Cross Road is a greatest hits collection by the American rock band Bon Jovi, released on October 11, 1994, by Mercury Records. Globally, it can be considered as the band's definitive album, having sold over 21.5 million copies worldwide.
This album contains some of the band's most well-known tracks, including major hits "Livin' on a Prayer," "Bad Medicine," and "Wanted Dead or Alive." Additionally, two new songs, 'Always' and 'Someday I'll Be Saturday Night', were written and recorded exclusively for the compilation. 'Always' became one of their biggest hits and a signature Bon Jovi track.
The album serves as a broad reflection on Bon Jovi's musical journey from their debut album, Bon Jovi in 1984, till the early 90s. It encapsulates the band's sound that influenced the rock genre in the 80s and early 90s, wedding rock anthems and power ballads with huge choruses intended for stadium crowds.
Background-wise, the album was named after the intersection in New Jersey, where the band used to rehearse. By the time Cross Road was conceived, original band members Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and David Bryan were still together, along with Tico Torres and Alec John Such. However, following the album’s release, Such left the band due to undisclosed reasons, marking the first major line-up change for Bon Jovi.
To date, Cross Road remains popular among both fans and critics, serving as a thorough testament to Bon Jovi's lasting influence in the rock music scene.
