Slippery When Wet: A Bon Jovi Album Analyzed for Guitarists

Topping the charts with 12.9 million copies sold, Bon Jovi’s 1986 album ‘Slippery When Wet’ launched the band towards newfound success with singles ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’ and ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’ defining the sound of 80’s rock. The album also showcases the fantastic playing and tone of Richie Sambora.

As an exemplary fusion of pop and metal, "Slippery When Wet" by Bon Jovi is a delight for guitarists. Every note strummed and chord hit by lead guitarist Richie Sambora resonates with a perfect blend of technical prowess and emotive quality. This analytical review will provide a song-by-song deep dive into the album's guitar work, making sure to shine a light on Sambora's unique style and the crucial role he played in shaping the album's sound.

In this comprehensive Bon Jovi guitar lesson course, Jamie Humphries takes you through a full and detailed breakdown of Richie Sambora’s guitar parts from each song on the album. From each classic riff to every lick of those fiery solos, so you can truly recreate the guitar playing featured on this 80’s rock guitar masterpiece.

Guitar Lessons Included in This Course

Guitar Lesson 1: "Let It Rock"

The album's opening track is a full-throttle rock anthem featuring a pumping keyboard intro that soon intertwines with the guitar. Sambora employs power chords in the E minor pentatonic scale to amplify the song's energy. The solo part uses a combination of rapid alternate picking and tasteful string bending, yielding a hard rock flavor to the number.

Guitar Lesson 2: "You Give Love a Bad Name"

This signature Bon Jovi track presents a memorable opening riff using open-string riffs and arpeggiated chord progressions. Sambora's use of major scales, particularly in the key of C, gives the song its uplifting, catchy quality. The guitar solo involves some chromaticism and is primarily driven by fast alternate picking and string bending.

Guitar Lesson 3: "Livin' on a Prayer"

Perhaps the most famous track on the album, "Livin' on a Prayer" features Sambora's innovative use of the talk box, a rare treat in mainstream rock. The guitar work includes power chords and syncopated rhythms to support the song's narrative. The guitar solo, based on the D major scale, features harmonics and legato, adding to the song's unique appeal.

Guitar Lesson 4: "Social Disease"

This track features a bluesy undertone, with Sambora utilizing the Bb major pentatonic scale and incorporating bluesy bends and trills. The guitar solo here is a showpiece of slides, alternate picking, and hammer-ons, presenting a challenge for any guitarist.

Guitar Lesson 5: "Wanted Dead or Alive"

An iconic Bon Jovi song, "Wanted Dead or Alive" is a blend of rock and country styles. Sambora uses the D minor pentatonic scale with some open-string riffs, giving the song a "Wild West" feel. The solo showcases his mastery of alternate picking and harmonics.

Guitar Lesson 6: "Raise Your Hands"

Sambora's guitar work in "Raise Your Hands" is a rhythmic blend of palm muting, syncopated rhythms, and galloping rhythms, using a major scale. The solo showcases string bending, pull-offs, and harmonics.

Guitar Lesson 7: "Without Love"

A classic rock ballad, "Without Love" sees Sambora using chord progressions on the Bb major scale. The solo uses alternate picking, string bending, and slides, giving it a soulful tone.

Guitar Lesson 8: "I'd Die for You"

Sambora's guitar work on this track uses power chords and syncopated rhythms in the E minor scale. The solo incorporates fast alternate picking, hammer-ons, and pull-offs.

Guitar Lesson 9: "Never Say Goodbye"

A beautiful ballad that uses the G major scale, with Sambora employing arpeggios and palm muting. The solo features string bending and slides, giving it a heartfelt quality.

Guitar Lesson 10: "Wild in the Streets"

This upbeat closing track has Sambora using power chords and syncopated rhythms. The solo, based in the key of E, incorporates alternate picking and string bending to round off the album with a burst of energy.

Richie Sambora, Bon Jovi's lead guitarist, exhibited a distinctive blend of technique and feel on this album. His technical ability to alternate between scales, coupled with his knack for string bending and his unique rhythmic sense, truly elevated "Slippery When Wet" to a rock classic.

Techniques used on the album:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Harmonics
• Pull-offs
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Hammer-ons
• Slides
• Sustain
• String Bending
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Open-string Riffs
• Bluesy Bends
• Galloping Rhythms
• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
• Chromaticism

NB: PERFORMANCE FOOTAGE NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS COURSE