We Weren't Born to Follow

"We Weren't Born to Follow"
"We Weren't Born to Follow"
Single by Bon Jovi
from the album The Circle
Released	August 17, 2009
Recorded	Sanctuary Studios, New Jersey
Genre	Rock
Length	4:03 (Album version); 4:09 (Single edit)
Label	Island
Songwriter(s)	Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora
Producer(s)	John Shanks
Bon Jovi singles chronology

"We Weren't Born to Follow" is the first single released in August 2009 from Bon Jovi's eleventh studio album, The Circle.^[1] The single premiered on radio on August 17, 2009. The single was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.^[2]

Since then, the song has reached the peak position on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 68.^[3]

Music video[]

The music video, directed by Craig Barry and edited by Brett Langefels for the song was released on October 14, 2009. It features the band performing on the roof of the Clinton Recording Studios in New York City with skyscrapers visible behind them. Interspersed with these scenes are archive clips and pictures of important events and people in history. Designed and composited by Matthew Lucas-Valci, these scenes echo the themes of the song. The video includes images of:^[4]

Bringing down the Berlin Wall in 1989
Lance Armstrong winning the Tour de France
The Dalai Lama
A collection of the Wright brothers plane, a space shuttle and Spaceship One of Virgin Galactic
Virgin Records owner Richard Branson
The Great Wall of China
The protests at Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989 and the famous Tank Man picture
Images of US President Barack Obama
Princess Diana in Africa
Patrick Thibodeau, a renowned basketball player of Cumberland, Maine, who suffers from Down's Syndrome, playing on the Greely High School boys' basketball team.
Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his August 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech
Protests about climate change
The late guitarist Les Paul
The successful emergency water landing of US Airways Flight 1549 and pilot Chesley Burnett Sullenberger III
Scenes of the separation stage of a Saturn V rocket along with various astronauts in EVA
Gloria Steinem and feminist demonstrations.
Robert F. Kennedy
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
2009–2010 Iranian election protests

For the week ending November 21, the music video for "We Weren't Born to Follow" reached number 1 on the VH1 Top 20 in the USA.

In popular culture[]

In 2009 TBS used the song in its commercials for that year's Major League Baseball playoffs.^[5] Jon Bon Jovi gave a copy of the song to his friend Bill Belichick, head coach of the New England Patriots, before its public release. The Patriots had initially planned to play it after touchdowns at Gillette Stadium, but ultimately chose to use "This Is Our House" instead.^[6]

Track listing[]

United States CD Single^[7]
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"We Weren't Born to Follow" (Single Version)	Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora	4:09
Total length:			4:09

Japanese CD Single^[8]
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"We Weren't Born to Follow" (Single Version)	Bon Jovi, Sambora	4:09
2.	"We Weren't Born to Follow" (Instrumental)	Bon Jovi, Sambora	4:09
Total length:			8:18

European CD Single^[9]
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"We Weren't Born to Follow" (Single Version)	Bon Jovi, Sambora	4:09
2.	"Blaze of Glory" (Recorded live at Madison Square Garden, New York City, July 2008.)	Bon Jovi	5:48
Total length:			9:57

European CD-Maxi Single^[10]
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"We Weren't Born to Follow" (Single Version)	Bon Jovi, Sambora	4:09
2.	"Blaze of Glory" (Recorded live at Madison Square Garden, New York City, July 2008.)	Bon Jovi	5:48
3.	"In These Arms" (Recorded live at Madison Square Garden, New York City, July 2008.)	Bon Jovi, Sambora, David Bryan	6:08
4.	"I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" (Recorded live at Madison Square Garden, New York City, July 2008.)	Bon Jovi, Sambora, Desmond Child	6:22
Total length:			22:28

Personnel[]

Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi - lead vocals^[11]
Richie Sambora - guitars, backing vocals^[11]
Hugh McDonald - bass guitar, backing vocals^[11]
Tico Torres - drums, percussion^[11]
David Bryan - keyboards, backing vocals^[11]

Additional musicians

Charlie Judge - additional keyboards and strings^[11]

Technical personnel

John Shanks – producer^[7]
Jon Bon Jovi - co-producer^[7]
Richie Sambora - co-producer^[7]
Jeff Rothschild - engineer^[7]
Mike Rew - additional engineer^[7]
Obie O'Brien - additional engineer^[7]
Alex Gibson - additional engineer^[7]
Lars Fox - Pro Tools editor^[7]
Bob Clearmountain - mixing engineer^[7]
Brandon Duncan - mixing assistant^[7]
George Marino - mastering^[7]

Charts[]

Weekly charts[]

Chart (2009-2010)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[12]	62
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[13]	4
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)^[14]	29
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)^[15]	46
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[16]	73
Finland Download (Latauslista)^[17]	25
Germany (Official German Charts)^[18]	6
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)^[19]	3
Ireland (IRMA)^[20]	41
Italy (FIMI)^[21]	5
Japan (Japan Hot 100)^[22]	3
Japan (Oricon)^[23]	36
Scotland (OCC)^[24]	21
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)^[25]	23
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[26]	30
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[27]	14
UK Singles (OCC)^[28]	25
US Billboard Hot 100^[29]	68
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[30]	16
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)^[31]	10

Year-end charts[]

Chart (2009)	Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[32]	68
Germany (Official German Charts)^[33]	85
Japan (Japan Hot 100)^[34]	78
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)^[35]	46
Chart (2010)	Position
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[36]	41

Release history[]

Region	Date	Label	Format	Catalog
Japan	October 21, 2009	Island	CD	UICL-5026^[37]
Europe	October 23, 2009			0602527239415^[38]
Europe	October 23, 2009			0602527239408^[39]

References[]

^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "Bon Jovi Releases New Single Ahead of Schedule". Rockstar Weekly. Retrieved 2009-08-19. Pop rockers Bon Jovi have streamed the new single 'We Weren't Born To Follow' on their website. The song is the first taste of the new CD The Circle, scheduled for release on November 10. It shows the band returning to its rock roots.
^ Bon Jovi Nominated for Grammy Award! Bon Jovi News
^ "We Weren't Born To Follow - Bon Jovi". Billboard.
^ Video on YouTube
^ "Bon Jovi weren't born to follow". mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
^ Traina, Jimmy. "Jon Bon Jovi Q&A". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l We Weren't Born to Follow (United States CD Single). Bon Jovi. New York City: Island. 2009. B0013426-32.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ We Weren't Born to Follow (Japanese CD Single). Bon Jovi. New York City: Island. 2009. UICL-5026.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ We Weren't Born to Follow (European CD Single). Bon Jovi. New York City: Island. 2009. 0602527239415.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ We Weren't Born to Follow (CD-Maxi Single CD Single). Bon Jovi. New York City: Island. 2009. 0602527239408.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f The Circle (Album). Bon Jovi. New York City: Island. 2009. p. 10. 602527245607.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ "ARIA Charts Report: Week Commencing 21 September 2009 #Issue1021" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia.
^ "Austriancharts.at – Bon Jovi – We Weren't Born to Follow" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
^ "Bon Jovi Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 200945 into search.
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Bon Jovi – We Weren't Born to Follow" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
^ "Bon Jovi: We Weren't Born to Follow" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Bon Jovi – We Weren't Born to Follow" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts.
^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
^ "Chart Track: Week 45, 2009". Irish Singles Chart.
^ "Italiancharts.com – Bon Jovi – We Weren't Born to Follow". Top Digital Download.
^ "Hits of the World - Japan". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. November 21, 2009. p. 47. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
^ "ウィー・ワーント・ボーン・トゥ・フォローボン・ジョヴィ - ORICON STYLE". Oricon. 2009-11-02. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200947 into search.
^ "Swedishcharts.com – Bon Jovi – We Weren't Born to Follow". Singles Top 100.
^ "Swisscharts.com – Bon Jovi – We Weren't Born to Follow". Swiss Singles Chart.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
^ "Bon Jovi Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
^ "Bon Jovi Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
^ "Bon Jovi Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2009". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 2019-09-28.
^ "Japan Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-09-28.
^ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-09-28.
^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-09-28.
^ "We Weren't Born To Follow: Bon Jovi LAWSON-TICKET HMV - UICL-5026". HMV. 2009-10-21. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
^ "Bon Jovi - We Weren'T Born to Follow gebraucht (2-Track) kaufen". reBuy.de. 2009-10-21. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
^ "Bon Jovi - We Weren'T Born to Follow gebraucht kaufen". reBuy.de. 2009-10-21. Retrieved 2017-01-05.

External links[]

[WWBTF-1] Jump up to: ^a ^b "Bon Jovi Releases New Single Ahead of Schedule". Rockstar Weekly. Retrieved 2009-08-19. Pop rockers Bon Jovi have streamed the new single 'We Weren't Born To Follow' on their website. The song is the first taste of the new CD The Circle, scheduled for release on November 10. It shows the band returning to its rock roots.

[2] Bon Jovi Nominated for Grammy Award! Bon Jovi News

[bbs-3] "We Weren't Born To Follow - Bon Jovi". Billboard.

[4] Video on YouTube

[5] "Bon Jovi weren't born to follow". mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved 2021-01-15.

[6] Traina, Jimmy. "Jon Bon Jovi Q&A". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2021-01-15.

[we_werent_born_to_follow_usa_liner_notes-7] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l We Weren't Born to Follow (United States CD Single). Bon Jovi. New York City: Island. 2009. B0013426-32.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[we_werent_born_to_follow_japanese_liner_notes-8] We Weren't Born to Follow (Japanese CD Single). Bon Jovi. New York City: Island. 2009. UICL-5026.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[we_werent_born_to_follow_european_liner_notes-9] We Weren't Born to Follow (European CD Single). Bon Jovi. New York City: Island. 2009. 0602527239415.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[we_werent_born_to_follow_european_maxi_liner_notes-10] We Weren't Born to Follow (CD-Maxi Single CD Single). Bon Jovi. New York City: Island. 2009. 0602527239408.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[the_circle-11] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f The Circle (Album). Bon Jovi. New York City: Island. 2009. p. 10. 602527245607.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[sc_Australiapandora_Bon_Jovi-12] "ARIA Charts Report: Week Commencing 21 September 2009 #Issue1021" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia.

[sc_Austria_Bon_Jovi-13] "Austriancharts.at – Bon Jovi – We Weren't Born to Follow" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.

[sc_Billboardcanadianhot100_Bon_Jovi-14] "Bon Jovi Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.

[sc_Czech_Republic_Bon_Jovi-15] "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 200945 into search.

[sc_Dutch100_Bon_Jovi-16] "Dutchcharts.nl – Bon Jovi – We Weren't Born to Follow" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.

[dl_FIN_Bon_Jovi-17] "Bon Jovi: We Weren't Born to Follow" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.

[sc_Germany_Bon_Jovi-18] "Offiziellecharts.de – Bon Jovi – We Weren't Born to Follow" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts.

[sc_Hungary_Bon_Jovi-19] "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.

[sc_Ireland_Bon_Jovi-20] "Chart Track: Week 45, 2009". Irish Singles Chart.

[sc_Italy_Bon_Jovi-21] "Italiancharts.com – Bon Jovi – We Weren't Born to Follow". Top Digital Download.

[hits_of_the_world_japan-22] "Hits of the World - Japan". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. November 21, 2009. p. 47. Retrieved January 5, 2017.

[oricon_singles-23] "ウィー・ワーント・ボーン・トゥ・フォローボン・ジョヴィ - ORICON STYLE". Oricon. 2009-11-02. Retrieved 2017-01-05.

[sc_Scotland_Bon_Jovi-24] "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.

[sc_Slovakia_Bon_Jovi-25] "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200947 into search.

[sc_Sweden_Bon_Jovi-26] "Swedishcharts.com – Bon Jovi – We Weren't Born to Follow". Singles Top 100.

[sc_Swiss_Bon_Jovi-27] "Swisscharts.com – Bon Jovi – We Weren't Born to Follow". Swiss Singles Chart.

[sc_UK_Bon_Jovi-28] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Bon_Jovi-29] "Bon Jovi Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.

[sc_Billboardadultcontemporary_Bon_Jovi-30] "Bon Jovi Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.

[sc_Billboardadultpopsongs_Bon_Jovi-31] "Bon Jovi Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.

[32] "Jahreshitparade Singles 2009". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 2020-01-14.

[33] "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 2019-09-28.

[34] "Japan Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-09-28.

[35] "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-09-28.

[36] "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-09-28.

[we_werent_born_to_follow_bon_jovi_lawson_ticket_hmv_uicl_5026-37] "We Weren't Born To Follow: Bon Jovi LAWSON-TICKET HMV - UICL-5026". HMV. 2009-10-21. Retrieved 2017-01-05.

[bon_jovi_we_werent_born_to_follow_2_track_gebraucht_kaufen-38] "Bon Jovi - We Weren'T Born to Follow gebraucht (2-Track) kaufen". reBuy.de. 2009-10-21. Retrieved 2017-01-05.

[bon_jovi_we_werent_born_to_follow_gebraucht_kaufen-39] "Bon Jovi - We Weren'T Born to Follow gebraucht kaufen". reBuy.de. 2009-10-21. Retrieved 2017-01-05.

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hide v t Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi Tico Torres David Bryan Hugh McDonald Phil X Alec John Such Dave Sabo Richie Sambora
Studio albums	Bon Jovi 7800° Fahrenheit Slippery When Wet New Jersey Keep the Faith These Days Crush Bounce Have a Nice Day Lost Highway The Circle What About Now Burning Bridges This House Is Not for Sale 2020
Compilation albums	Hard & Hot (Best of Bon Jovi) Cross Road Tokyo Road: Best of Bon Jovi This Left Feels Right 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong Greatest Hits
Live albums	One Wild Night Live 1985–2001 Inside Out This House Is Not for Sale – Live from the London Palladium
Singles	"Runaway" "She Don't Know Me" "Burning for Love" "Only Lonely" "In and Out of Love" "The Hardest Part Is the Night" "Silent Night" "You Give Love a Bad Name" "Livin' on a Prayer" "Wanted Dead or Alive" "Never Say Goodbye" "Edge of a Broken Heart" "Bad Medicine" "Born to Be My Baby" "I'll Be There for You" "Lay Your Hands on Me" "Living in Sin" "Keep the Faith" "Bed of Roses" "In These Arms" "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" "I Believe" "Dry County" "Please Come Home for Christmas" "Always" "Someday I'll Be Saturday Night" "This Ain't a Love Song" "Something for the Pain" "Lie to Me" "These Days" "Hey God" "Real Life" "It's My Life" "Say It Isn't So" "Thank You for Loving Me" "One Wild Night" "Everyday" "Misunderstood" "All About Lovin' You" "Bounce" (promo single) "The Distance" "Have a Nice Day" "Who Says You Can't Go Home" (with Jennifer Nettles) "Welcome to Wherever You Are" "(You Want to) Make a Memory" "Lost Highway" "Till We Ain't Strangers Anymore" (with LeAnn Rimes) "Summertime" "Whole Lot of Leavin'" "We Weren't Born to Follow" "Superman Tonight" "When We Were Beautiful" "What Do You Got?" "No Apologies" "This Is Our House" (promo single) "Because We Can" "We Don't Run" "This House Is Not for Sale" "When We Were Us" "Do What You Can" (with Jennifer Nettles)
Video albums	Breakout: Video Singles Slippery When Wet: The Videos New Jersey: The Videos Access All Areas: A Rock & Roll Odyssey Keep the Faith: An Evening with Bon Jovi Keep the Faith: The Videos Cross Road Live from London The Crush Tour This Left Feels Right Live Lost Highway: The Concert When We Were Beautiful Live at Madison Square Garden Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Video Collection
Concert tours	Runaway Tour Slippery When Wet Tour Jersey Syndicate Tour I'll Sleep When I'm Dead Tour These Days Tour One Wild Night Tour Have a Nice Day Tour Lost Highway Tour The Circle Tour Bon Jovi Live Because We Can Bon Jovi Live! This House Is Not for Sale Tour
Solo albums	Blaze of Glory (Jon Bon Jovi) Stranger in This Town (Sambora) On a Full Moon (Bryan) Destination Anywhere (Jon Bon Jovi) Undiscovered Soul (Sambora) Lunar Eclipse (Bryan) The Power Station Years: The Unreleased Recordings (Jon Bon Jovi) Aftermath of the Lowdown (Sambora)
Related articles	Discography Songs recorded Awards
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