Studio Album · No. 3
Slippery When Wet Songwriting Credits by Bon Jovi
Produced by Bruce Fairbairn · Engineered by Bob Rock, Tim Crich
Mercury Records
Glam MetalHard RockArena Rock
100%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 10 of 10 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 10 / 10 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Bon Jovi carries a lyricist or composer credit.
10 trackswritten by Bon Jovi
0 tracksoutside writers
Bon Jovi's roles on this album
Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
10
Tracks
3
Lyricists
1
Producers
2
No.1 Singles
Approximately 28 million copies worldwide
Worldwide Copies Sold
1986
Released
Data Insight
Slippery When Wet was Bon Jovi's third album and the commercial breakthrough that turned the band into stadium headliners. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora wrote the bulk of the record, but for the two biggest hits they brought in songwriter Desmond Child, who co-wrote both "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Livin' on a Prayer." Produced by Bruce Fairbairn in Vancouver, the album topped the Billboard 200 for eight weeks and became the best-selling album of 1987 in the United States. It went on to sell tens of millions of copies worldwide and is certified Diamond by the RIAA.
Commercial breakthrough produced by Bruce Fairbairn. Desmond Child co-wrote four tracks, including "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Livin' on a Prayer," both worldwide hits. The final track "Wild in the Streets" is the album's only solo Jon Bon Jovi write.
Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Let It Rock
|
Jon Bon JoviRichie Sambora | Jon Bon JoviRichie Sambora | Bruce Fairbairn | Jon Bon Jovi (Vocals) |
| 2 |
You Give Love a Bad Name
#1
|
Jon Bon JoviRichie SamboraDesmond Child | Jon Bon JoviRichie SamboraDesmond Child | Bruce Fairbairn | Jon Bon Jovi (Vocals) |
| 3 |
Livin' on a Prayer
#1
|
Jon Bon JoviRichie SamboraDesmond Child | Jon Bon JoviRichie SamboraDesmond Child | Bruce Fairbairn | Jon Bon Jovi (Vocals) |
| 4 |
Social Disease
|
Jon Bon JoviRichie Sambora | Jon Bon JoviRichie Sambora | Bruce Fairbairn | Jon Bon Jovi (Vocals) |
| 5 |
Wanted Dead or Alive
#7
|
Jon Bon JoviRichie Sambora | Jon Bon JoviRichie Sambora | Bruce Fairbairn | Jon Bon Jovi (Vocals) |
| 6 |
Raise Your Hands
|
Jon Bon JoviRichie Sambora | Jon Bon JoviRichie Sambora | Bruce Fairbairn | Jon Bon Jovi (Vocals) |
| 7 |
Without Love
|
Jon Bon JoviRichie SamboraDesmond Child | Jon Bon JoviRichie SamboraDesmond Child | Bruce Fairbairn | Jon Bon Jovi (Vocals) |
| 8 |
I'd Die for You
|
Jon Bon JoviRichie SamboraDesmond Child | Jon Bon JoviRichie SamboraDesmond Child | Bruce Fairbairn | Jon Bon Jovi (Vocals) |
| 9 |
Never Say Goodbye
#21
|
Jon Bon JoviRichie Sambora | Jon Bon JoviRichie Sambora | Bruce Fairbairn | Jon Bon Jovi (Vocals) |
| 10 |
Wild in the Streets
|
Jon Bon Jovi | Jon Bon Jovi | Bruce Fairbairn | Jon Bon Jovi (Vocals) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 4 contributors
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Frequently Asked Questions Slippery When Wet
Who wrote Livin' on a Prayer?
"Livin' on a Prayer" was written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Desmond Child. Child was brought in as an outside co-writer and also helped shape "You Give Love a Bad Name." The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the band's signature anthems.
Who wrote You Give Love a Bad Name?
"You Give Love a Bad Name" was written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Desmond Child. It was the album's lead single and the band's first number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song grew out of an earlier Desmond Child composition that was reworked for Bon Jovi.
What singles were released from Slippery When Wet?
The main singles were "You Give Love a Bad Name," "Livin' on a Prayer," "Wanted Dead or Alive," and "Never Say Goodbye." "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Livin' on a Prayer" both reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Wanted Dead or Alive" peaked at number seven. "Never Say Goodbye" was not issued as a commercial single in the US but reached number 21 on the UK Singles Chart.
Did Never Say Goodbye chart on the Billboard Hot 100?
No. "Never Say Goodbye" was not released as a commercial single in the United States, so it was ineligible for the Billboard Hot 100 at the time. It did reach number 28 on the Hot 100 Airplay survey and number 21 on the UK Singles Chart.
Who produced Slippery When Wet?
The album was produced by Bruce Fairbairn and recorded at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, Canada. Bob Rock served as the recording and mixing engineer, with Tim Crich assisting. The sessions paired the band with a production team that gave the record its polished, radio-ready sound.
What is the song Wanted Dead or Alive about?
"Wanted Dead or Alive" was written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora and casts the life of a touring rock musician in the imagery of an Old West outlaw. It became one of the band's most enduring songs and reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. The track is built around Sambora's acoustic and twelve-string guitar work.
How is Slippery When Wet certified by the RIAA?
Slippery When Wet is certified Diamond by the RIAA, representing more than 10 million units shipped in the United States, where it has sold around 12 to 15 million copies. Worldwide the album has sold roughly 28 million copies, making it one of the best-selling rock albums of the 1980s.
Why is the album called Slippery When Wet?
The title came from a strip club the band visited in Vancouver while recording, and it carries an obvious double meaning. The original cover concept featured a wet woman in a t-shirt, but the label rejected it, so the released US cover shows the title written on a wet black trash bag. Different cover art was used in some international markets.