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This Ain't a Love Song

{{Short description|1995 single by Bon Jovi}}

{{For|the song by Scouting for Girls|This Ain't a Love Song (Scouting for Girls song)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}

{{Infobox song

| name = This Ain't a Love Song

| cover = Bonjovi-thisaintalovesong1.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Bon Jovi

| album = These Days

| released = {{start date|1995|5|23}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Rock{{cite magazine|title=Airplay Action|last=Kops|first=Pieter|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=21|page=41|date=May 27, 1995|quote=...whose This Ain't A Love Song invades at number 24. The rock ballad...}}

| length = 5:08

| label = Mercury

| writer =

| producer =

| prev_title = Someday I'll Be Saturday Night

| prev_year = 1994

| next_title = Something for the Pain

| next_year = 1995

| misc =

{{External music video|{{YouTube|-nlDy6h-v9c|"This Ain't a Love Song"|link=no}}}}

}}

"This Ain't a Love Song" is the lead single from American rock band Bon Jovi's sixth studio album, These Days (1995). The rock ballad is an example of the strong rhythm and blues influence that Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora wanted the album to have. Released in May 1995 by Mercury Records, it reached number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number two on the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart, number six on the UK Singles Chart, and number one on the Finnish Singles Chart. The music video for the song was directed by Andy Morahan and filmed in Thailand.

Background and release

The song was written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child, and produced by Bon Jovi with Sambora and Peter Collins. The singer told in an 1995 interview, "'This Ain't a Love Song' is pretty rootsy for us. It's R&B-influenced. I'm real proud of the way it turned out. It's been a big surprise, not only as a hit single but as a live song."{{cite magazine|first=Chris|last=Marlowe|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-07-01.pdf|title=Veni Vidi Vici For Bon Jovi With "These Days"|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=26|date=July 1, 1995|page=13|access-date=March 17, 2025}}

Critical reception

James Masterton wrote in his weekly UK chart commentary, "The new single is another ballad although rather more understated and reflective than many they have produced in the past."{{cite web|last=Masterton|first=James|title=Week Ending June 10th 1995|url=https://chart-watch.uk/archives/1995/week-ending-june-10th-1995|website=Chart Watch UK|date=June 4, 1995|accessdate=September 19, 2021|author-link=James Masterton}} Chris Marlowe from Music & Media felt it proved that "the group's great melodies and Jon Bon Jovi's double whammy of voice and sex

appeal were stronger than ever." He added, "You can almost imagine what it would sound like with Wilson Pickett singing it". Simon Williams from NME commented, "And hey, guess what? 'This Ain't a Love Song' actually is a love song!"{{cite magazine|first=Simon|last=Williams|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53469363062/|title=Singles|magazine=NME|date=May 27, 1995|page=45|access-date=January 18, 2024}} Another NME editor, Stephen Dalton, wrote that it "waltzes and croaks" like 'Bed of Roses'.{{cite magazine|first=Stephen|last=Dalton|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53493851509/|title=Long Play|magazine=NME|date=July 1, 1995|page=49|access-date=January 28, 2024}} Tony Cross from Smash Hits gave it two out of five, saying, "Yes it is. It's all about crying rivers and dying on a regular basis for some bird. Sounds more trouble than she's worth to me, fella. Get yourself a proper bird, cut out the slush like this and play her some of that brilliant guitar rock like you used to. That way she might not be so keen to off it."{{cite magazine|first=Tony|last=Cross|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/54314380255/in/album-72177720323683892|title=Singles|work=Smash Hits|date=May 24, 1995|page=58|access-date=February 10, 2025}}

Music video

The accompanying music video for "This Ain't a Love Song" was shot at Wat Ratchaburana in Ayuthaya, Thailand, and directed by British commercial, film and music video director Andy Morahan.{{cite web|url=http://www.mvdbase.com/video.php?id=3876|title=mvdbase.com - Bon Jovi - "This ain't a love song"|work=Music Video DataBase|last=Garcia|first=Alex S|access-date=November 4, 2015}}

"Como yo nadie te ha amado"

A Spanish version, "Como yo nadie te ha amado" ("Nobody Has Loved You Like I Do"), was also recorded. However, the lyrics in the two versions differ from each other; the original version talks about a lost love, which is never recovered, while the Spanish version is a reflection on love, about how no one will love someone with the same passion than the narrator.

Mexican singer Yuridia covered the Spanish version, "Como yo nadie te ha amado", on her second studio album Habla El Corazón which peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.{{cite web|title=Yuridia - Awards|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/yuridia-mn0000338585/awards|website=AllMusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=May 29, 2015}} Yuridia's cover received was nominated at the 2008 Latin Billboard Awards for Latin Pop Airplay of the Year by a Female Artist.{{cite news|title=Finalistas a los premios Latin Billboard|url=http://www.elnuevoheraldo.com/reflector/finalistas-a-los-premios-latin-billboard/article_5f62ac59-fee5-5830-878f-548b80c756ac.html|website=El Nuevo Heraldo|access-date=June 8, 2017|language=es|date=February 6, 2008}} Her cover also led to Jon Bon Jovi winning an ASCAP Latin Award in the Pop/Ballad field.{{cite web|title=16th Annual Latin Music Awards|url=http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/latinawards/2008/pop-ballad.aspx|website=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|access-date=August 10, 2015|date=May 16, 2008}}

Track listings

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

  • US and Canadian CD single; US cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=This Ain't a Love Song|others=Bon Jovi|year=1995|type=US CD single liner notes|publisher=Mercury Records|id=856 824-2}}{{cite AV media notes|title=This Ain't a Love Song|others=Bon Jovi|year=1995|type=Canadian CD single liner notes|publisher=Mercury Records|id=422 856 824-2}}{{cite AV media notes|title=This Ain't a Love Song|others=Bon Jovi|year=1995|type=US cassette single sleeve|publisher=Mercury Records|id=856 824-4}}
  1. "This Ain't a Love Song" – 5:06
  2. "Always" (live at A&M Studios) – 4:45
  3. "Prostitute" (demo) – 4:28
  • US and Canadian maxi-CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=This Ain't a Love Song|others=Bon Jovi|year=1995|type=US & Canadian maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=Mercury Records|id=422 852 059-2}}
  1. "This Ain't a Love Song" – 5:06
  2. "Prostitute" (demo) – 4:28
  3. "When She Comes" (demo) – 3:29
  4. "The End" (demo) – 3:39
  5. "Lonely at the Top" (demo) – 4:14
  • US 7-inch single and Japanese mini-CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=This Ain't a Love Song|others=Bon Jovi|year=1995|type=US 7-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Mercury Records|id=422 856 824-7}}{{cite AV media notes|title=This Ain't a Love Song|others=Bon Jovi|year=1995|type=Japanese mini-CD single liner notes|publisher=Mercury Records|id=PHDR-501}}
  1. "This Ain't a Love Song" – 5:06
  2. "Always" (live at A&M Studios) – 4:45
  • UK CD1{{cite AV media notes|title=This Ain't a Love Song|others=Bon Jovi|year=1995|type=UK CD1 liner notes|publisher=Mercury Records|id=JOVCD 17, 856 999-2}}
  1. "This Ain't a Love Song" – 5:04
  2. "Lonely at the Top" – 4:14
  3. "The End" – 3:39
  • UK CD2{{cite AV media notes|title=This Ain't a Love Song|others=Bon Jovi|year=1995|type=UK CD2 liner notes|publisher=Mercury Records|id=JOVCX 17, 852 001-2}}
  1. "This Ain't a Love Song" – 5:04
  2. "When She Comes" – 3:29
  3. "Wedding Day" – 4:58
  4. "Prostitute" – 4:28

{{col-2}}

  • UK and Australian cassette single; European and Australian CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=This Ain't a Love Song|others=Bon Jovi|year=1995|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Mercury Records|id=JOVMC 17}}{{cite AV media notes|title=This Ain't a Love Song|others=Bon Jovi|year=1995|type=Australian cassette single sleeve|publisher=Mercury Records|id=8569744}}{{cite AV media notes|title=This Ain't a Love Song|others=Bon Jovi|year=1995|type=European & Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Mercury Records|id=856 974-2}}
  1. "This Ain't a Love Song" – 5:04
  2. "Lonely at the Top" – 4:14
  • European maxi-CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=This Ain't a Love Song|others=Bon Jovi|year=1995|type=European maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=Mercury Records|id=856 975-2}}
  1. "This Ain't a Love Song" (album version) – 5:04
  2. "Prostitute" – 4:28
  3. "Lonely at the Top" – 4:14
  4. "When She Comes" – 3:29
  5. "The End" – 3:39
  • French CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=This Ain't a Love Song|others=Bon Jovi|year=1995|type=French CD single liner notes|publisher=Mercury Records|id=852 022 - 2}}
  1. "This Ain't a Love Song" (album version) – 5:03
  2. "Always" (album version) – 5:52
  • Japanese maxi-CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=This Ain't a Love Song|others=Bon Jovi|year=1995|type=Japanese maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=Mercury Records|id=PHCR-8330}}
  1. "This Ain't a Love Song"
  2. "Jon's Comment 1"
  3. "Always" (live '94)
  4. "Jon's Comment 2"
  5. "Someday I'll Be Saturday Night" (live '94)
  6. "Jon's Comment 3"
  7. "With a Little Help from My Friends" (live '94)

{{col-end}}

Charts

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1995)

!Peak
position

{{Single chart|Australia|4|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=November 3, 2012}}
{{Single chart|Austria|6|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=November 3, 2012}}
{{Single chart|Flanders|11|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=November 3, 2012}}
{{Single chart|Wallonia|8|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=November 3, 2012}}
{{Single chart|Canadatopsingles|2|chartid=8537|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=May 11, 2016}}
{{Single chart|Canadaadultcontemporary|7|chartid=2723|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2018}}
scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-06-24.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=25|page=18|date=June 24, 1995|access-date=February 3, 2020}}

|5

scope="row"|Finland (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite book|first=Jake|last=Nyman|year=2005|title=Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja|edition=1st|publisher=Tammi|location=Helsinki|isbn=951-31-2503-3|language=fi}}

|1

{{Single chart|France|8|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=November 3, 2012}}
{{Single chart|Germany|9|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|songid=3021|rowheader=true|access-date=October 19, 2018}}
scope="row"|Hungary (Mahasz){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-08-26.pdf|title=Top National Sellers|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=34|page=14|date=August 26, 1995|access-date=February 16, 2020}}

|5

scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40){{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2729794#page/n19/mode/2up|title=Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (2.7. '95 – 15.7. '95)|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=20|date=July 1, 1995|access-date=October 1, 2019}}

|3

{{Single chart|Ireland2|5|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2018}}
scope="row"|Italy (Musica e dischi){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-07-15.pdf|title=Top National Sellers|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=28|page=7|date=July 15, 1995|access-date=November 26, 2019}}

|10

scope="row"|Italy Airplay (Music & Media){{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-07-22.pdf|title=Major Market Airplay: Italy|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=29|page=23|date=July 22, 1995}}

| 2

scope="row"|Japan (Oricon){{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/156479/products/186950/1/|title=ジス・エイント・ア・ラブ・ソング {{!}} ボン・ジョヴィ|trans-title=This Ain't a Love Song {{!}} Bon Jovi|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=August 29, 2023}}

|46

{{Single chart|Dutch40|3|year=1995|week=26|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2018}}
{{Single chart|Dutch100|3|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=November 3, 2012}}
{{Single chart|New Zealand|25|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=November 3, 2012}}
{{Single chart|Norway|8|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=November 3, 2012}}
scope="row"|Poland (Music & Media){{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-07-01.pdf|title=Major Market Airplay – Week 26/1995|magazine=Music & Media|volume=11|issue=26|page=27|date=July 1, 1995|access-date=January 16, 2024}}

|1

{{Single chart|Scotland|7|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=October 21, 2016|date=19950604}}
{{Single chart|Sweden|12|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=November 3, 2012}}
{{Single chart|Switzerland|4|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=November 3, 2012}}
{{Single chart|UK|6|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=November 3, 2012|date=19950617}}
{{Single chart|UKrock|1|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=October 22, 2018|date=19950610}}
{{Single chart|Billboardhot100|14|artistid=4144|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=November 3, 2012}}
{{Single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|22|artistid=4144|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=November 3, 2012}}
{{Single chart|Billboardpopsongs|11|artistid=4144|artist=Bon Jovi|song=This Ain't a Love Song|rowheader=true|access-date=November 3, 2012}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (1995)

!Position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=http://i.imgur.com/aBqgAcE.jpg|title=The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles 1995|publisher=ARIA|access-date=January 27, 2019}}

|67

scope="row"|Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40){{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=s&id=1995|title=Jahreshitparade Singles 1995|language=de|access-date=March 17, 2019}}

|31

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1995|title=Jaaroverzichten 1995|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=March 17, 2019}}

|56

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=1995|title=Rapports annuels 1995|publisher=Ultratop|language=fr|access-date=March 17, 2019}}

|48

scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite magazine|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.2840&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.2840.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.2840|title=RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1995|magazine=RPM|via=Library and Archives Canada|access-date=October 22, 2018}}

|13

scope="row"|Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM){{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.2836&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.2836.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.2836|title=RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1995|magazine=RPM|via=Library and Archives Canada|access-date=October 22, 2018}}

|54

scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-12-23.pdf|title=Music & Media 1995 in Review – Year End Sales Charts|magazine=Music & Media|volume=12|issue=51/52|page=14|date=December 23, 1995|access-date=February 3, 2020}}

|41

scope="row"|France (SNEP){{cite web|url=http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-singles-annee/?annee=1995|title=Tops de L'année {{!}} Top Singles 1995|publisher=SNEP|language=fr|access-date=May 1, 2021}}

|34

scope="row"|Germany (Media Control){{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1995|title=Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1995|publisher=GfK Entertainment|language=de|access-date=March 17, 2019}}

|77

scope="row"|Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40){{cite news|url=https://timarit.is/page/2935413?iabr=on#page/n15/mode/2up|title=Árslistinn 1995|newspaper=Dagblaðið Vísir|language=is|page=16|date=January 2, 1996|access-date=May 30, 2020}}

|24

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1995|title=Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1995|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=January 23, 2020}}

|46

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1995&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1995|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=March 17, 2019}}

|53

scope="row"|Sweden (Topplistan){{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=1995&dspp=1|title=Årslista Singlar, 1995|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=April 13, 2020}}

|78

scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/1995|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1995|language=de|access-date=March 17, 2019}}

|21

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite magazine|title=Top 100 Singles 1995|magazine=Music Week|page=9|date=January 13, 1996}}

|91

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1995|title=Billboard Top 100 – 1995|access-date=August 27, 2010|archive-date=August 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815124541/http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1995|url-status=dead}}

|70

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1995|certyear=1995|certref=|access-date=January 27, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

!scope="col"|Region

!scope="col"|Version

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format(s)

!scope="col"|Label(s)

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref(s).|Reference(s)}}

scope="row" rowspan="2"|United States

|rowspan="3"|"This Ain't a Love Song"

|May 15, 1995

|{{hlist|Contemporary hit|adult contemporary|hot adult contemporary radio}}

|rowspan="4"|Mercury

|align="center"|{{cite magazine|title=Bon Jovi on a Roll 'These Days'|last=Newman|first=Melinda|magazine=Billboard|volume=107|issue=20|pages=11, 38|date=May 20, 1995|quote=The first single, midtempo "This Ain't A Love Song," will go to top 40, hot AC, and AC the week of May 15.}}

May 23, 1995

|{{hlist|CD|cassette}}

|align="center"|{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/This-Aint-Love-Always-Prostitute/dp/B000008PAJ|title=This Ain't a Love Song / Always / Prostitute|publisher=Amazon|access-date=July 26, 2021}}

scope="row"|Japan

|May 26, 1995

|{{hlist|Maxi-CD|mini-CD}}

|align="center"|{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/156479/products/188009/1/|title=ジス・エイント・ア・ラブ・ソング {{!}} ボン・ジョヴィ|trans-title=This Ain't a Love Song {{!}} Bon Jovi|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=August 29, 2023}}

scope="row"|United States

|"Como yo nadie te ha amado"

|June 1995

|Radio

|align="center"|{{cite magazine|title=Posthumous Certifications for Selena|last=Lannert|first=John|magazine=Billboard|volume=107|issue=22|page=47|date=June 3, 1995|quote=...'Como Yo, Nadie Te Ha Amado,' a Spanish-language version of the band's current single, 'This Ain't A Love Song.' The Latino single is due out in early June.}}

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Bon Jovi songs}}

{{Yuridia}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:This Ain't A Love Song}}

Category:1990s ballads

Category:1995 singles

Category:1995 songs

Category:2006 singles

Category:Bon Jovi songs

Category:Mercury Records singles

Category:Music videos directed by Andy Morahan

Category:Number-one singles in Finland

Category:Rock ballads

Category:Song recordings produced by Jon Bon Jovi

Category:Song recordings produced by Peter Collins (record producer)

Category:Song recordings produced by Richie Sambora

Category:Songs about heartache

Category:Songs written by Desmond Child

Category:Songs written by Jon Bon Jovi

Category:Songs written by Richie Sambora

Category:Yuridia songs