What's Left Of Me
Bon Jovi Lyrics


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For thirty hard years I was a newspaperman
I made my living with a pen and a pad
God I miss the smell of paper and the ink on my hands

Been back from the desert for a year or so
Left more in the sand then you'll ever know
Another war's waiting for me when I got back home
In the name of the flags one gave their lives
I'm still living yeah Semper Fi
Well that's my story, what else can I say
Hey hey

I got a lot to give so can't you see
I'm still breathing an my heart still beats
They took the car but they left the lease
Does anybody want what's left of me

Boarding up the house they left the keys
For growing on my city rolled up these streets
I ain't checking out I still got my dreams
Does anybody want what's left of me
Hey hey, hey hey

They called us dirty Harry, we're a punk rock band
When it's sold off CBGB's I don't understand
All that's left now are the t-shirts and the comp' for a good plan

I sold my drums to make ends meet
The band broke up, we had to eat
It's the same old shit, it happens more these days,
Hey hey

I got a lot to give so can't you see
I'm still breathing an my heart still beats
They took the car but they left the lease
Does anybody want what's left of me

Boarding up the house they left the keys
For growing on my city rolled up these streets
I ain't checking out I still got my dreams
Does anybody want what's left of me Hey Hey

Well I'm a teacher, I'm a farmer, I'm a union man
It's getting harder to make a living on this hard land
We ain't working in our factories all these jobs went overseas
Hey hey

Does anybody want, Does anybody want
Does anybody want what's left of me

I got a lot to give so can't you see
I'm still breathing and my heart still beats
They took the car but they left the lease
Does anybody want what's left of me

Does anybody want to buy or rent
Take the chance or place a bet
I ain't checking out I still got my dreams
Does anybody want what's left of me hey hey

Does anybody want Does anybody want
Does anybody want what's left of me
Hey hey, hey hey





Does anybody want does anybody want
Does anybody want what's left of me

Overall Meaning

Bon Jovi's "What's Left Of Me" tells the story of a man reflecting on his life and looking for someone to take interest in what he has left, as he feels that he's used up most of his resourcefulness. The first verse alludes to the singer's career as a newspaper reporter, which he did for thirty years. He misses the tangible aspect of his job, having left it for over a year to fight in the desert. He returned home with memories and mental images of what war did to him and others, which he can't seem to shake off. He feels that he has given his all to serve his country but now wonders what he has left to offer. The chorus reveals his vulnerability, asking anyone who will listen whether anybody wants what's left of him.


The second verse talks about the singer's other pursuits in life as a punk rock drummer, facing the challenges of paying rent and making ends meet as an artist in the real world. Despite the hard times, he hasn't given up on his dreams and still has something to offer. The third verse features the stories of a teacher, a farmer, and a union worker, who struggles to make ends meet in today's economic climate, where fewer factories are open, and jobs are scarce. The song ends with the chorus' repetition, emphasizing the singer's desperation and pleading for someone to see the worth in him.


Line by Line Meaning

For thirty hard years I was a newspaperman
I was in the newspaper business for 30 years, working with pen and paper.


I made my living with a pen and a pad
I earned my livelihood by writing on paper with a pen.


God I miss the smell of paper and the ink on my hands
I miss the smell of paper and ink, as it reminds me of my old job and the hard work I put in.


Been back from the desert for a year or so
I returned from a desert region a year ago.


Left more in the sand then you'll ever know
I left behind more than anyone can imagine in that barren place.


Another war's waiting for me when I got back home
Another conflict awaited me when I returned home from the desert.


In the name of the flags one gave their lives
Many people die for the sake of their country's flag.


I'm still living yeah Semper Fi
I'm alive and carrying on with life, like a Marine Corps veteran might say.


Well that's my story, what else can I say
That's my tale, nothing more to add.


I got a lot to give so can't you see
I still have much to offer, can't you tell?


I'm still breathing an my heart still beats
I'm alive and healthy, with a strong heartbeat.


They took the car but they left the lease
Someone took my car, but I still have the lease.


Does anybody want what's left of me
Is there anyone who might be interested in me and what I have to offer?


Boarding up the house they left the keys
My home is being closed and locked up, the keys left behind for me.


For growing on my city rolled up these streets
Weeds are growing on my city streets, which are shut down and isolated.


I ain't checking out I still got my dreams
I'm not giving up and I still have dreams to pursue.


They called us dirty Harry, we're a punk rock band
We were known as 'Dirty Harry,' a punk rock group.


When it's sold off CBGB's I don't understand
I don't comprehend why CBGB's was sold off.


All that's left now are the t-shirts and the comp' for a good plan
All that remains of our band are t-shirts and a commemorative album.


I sold my drums to make ends meet
I had to sell my drums to make enough money to get by.


The band broke up, we had to eat
The band dissolved, we were left to fend for ourselves.


It's the same old shit, it happens more these days
It's just the same old thing, but it's happening more often nowadays.


Well I'm a teacher, I'm a farmer, I'm a union man
I have had many occupations, including teaching, farming, and being part of a labor union.


It's getting harder to make a living on this hard land
It's increasingly challenging to earn a living in this cruel world.


We ain't working in our factories all these jobs went overseas
We are not employed in factories anymore, as those jobs have gone overseas.


Does anybody want to buy or rent
Is there anyone interested in purchasing or renting what I have to offer?


Take the chance or place a bet
You can take a risk and make a bet on me.


Does anybody want what's left of me hey hey
Is there anyone who wants what little I have to offer?


Does anybody want does anybody want
Is there anyone interested? Is there anyone willing to take a chance?


Hey hey, hey hey
Hey hey, hey hey.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHIE SAMBORA, BILLY FALCON, JON BON JOVI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Gustavo Gomes dos Santos

Minha banda favorita ótima musica perfeita desde 1984 quando eu tinha 14 anos de idade já curtia bon Jovi e sempre vou curtir bon Jovi show de bola

Artur Chmiel

So happy i came across this band in 2008. Hope they will keep on Rocking and get the first stage again someday. #keepthefaith

Βασιλης Λαζαρου

Αmazing song. Everyday stories that Bon Jovi bring to life through music,the greatest art of all. Keep going BJ. You make my life better.

Anya Belomoina

One of my favorite songs!

Verbs describe us #culturacastildeviata #artgoeson

mine as well :)

Ewa S

It's so hard to pick the best song because they're all Amazing. This one is one of the perfect! Great! Thank you Bon Jovi❣️🔥✨🎶🤗💯

Douglas Jarnagan

How is this not the lead single? This song would get played all over adult contemporary radio, and perhaps even country radio. The powers that be in the music industry messed up by not releasing this song to radio.

Pablo Ruiz Fernandez

Best song of Album, written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. Great Job guys.

Joao Augusto Almeida

Muito bom jovi👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Chibi Kokoro

Can't stop listen this song!!

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