I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (Bon Jovi song)

"I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" is a song by American rock band Bon Jovi. It was released on July 26, 1993 by Mercury and Jambco, as the fourth single from their fifth studio album, Keep the Faith (1992). The song was written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Desmond Child. "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" reached No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 97 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and No. 29 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks charts. The grave of the Doors' lead singer Jim Morrison was featured in the song's music video.

Live performances

The driving drumbeat and catchy chorus of "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" have made it a crowd favourite during live performances. It had the distinction of being one of the few Bon Jovi songs to be played at virtually every live concert since its introduction, until The Circle Tour in 2010, where it was only played occasionally. When played, it is often incorporated into a medley with a cover song inserted into the middle, such as "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by the Rolling Stones, or "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" by the Undisputed Truth.

Concert footage of "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" can be viewed on the Live From London and The Crush Tour DVDs.

Track listings

• US CD

1. "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" 4:44
2. "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (Live)"

• UK CD

1. "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" 4:44
2. "Blaze of Glory (Live)" 5:50 Recorded live at the Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, New Jersey—December 1992
3. "Wild in the Streets (Live)" 4:58 Recorded live at Tampa Sundome, Florida—March 1993

• UK cassette single

1. "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" 4:44
2. "Never Say Goodbye (Live Acoustic Version)" 5:30 Recorded live at the Miami Arena, Florida—March 1993

Personnel

• Jon Bon Jovi – lead vocals
• Richie Sambora – guitars
• Alec John Such – bass guitar
• Tico Torres – drums
• David Bryan – keyboards
• Bob Rock – producer ("I'll Sleep When I'm Dead")
• Obie O'Brien – producer/engineer ("Blaze of Glory (Live)", "Wild In The Streets (Live)", "Never Say Goodbye (Live Acoustic Version)"), mix ("Wild In The Streets (Live)", "Never Say Goodbye (Live Acoustic Version)")
• Nicoloa – mix ("Wild In The Streets (Live)")
• Margery Greenspan – art direction
• Patricia Lie – design
• Frank Ockenfels – photography

Charts

Certifications

Release history

References

1. Bon Jovi discography
2. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
3. Bon Jovi
4. Greatest Hits (Bon Jovi album)
5. I Believe (Bon Jovi song)
6. Keep the Faith
7. List of songs recorded by Bon Jovi
8. Lie to Me (Bon Jovi song)
9. Thank You for Loving Me
10. Live from London (Bon Jovi video)
11. Keep the Faith: An Evening with Bon Jovi
12. One Wild Night Live 1985–2001
13. In These Arms
14. Desmond Child
15. We Weren't Born to Follow
16. This House Is Not for Sale Tour
17. These Days Tour
18. List of glam metal albums and songs
19. Lost Highway Tour
20. Have a Nice Day Tour