"Because We Can" is the first single released from
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American Rock music, rock band formed in 1983 in Sayreville, New Jersey. It consists of singer Jon Bon Jovi, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, guitarist Phil X, and bassist Hugh McDonald (American musician), Hugh McD ...
's twelfth studio album, ''
What About Now''. The single premiered on radio on January 7, 2013.
Richie Sambora
Richard Stephen Sambora (born July 11, 1959) is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer, best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Bon Jovi from 1983 to 2013. He and lead singer Jon Bon Jovi formed the main songwri ...
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.
Commercial performance
As of March 20, 2013, the song has sold 83,000 copies in the US.
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". 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". Glenn Gamboa of ''
Newsday
''Newsday'' is an American daily newspaper that primarily serves Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, although it is also sold throughout the New York metropolitan area. The slogan of the newspaper is "Newsday, Your Eye on LI", and f ...
'' 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
Fun is defined by the ''Oxford English Dictionary'' as "Light-hearted pleasure, enjoyment, or amusement; boisterous joviality or merrymaking; entertainment".
Etymology and usage
The word ''fun'' is associated with sports, entertaining medi ...
, saying that the song was "off-putting" and would not gain the band any new fans. 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
"We Weren't Born to Follow" is the first single released in August 2009 from Bon Jovi's eleventh studio album, '' The Circle''. The single premiered on radio on August 17, 2009. The single was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance ...
". 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.
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".
Track listing
Chart performance
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
References
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Bon Jovi songs
2013 singles
Songs written by Billy Falcon
Songs written by Jon Bon Jovi
Songs written by Richie Sambora
Island Records singles
2013 songs