"New Jersey" is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Bon Jovi, released on September 19, 1988, by Mercury Records. It follows the monumental success of their third album, "Slippery When Wet," and was produced by Bruce Fairbairn and recorded at the Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, Canada.
The album overall exhibits a harder-edged sound compared to its predecessor and incorporates elements of glam metal. It explores many themes beyond love and romance, venturing into territory like social issues and personal responsibility. The album's title pays homage to the band's home state, New Jersey.
"New Jersey" was a significant commercial success. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, making Bon Jovi the first hard rock band to ever have back-to-back #1 albums. It also reached top positions in other international charts.
The record spawned five Billboard Hot 100 top ten singles, the most top ten hits to date for any hard rock album, including two #1 hits, "Bad Medicine" and "I'll Be There for You". The other three singles "Born to Be My Baby," "Lay Your Hands on Me," and "Living in Sin" also charted in the top 10.
As of 2021, "New Jersey" has sold over seven million copies in the US alone and has been certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for seven million shipments, and by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for having shipments of 300,000 copies.
The album further enhanced Bon Jovi's reputation as one of the most popular bands in the rock and roll genre and solidified their growing international fame in the late 1980s.
