Clues as to the death of Jon Bon Jovi

THE CIRCLE LYRICS:

"We Weren't Born to Follow":
This one goes out to the man who mines for miracles
This one goes out to the sinner and the cynical
This ain't about no apology

"mining for miracles" could be a euphemism for writing timeless classics like Livin' on a Prayer
"the cynical" being the nonbelievers of his death
"this ain't about no apology" is them not apologising to the fans or Jon for replacing him

This ain't about givin' up or givin' in

!

Believe that the sun will shine tomorrow

No matter what has happened to Jon, the band will carry on

"When We Were Beautiful":
The world is cracked
The sky is torn
I'm hanging in
You're holding on

Even though the band suffered a major loss, they're gonna stay with it and hope the fans do the same

I can't pretend
That nothing's changed
Living in the shadows
Of the love we made

They can't pretend Jon isn't dead; the band is a shadow of its former self

"Work for the Working Man":
I'm here trying to make a living
I ain't living just to die

Despite the fact that Jon is dead, the band will continue in its pursuit of great-tunes

And there's nothing left but what's on my mind

The band has nothing left except what Richie can come up with

But with the grace of God, I'll get us through
I only know what I know how to do

Richie hopes he can pull the band through, doing only what he can

"Superman Tonight":
There's something about you
I want to rescue

Richie wanted to save Jon from his fatal car wreck, but couldn't

"Bullet":
God are you listening
Or have you just given up

Jon was trapped under the wreckage for several minutes, barely alive before he passed; he was most likely praying that he would pull through

"Thorn in My Side":
Life took a couple of things I loved

!

"Live Before You Die" is pretty much Richie being all like "dude my friend died so i've realised how irreplacable life is"

"Brokenpromiseland" is Richie expressing how he wishes to spend as much time with his other friends as possible before they go like Jon

"Love's the Only Rule":
Who said life has got to be so cruel, love's the only rule

Life cruelly took Jon away from Richie, and they were very close friends

I'm alive like a lonely note from John Coltrane

Richie is lonely, but he is alive hmm

"Fast Cars":
We're chasing taillights, let 'em fade into the distance

Metaphor for "stepping into the light"

We are fast cars

Life goes by fast, and Richie never thought Jon would go until he did

"Happy Now":
You're born then you die, it's all gone in a minute

!

You better live now 'cause no one's gonna get out alive, alive

!

"Learn to Love":
I've lost love, lived with shame
I was humbled by my fall from grace
On the steps of decision

Richie lost Jon, and has to face the shame of replacing him