Lay Your Hands on Me

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as the Zoo Crew spins "Lay Your Hands on Me" by Bon Jovi from their iconic New Jersey album! This track, released as a single in 1989, was a powerhouse, peaking at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming the fourth Top 10 hit from the album. Unlike many of their songs, it wasn’t demoed beforehand; instead, it was crafted in the studio at the suggestion of video producer Curt Marvis and director Wayne Isham, who urged the band to create a grand, show-opening anthem. Inspired by Peter Gabriel’s use of African drums, the song’s explosive intro and anthemic vibe were designed to scream accessibility, with Jon Bon Jovi emphasizing that even after the massive success of Slippery When Wet, the band remained close to their fans. The lyrics, which feel like an intimate conversation, were meant to symbolize that connection, with lines like “Lay your hands on me” inviting fans to stay engaged. Live, it was a spectacle—Richie Sambora rocked a double-neck guitar, and Jon would turn concerts into a “church” of 10,000 singing voices, as noted in a 1988 interview.

The song’s live energy was captured in its music video, pieced together from performances at the Tacoma Dome in Washington and the Memorial Coliseum in Portland during the Jersey Syndicate Tour. Fun fact: the band involved their fans directly, giving fan club members Super 8 cameras to shoot footage for the "Bad Medicine" video, a tactic that carried over to the New Jersey era to keep that fan-band bond tight. In a surprising twist, Dolly Parton covered the song in 2014 for her Blue Smoke album, transforming it into a gospel tune. She told Entertainment Weekly that the song’s healing vibe reminded her of her Pentecostal church roots, and she personally called Jon and Richie to get their blessing. The band themselves re-recorded it acoustically for their 2003 album This Left Feels Right, with Sambora swapping his guitar for a mandocello, giving it a laid-back, soulful spin.

Bon Jovi kicked off their journey in Sayreville, New Jersey, in 1983, when Jon Bon Jovi, born John Francis Bongiovi Jr. on March 2, 1962, formed the band with keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, bassist Alec John Such, and guitarist Richie Sambora. Jon’s music career started early, playing piano and guitar at 13 with his first band, Raze. By his teens, he was gigging in local clubs with bands like Atlantic City Expressway and John Bongiovi and the Wild Ones, opening for acts like Southside Johnny. At 17, he landed a job at Power Station Studios in Manhattan, where he recorded demos, including one produced by Billy Squier. His big break came in 1980 when a demo track, “Runaway,” got airplay on New York radio stations, catching the attention of Mercury Records. This led to the formation of Bon Jovi, their self-titled debut album in 1984, and a string of hits that catapulted them to global fame with Slippery When Wet in 1986.

Stay connected with Bon Jovi through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates, exclusive content, and behind-the-scenes moments. Fans can dive deeper at the official Backstage with Bon Jovi fan club for presale tickets and merch. The Bon Jovi subreddit is a hot spot for Zoo Freaks to swap stories and debate favorite tracks, while the Bon Jovi Fans Facebook group keeps the community vibe alive with over 20,000 members sharing concert pics and memories. For a fan-run hub, check out Dry County, a website packed with forums, news, and tour archives. Keep rocking, Zoo Crew!