About The Song
“Livin’ on a Prayer” is a song by the American rock band Bon Jovi from their third studio album, Slippery When Wet. Written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child, the single, released in late 1986, performed strongly on both rock and pop radio and its music video was given heavy rotation at MTV, giving the band their first song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and their second consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit.
Regarded as the band’s signature song, “Livin’ on a Prayer” has topped fan-voted lists and re-charted around the world decades after its release. In 2013, the song was certified triple platinum for over 3 million digital downloads and has since sold over 13 million worldwide, making it one of the best selling singles of all time.
Sheet music for the song shows a key of E minor. The tempo is “moderate rock” at 122 beats per minute in common time. The key modulates to G minor for the final chorus.
Video
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’ve 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
When 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’ve 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