Have A Nice Day
곡·피郭Bon Jovi Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Why, you want to tell me how to live my life?
Who, are you to tell me if it's black or white?
Mama, can you hear me? Try to understand
Is innocence the difference between a boy and a man
My daddy lived the lie, it's just the price that he paid
Sacrificed his life, just slavin' away

Oh, if there's one thing I hang onto
It gets me through the night
I ain't gonna do what I don't want to
I'm gonna live my life
Shining like a diamond, rolling with the dice
Standing on the ledge, show the wind how to fly
When the world gets in my face
I say, have a nice day
Have a nice day
Have a nice day

Take a look around you, look nothing's what it seems
We're living in a broken home of hopes and dreams
Let me be the first to shake a helping hand
Everybody, pray enough to take a stand
I knocked on every door, on every dead end street
Looking for forgiveness
What's left to believe?

Oh, if there's one thing I hang onto
It gets me through the night
I ain't gonna do what I don't want to
I'm gonna live my life
Shining like a diamond, rolling with the dice
Standing on the ledge, show the wind how to fly
When the world gets in my face
I say, have a nice day
Have a nice day
Have a nice day

Oh, if there's one thing I hang onto
It gets me through the night
I ain't gonna do what I don't want to
I'm gonna live my life
Shining like a diamond, rolling with the dice
Standing on the ledge, show the wind how to fly
When the world gets in my face
I say, have a nice day
Have a nice day
Have a nice day
Have a nice day
Have a nice day

When the world keeps trying, to drag me down
I've gotta raise my hands, gonna stand my ground
Well I say, have a nice day




Have a nice day
Have a nice day

Overall Meaning

In "Have A Nice Day," Bon Jovi takes on the age-old theme of living life on your own terms. The song opens with a defiant question: Why should anyone else get to tell me how to live my life? It's an empowering message about standing up for oneself and being true to one's desires, regardless of the opinions of others.


The next verse, directed at the singer's mother, is an appeal for understanding. Bon Jovi contrasts innocence with the harsh realities of life, suggesting that the difference between a boy and a man is the ability to recognize this duality. He then references his father's struggle, implying that he sacrificed his life by "slaving away" in order to provide for his family.


The chorus is uplifting and anthemic, with the singer proclaiming that he will live life on his own terms and stand strong in the face of adversity. He encourages listeners to do the same, saying "when the world gets in my face, I say, have a nice day."


The second verse connects with the broader theme of the song, which is the harsh realities of the world around us. Bon Jovi describes living in a "broken home of hopes and dreams" and calls for people to come together and take a stand for what they believe in. He has gone through hardship himself, knocking on "every door" and searching for forgiveness, but ultimately affirms that living life on his own terms is the key to happiness and fulfillment.


Line by Line Meaning

Why, you want to tell me how to live my life?
Asking the question of why someone else would try to dictate how I should be living my own life and making my own decisions.


Who, are you to tell me if it's black or white?
Questioning the authority and qualifications of someone who tries to box me into strict categories of right and wrong or good and bad.


Mama, can you hear me? Try to understand
Appealing to my mother for empathy and comprehension in regards to my struggles and challenges.


Is innocence the difference between a boy and a man
Wondering if the loss of innocence is what truly distinguishes a child from an adult and if that loss is worth the trade-off of gained wisdom and experience.


My daddy lived the lie, it's just the price that he paid
Acknowledging the mistakes and deception of my father and understanding the consequences he faced because of them.


Sacrificed his life, just slavin' away
Recognizing the hard work and labor my father committed to in order to provide for our family at the expense of his own dreams and desires.


Oh, if there's one thing I hang onto
Identifying a core belief or value that I hold onto and cherish.


It gets me through the night
Describing the essential role that this belief or value plays in providing me with comfort and strength during difficult times.


I ain't gonna do what I don't want to
Asserting my autonomy and determination to make my own choices and follow my own path.


I'm gonna live my life
Embracing the idea of living life on my own terms and not letting others dictate my choices or actions.


Shining like a diamond, rolling with the dice
Embodying the idea of taking chances and embracing opportunities, while also striving for greatness and success.


Standing on the ledge, show the wind how to fly
Facing challenges head-on and showing that I have the courage and strength to overcome obstacles and reach new heights.


When the world gets in my face
Recognizing the inherent difficulties and adversities that come with living in an imperfect world full of challenges and obstacles.


I say, have a nice day
Responding to adversity with a positive attitude and determination to keep moving forward.


Take a look around you, look nothing's what it seems
Encouraging others to look closer and deeper at their surroundings and not take things at face value.


We're living in a broken home of hopes and dreams
Acknowledging the harsh realities of life and how they can shatter our hopes and dreams if we let them.


Let me be the first to shake a helping hand
Offering assistance and support to those who are struggling or in need of help.


Everybody, pray enough to take a stand
Calling on others to join me in taking a stand for what is right and just, and encouraging them to have faith in the power of prayer and collective action.


I knocked on every door, on every dead end street
Describing the exhaustive efforts I have made to find answers or solutions to my problems, even in the face of obstacles and setbacks.


Looking for forgiveness
Expressing remorse and seeking absolution for past mistakes or wrongdoings.


What's left to believe?
Questioning my faith and beliefs in the face of difficulties or uncertainty.


When the world keeps trying, to drag me down
Acknowledging the continued struggle and adversity that I face as I try to navigate the challenges of life.


I've gotta raise my hands, gonna stand my ground
Committing to standing firm and pushing back against adversity, and finding the inner strength and courage to keep moving forward.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOHN SHANKS, JON BON JOVI, RICHIE SAMBORA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions