Blood On Blood
Bon Jovi Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey Patty Garrett that's what I used to call you
They tell me you want me but I hear they've got you
They made you a lawman with a badge made of silver
They paid you some money to sell them my blood

But you say, this ain't about me and this ain't about you
Or the good and the bad times we've both been through
When the lines between brothers and justice have changed
You do what you've gotta cause you can't walk away

Wonder what would of have happened if you were the killer and I was the hero
Would things be the same ?
Or would I have traded your life for my own life ?
Would I have paid your debts in your place ?
I don't know

But this ain't about me and this ain't about you
Or the good and the bad times we've both been through
When the lines between brothers and justice have changed
You do what you've gotta cause you can't walk away

Blood money, that's what I call it
'Cause money for blood ain't no fair exchange
Blood money




Bought and then sold you
But your conscience is all you can take to your grave

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bon Jovi's song "Blood On Blood" tell the story of two friends, Patty Garrett and the singer, who have been separated by the lure of money and power. The singer refers to Patty as a lawman with a badge made of silver and says that she has been paid to sell his blood to the authorities. The singer acknowledges that they have both been through the good and bad times together, but the lines between brothers and justice have changed. However, he accepts that sometimes you have to do what you've got to do, even if it means betraying a friend.


The song continues with the singer contemplating what would have happened if the roles were reversed, if he was the hero and Patty was the killer. He questions whether he would have traded Patty's life for his own, or paid her debts in her place. But ultimately, he recognizes that it's not about him or Patty, it's about the choices they made and the consequences they now face. The song ends with the singer condemning the idea of blood money and emphasizing that in the end, all you can take to your grave is your conscience.


Overall, the lyrics of "Blood On Blood" are a thoughtful meditation on how relationships can be strained by greed and power, and how difficult it can be to make the right decisions when the lines between right and wrong are blurred.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey Patty Garrett that's what I used to call you
Addressing someone named Patty Garrett who was once known by this name.


They tell me you want me but I hear they've got you
I've been told that you may desire me, but perhaps you are under someone else's influence.


They made you a lawman with a badge made of silver
They have given you power and authority by making you a lawman.


They paid you some money to sell them my blood
They offered you money in exchange for information or actions that would harm me.


But you say, this ain't about me and this ain't about you
However, you claim that this situation doesn't involve just us and our personal history.


Or the good and the bad times we've both been through
It's not just about the positive or negative experiences we've shared.


When the lines between brothers and justice have changed
The distinction between loyalty to family and doing what is right has become blurred or uncertain.


You do what you've gotta cause you can't walk away
Therefore, you will take action, even if it may seem difficult or conflicting.


Wonder what would've happened if you were the killer and I was the hero
I am curious about what the outcome would have been if our roles were reversed.


Would things be the same ?
Would the circumstances and events play out differently?


Or would I have traded your life for my own life ?
Would I be willing to sacrifice your life to save my own?


Would I have paid your debts in your place ?
Would I have taken responsibility for your obligations instead of allowing you to suffer the consequences?


I don't know
I am unsure what actions I would have taken or what the results would have been.


Blood money, that's what I call it
I consider the payment you received for betraying me to be 'blood money'.


'Cause money for blood ain't no fair exchange
This is because money can never compensate for the betrayal or harm that was caused.


Blood money
The same term is repeated to emphasize the importance and severity of the situation.


Bought and then sold you
The money bought your loyalty and convinced you to betray me.


But your conscience is all you can take to your grave
However, when you die, the only thing you will have left is your own conscience and the knowledge of what you have done.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JON BON JOVI

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
Comments from YouTube:

Lori Mabry

Greatest song of all time. Greatest band of all time. Will always love Bon Jovi.

jonbonjovimusic57

@Lori Hello, how are you doing? It is nice meeting you here.

Wyatt Whitnack

This song is a prime example of why Tico is one of the greatest drummers in the world. The man is ridiculously underrated.

MATTHEW TODD Behind The Scenes

Correct.

Shiranui Aensland

He is not called "The Hitman" for nothing.

ThrottleVinnieModo

@Mawa Guerra Such an opinion is exactly why the OP said "ridiculously underrated".

Mawa Guerra

@ThrottleVinnieModo No, i think he is rated OK, he is just a normal hard rock drummer, not bad, but nothing remarkable.

ThrottleVinnieModo

@Mawa Guerra The OP also said "The man is ridiculously underrated".

4 More Replies...

sheepcute

Great lyrics, can't stop listening. Too bad I was only born in '02, and at school, I'm made fun of because I only like rock bands, and everyone likes pop, but THESE bands were (and still are) true to their era. No auto tune, just authentic music, with great lyrics. They play live as good as they would in the studio.

VIT Drummer

You are absolutely right, i can't believe you would get shamed for liking rock bands, but i guess thats normal now.

More Comments

More Versions