Bon Jovi on possibly upsetting fans with his music: 'How I live my life’s up to me'

By Andrea Dresdale

Jon Bon Jovi said he's not worried about alienating fans after releasing songs in the last year that touched on everything from gun violence to racial justice.

"There are men on my stage who see things differently, but I don’t let our differences come between us," he told British newspaper The Guardian when asked if he worries if any of his music will upset fans.

"I never wanted to become a captive to the stage," he added. "How I live my life's up to me."

The singer has released pointed tracks in the last year, including "Lower The Flag," which focused on gun violence, and "American Reckoning," which touched on racial discrimination and protests across the U.S.

The singer has performed for many political candidates and lent his support to a number of important issues, but he said one thing he'd never do is actually go into politics himself. "It's a s--- existence -- selling yourself and your soul," he said, adding, "Hell no."

As for his performance of The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" at last week's inauguration concert, Bon Jovi -- who has said he is no fan of Donald Trump -- told The Guardian, "I never felt like I needed to sing a song more. It was cathartic."

The singer also shared his thoughts on artists' refusal to let certain politicians use their music at political events.

When asked particularly about Bruce Springsteen's alleged refusal to let Chris Christie play his music at events, Bon Jovi shared, "I don’t know how Bruce has treated Chris, so I can’t comment on that. But I would be a hypocrite if I told you I write songs that claim to be a witness to history, and then don’t listen [to the other side]."

He also shared a blunt response when asked if he would let Trump use his music. "No! No, no, no! On every issue we wholeheartedly disagree, from how he handled the COVID crisis to immigration to the Paris accord – everything! No! No!" he said.