Dry County (song) explained

Dry County
Cover:	BonJoviDryCountycover.jpg
Border:	yes
Type:	single
Artist:	Bon Jovi
Album:	Keep the Faith
B-Side:	"Stranger in This Town" (live)
Length:	9:52 (album version) 6:37 (radio edit)
Label:	Jambco Vertigo Mercury
Producer:	Bob Rock
Prev Title:	I Believe
Prev Year:	1993
Next Title:	Always
Next Year:	1994

"Dry County" is a song by American rock band Bon Jovi. It was released on March 7, 1994, as the sixth and final single from their fifth studio album, Keep the Faith (1992). It was written by Jon Bon Jovi. Clocking in at 9 minutes and 52 seconds, "Dry County" is the longest song that Bon Jovi has ever recorded on a studio album. The song reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart and number six in Finland. It was not released in the United States or Canada.

Lyrical interpretation

"Dry County" is about the decline of the U.S. domestic oil industry and its effect on those whose income relied on it. In live versions of the song, during the buildup to the second guitar solo, Jon Bon Jovi often includes a monologue about the struggles of life generally.

Live performances

Although "Dry County" is considered a fan favorite, it was only played regularly on the Keep the Faith Tour. On May 13, 2006, Bon Jovi played "Dry County" live at the first concert of the summer leg of their Have a Nice Day Tour in Düsseldorf, it was the first time it had been played live in 10 years, and went on to be performed on further occasions on that tour and on the band's more recent Lost Highway Tour. The band's followers often display signs requesting the song. It was also performed during The Circle Tour and Because We Can Tour. It was performed once on the This House Is Not for Sale Tour in 2018 at the Allentown, Pennsylvania show.

Track listings

UK 7-inch and cassette single^{[1] [2]}

1. "Dry County" – 9:36
2. "Stranger in This Town" (live)

UK CD1^[3]

1. "Dry County" (edit)
2. "Stranger in This Town" (live)
3. "Blood Money" (live)

UK CD2^[4]

1. "Dry County" (live)
2. "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" (live)
3. "Waltzing Matilda" (live)

European and Australian CD single^[5]

1. "Dry County" (edit) – 6:37
2. "Dry County" – 9:36

Japanese CD single^[6]

1. "Dry County" (edit)
2. "Stranger in This Town" (live)
3. "Blood Money" (live)
4. "Dry County" (live)
5. "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" (live)
6. "Waltzing Matilda" (live)

Charts

Chart (1994)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[7]	15
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)^[8]	6
Japan (Oricon)^[9]	24

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United Kingdom	March 7, 1994			^[10]
	March 21, 1994	CD2		^[11]
Japan	March 25, 1993	CD

Notes and References

1. Dry County. Bon Jovi. 1994. UK 7-inch single vinyl disc. Jambco, Mercury Records, Vertigo Records. JOV 13, 858 458-7.
2. Dry County. Bon Jovi. 1994. UK cassette single sleeve. Jambco, Mercury Records. JOVMC 13, 858 458-4.
3. Dry County. Bon Jovi. 1994. UK CD1 liner notes. Jambco, Mercury Records. JOVBX 13, 858 415-2.
4. Dry County. Bon Jovi. 1994. UK CD2 liner notes. Jambco, Mercury Records. JOVCD 13, 858 417-2.
5. Dry County. Bon Jovi. 1994. European & Australian CD single liner notes. Jambco, Mercury Records, Phonogram Records (Australia). 858 414-2.
6. Dry County. Bon Jovi. 1994. Japanese CD single liner notes. Jambco, Mercury Records. PHCR 3033.
7. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 11. 14. 18. April 2, 1994. September 3, 2020.
8. Book: Pennanen, Timo. 2006. Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972. fi. 1st. Tammi. 978-951-1-21053-5. Helsinki.
9. Web site: ドライ・カウンティ ボン・ジョヴィ. Dry County Bon Jovi. Oricon. ja. January 18, 2024.
10. Single Releases. Music Week. 21. March 5, 1994. July 26, 2021.
11. Single Releases. Music Week. 21. March 19, 1994.