Because We Can Explained

Because We Can
Cover:BecauseWeCansong.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Bon Jovi
Album:What About Now
Released:January 7, 2013 (US radio)
January 8, 2013 (iTunes)
February 20, 2013 (CD - Japan)
February 22, 2013 (CD - Europe)
Recorded:2012, JBJ Home Studio, NJ
Genre:Pop-rock
Length:
  • 4:00 (Album version)
  • 4:05 (Single Edit)
Label:Island
Producer:
Prev Title:This Is Our House
Prev Year:2011
Next Title:What About Now
Next Year:2013

"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]

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (2013)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[10] 56
Finland (The Official Finnish Download Chart)[11] 14
Iceland (Tonlist)[12] 28
South Korea International Singles (Gaon)[13] 33
Spanish Airplay Chart (Promusicae)[14] 16

Year-end charts

Chart (2013)Position
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[15] 49
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[16] 38
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[17] 62

Notes and References

  1. Web site: New Single "BECAUSE WE CAN" available at iTunes today, coinciding with global radio launch! . 2013-01-07 . Bon Jovi . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130116065733/http://www.bonjovi.com/en/news/39926303963.0/new-single-because-we-can-available-at-itunes-today . 2013-01-16 .
  2. Web site: Richie Sambora says new Bon Jovi record marks a musical evolution!. 2013-01-02. examiner.com.
  3. Web site: Phillip Phillips' 'Idol' return means big sales boost. USA Today.
  4. Web site: News.
  5. Web site: Bon Jovi, 'Because We Can' – Song Review.
  6. Web site: Review of Bon Jovi's 'Because We Can'.
  7. Web site: Entertainment.
  8. Web site: Bon Jovi - Because We Can (Single Review) - Stereoboard.
  9. Web site: 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 30, 2013. January 29, 2013.
  10. https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20130103130100/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20130104-0001/Issue1194.pdf
  11. Web site: Suomen Virallinen Latauslista - Viikko 2, ti 8.1 - ma 14.1.2013. Latauslista.fi. fi. January 24, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131111152230/http://www.latauslista.fi/lista/2013/2. November 11, 2013.
  12. Web site: Icelandic Singles Chart . Tonlist.is . 2013-05-11 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130719152025/http://www.tonlist.is/Music/Chartlist/539/ . 2013-07-19 .
  13. Web site: South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: January 6, 2013) . . January 20, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130316222941/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/online/download/list.gaon?nationGbn=E . March 16, 2013 .
  14. Web site: Promusicae Radios . April 27, 2013 .
  15. Japan Hot 100 – Year-End 2013. Billboard. August 7, 2018. July 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180701102838/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/japan-hot-100. dead.
  16. https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/adult-contemporary-songs "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2013"
  17. Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2013 . . December 13, 2013.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Because We Can".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.