A couple of weeks back, Jon Bon Jovi and his son Jesse set fans a-flutter with the news that the rock star would be launching a new tequila brand. Alas, it turned out to be just an April Fool’s joke – and one that frustratingly lacked the requisite understanding that his existing wine line in fact rendered a possible spirits sideline entirely possible.
Not that I’m daring to criticize the dreamy rock star, I might add, should you happen to be talking to my wife, her sister, a bunch of their (female) friends and, well, you get the picture.
Indeed, I once detoured all over Quebec looking for said wine for them because it was not available in Ontario and because I knew what was best for me.
Point being: John Francis Bongiovi Jr. (sorry, ladies, that’s his real name!) was and continues to be a beloved musician and human being. And, er, did we mention a former People magazine “Sexiest Rock Star,” and one of the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” as well?
Fortunately, his sort of self-monikered band Bon Jovi (including guitar foil Richie Sambora) boasts some serious rock bona fides too, offering up a lengthy list of heart-warming, air-guitar playing, fist-raising anthems from which to choose a feel-good Friday video.
That said, “Livin’ on a Prayer” is the one that, beyond being arguably their biggest song, has a feel of fitting the times, so with our permission and without further ado, we invite you to rock on with Jon (here at Hyde Park London in 2011) – but perhaps don’t wait for his tequila.
Lyrics
Once upon a time, not so long ago
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, mmm, for love
She says, “We’ve gotta hold on to what we’ve got
It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not
We got each other and that’s a lot for love
We’ll give it a shot”
Whoa, we’re half way there
Whoa oh, livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
Whoa oh, livin’ on a prayer
Tommy’s got his six string in hock, now he’s holding in
What he used to make it talk so tough, ooh, it’s tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
“Baby, it’s okay, someday”
We’ve gotta hold on to what we’ve got
It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not
We got each other and that’s a lot for love
We’ll give it a shot
Whoa, we’re half way there
Whoa oh, livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
Whoa oh, livin’ on a prayer
Livin’ on a prayer
Oh, we’ve gotta hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when that’s all that you’ve got
Whoa, we’re half way there
Whoa oh, livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand and we’ll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin’ on a prayer
Whoa, we’re half way there
Whoa oh, livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand and we’ll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin’ on a prayer
Whoa, we’re half way there
Whoa oh, livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand and we’ll make it, I swear
Whoa oh