Bon Jovi Songs: "Ain't No Cure For Love"

 "Ain't No Cure For Love"

Introduction and Origin

"Ain’t No Cure for Love" is a song originally written and performed by Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen for his 1988 album I'm Your Man. The lyrics portray love as an incurable condition, one that cannot be healed through conventional means. Over the years, the song has been covered by various artists such as Jennifer Warnes, Aaron Neville, Ane Brun, and Mary Coughlan.

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Bon Jovi’s Version

• Bon Jovi recorded a version of this song as an outtake — a track recorded during an album’s sessions but ultimately excluded from the final release — during the sessions for the Crush album in 2000. It did not make it into the official album tracklist but was used as a B-side for certain singles, most notably the Say It Isn’t So release.

• Official records of Bon Jovi’s song catalog list "Ain’t No Cure for Love" as a non-album track, specifically a B-side from the Say It Isn’t So single.

• Fan and collector resources note that a demo version exists, featuring vocals and guitar, which is often circulated among Bon Jovi enthusiasts as part of their rare tracks collection.

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Lyrics and Theme

While based on Leonard Cohen’s original composition, Bon Jovi’s interpretation carries the same core theme: love as a “terminal condition” — something impossible to cure, with no available remedies or treatments. The delivery leans toward an emotional rock-ballad style, consistent with Bon Jovi’s early 2000s sound.

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Context within Crush and Bon Jovi’s Era

• Crush marked Bon Jovi’s commercial comeback with the global hit “It’s My Life.” During this period, the band was experimenting with a more polished pop-rock sound while refining their public image.

• The list of Crush outtakes includes "Ain’t No Cure for Love" alongside other unreleased tracks such as "Hush," "Real Life," "Stay," and "Neurotica."

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Availability and Reception

• Bon Jovi’s recording of "Ain’t No Cure for Love" circulated primarily as a bonus demo or B-side. It was never widely released on a main studio album nor promoted as a standalone single, which has made it a sought-after rarity for fans and collectors.

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Summary Table

Aspect	Details
Original Author	Leonard Cohen (I'm Your Man, 1988)
Bon Jovi Version	Demo/outtake from Crush (2000)
B-side Use	Included in singles such as Say It Isn’t So
Category	Non-album release, fan collectible rarity
Main Theme	Love as an incurable condition
Availability	Demo in rare track collections or as a CD single B-side

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Conclusion

Bon Jovi’s version of "Ain’t No Cure for Love" is a hidden gem in their catalog: an emotional demo that never made the main album but reflects the band’s interest in deep lyrical themes and their creative range during the Crush era.

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