You Give Love a Bad Name - wikipedia You Give Love a Bad Name For the album by GG Allin, see You Give Love a Bad Name ( album ). `` You Give Love a Bad Name '' Artwork for U.S. vinyl single, also used for the album Slippery When Wet Single by Bon Jovi from the album Slippery When Wet B - side `` Raise Your Hands '' ( US ) `` Let It Rock '' ( UK ) Released July 23, 1986 Format CD single 7 '' Recorded 1986 Genre Hard rock Length 3 : 42 ( album version ) 4 : 06 ( full version ) Label Mercury Songwriter ( s ) Jon Bon Jovi Richie Sambora Desmond Child Producer ( s ) Bruce Fairbairn Bon Jovi singles chronology `` Silent Night '' ( 1985 ) `` You Give Love a Bad Name '' ( 1986 ) `` Livin ' on a Prayer '' ( 1986 ) `` Silent Night '' ( 1985 ) `` You Give Love a Bad Name '' ( 1986 ) `` Livin ' on a Prayer '' ( 1986 ) Alternative cover `` You Give Love a Bad Name '' is a song by American rock band Bon Jovi, released as the first single from their 1986 album Slippery When Wet. Written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Desmond Child about a woman who has jilted her lover, the song reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on November 29, 1986 and became the band 's first number one hit. In 2007, the song reentered the charts at No. 29 after Blake Lewis performed it on American Idol. In 2009 it was named the 20th greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1. Despite the lyrics of the chorus, the song should not be confused with `` Shot Through the Heart '', an unrelated song from Bon Jovi 's 1984 self - titled debut album. Contents 1 Composition 2 Music video 3 Charts and certifications 3.1 Weekly charts 3.2 Year - end charts 3.3 Sales and certifications 4 References 5 External links Composition `` You Give Love a Bad Name '' was originally written for Bonnie Tyler under the title `` If You Were a Woman ( And I Was a Man ) '' with different lyrics. Dissatisfied with its success in the US and the UK, Desmond Child re-wrote the song with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. The song was written with several catchy repeated lines and associated hooks to appeal to mainstream audiences including the chorus as well as several bridges. This song is written in the key of C minor and has a tempo of 123 BPM. The album version of the song ends with the title being repeated until it fades. Music video The music video for the song used all - color concert footage ( the only all - color video song from Slippery When Wet ) and photogenic shots primarily of Jon Bon Jovi, as well as other band members in concert. This video was filmed at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Bon Jovi was now being managed by Doc McGee, who realized that Bon Jovi needed a video for MTV. Doc hired video director Wayne Isham, who had directed videos for Doc 's other band, Mötley Crüe. The two bands were competitive with each other and Mötley Crüe felt betrayed that Wayne would direct one of Bon Jovi 's videos. Wayne had the band 's name painted on the stage and made sure that the band did not see it until they began shooting. Bon Jovi had been opening for 38 Special, but became a headlining act after the video debuted. Charts and certifications Weekly charts Chart ( 1986 -- 87 ) Peak position Australia ( Kent Music Report ) 32 Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) 25 Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) Belgium ( VRT Top 30 Flanders ) Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) Finland ( Suomen virallinen lista ) 6 Ireland ( IRMA ) 21 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 5 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 7 Scotland ( Official Charts Company ) 14 South Africa ( Springbok Radio ) 15 Spain ( AFYVE ) 31 Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) 14 UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 14 US Billboard Hot 100 US Album Rock Tracks ( Billboard ) 9 US Cash Box Chart ( 2017 ) Peak position Poland ( Polish Airplay Top 100 ) 69 Year - end charts Chart ( 1986 ) Position Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) 69 Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) 88 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 75 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) 46 US Billboard Hot 100 30 US Cash Box 30 Chart ( 1987 ) Position Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) 55 Sales and certifications Region Certification Certified units / Sales Canada ( Music Canada ) Gold 50,000 United Kingdom ( BPI ) Silver 200,000 shipments figures based on certification alone sales + streaming figures based on certification alone References Jump up ^ `` Reviews > Singles > Pop > Recommended > Bon Jovi -- You Give Love a Bad Name ( 3 : 53 ) ''. Billboard. Vol. 98 no. 35. August 30, 1986. p. 83. ISSN 0006 - 2510. ^ Jump up to : `` spreadit.org music ''. Retrieved February 7, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Allmusic ( Bon Jovi charts & awards ) Billboard singles ''. Jump up ^ Curtis Child ( 15 August 2013 ). `` Desmond Child Special ''. YouTube. Google Inc. Retrieved 26 January 2015. Jump up ^ `` Australian Top 50 ( ARIA ) Singles Chart : Week ending 29th March, 1987 ''. imgur.com. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 18. Jump up ^ `` Austriancharts.at -- Bon Jovi -- You Give Love a Bad Name '' ( in German ). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Bon Jovi -- You Give Love a Bad Name '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop 50. Jump up ^ `` Radio2 top 30 : 13 december 1986 '' ( in Dutch ). Top 30. Retrieved 9 November 2015. Jump up ^ `` Top Singles - December 27, 1986 ''. RPM. Retrieved 7 October 2012. Jump up ^ Pennanen, Timo ( 2006 ). Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 ( in Finnish ) ( 1st ed. ). Helsinki : Tammi. ISBN 978 - 951 - 1 - 21053 - 5. Jump up ^ `` The Irish Charts -- Search Results -- You Give Love a Bad Name ''. Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 19, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Nederlandse Top 40 -- Bon Jovi search results '' ( in Dutch ) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 9 November 2015. Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl -- Bon Jovi -- You Give Love a Bad Name '' ( in Dutch ). Single Top 100. Jump up ^ `` Charts.org.nz -- Bon Jovi -- You Give Love a Bad Name ''. Top 40 Singles. Jump up ^ `` Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Jump up ^ `` South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 -- 1989 Acts ( B ) ''. Rock.co.za. Retrieved 9 November 2015. Jump up ^ Salaverri, Fernando ( September 2005 ). Sólo éxitos : año a año, 1959 -- 2002 ( 1st ed. ). Spain : Fundación Autor - SGAE. ISBN 84 - 8048 - 639 - 2. Jump up ^ `` Swedishcharts.com -- Bon Jovi -- You Give Love a Bad Name ''. Singles Top 100. Jump up ^ `` Bon Jovi : Artist Chart History ''. Official Charts Company. Jump up ^ `` Bon Jovi -- Chart history '' Billboard Hot 100 for Bon Jovi. Jump up ^ `` Bon Jovi -- Chart history ''. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks for Bon Jovi. Retrieved 9 November 2015. Jump up ^ `` CASH BOX Top 100 Singles -- Week ending DECEMBER 6, 1986 ''. Cash Box magazine. Retrieved 9 November 2015. Jump up ^ `` Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia : : Związek Producentów Audio - Video ''. Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved May 29, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Jaaroverzichten 1986 ( Flanders ) '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 October 2015. Jump up ^ `` Top 100 Singles of ' 86 ''. RPM. Retrieved 7 October 2012. Jump up ^ `` Top 100 - Jaaroverzicht van 1986 '' ( in Dutch ). Retrieved 9 November 2015. Jump up ^ `` Jaaroverzichten -- Single 1986 '' ( in Dutch ). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 October 2015. Jump up ^ `` Top Pop Singles ''. Billboard. 27 December 1986. p. Y - 21. Retrieved 7 October 2012. Jump up ^ `` The CASH BOX Year - End Charts : 1986 -- TOP 100 POP SINGLES ( As published in the December 27, 1986, issue ) ''. Cash Box magazine. Retrieved November 11, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Top 100 Singles of ' 87 ''. RPM. Retrieved 7 October 2012. Jump up ^ `` Canadian single certifications -- Bon Jovi -- You Give Love a Bad Name ''. Music Canada. Jump up ^ `` British single certifications -- Bon Jovi -- You Give Love a Bad Name ''. British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 4, 2016. Enter You Give Love a Bad Name in the search field and then press Enter. External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Preceded by `` Human '' by The Human League Billboard Hot 100 number - one single ( Bon Jovi version ) November 29, 1986 ( 1 week ) Succeeded by `` The Next Time I Fall '' by Peter Cetera and Amy Grant Bon Jovi singles discography Bon Jovi `` Runaway '' `` She Do n't Know Me '' `` Burning for Love '' ( Japan only ) `` Breakout '' ( promo single ) 7800 ° Fahrenheit `` Only Lonely '' `` In and Out of Love '' `` The Hardest Part Is the Night '' `` Silent Night '' `` The Price of Love '' ( Japan only ) Slippery When Wet `` You Give Love a Bad Name '' `` Livin ' on a Prayer '' `` Wanted Dead or Alive '' `` Never Say Goodbye '' New Jersey `` Bad Medicine '' `` Born to Be My Baby '' `` I 'll Be There for You '' `` Lay Your Hands on Me '' `` Living in Sin '' Keep the Faith `` Keep the Faith '' `` Bed of Roses '' `` In These Arms '' `` I 'll Sleep When I 'm Dead '' `` I Believe '' `` Dry County '' Cross Road `` Always '' `` Someday I 'll Be Saturday Night '' These Days `` This Ai n't a Love Song '' `` Something for the Pain '' `` Lie to Me '' `` These Days '' `` Hey God '' Crush `` It 's My Life '' `` Say It Is n't So '' `` Thank You For Loving Me '' `` Save the World '' ( promo single ) One Wild Night Live 1985 -- 2001 `` One Wild Night ( 2001 ) '' `` Wanted Dead or Alive ( Live ) '' Bounce `` Everyday '' `` Misunderstood '' `` All About Lovin ' You '' `` Bounce '' ( promo single ) `` The Distance '' ( Japan only ) This Left Feels Right `` It 's My Life ( 2003 ) '' `` Wanted Dead or Alive ( 2003 ) '' ( promo single ) 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Ca n't Be Wrong `` The Radio Saved My Life Tonight '' ( Japan only ) Have a Nice Day `` Have a Nice Day '' `` Who Says You Ca n't Go Home '' ( with Jennifer Nettles ) `` Welcome to Wherever You Are '' `` I Want to Be Loved '' ( promo single ) Lost Highway `` ( You Want To ) Make a Memory '' `` Lost Highway '' `` Till We Ai n't Strangers Anymore '' ( with LeAnn Rimes ) `` Summertime '' ( Canada only ) `` Whole Lot of Leavin ' '' The Circle `` We Were n't Born to Follow '' `` Superman Tonight '' `` When We Were Beautiful '' `` Work for the Working Man '' ( promo single ) Greatest Hits `` What Do You Got ? '' `` No Apologies '' `` This Is Our House '' ( promo single ) What About Now `` Because We Can '' `` What About Now '' Burning Bridges `` We Do n't Run '' `` Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning '' This House Is Not for Sale `` This House Is Not for Sale '' `` Knockout '' `` Labor of Love '' `` Born Again Tomorrow '' `` Roller Coaster '' Other singles `` Edge of a Broken Heart '' ( Disorderlies soundtrack ) `` Good Guys Do n't Always Wear White '' ( `` The Cowboy Way '' soundtrack ) `` Wedding Day '' ( promo single ) `` Please Come Home for Christmas '' `` Real Life '' ( EDtv soundtrack ) Book : Bon Jovi Category : Bon Jovi Portal : Rock music Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=You_Give_Love_a_Bad_Name&oldid=802047463 '' Categories : Bon Jovi songs 1986 singles 1986 songs Billboard Hot 100 number - one singles Mandaryna songs Blake Lewis songs Songs written by Desmond Child Songs written by Richie Sambora Songs written by Jon Bon Jovi Music videos directed by Wayne Isham Song recordings produced by Bruce Fairbairn Mercury Records singles Hidden categories : CS1 Dutch - language sources ( nl ) CS1 Finnish - language sources ( fi ) Articles which use infobox templates with no data rows Music infoboxes with deprecated parameters Articles with hAudio microformats Singlechart usages for Austria Singlechart usages for Flanders Singlechart usages for Ireland2 Singlechart usages for Dutch40 Singlechart usages for Dutch100 Singlechart usages for New Zealand Singlechart usages for Scotland Singlechart usages for Sweden Singlechart usages for UKchartarchive Singlechart usages for Billboardhot100 Singlechart usages for Poland Singlechart called without artist Singlechart called without song Certification Table Entry usages for Canada Certification Table Entry usages for United Kingdom Talk Contents About Wikipedia Español Français Italiano Nederlands 日本 語 Polski Português Русский Slovenčina Suomi Svenska Türkçe 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 23 September 2017, at 17 : 09. 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Question: what is the song you give love a bad name about
Answer: about a woman who has jilted her lover