Bon Jovi Takes a "Stand" For Iran

Singing for Iran

Bon Jovi joins exiled Iranian singer Andy Madadian in a song to show solidarity with the Iranian people. We like anything Bon Jovi does, but we're really loving that he took the time to create this amazing song.

It's a new version of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me," and Bon Jovi even duets in Farsi with Andy Madadian in the first verse! According to the song's co-producer, Don Was, the song was the result of a conversation he had with Madadian about "whether there was something we could do just to send out a little message of solidarity, remembering the '60s, believing music can change things."

So, the two went to the recording studio and saw Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and John Shanks having lunch outside. Was told them what they were doing and Jon Bon Jovie said, "Look, man, if you do it right now we'll do it with you." And so they did.

It's a duet between Bon Jovi and Madadian, who has been living in the U.S. since the Iranian Revolution of 1970. Joining them on the song is Richie Sambora on guitar, Was on bass, Patrick Leonard on keyboards, and Jeff Rothchild on drums.

According to Was, "We just cut it and the video is the session. It took about four hours and just fell into place nicely."

The song is not for sale and Was says it was never meant to even hit the Billboard charts. They created the song to be downloaded and shared by the people of Iran and as Was says, "The whole idea was to get it into Iran and tell them...to carry on, that the world is watching and we're with you."

And now the whole world will be listening to Bon Jovi and Madadian sing along with Iran.