I love it live.

As any Bon Jovi fan will attest to, there is something purely magical about the live gig. It's not just a show date, or just a stop at a particular city's venue - it's a thrilling, adrenaline-producing, fist-pumping, emotion-triggering performance.

The "live" component is what makes the experience of being a Bon Jovi fan complete. You simply have not lived until you have seen a Jovi gig, period. It is the staple of every fan's journey with the band, and reinforces our passionate devotion to those men. When you are inside those walls, whether arena or stadium, Bon Jovi blows the roof (or sky) away and rocks your heart out - and those 2-3 hours are indescribable. The experience is unlike any other; it can't be compared. You simply get lost in the atmosphere of rib-rattling music mixed with thousands of fellow screaming, singing fans - the emotion and adrenaline overtake you, and each song is a fresh start and fresh jolt to your energy, just when you thought you could stand on your feet no longer.

It's the reason we all count down the days to a concert, the reason I for one was uncontrollable and hyper as a teenager awaiting mine. I STILL get anxious, excited, impatient, jittery, and bouncy though, but mind you, I'm a naturally energetic person. LOL.

With all that said, I have been spending my evening watching the Live at MSG DVD - which can explain all this sudden reminiscing about the "live" experience. ;)

I'm house-sitting for the weekend, so I have the house - and 20-inch plasma screen w/ surround sound TV - all to myself. Even in this living room, with a snoring dog on the couch and two murderous cats chasing each other down the hall, I am transported to the 30,000-strong audience on the screen and find myself unable to sit still. I started out my doing my workout to the soundtrack of the DVD, but couldn't make myself stop after 45 minutes of cardio. I kept dancing, singing, jumping, acting like an idiot in this house with no one but the animals to stare at me.

Then "In These Arms" started. I couldn't dance to that, but it didn't mean it was rest time. ITA is one of my all-time favorite Jovi songs - it is special and meaningful in so many ways, as it is to my boyfriend (so you could say it is "our" song.) And I got to thinking how much I love that song live. It's beautiful on the studio recording, but it is just so much more raw, passionate, and haunting live. It's definitely one of my favorites - if not my top favorite - song to hear Bon Jovi play in person.

Other particular live favorites that are even better live than their studio counterparts include Blood On Blood, Hallelujah, Captain Crash, Raise Your Hands, and Keep the Faith. I think I'd prefer to hear any song live over the CD, but these are just so much more alive when they play it right in front of you.

On the other hand, I'd love for them to branch out and play other songs they either never - or hardly ever - play live. I'd love to hear Satellite (from the box set), Richie's If I Can't Have Your Love, David's Memphis Lives In Me, Stick To Your Guns, Love Me Back To Life, Lie To Me, Something to Believe In, If That's What It Takes, Wild In the Streets...

But then there are some - like These Days, Dry County, Hey God, etc. that really can't be played live anymore since Jon can't reach those notes. He already strains on Always and Dry County, which is a shame, because those are two beautiful and incredible songs. Luckily, they've given Richie the spotlight to do These Days and Homebound Train lately, which I LOVE.

So my question for you all is - what's your favorite song to hear live? And which would you rather hear on CD in the clean, polished recording? I'm thinking about making this a poll question too, but in the meantime I'd love to hear your opinions!