Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you stupendous songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the lyrics or title. Today, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora perform a gorgeous acoustic version of “Diamond Ring,” a ballad they co-wrote with Desmond Child in 1988.
Featuring romantic lyrics, seamless harmonies and a memorable guitar solo by Sambora, “Diamond Ring” tells the story of a man who is head-over-heels in love and wants the world to know.
They sing, “Diamond ring, wear it on your hand / It’s gonna tell the world, I’m your only man / Diamond ring, diamond ring / Baby, you’re my everything, diamond ring.”
During a 1995 concert, Bon Jovi told fans that “Diamond Ring” was one of his favorite collaborations with Sambora, but also recounted how it was the only song the duo ever “rewrote and rewrote and rewrote.”
“Diamond Ring” was originally intended to be released on the group’s 1988 album New Jersey, but didn’t quite make it. Then it was reworked and recorded for 1992’s Keep the Faith album. Again, it didn’t quite make it. Finally, the song was perfected and released as the 14th track of 1995’s These Days.
Many critics and fans regard These Days as Bon Jovi’s best album. It charted in 21 countries, including #1 spots in Australia, Austria, Canada, the Netherlands, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Portugal, Switzerland and the UK.
John Francis Bongiovi, Jr., was born in Perth Amboy, NJ, in 1962. A blood relative of Frank Sinatra, a young Bon Jovi spent much of his youth skipping school to pursue musical activities. By the time he was 16, he was already playing in New Jersey clubs.
In 1980, while sweeping floors at his cousin Tony Bongiovi’s recording studio, Bon Jovi got the opportunity to sing on a Star Wars Christmas album. His first official credit was on a release called “R2-D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas.” Bon Jovi told late night host Jimmy Kimmel that he earned $183 for that gig.
By 1983, Bon Jovi had formed the group that bears his name. Over the past 41-plus years, the group has sold more than 120 million records and performed more than 2,700 concerts in 50 countries. Bon Jovi and Sambora were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009.
Also born in Perth Amboy, the 65-year-old Sambora is best known as the lead guitarist of Bon Jovi from 1983 to 2013. He and lead singer Jon Bon Jovi wrote many of the group's most memorable songs, including "Livin' on a Prayer," "It's My Life" and "Diamond Ring."
Trivia: Sambora has collected more than 130 guitars, a third of which are Fender Stratocasters.
Please check out the video of Bon Jovi and Sambora belting out perfect harmonies during a live performance of “Diamond Ring” at 02 Arena in London in 2010. The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…
“Diamond Ring”
Written by Jon Bon Jovi, Desmond Child and Richard Sambora. Performed by Bon Jovi and Sambora.
Diamond ring, wear it on your hand
It’s gonna tell the world, I’m your only man
Diamond ring, diamond ring
Baby, you’re my everything, diamond ring
Red, red rose brought it home to you
Blood red rose, tells me that you’re true
Red, red rose, blood-red rose
Like a fire inside that grows, blood-red rose
When you’re hungry, I will fill you up
When you’re thirsty, drink out of my loving cup
When you’re crying, I’ll be the tears for you
There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do for you
When you’re hungry, I will fill you up
When you’re thirsty, drink out of my loving cup
When you’re crying, I’ll be the tears for you
There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do for you
You know, I bleed every night you sleep
‘Cause I don’t know if I’m in your dreams
I want to be your everything…
Diamond ring, wear it on your hand
It’s gonna tell the world, I’m your only man
Diamond ring, diamond ring
Baby, you’re my everything, diamond ring
Darling, you’re my everything, diamond ring
Now, you’ve got me on your string… She wears a diamond ring
Credit: Screen capture via YouTube / Nikita.