The genre was also referred to, often by detractors, as hair metal. This term was popularized by MTV in the 1990s and derives from the tendency amongst most bands to style their long hair in a feminine tendency.
However, today the term is used in a non-derogatory sense.
The genre has enjoyed revivals since the beginning of the new millennium, with a lot of new bands especially in Sweden, Finland and the US.
Livin' on a Prayer
Bon Jovi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
The song "Livin' On A Prayer" by Bon Jovi tells the story of two young individuals, Tommy and Gina, who are struggling to make ends meet. Tommy used to work on the docks, but due to the union strike, he lost his job, and now he is struggling to make ends meet. On the other hand, Gina works as a waitress at the diner, trying to make money to support their love. The two are deeply in love and are focused on holding onto each other during their tough times.
The song speaks to the idea that love and companionship are what truly matter in life, even when everything else seems to be falling apart. The chorus of the song, "Whoa, we're halfway there. Whoa oh, living on a prayer. Take my hand, and we’ll make it, I swear. Whoa oh, living on a prayer," is a call to hold onto each other tightly, to keep striving forward and pushing through the tough times together.
In summary, "Livin' On A Prayer" is a story of resilience, love, and determination. It tells the trials and tribulations of two young lovers who have each other, and that love and companionship are what make life worth living.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time, not so long ago
In the past, not too far back from the present.
Tommy used to work on the docks, union's been on strike
Tommy used to be employed on the docks but the union is on strike.
He's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough
Due to unfortunate circumstances, he is having a difficult time.
Gina works the diner all day, working for her man
Gina works at the diner all day, for her partner.
She brings home her pay, for love, mmm, for love
She works hard to bring home money to support their relationship.
She says, "We've gotta hold on to what we've got
She encourages them to preserve what they already have.
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
It will not matter if they are successful or not.
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
They have each other and that is valuable.
We'll give it a shot"
They will make an effort to try and succeed.
Whoa, we're half way there
They have made significant progress.
Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer
Their situation reliant on luck and hope.
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
He promises to help her through their tough situation.
Tommy's got his six string in hock, now he's holding in
Tommy has pawned his guitar and is keeping his feelings to himself.
When he used to make it talk so tough, ooh, it's tough
At one point he would play his guitar confidently, but now things have changed.
Gina dreams of running away
Gina wants to leave and escape from their situation.
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
When Gina is upset, Tommy comforts her quietly.
"Baby, it's okay, someday"
He reassures her that things will get better in the future.
Oh, we've gotta hold on, ready or not
They must hold on, whether they are prepared or not.
You live for the fight when that's all that you've got
All they can do is continue to fight for what they have.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jon Bon Jovi, Desmond Child, Richard S. Sambora
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@refferson4470
Once upon a time
Not so long ago
Tommy used to work on the docks
Union's been on strike
Hes 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
She says: "We've got to hold on to what we've got
'Cause 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, living on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
whoa-oh, living on a prayer
Tommy 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
When she cries in the night
Tommy whispers: "Baby, it's okay, someday
We've got to hold on to what we've got
'Cause 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"
Oh, we're half way there
whoa-oh, living on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
whoa-oh, living on a prayer
Living on a prayer
We've got to hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when that's all that you've got
Oh, we're half way there
whoa-oh, living on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
whoa-oh living on a prayer
whoa, half way there
whoa-oh, living on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
whoa-oh, living on a prayer
whoah, we're half way there
Whoah, living on a prayer
@bukangoogle8992
Lyrics :
Once upon a time
Not so long ago
Tommy used to work on the docks
Unions 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
She says we've got to hold on to what we've got
Cause it doesn't make a difference
If we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
For love - well give it a shot
Whooah, we're half way there
Livin on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
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, it's tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night
Tommy whispers baby it's okay, someday
We've got to hold on to what we've got
Cause it doesn't make a difference
If we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
For love - well give it a shot
Whooah, we're half way there
Livin on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Livin on a prayer
We've got to hold on ready or not
You live for the fight when it's all that you've got
Whooah, we're half way there
Livin on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Livin on a prayer
@hidanoimortal7017
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, for love
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
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, 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, it's tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
Baby, it's okay, someday
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
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Livin' on a prayer
Oh, we've got to hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when it's all that you've got
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
@asparradjapanda7021
Once upon a time
Not so long ago
Tommy used to work on the docks
Unions 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
She says we've got to hold on to what we've got
Cause it doesn't make a difference
If we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
For love - well give it a shot
Whooah, we're half way there
Livin on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
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, it's tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night
Tommy whispers baby it's okay, someday
We've got to hold on to what we've got
Cause it doesn't make a difference
If we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
For love - well give it a shot
Whooah, we're half way there
Livin on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Livin on a prayer
We've got to hold on ready or not
You live for the fight when it's all that you've got
Whooah, we're half way there
Livin on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Livin on a prayer
@caseyco21707
If you're not born in this era but love this kind of music, welcome to the club.
@joxgi1877
This music has a complete different vibe
@mrmusic2291
Thanks😂
@heidygalan5704
Best music ever!!!
@alexmercs1013
Born 2001 but i grew up to this genre of music ive always said i should of grown up when my parents did
@RotanMetal
I was 10 at that moment and still fan
@NostalgiaMan
LIVING ON A PRAYER FOR THE 80'S TO RETURN
@asherleviwoods6051
Yes please, c'mon 2020's !!!!!!!!
@josedimas24
It’s impossible for the 80’S to come back
@knoxius562
👍🏻