Bon Jovi’s ‘Slippery When Wet’ to be re-released on vinyl, versions with bonus tracks

The hair, the hits and a historic legacy.

The Bon Jovi classic “Slippery When Wet” rocked the radio, MTV and concert stages when it was released on Aug. 18, 1986, and it’s still rockin’ strong. Universal Music Enterprises, Bon Jovi’s record label, is set to re-release “Slippery” in several formats, including vinyl, CD and digital deluxe, on Friday, Feb. 28.

There will be seven bonus tracks on the CD and digital versions, including the “long sought-after” acoustic version of “Wanted Dead Or Alive,” and Slippery When Wet tour live recordings, including “Let It Rock.” The deluxe versions also include unreleased mixes of “Livin’ On A Prayer (Thank You Goodnight Remix)” and “Raise Your Hands (Extended Obie O’Brien Mix).”

Bon Jovi performs Dec. 27, 1986, at the Centrum in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Bon Jovi performs Dec. 27, 1986, at the Centrum in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Vinyl versions include a liquid-filled vinyl disc limited to 1,300 copies, and a picture disc limited to 1,500 copies. A cassette version, limited to 500 copies, will also be available.

“Slippery When Wet” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and held the top spot for eight weeks. Hits include “You Give Love A Bad Name,” “Livin’ On A Prayer” and “Wanted Dead Or Alive.”

Frontman Jon Bon Jovi has been battling atrophied vocal chords that has kept him from touring for two years. The issue was delved in to on the recent Hulu documentary, “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story.”

“I think — I’m going to stop saying I think — I am turning the last corner,” said Bon Jovi Oct. 26 at the Montclair Film Festival’s “A Conversation with Stephen Colbert and Jon Bon Jovi” on the stage of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.

“We rehearse every month, we make the progress,” he continued. “I’m just not ever going out (on tour) unless its great … I work really hard, four days a week, two hours a day on therapy. Not till it’s right.”

‘Slippery When Wet’ Deluxe Edition tracks

Original Album (Disc 1)

    Let It Rock

    You Give Love A Bad Name

    Livin’ On A Prayer

    Social Disease

    Wanted Dead Or Alive

    Raise Your Hands

    Without Love

    I’d Die For You

    Never Say Goodbye

    Wild In The Streets

Bonus Tracks (Disc 2)

    Wanted Dead Or Alive (Acoustic Version)

    Livin’ On A Prayer (Thank You Goodnight Remix)

    Raise Your Hands (Extended Obie O’Brien Mix)

    Wild In The Streets (Live at Cincinnati Gardens, March 18, 1987)*

    Livin’ On A Prayer (Live at Cobo Arena Detroit, March 11, 1987)

    Wanted Dead Or Alive (Live at Cobo Arena Detroit, March 11, 1987)*

    Let It Rock (Live at Nassau Coliseum, Aug. 9, 1987)

Tracks 2 to 7 previously unreleased (*previously available with different mixes)

‘Slippery When Wet’ vinyl tracks

Side A

    Let It Rock

    You Give Love A Bad Name

    Livin’ On A Prayer

    Social Disease

    Wanted Dead Or Alive

Side B

    Raise Your Hands

    Without Love

    I’d Die For You

    Never Say Goodbye

    Wild In The Streets

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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at [email protected]