Listen to Bon Jovi's new original song 'Christmas Isn't Christmas'
Their first new material in over three years
Last updated 17th Nov 2023
Bon Jovi have premiered their first new song in over three years, an original festive tune called ‘Christmas Isn’t Christmas.’
Lyrically, it celebrates all that is wonderous about the Yuletide season, however Jon Bon Jovi longs for an absent person, singing: “Cause this year Christmas isn't Christmas without you.”
Complete with obligatory sleighbells throughout, the retro-sounding tune also sees Jon Bon Jovi croon about “fancy paper, pretty ribbons”, “snow falling”, “laughter and good cheer”, and “season’s greetings.”
Watch the lyric video for Bon Jovi’s ‘Christmas Isn’t Christmas’:
Bon Jovi recorded ‘Christmas Isn’t Christmas’ at a church in Nashville, Tennessee, and it’s their first musical morsel since they completed work on their 15th album ‘2020’ almost four years ago.
Alongside premiering the track, Bon Jovi have shared two photos from the recent recording sessions.
One photo depicts them standing in front of Santa’s Pub in Nashville with pub owner and local character Denzel 'Santa' Irwin. The second depicts the band recording the track inside the Nashville church.
Last week, former guitarist Richie Sambora said it was “time” for him to reunite with Bon Jovi for a 40th anniversary tour in 2024.
In December 2020, Jon Bon Jovi premiered a cover of The Pogues' Christmas classic 'Fairytale of New York'.
Feature: Planet Rock’s 40 greatest rock and metal Christmas songs
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Bon Jovi’s ‘Christmas Isn’t Christmas’ lyrics:
FANCY PAPER, PRETTY RIBBONS
WRAP EACH PRESENT THAT IS NEW
AND THE SOUNDS OF THIS GOOD SEASON FILLS THE NIGHT
WE’LL LIGHT A FIRE, SEND SEASONS GREETINGS
AND WE’LL SING A SONG OF YULE
THERES NOTHING WRONG BUT THIS YEAR CHRISTMAS ISN’T RIGHT
IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY
WE’LL GIVE THANKS AND WE’LL PRAY
FOR EVERY BLESSING AND THE DREAMS THAT CAME TRUE IT’S A BEAUTIFUL NITE
BUT I CAN’T WAIT FOR FIRST LIGHT
WHEN THE SKY WILL SHINE A DIFFERENT KIND OF BLUE
SNOWS STILL FALLING, FRIENDS ARE CALLING BRINGING LAUGHTER AND GOOD CHEER
WINE IS FLOWING AND ANOTHER YEAR’S GONE BY NOTHINGS CHANGED BUT LIFE KEEPS CHANGING SOME SAY HELLO SOME SAY GOODBYE
IT’S THE MEMORIES THAT KEEP ME WARM TONIGHT
IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY
WE’LL GIVE THANKS AND WE’LL PRAY
FOR EVERY BLESSING AND THE DREAMS THAT CAME TRUE
IT’S A BEAUTIFUL NITE
BUT I CAN’T WAIT FOR FIRST LIGHT
WHEN THE SKY WILL SHINE A DIFFERENT KIND OF BLUE
CAUSE THIS YEAR CHRISTMAS ISN’T CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LET YOU GO
WHEN YOURE THE ONLY THING I’VE EVER KNOWN YOU’RE THE REASON THAT I KEEP HOLDING ON SO NOW WHO’S STRONG AND WHO’S AFRAID
TOMORROW WON’T BE YESTERDAY TOMORROW JUST CAN’T BE LIKE YESTERDAY
FANCY PAPER, PRETTY RIBBON
PROMISE ME YOU’LL COME HOME SOON CAUSE CHRISTMAS ISN’T CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU
CHRISTMAS ISN’T CHRISTMAS...WITHOUT YOU