Music Review: Bon Jovi "Livin' On A Prayer"
Bon Jovi
from 
JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
Livin' On A Prayer
Album: Slippery When Wet
Year: 1986
Bon Jovi tells a story about a blue-collar couple struggling to get by in the garish "Livin' On A Prayer."
Dramatic strings and Richie Sambora's talk box open the single, setting an everyday tone.
Before the first verse starts, Jon Bovi Jovi states in an earnest voice that the story happened in about 1986.
In the first verse, he says Tommy was laid off from his job getting shrimp from the ocean. His union decided to go on strike to improve their working conditions. As the union bargains, he is out of work. He's in limbo. There's a possibility he may get his job. However, he could also lose his job to a replacement worker. His wife, Gina, is a waitress at a restraurant. She makes at least $2.55 an hour and some tips. She doesn't like her job. However, it helps pay the bills.
In the pre-chorus, she tells Tommy that they don't have much. However, it's worth not giving it up. They don't need to live in a mansion or be CEOs. They have companionship and support from each other. It's their love that makes their lives rich.
In the chorus, Gina reassures Tommy they will get back on their feet again. Life won't always be dependent on each paycheck.
In the second verse, Tommy has pawned off his guitar. He kept the pick, though, as something to remember the good times he had. It was a gift from his parents. He would play it every day and even had a band with his friends for a while. He wrote a song for Gina on it. Gina, however, is stressed out. She wishes she could be somewhere else and start her life all over again. As she weeps, Tommy consoles her and says their worries are temporary.
In the pre-chorus, Tommy says they have their basic needs right now - a house, clothes, a car, and she has a job. It's something and it's important to him.
The chorus is sung again.
After the chorus, the macho guitar has a solo. It segues into the bridge. In it, Tommy tells Gina they have to get through the rough times. They have to survive. There isn't any choice in the matter.
The chorus is sung twice to end the single.
Cheese and Bon Jovi go together like a hamburger on a bun. The music arrangement is hammy and swaggering. After displaying such sensitivity, it's as though they have to be as masculine as possible. Jon Bovi Jovi's vocals are sincere and empathic.
However, Tommy and Gina are written like real people. Although it's dramatized, there's some truth in it. Especially in today's economy, people are out of work. However, the person can't even get a bite, let alone an interview. In the meantime, the spouse takes a menial job. Heating bills are going up, rent's due and groceries have to be bought. It's something that must done. The pressure and anger finally gets to a person, which Bon Jovi touches upon. They want to better their lives. However, they are stuck and can't get out of the low-income bracket.
"Livin' On A Prayer" is unintentionally campy but it has a heart of gold.
Album: Slippery When Wet
Year: 1986
Bon Jovi tells a story about a blue-collar couple struggling to get by in the garish "Livin' On A Prayer."
Dramatic strings and Richie Sambora's talk box open the single, setting an everyday tone.
Before the first verse starts, Jon Bovi Jovi states in an earnest voice that the story happened in about 1986.
"Once upon a time/Not so long ago."
In the first verse, he says Tommy was laid off from his job getting shrimp from the ocean. His union decided to go on strike to improve their working conditions. As the union bargains, he is out of work. He's in limbo. There's a possibility he may get his job. However, he could also lose his job to a replacement worker. His wife, Gina, is a waitress at a restraurant. She makes at least $2.55 an hour and some tips. She doesn't like her job. However, it helps pay the bills.
"Tommy used to work on the docks/
Union’s been on strike/He's down on his luck, it’s tough, so tough/Gina works the diner all day/Working for her man, she brings home her pay/For love, for love."
In the pre-chorus, she tells Tommy that they don't have much. However, it's worth not giving it up. They don't need to live in a mansion or be CEOs. They have companionship and support from each other. It's their love that makes their lives rich.
"She says we’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got/
It doesn’t make a difference/If we make it or not/We’ve got each other and that’s a lot/For love, we’ll give it a shot."
In the chorus, Gina reassures Tommy they will get back on their feet again. Life won't always be dependent on each paycheck.
"Whoa, we’re halfway there/Livin’ on a prayer/Take my hand and we’ll make it, I swear/Livin’ on a prayer."
In the second verse, Tommy has pawned off his guitar. He kept the pick, though, as something to remember the good times he had. It was a gift from his parents. He would play it every day and even had a band with his friends for a while. He wrote a song for Gina on it. Gina, however, is stressed out. She wishes she could be somewhere else and start her life all over again. As she weeps, Tommy consoles her and says their worries are temporary.
"Tommy’s got his six string in hock/Now he’s holding in what he used/To make it talk , so tough, it’s tough/Gina dreams of running away/She cries in the night/Tommy whispers baby it’s okay, someday."
In the pre-chorus, Tommy says they have their basic needs right now - a house, clothes, a car, and she has a job. It's something and it's important to him.
"We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got/ It doesn’t make a difference/If we make it or not/We’ve got each other and that’s a lot/For love, we’ll give it a shot."
The chorus is sung again.
After the chorus, the macho guitar has a solo. It segues into the bridge. In it, Tommy tells Gina they have to get through the rough times. They have to survive. There isn't any choice in the matter.
"We’ve got to hold on ready or not/You live for the fight when it’s all that you’ve got."
The chorus is sung twice to end the single.
Cheese and Bon Jovi go together like a hamburger on a bun. The music arrangement is hammy and swaggering. After displaying such sensitivity, it's as though they have to be as masculine as possible. Jon Bovi Jovi's vocals are sincere and empathic.
However, Tommy and Gina are written like real people. Although it's dramatized, there's some truth in it. Especially in today's economy, people are out of work. However, the person can't even get a bite, let alone an interview. In the meantime, the spouse takes a menial job. Heating bills are going up, rent's due and groceries have to be bought. It's something that must done. The pressure and anger finally gets to a person, which Bon Jovi touches upon. They want to better their lives. However, they are stuck and can't get out of the low-income bracket.
"Livin' On A Prayer" is unintentionally campy but it has a heart of gold.