From “Living on a Prayer”:
“She said we’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got/It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not.”
Whoa, hold on here a second. A few lines up, it was clearly stated that “Tommy used to work on the docks/Union’s been on strike/He’s down on his luck/It’s tough.” And now this chick is saying that none of that matters? All Tommy needs is her? If I were Tommy, I’d be all “Listen you @*&*@ freak, if none of this matters, I’m not even going to try to go look for work. You think working on the docks is a picnic? Screw it. I’m gonna sit here and watch football. We may be half way there, but you can @*(&*@ carry me the rest of the way. And bring some beer with you.”
From “You Give Love a Bad Name”:
“Blood red nails on your fingertips.”
This is the sign of someone who gives love a bad name? Red fingernails are actually pretty common. What would you prefer, cyan? Get a grip, Jon.
From “Bad Medicine”:
“Shake it up, just like bad medicine.”
Is this a typical practice with bad medicine? You grab on to it and shake it? If it’s really bad medicine, wouldn’t it be likely to explode in your face? I do not believe that we should all shake it up just like bad medicine. I believe that if we actually identify bad medicine, we should pass it on to a qualified medical practitioner.
From “Blaze of Glory”:
“I never drew first but I drew first blood/I’m the devil’s son, call me young gun.”
So, you’re saying that you never drew first but you drew first blood? Which means you only shot in self defense. This means that you never actually went up against anyone with an ounce of skill but against extremely incompetent adversaries, and then made your reputation by gunning them down. Who did you get into a duel with, Mr. Magoo? I am going to call into question that you actually went down in an alleged “blaze of glory” if this was the way you chose your combatants.
Well those New Jersey boys are really complicated.
Blood red nails...she sounds innocent. At least she’s not filing her nails.
Yesterday I was trying to decipher “Rockin Into the Night”.
Back of Bon Jovi. Just back off. Go analyze a song from one of your favorite groups and see how much sense it makes…
ROFL.
The most nonsensical song I have ever heard is “99 Luftballoons.”
Mo, Jon AND Garth? Yeesh. thb, what’s to understand? It’s about a 99 red balloons that drift across military radar and threaten to start World War III because people think they represent a hostile attack. It’s a searing, gritty slice of life.
What-is Garth directed at me? That’s .38 Special. I’m an old school girl and I don’t think I’ve ever heard Garth.
Not you, painter. Mo likes Garth.
You, sir, have disparaged the good name of Bon Jovi. This will not stand.
I will also thank you to not mention that their last 5 hits are, in fact, the exact same song.
I’ve always thought Bon Jovi was corny, that’s why i’ve never liked any of his songs (sorry Mo), but this is pretty interesting.
While your assertion that these specific lines don’t make a ton of sense has some merit, I fear I cannot condemn Mr Bongiovi. All his sins are forgiven every time I hear the classic line:
Sometimes I tell the day by the bottle that I drink
Sometimes when I’m alone, all I do is think
Surely no other lyricist has ever captured so completely the dichotomy of life on the road!
I am SOOOOO on board with mocking Bon Jovi’s lyrics. I included his song “I"ll Be There For You” in my <a href=http://davidamulet.blogspot.com/2008/04/bad-lyrics-part-i.html>worst-of-lyrics post</a> back in April.
A rock icon, yes. A poet, no.
Hmmm. I guess your site, unlike Blogger, doesn’t allow links in comments. Oh well, the URL is there for the post if you want it ...
I just never took you for a Bon Jovi kinda guy.
Admittedly, I never paid attention to the lyrics, per say, until it was my turn on the mic during a recent gig with my ROCKBAND. Livin on a Prayer is not easy to sing- - -even for a pro like me.