Jon Bon Jovi is staging an impressive comeback. After documenting his potentially career-ending vocal cord surgery in 2024’s “Thank You, Goodnight” documentary, the legendary rocker and recent “American Idol” mentor is quickly climbing Billboard’s Top 40 chart with an unlikely accomplice: rapper Pitbull.

On February 12, 2025, Bon Jovi and Pitbull’s new tune, “Now or Never,” debuted at number 36 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart. This is the first bonified pop hit for Bon Jovi since 2006’s “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” according to Forbes, and a welcome surprise for the rock star, who could barely eek out a single note in recent years.

Jon Bon Jovi & Pitbull’s Music Video Features Them Performing Together at Jones Beach

Bon Jovi and Pitbull released “Now or Never” on November 14, the same day as the 2024 Latin Grammys, where they performed the tune together for the first time, per Billboard.

The song features part of the chorus from Bon Jovi’s 2000 hit “It’s My Life,” combined with a driving pop beat and motivational rap lyrics from Pitbull. The official music video features footage of the two stars performing “It’s My Life” in April 2024 at Jones Beach during Pitbull’s Party After Dark Tour, per a press release about their collaboration.

Bon Jovi, who mentored and performed with the top three contestants on the season 22 finale of “American Idol,” first met Pitbull at the 2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction and awards ceremony, the release said, and they have performed together several times since.

After debuting their duet at the Latin Grammy Awards in November, “Now or Never” quickly shot to the top of the English Songs chart in Mexico. Though it’s taken a bit longer to take hold in the U.S., Forbes reported that “Now or Never” is now “also a hit” on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Pop Songs chart and Adult Pop Airplay list.

Jon Bon Jovi Hopes to Return to Touring One Day

Landing on the Top 40 pop chart was not something Bon Jovi thought was possible while struggling through treatments and surgery for an atrophying vocal cord, he told NPR in early 2024. He allowed cameras to follow the journey for his band’s 40th anniversary documentary, as it became clear he could no longer tour despite still packing arenas.

“They had to put in an implant, a Gore-Tex implant, outside of the cords to rebuild them,” he told NPR, “and so the process has been slower than I’d hoped for, but the progress and the process are really doing very well.”

To his delight and relief, he told the outlet at the time he was able to sing again, but wasn’t sure if he’d ever be able to tour.

“I’m currently able to sing,” he said, adding, “I lack in the patience department, but every day I’m at it, you know? Every day is some kind of therapy to try to get back to that 2 1/2 hours a night.”