The band’s first two albums, featuring melodic pop metal arguably a cut above the style of the times, were 1988's 'BulletBoys' and 1991's 'Freakshow', both distributed by Warner Brothers. Well received by many musical critics such as those from the All Music Guide, massive fan support allowed the group to at least partly weather the storm of musical changes at the start of the 90s. Some critics, supporters and detractors alike, compared the band to David Lee Roth-era Van Halen, as the band's blues-inspired riffs as well as Torien's vocal and performing similarities were noted as being partly derivative. That argument was furthered by the fact that rock impresario Ted Templeman produced both the Roth-era Van Halen albums and the BulletBoys. Still, the guitar work for the Bulletboys was nowhere near the level of Eddie Van Halen, albeit still showing serious talent, so the comparisons are limited.
Though having successful tours, the BulletBoys appeared to have possibly peaked too early while it seemed that the changing times had also eaten away into the group's fan-base. Soon after releasing 1993's 'Za-Za' to a mixed reception, an album that went in more of a power pop direction reminiscent of Cheap Trick, the group split up. Singer Marq Torien and bassist Lonnie Vencent continued to use the BulletBoys name and recorded 'Acid Monkey'. A heavily alternative inspired album that was a major departure from the band’s usual hard rock style, the 1995 release seemed to be a clear sign of an end of an era.
All original members got together to record new tracks for one album in 2000, which was titled 'Greatest Hits: Burning Cats And Amputees' (also known as just 'Burning Cats And Amputees'). Marq and Lonnie then released a new album, 'Sophie', in 2003 under the BulletBoys name. This album featured vocal performances from former Skid Row lead singer Sebastian Bach. Interestingly, producer Andy Johns had also worked with major Bulletboys influence Van Halen (along with numerous other artists).
More recently, line-up changes haven't just meant that frontman Torien has been the only constant member of the group but have also caused sticky issues with touring. The release of 2009's '10 Cent Billionaire' got some initial buzz, yet disaster struck as the recession crippled the group's label and sunk the band's hopes for a large-scale comeback. Still, 2011's Rocked and Ripped' and 2015's Elefante' have shown that even when down for the count the group refuses to give up.
In 2009, they released their sixth album, titled 10c Billionaire, on Chavis Records. The material was originally written in 2006 with plans, by Torien, for a new project using the same name. However, they eventually released it under the BulletBoys moniker. In October, original bassist Lonnie Vincent returned to the group while guitarist Tony Marcus (XYZ, Arcade, Vicious Delite) was also added to the lineup with a tour of the US announced soon after.
In January 2010, the group were confirmed to play the Stockholm Rock Out Festival on April 30 of the same year. In March, the song "Smooth Up In Ya" appeared briefly in the movie Hot Tub Time Machine. In April, the group were confirmed to play another Festival, Rock N America, that took place July 23–25. On August 28, 2011, former drummer Johnny Giosa died in a car accident in Los Angeles at the age of 42.
On December 12, 2019, BulletBoys announced that their original lineup would be reuniting. The reunion kicked off with a hometown gig on December 30, 2019 at the Whiskey a Go Go. In January 2022, Mick Sweda revealed that he and drummer Jimmy D’Anda were no longer part of the BulletBoys.
Livin' on a Prayer
Bulletboys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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"
Oh, We're half way there
Whoah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Whoah, livin' 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
Whoah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Whoah, livin' 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
Whoah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
Whoah, livin' on a prayer
Oh, We're half way there
Whoah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Whoah, livin' on a prayer
The song "Livin' On A Prayer" by Bulletboys is about a young couple, Tommy and Gina, who are struggling to make ends meet. Tommy used to work on the docks, but the union is on strike, and he is down on his luck. Meanwhile, Gina works in a diner, earning money to support herself and Tommy. Despite their struggles, both of them are determined to hold on to their love for each other and to try to make their relationship work.
The chorus of the song is a celebration of their love and their resilience in the face of adversity. They are "halfway there" in achieving their dreams, and they are "livin' on a prayer" - relying on hope and faith to get them through. The song uses the metaphor of music to represent their relationship. Tommy has a "six string" (presumably a guitar) that he used to play, but now he has had to pawn it. However, he and Gina still have their love for each other, which is just as powerful as music.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time
Back in time
Not so long ago
It was not too far back
Tommy used to work on the docks
Tommy was a dock worker
Union's been on strike
The union strike is ongoing
Hes down on his luck it's tough, so tough
He is experiencing tough times with no luck
Gina works the diner all day
Gina works at the diner all day long
Working for her man, she brings home her pay
She is working hard to make ends meet
For love, for love
Doing it for love
She says 'we've got to hold on to what we've got
We need to keep what we already have
'Cause it doesn't make a difference
It doesn't matter
If we make it or not
Whether we succeed or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
We have each other and that's a big deal
For love we'll give it a shot
We will try our best for love
Oh, We're half way there
We have covered half of our journey
Whoah, livin' on a prayer
We are surviving on optimism and hope
Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear
I will help you and we will make it, I promise
Tommy got his six string in hock
Tommy pawned his guitar
Now he's holding in what he used
He is keeping his feelings to himself
To make it talk so tough, it's tough
He played it with great emotion and now finds it tough
Gina dreams of running away
Gina has a desire to escape
When she cries in the night
When she weeps alone at night
Tommy whispers 'baby it's okay, someday
Tommy consoles her, saying one day it will be better
We've got to hold on to what we've got
We must try to keep what we already have
'Cause it doesn't make a difference
It doesn't matter
If we make it or not
Whether we succeed or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
We have each other, and that is valuable
For love we'll give it a shot
We will try our best for love
We've got to hold on ready or not
We must hold on, whether we are prepared or not
You live for the fight when that's all that you've got
The struggle becomes your sole reason for living
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
I will help you, and we will succeed, I promise
Whoah, livin' on a prayer
We are surviving on optimism and hope
Oh, We're half-way there
We have completed half of our journey
Whoah, livin' on a prayer
We are surviving on optimism and hope
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
I will help you and we will succeed, I promise
Whoah, livin' on a prayer
We are surviving on optimism and hope
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jon Bon Jovi, Desmond Child, Richard S. Sambora
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind