#54 Rosie | life lessons in Bon Jovi songs

Rosie is our first real outtake from the album New Jersey.

An outtake is a song that was written and recorded for a specific album, but that was ultimately not included. Rosie was not included on New Jersey (1988).

New Jersey was Bon Jovi's album that was released after their biggie, Slippery When Wet.
Bon Jovi were now the biggest rock stars on the planet, and the band had to deliver.
And their fourth album, by all standards, did just that.
----
CONTEXT: DOUBLE NEW JERSEY
New Jersey would (and definitely "should"!) have been a double album, if it had been up to the band.
The record company blocked it, on grounds that they didn't think fans would be able to pay for the higher price.
You can listen to all unreleased Bon Jovi outtakes here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiGoDE3C06SfkAr0Ll4wz-GlGnZJNZDYh
The extra songs from New Jersey start at "Rosie" all the way to Bon Jovi's secret gem "Let's Make It Baby".
--
???????? Listen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ad-OPa7G9c
Bon Jovi | Rosie | New Jersey Outtake | 1988

and Rosie by Richie Sambora
???????? Listen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vABt5G8yamA
on his album "Stranger in this Town"

Full Rosie playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ9pUC1kjQ7Q&si=LE5qe0HnkTPd6fnX

video recorded Saturday 22 August 2026

Photobook behind me: Bon Jovi, The Story - Brian Reesman

In this video:

1. Welcome to another episode 00:00
Of Life lessons in Bon Jovi songs
We're at the first real outtake!
An outtake is a song that was written for a specific album, but that was never included on the album.

Yet Rosie doesn't entirely fit the bill of an outtake, because it was released on Richie Sambora's 1991 album, Stranger in this Town.
Richie Sambora has also performed it when he was on tour.

Which is why Rosie is usually classified as a Richie Sambora song, and not a Bon Jovi song.

2. The 2014 New Jersey Deluxe re-issue 05:17
In 1988, Bon Jovi had wanted New Jersey to be a double album, but the record company didn't allow them.
In 2014, they were very close to releasing the original idea, when they released a Deluxe re-issue of New Jersey.
Almost all outtakes were now included, with the exception of Rosie.

This was probably related to Richie Sambora having left the band just one year prior.
And the breakup having been painful, and the wound of his departure fresh.

So sadly, Rosie was not included on Bon Jovi's 2014 New Jersey Deluxe album.
As if everybody felt that Rosie had moved on, and no longer belonged on the album.

3. Why Bon Jovi's version is my favorite (unpopular opinion) 08:30
As far as my musically illiterate vocabulary will let me explain, that is.
So don't expect too much of it ????
(but it's still my favorite!)

4. What Rosie is about 12:18
Obviously, the song is about a girl named Rosie.
And about the singer having been with her in their teenage years.
Now she is an exotic dancer, and he is jealous but also reminiscent of the past, and regrets they ever parted.

The song has an element of him wanting to save or protect her.

5. Channel Reboot 13:50
Interested in some life lessons without the Bon Jovi songs?
I m rebooting my New Rock Star Channel this week!
So follow @TheNewRockStarChannel to see those videos.

6. The life lesson in this Bon Jovi song 14:25
See to your Rosies!
Just like Rosie, any project, person or relationship will ultimately move on, if you don't pay attention to it.
Possibly, with your best friend.

Next stop, another outtake:
Love is War!

~Suzanne
https://rockstarwriternijmegen.com/

2026 is the New Year New Jersey!
In 12 months we're going over the 10 songs on the album as well as all the outtakes/ extra songs that didn't make it to the album.

My two other YouTube channels are:

I ⁨@TheNewRockStarChannel
For the same Rock Star lessons, but without the Bon Jovi songs ;)

II @suzannebeenackersschrijver
Dutch/ Nederlands
Voor generatie X

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All videos, of Life lessons in Bon Jovi songs (playlist):
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiGoDE3C06SeCKg4jvR2EoVHBOfXzHm_R

SOURCES for this series:

1. OUTTAKES
Handmade list with rare Bon Jovi songs
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiGoDE3C06SfkAr0Ll4wz-GlGnZJNZDYh
Rolling List of Hidden Bon Jovi Gems 1985 - current day

2. RANKED
My favorite Bon Jovi article and indispensable for this series:
- https://ultimateclassicrock.com/bon-jovi-songs-ranked/
By Tony Kuzminski.
List also covers any outtakes from the 2004 box set.

3. QUOTES
https://twostorytown.com/new-jersey-quotes
https://twostorytown.com/singles

4. BJ TOURS
https://bjtours.jimdofree.com/the-albums/1988-new-jersey/