I'm Luna, it's February 14, I'm going to see another concert by Bon Jovi. Could I choose a different title from that of the film starring Jon?!
The weather is mild - 5 or 6 degrees ABOVE zero! - I just finished crying like a fountain watching 127 Hours, great movie, and I proceed with the BonJovi-dressing-up routine with the legendary, long-sleeved jersey and the Reyer sweatshirt -two passions together. I leave with the Ipod in my ears that plays all my favorite songs, the cobalt blue sky and the red clouds that I feel I'm in a picture of Van Gogh's. I'm happy like ever on a Valentine's Day, enjoy the classic hot dog pre-gig and walk to the legendary Air Canada Centre, while also meeting my neighbor who will see the concert from the upper level.
And here I am for my last concert in North America; my adventure began three concerts, twenty degrees and nine months ago in New Jersey and I think of how many things have changed, how much water has flowed under the bridge and what still stays the same: the feeling of being, as Jon sings "Exactly Where I'm Supposed To Be", especially from the first sector from which I see them closer than ever. Apart from the very first technical observation - as my grandmother would say "ooohhhhh deeeaaarrrrr, he cut his hair how tiiiidyyyyy" - I enjoy a concert focused on love, with Jon that says the historic " Bon Jovi is like Viagra for women" welcomed by the cries of all of us, while the kiss camera looks for couples in the mood for romance among the audience. The setlist is no exception, with gems not to be missed (Thank You For Loving Me over all) and covers that make all the many couples in the stadium hug and dance. Here's the complete setlist: Blood on Blood, You Give Love a Bad Name, Born To Be My Baby, We Weren't Born to Follow, In These Arms, Lost Highway, The More Things Change, It's My Life, Runaway, We Got It Goin 'On, Pretty Woman, Bad Medicine / Bad Case of Loving You, Lay Your Hands on Me (Richie Vox), My Funny Valentine; Bed of Roses; Superman Tonight (Acoustic), I'll Be There For You, Who Says You Can't Go Home, No Apologies, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead / Start Me Up, Keep The Faith, Thank You For Loving Me, Wanted Dead or Alive, Someday I'll Be Saturday Night, Just Older, Livin 'on a Prayer.
Many don't know Bon Jovi, don't appreciate them and / or don't understand the reasons behind their success. Well, let me quote a comment to one of the videos uploaded on Youtube: "No other band in the world can reach out to their audience the way this one does ..... Tommy and Gina are in the background ... . dancing a slow song!" Yes, I can imagine Tommy and Gina too, hugging, despite the hard times, taking a moment to dance a slow dance without thinking of anything else. Because this is the strength of Bon Jovi: they reach the hearts of ordinary people, of all the Tommy's and Gina's around the world.
And I'm proud to be part of it. So I hang onto the free pins they give us while going out, I head back home and I plan the last crazy act of this adventure overseas. 'Cause before going home I'll drop by where it all began. After nine months, twenty degrees, and three concerts I get ready to go back to New Jersey, this time just for one lunch. At Jon's.
No comments:
Post a Comment