ "Entertainment".
  8. ^ "Bon Jovi - Because We Can (Single Review) - Stereoboard".
  9. ^ "Bon Jovi's Because We Can Nets #1 Global iTunes Success In 12 Countries, In Advance Of New Album, What About Now, To Be Released March 26th On Island Records!". PRNewswire. January 29, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  10. ^ "Bon Jovi - Produktdetails - Because We Can - (CD Single)". Archived from the original on 2013-06-08. Retrieved 2013-03-04.
  11. ^ "ビコーズ・ウィー・キャン【Cd Maxi】 | ボン・ジョヴィ | Universal Music Store".
  12. ^ https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20130103130100/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20130104-0001/Issue1194.pdf
  13. ^ "Bon Jovi – Because We Can" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  14. ^ "Bon Jovi – Because We Can" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  15. ^ "Bon Jovi – Because We Can" (in French). Ultratip.
  16. ^ "Bon Jovi Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  17. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 20135 into search.
  18. ^ "Suomen Virallinen Latauslista - Viikko 2, ti 8.1 - ma 14.1.2013" (in Finnish). Latauslista.fi. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  19. ^ "Bon Jovi – Because We Can" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  20. ^ "Icelandic Singles Chart". Tonlist.is. Archived from the original on 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
  21. ^ "Chart Track: Week 02, 2013". Irish Singles Chart.
  22. ^ "Classifiche – Top Digital – Classifica settimanale WK 02 del 2013". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (in Italian). Retrieved April 19, 2015
  23. ^ "Bon Jovi Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard.
  24. ^ "Bon Jovi – Because We Can" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  25. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  26. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201313 into search.
  27. ^ "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: January 6, 2013)". Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on March 16, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  28. ^ "Bon Jovi – Because We Can" Canciones Top 50.
  29. ^ "Promusicae Radios" (PDF). Retrieved April 27, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  30. ^ "Bon Jovi – Because We Can". Swiss Singles Chart.
  31. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  32. ^ "Bon Jovi Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  33. ^ "Bon Jovi Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  34. ^ "Bon Jovi Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  35. ^ "Japan Hot 100 – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 1, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  36. ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  37. ^ "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
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