The song remains a crowd favorite with Bon Jovi fans, despite the fact that the song wasn't released as one of the band's singles.
The song was also notable for the performance of rock legend Jeff Beck on guitar.
In October 2005, "Blaze of Glory" was voted as "Best Song to Ride a Horse to in Slow Motion" by Blender Magazine.
It first appeared in the motion picture Young Guns II, for which it was originally recorded. It later appeared as the title track on his solo album Blaze of Glory. Next, it appeared on Cross Road, Bon Jovi's Greatest Hits album. Finally, it appeared on Bon Jovi's live DVD Live From London. It was sung by Phil Stacey on American Idol.
The song is referenced in the 2008 romantic comedy My Best Friend's Girl, where Jason Biggs' character is told by a babysitter he has been "Shot down.... in a blaze of glory" after insulting the woman he was about to go out on a date with.
* 1990 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song: Won
* 1990 Academy Award for Best Original Song: Nominated
* 1991 American Music Award: Favorite Pop/Rock Single, Won
Blaze Of Glory
Jon Bon Jovi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I raise my weary head
I've got an old coat for a pillow
And the earth was last night's bed
I don't know where I'm going
Only God knows where I've been
I'm a devil on the run
A six gun lover
When you're brought into this world
They say you're born in sin
Well at least they gave me something
I didn't have to steal or have to win
Well they tell me that I'm wanted
Yeah, I'm a wanted man
I'm a colt in your stable
I'm what Cain was to Abel
Mister catch me if you can
I'm going out in a blaze of glory
Take me now but know the truth
I'm going out in a blaze of glory
Lord I never drew first
But I drew first blood
I'm no one's son
Call me young gun
You ask about my conscience
And I offer you my soul
You ask if I'll grow to be a wise man
Well I ask if I'll grow old
You ask me if I've known love
And what it's like to sing songs in the rain
Well, I've seen love come
And I've seen it shot down
I've seen it die in vain
Shot down in a blaze of glory
Take me now but know the truth
'Cause I'm going down in a blaze of glory
Lord I never drew first
But I drew first blood
I'm the devil's son
Call me young gun
Each night I go to bed
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
No I ain't looking for forgiveness
But before I'm six foot deep
Lord, I got to ask a favor
And hope you'll understand
'Cause I've lived life to the fullest
Let this boy die like a man
Staring down a bullet
Let me make my final stand
Shot down in a blaze of glory
Take me now but know the truth
I'm going out in a blaze of glory
Lord I never drew first
But I drew first blood
And I'm no one's son
Call me young gun
I'm a young gun
Young gun, yeah yeah yeah
Young gun
The lyrics of Jon Bon Jovi's song "Blaze of Glory" tell the story of a man who is living life on the run as a wanted criminal. The verses express an implicit sense of restlessness, with the singer waking up in new places, with only an old coat as a pillow, and nowhere to call home. The singer reflects on the fact that he is considered a sinner from birth, but takes solace in the fact that, unlike many criminals, he has earned his reputation as an outlaw, rather than stealing or cheating to make a name for himself.
The chorus of the song is about the singer's desire to go out in a "blaze of glory"--not to go quietly into that good night, but to meet his death on his own terms, without compromising his identity or values in the face of authority. As the song progresses, the singer reflects on his life as a lonely, troubled outlaw, but expresses no regret for the things he has done, and asks only that he be allowed to die like a man.
Overall, "Blaze of Glory" is a song about living life on your own terms, even if that means running afoul of the law. It speaks to the idea that sometimes, the only thing left to a person is their own sense of identity and the desire to leave their mark on the world, even if that mark is one of infamy.
Line by Line Meaning
I wake up in the morning
Starting a new day
And I raise my weary head
Tired and worn out
I've got an old coat for a pillow
Living a rough life
And the earth was last night's bed
No permanent place to stay
I don't know where I'm going
Uncertain about the future
Only God knows where I've been
Reflecting on past experiences
I'm a devil on the run
Living life on the edge
A six gun lover
Fond of guns
A candle in the wind
Vulnerable
When you're brought into this world
Birth
They say you're born in sin
Original sin
Well at least they gave me something
Grateful for what he has
I didn't have to steal or have to win
Didn't have to struggle for it
Well they tell me that I'm wanted
Wanted by the law
Yeah, I'm a wanted man
Fugitive
I'm a colt in your stable
Wild and free
I'm what Cain was to Abel
Sibling rivalry
Mister catch me if you can
Challenging authority
I'm going out in a blaze of glory
Dying in a memorable way
Take me now but know the truth
Accepting fate
Lord I never drew first
Defensive
But I drew first blood
Fighting back
I'm no one's son
Independent
Call me young gun
Rebel
You ask about my conscience
Morals and values
And I offer you my soul
Sharing his deepest self
You ask if I'll grow to be a wise man
Future potential
Well I ask if I'll grow old
Acknowledging mortality
You ask me if I've known love
Romantic relationships
And what it's like to sing songs in the rain
Enjoying life's simple pleasures
Well, I've seen love come
Experienced love
And I've seen it shot down
Love lost
I've seen it die in vain
Love ending without reason
Each night I go to bed
Sleeping
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
Religious beliefs
No I ain't looking for forgiveness
Unrepentant
But before I'm six foot deep
Becoming aware of the end
Lord, I got to ask a favor
Asking for something
And hope you'll understand
Hoping for empathy
'Cause I've lived life to the fullest
Lived without regrets
Let this boy die like a man
Dying with dignity
Staring down a bullet
Facing death bravely
I'm the devil's son
Rebel
Call me young gun
Rebel
I'm a young gun
Rebel
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JON BON JOVI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ZKAttack
If you are listening to Blaze of Glory in 2023, then I can confidently say you are a True Rock Fan with great style and class. Who else could leave a top selling band and release a solo album....that still holds the test of time 20 years later. Amazing.
@williamadams6532
I'm here not big on 80s rock but I love this song
@russeltk5274
My best song ever
@cherylgessner109
Yeah dude🤟🏻
@eufa934
good music is immortal, it crosses generations 😍😍😍😍🙋
@jenniferdesormeaux9995
Present
@arquitectura1919
In 2024 it sounds better than ever... Thank you "Jon Bon Jovi".
@JaH-wf4ex
Thanks- JEFF BECK - for The guitar playing and The solo
@UnbekanntesSubjekt
I hummed the song while brushing my teeth, even though I hadn't heard it in 20 years. So I had to hear it on YT, and yes sir, thank you for you comment and Bon Jovi for creating a master piece. So, and where can I see Young guns II right now?
@ThysRedelinghuys
Jon Bon Jovi.
His band is called Bon Jovi. 😊