Surely You Can't Be Serious Podcast

This week, Jason and Dee continue their journey through Bon Jovi's legendary catalog as they put the band's 1988 follow-up album, New Jersey, under the microscope. With five Top 10 singles, bigger ambitions, and the impossible task of following one of the greatest rock albums ever recorded, New Jersey proved Bon Jovi was far more than a one-album phenomenon.

Track by track, the guys dive into every song on the record, exploring the massive hits like "Bad Medicine," "Born to Be My Baby," "I'll Be There for You," "Lay Your Hands on Me," and "Living in Sin," while shining a light on the deeper cuts that helped make New Jersey a fan favorite. Along the way, they share stories from the recording sessions, fascinating trivia about Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Tico Torres, David Bryan, and the band's whirlwind rise to global superstardom.

But the conversation doesn't end with the final track. After spending weeks revisiting Bon Jovi's two defining albums, Jason and Dee face the ultimate challenge: which album deserves the crown? Is the hit-filled juggernaut Slippery When Wet still the undisputed champion, or does the more mature and ambitious New Jersey pull off the upset?

Turn up the volume, grab your air guitar, and join us as we settle one of the biggest debates in '80s rock—at least until someone starts arguing about Keep the Faith.

This week, Jason and Dee revisit one of the biggest rock albums of the 1980s in this encore presentation as they put Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet under the microscope. Packed with arena anthems, power ballads, deep cuts, and enough hooks to fill a stadium, this is the album that transformed Bon Jovi from rising stars into one of the biggest bands on the planet.

Track by track, the guys break down every song on the album while sharing behind-the-scenes stories, fascinating trivia about Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Tico Torres, David Bryan, and Alec John Such, and exploring how each track helped define the sound of '80s rock. From the unforgettable hits "You Give Love a Bad Name," "Livin' on a Prayer," and "Wanted Dead or Alive" to the album's overlooked gems, no song is left behind.

Along the way, Jason and Dee revisit the making of the album, the songs that almost didn't make the final track list, and the surprising stories that helped Slippery When Wet become one of the best-selling rock albums of all time.

Crank up the volume, throw on your favorite denim jacket, and join us as we relive the album that convinced a generation they were halfway there.

In this episode, Jason and Dee dive into the unlikely origins of Bon Jovi, tracing the band's journey from the clubs of New Jersey to the brink of rock superstardom. Discover how Jon Bon Jovi scored a hit before assembling the lineup that would conquer the world, the surprising connection between Bon Jovi and R2-D2, and the twists, setbacks, and lucky breaks that paved the way to one of the biggest albums of the 1980s.

From "Runaway" to the arrival of Richie Sambora, from relentless touring to finding the signature sound that would define a generation, this is the story of how Bon Jovi became poised to take over MTV, radio, and arenas around the globe.

So grab your talk box, sling on a double-neck guitar, and join us as we count down the incredible road to Slippery When Wet. Let it rock!

Before hip-hop dominated the charts, Run-D.M.C. kicked down the door. With the help of visionary producer Rick Rubin, the trio created Raising Hell, a landmark album that blended rap and rock, broke barriers on MTV, and forever changed the sound of popular music.

Jason and Dee are joined once again by 80s rap expert and author David Wright (aka DefDave) for a track-by-track breakdown of this groundbreaking 1986 classic. From the history-making collaboration on "Walk This Way" to unforgettable tracks like "My Adidas," "Peter Piper," and "It's Tricky," the crew explores the stories, production, lyrics, and cultural impact behind every song.

How did Raising Hell help transform hip-hop from an emerging genre into a global phenomenon? Which tracks still hold up nearly 40 years later? And does this album deserve the title of the greatest rap record of the 1980s?

Lace up your Adidas, turn the volume up, and join us for an encore look at one of the most influential albums in music history.

Throw your hands in the air and get ready for a history lesson with a heavy beat! Jason and Dee are joined once again by 80s rap expert and author David Wright (aka DefDave) to trace the incredible rise of hip-hop—from its birth at a Bronx block party in 1973 to its explosion into the mainstream with Run-D.M.C. in 1986.

Discover the pioneers who laid the foundation, the DJs and MCs who transformed a local movement into a global phenomenon, and the cultural moments that forever changed popular music. Then, the spotlight turns to Run-D.M.C., the groundbreaking trio that shattered barriers, redefined what rap could be, and helped bring hip-hop to MTV, radio, and audiences around the world.

Packed with fascinating stories, music history, and plenty of laughs, this encore episode sets the stage for our deep dives into Licensed to Ill and Raising Hell. Whether you're a lifelong hip-hop fan or just discovering the genre's roots, this is an episode you won't want to miss.