Bon Jovi Discussions
The People's House feat War & Treaty
There you go. Welcome to Bon Jovi Discussions. Today I have my friend Anika, who has been on the podcast before. How are you? I'm good. Hey everyone. Looks like you're ready to go to the beach after this. Yeah, but also I think if John has thought as one thing, it's always to watch some classes. Wherever you go. If you're a rockstar. Well, yeah. Yeah. Anyway. Any excuse to our sunglasses? Exactly. I put my pair on, but they're downstairs and I don't have time for that. Anyway, we are going to talk about the People's House, which is a new song from the new album forever in case someone didn't know already. But the reason that we're going to talk about this today is because there is a new version that came out today that features war and treaty, which we'll get into in a little bit. But what I figured we would do is also, we're going to talk about that version, but I like to talk about the song as a whole. And but today was kind of an unexpected, like out of the blue. It just came out. Yeah. Yeah. I just wanted to do it this morning and everyone had shared it. I was like, I didn't know there was a new song out. Happy Friday. Yeah. Happy Friday. Yeah. You go. But I know what, because John had said a few months ago that there was some going to be some collaborations coming and I guess this is one of the first ones. But yeah, it was that I wasn't expecting that. I think it was pretty cool. But let's go all, you know, let's go back to the original version first, the song overall. What was your reaction when you first heard the song and forever? So I first heard it in London during the album, The Sinning Party, and I really liked it. I like the rhythm of it. It came, it came in quite like the early Bunchobi vibes like in the like late 80s, early 90s, you know, keep the tape a little bit. So I quite, quite enjoyed it. But it didn't stand out as such for me during the listening party because we listened to the whole album straight on in one go and then when the album released, the song was literally like stuck in my head for days just going in the loop. So yeah, I mean, unsurprising term, really. Yeah. I think it's a good song. It definitely, you know, because a lot of forever, it has a lot of, you know, throwbacks to their career, you know, like Waz or Jericho, the one more time with feeling, you know, hints at that. And so every song kind of kind of has a hint to something. But so like, just a little bit ago, for me, it reminds me of Keep the Faith a lot. And I don't know, have you ever heard of the 2009 Oh Happy Days version of Keep the Faith that John did? I forget the group, but it was like a, it was like a gospel type album. And one of the songs they feature was Keep the Faith and John was featured on it. You've never heard it? I don't, I might have to like the playlist, but like, it doesn't jump out. Like maybe I've heard it like once or twice, like during the playlist. Well, like, I just have it on in the background, but like, I just can't quite place it at the moment. Well, if you have, and anyone that's listening to this podcast, because to be fair to you and everyone else, it's, it's kind of been like a forgotten track. It doesn't, I mean, talk about it. Go to YouTube, search Bon Jovi, Keep the Faith Oh Happy Days. Okay. Make me later. Okay. But it has a very gospel sound to it. So for me, I think the people's house is 1992, Keep the Faith meets 2009. Keep the Faith Oh Happy Days version. You know, because you get that keyboard, that you know, and yeah, I love the song. It reminds me a lot of Keep the Faith, but me and obviously, you know, John has said that he kind of wrote this right after 2020 was like in the midst and ending of the pandemic. And I think a lot of us do with like the White House riots at the time, but it's about more that we have more in common than we have differences and we're still one. It's the house of you and me and that we need to learn and understand each other more. And I think that's my favorite part about the song is the message behind it because unity is better than being separated in my opinion, you know, I think if we all came together, the world would be a better place. So it has a really like, if you dive into the lyrics, it has a really deep meaning. Yeah. And you can tell it's quite personal, really. Exactly. Yeah. And so let's get into War and Tree. It's a little bit of back. So I was not very familiar with War and Treaty. I remember that they played, I forget what song they did back in music cares when John was being honored. Do you remember what song they did at that concert? I'm trying to blank right now. Yeah, I'm drawing a blank as well. Yeah. It was quite difficult for me to see it in the UK because obviously they didn't like broadcast it like the snippets that I saw, like I just can't quite place it at the moment. Well I am so curious that I am Google and I'll be there for you. Oh, I knew it was bad of some sort, but yeah, they did not be there for you. And I remember watching the music cares thing and I was really impressed. I think they're like them and, I forget the other, but I was really impressed with War and Treaty. And you know, fast forward a few months later, here we are with a collaboration. And so, but so War and Treaty, they're a husband and wife, Michael and Tanya Trotter. And I kind of checked out some of their stuff today and they're really good. They're very contrast, gospel, blues and soul type sound, which is, you know, I really like and they're fun to watch that, especially Michael, he has this kind of high energy. He's just kind of entertaining to watch. He has a way of just pulling you in. So yeah, and so the cover that we got today was obviously, you know, John's wearing the Bon Jovi forever jacket, you know, and I think this is a studio, I think it's a studio shot because if you can tell in the back, it looks like it's like in a studio and like a photography studio, not a recording studio, photography studio, and he's kind of tilted off to the side. And I think that's a really cool image. And so I'm kind of, I was kind of bummed. I was kind of like an outtake image for the album, but it's kind of cool that they're able to use it in some way or another cell. So obviously as you know, you know, has the Bon Jovi logo on the back of the jacket underneath and wore and treaty. Yeah. So I thought that was pretty cool. Yeah, the color is amazing, I really love it. Yeah, you know, so overall for me, this song screams gospel. It screams and I think the way that this collaboration is like the song on the album is great, but the collaboration really makes the song what I think it's intended to sound like gospel and together, you know, it has that church feeling of unity, you know, like we're all in this. So when you first listened to it this morning, what was your reaction to it? I was speaking it back a little bit. I was just like, okay, I can't quite place my finger on like what it is, you know, like because it sounded so different and even the beginning sounds really different like the intro bed. And I was like, okay, so then I looked into the war and treaty a little bit and I was like, ah, that makes sense. It's rock meets gospel and soul, like it's really like, you know, stuttering feel of it. And then it took me like about three or four listens to get really into that version. Yeah. But I mean, I like it. Yeah. It's really interesting. Yeah. Go ahead. I was just going to say like it's really interesting and like the harmonies as well, the way they've done the harmonies in the like the course bed was a bit, I was like quite surprised by it, like the way they did it, but it works, it really works. I think it's very upbeat and funky, you know, with a gospel one of the things that. So I was listening to the original and the new version. And I think I don't think John rerecorded his vocals on the song, which I don't blame. I don't think there's any need to. I don't think so either because like with the harmonies, you can see like they are planning but they're not planning as it would with they were instituted together in a way. Right. So, you know, I know, I just mentioned this because a lot of people were kind of comments and online about that. And my personal opinion, I don't think John rerecorded his parts and I don't think there's any need to, you know, and I think more and treat just kind of came in and did their parts and, you know, I really like Michael's vocals on the second verse right in the beginning Oh, yeah. And then the pre I think the pre-cores really makes you feel it. You know, when they're all through them or staying, you know, building this house, I thought that was you know, I say best part, but I'll say another best part is the third verse when Michael and Tonya are saying and then John comes in at the end with the one another line and then they go into the pre-cores again. I thought that was, you know, like, because you don't hear John at all really in that third verse until one another and then, you know, you know, yeah, I really like that. Like, I like when Michael's vocals first came in, like the power and the energy that comes in like it's something different. Yeah. Like, I can't say this enough, it really adds that gospel sound, you know, you get a gospel vibe in the original, but once you get Michael coming in that song, you're like, we're in church kind of feeling. Yeah, kind of just the song overall, whether it's the original or even the new version, the guitar solo, it's not a solo that you would, I like the solo, don't get me wrong. It's not a solo you'd expect for the solo. I'm thinking something more edge-hidden, but that makes sense. You know? Yeah. You know? I quite like the solo, because it kind of, it really gives a feel of the, like, the early day spent over in all of that. But like, yeah, you're right, like, it, like, or rich and when you hear in this before the solo comes on, you would imagine the solo will feel a little bit different. Yeah. And the solo's not bad, it's a good song, it's just something you don't expect. You know, it's more of like, it's like, you're like the song is, like, yeah, and then all of a sudden you're going, and it just kind of, I don't know, but it's good. I still like it, and then I want to get into the final chorus of the new version, Michael's backing vocals on, when he sings in the background, this is people's, my handwriting is so sloppy here. Oh my God. And the, this is people's house and then built these walls with it, Michael, you know, just to deliver the line, leave vocal. And then Michael comes in with his backing vocal and kind of create the line. And I thought that was pretty cool too. Yeah. Yeah. It was, it was really cool, like, it's, it just gives the song like another dimension. And it reaches a wider audience as well, like people who normally wouldn't listen to rock, but they're more into like, you know, southern music and like, gospel and soulful music. Yeah. They will find this song, and they will love it and it might be their avenue into Punjabi. Yeah. And you bring up a good point about, you know, being introduced to something new, you know, like Bon Jovi fans like us, we're being introduced to Warren Trini, who are great. I would have never known about them if it wasn't for Bon Jovi. Yeah. Yeah. And until today I had never heard of them at all. And maybe the same with Warren Trini fans, maybe they're like, who's this Bon Jovi? I know it's probably very rare, nobody knows who Bon Jovi fans, you know. So maybe we'll have like a new legion of fans come on board now. Yeah. Probably. Who doesn't know Punjabi, but like it might just, you know, get them to check them out a little bit more and like actually get into the music like you and I did. Mm hmm. Absolutely. Well, anyway, do you have anything else you wanted to mention about this song? Well, if you don't like, but it might take a couple of lessons to really get into it. So don't be taken aback by it. Just keep flipping between the album version and stuff version and it will, it will, it will grow when you like a hit of me, like it's going to be three, four, four lessons. I think that's the hard part is once there's an original something, people don't want a reiteration of something. Yeah. For example, and I will stand by this until the day, even after I die, I'll stand by it. This left feels right was phenomenal. I love that album. It helps me through my parents divorce and I just love the way they did those songs. Anyway, people didn't like that album so much because it was a re reincarnation of those songs. And so people are like, given that a chance, you know, you don't, don't fuck with the original kind of, you know, so I, like you said, I think people have to really listen to it a few times in order to really, you know, I, I've seen people online love it. I've seen some people online not like, that's okay. Yeah. Yeah. Not with either war. But also, also like there are, there are other songs in the album that took a couple of lessons to get into and like to actually really like that. Like, you know, I think you mentioned before, like seeds was one of those for you. Yeah. Yeah. It took you quite a few lessons to get really into seeds. I instantly was like, that's interesting. I wouldn't expect that from them, but the more I listened to it, I just really got into it. So like, it's with any song really, like despite the fact that there's an original version of that, just give it a shot, just, you know, what you got to lose. Exactly. Well, Anika, thank you so much for taking the time, Dick. I knew you'd bring excitement to the podcast and I am so glad you came on for people that are still listening on this episode. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has kind of teamed up with me in honor of the podcast and the band's 40th anniversary. If you go to the rock call shop right now online and you could pick out any merchandise that you like, such as, you know, the rock calls merchandise, any band's merchandise, or especially Bon Jovi merchandise on the rock call shop at checkout. If you put in BJ discussions, you get 20% off of your order. So that's valid until October 31st. So I suggest you hop to. Oh, I might get myself a first-step present from that. 27th October, so a little right before the code runs out, so I'll definitely get that checking out. Happy early birthday. Hey, at least you can say as a first one to say happy birthday to you. Exactly. Oh, if no one has seen it, have you seen What's Behind Chairs back? Oh, yeah. It's so cool. Like, I can't believe you got that. Yeah. I can't believe it either, but it's here. It's huge. The video doesn't do it justice, trust me. Like an imagine. Well, that photo is so monumental. You know, for me, 1984 to 2018, and obviously this is a lot. This is when the band was inducted. And this was the first time that Alex, well, besides 2001, this was the first time Alex was rejoined the band since 1994 in celebration of the raw call, and Richie also rejoined for the first time since 2013. And so for me, obviously, as we know it, we didn't know it then, but that would have been the last time that we'd see the full original lineup together, the five members. Yeah. Alex passing. Well, I'm getting chills. I know. I know. And so for me, that photo was so special because it shows them from the beginning to essentially the end is the original lineup, and it's a David Bergman photo. And not for sale anywhere, unfortunately, it'd be a big money maker, though, that's for sure. But yeah, there it is. I wasn't even going to come and make it a brought it up. So sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Anyway, thank you. Stay on. I'm going to end the record. But thank you again. You're welcome. Thanks. Thanks, Beyond.