Their self-titled debut album was released on Five Minute Walk Records in June of 2000. It was fairly successful โ their biggest hit from that album, arguably, was a song called โOur Finest Hour.โ Also noteworthy on it was their cover of Bon Jovi's โLiving on a Prayer.โ The inside cover features a photograph of the band wearing mirror sunglasses and jeans with holes in them.
Philmore could be somewhat described as punk. In live performance they appeared entirely to be a punk rock band. Their music indicates that they were heavily influenced by MXPX. The band's music also had an '80s edge of both pop and glam metal. Their reputation as a punk band was further reinforced by the fact that they were performing music that was not well accepted in their time. Justinโs vocals were unusually high for a male, causing comparisons to be drawn between him and "Weird Al" Yankovic.
Philmore did extensive touring in the United States after the release of their first album. They toured with Relient K, Bleach, Holland in the Back to the Few Tour and Watashi Wa, among numerous other bands. At times they played to sold-out crowds of hundreds of people, but they refused to cancel a show: they once played for a total of five fans, all of whom they took out for dinner before the show.
In July of 2002, their second album, The Bare Truth About Philmore, was released. It was considerably more โmellowโ than their first. Many fans expected it to be equally hard-hitting, but as a consequence were disappointed. At the same time, there was nothing explicitly Christian about the record, unlike the first, and so many stricter โChristian music onlyโ fans stopped listening to Philmore at that point. After that, they kept touring, but their fame began to fade. Brett "BDB" left the band in 2001 and is currently a realtor in Iowa. Brett was later replaced by a drummer named Sean Donnelly in 2003. The band made a third CD in April 2005 called Demolition, some of which can still be heard at Pure Volume. After Sean left the band in August of 2005, there have been no updates at the band's website.
Contact through the bands webpage has given some users the personal reply of "We are still a band, we are just not doing anything at the moment."
Livin' On A Prayer
Philmore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tommy used to work on the docks, union's been on strike
He's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day working for her man
She brings home her pay, for love, for love
She says, we've got to hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We'll give it a shot
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Tommy's 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
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
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Livin' on a prayer
Oh, we've got to hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when it's all that you've got
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
The song "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi is a classic rock ballad that tells the story of two working-class individuals, Tommy and Gina, who are struggling to make ends meet. Tommy used to work on the docks, but the union has gone on strike and he's struggling to make any money. Meanwhile, Gina works at a diner, where she earns a meager income to support herself and Tommy. Despite the hardships they face, they are still together and have each other, which is a lot for love. The chorus, "Woah, we're halfway there, woah, livin' on a prayer" expresses their determination to hold on and keep going, even when they are struggling.
The song shows the strength and resilience of the human spirit, and how love can keep us going even in the toughest of times. The lyrics encourage us to hold on to what we've got, because sometimes that's all we have. The song has become a classic rock anthem, inspiring generations of music-lovers to keep pushing forward, even when times are tough.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time not so long ago
In the past, not too far away
Tommy used to work on the docks, union's been on strike
Tommy used to work at the docks but the union is now on strike
He's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough
Tommy is having a difficult time and his luck is not going in his favor
Gina works the diner all day working for her man
Gina works at a diner all day to support her partner
She brings home her pay, for love, for love
Gina earns money for the love she has for her partner
She says, we've got to hold on to what we've got
Gina believes that they have to cherish and preserve what they have
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
Whether or not they succeed in life, it wouldn't matter
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
The love they feel and share is valuable and sufficient
We'll give it a shot
They will try their best to succeed despite the difficulties
Woah, we're half way there
They're almost halfway through their struggle
Woah, livin' on a prayer
They're sustaining their hopes and dreams through prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Tommy promises to support and help Gina through their struggles
Tommy's got his six-string in hock
Tommy had to pawn his guitar for money
Now he's holding in what he used to make it talk
Tommy can't play his guitar anymore since he pawned it
Gina dreams of running away
Gina wishes to escape their difficulties and problems
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
When Gina is sad, Tommy comforts her
Baby, it's okay, someday
Tommy reassures Gina that things will be better in the future
Oh, we've got to hold on, ready or not
They have to continue to preserve and never give up
You live for the fight when it's all that you've got
When you have nothing, you must fight to survive
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Desmond Child, Jon Bon Jovi, Richard S Sambora
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Spencer Redden
I really miss being a kid in high school and watching these guys live. Good times. Great cover.
1thess523
I got to see them twice here in Texas ๐
Jonathan Robinson
Me too buddy
Portland Street Mysteries
Me too. Saw them at TomFest
Jessica Palmer
Best cover ever! Great band! Great sound!
Skyler Strickland
This version is awesome I LOVE IT
Alex Gambit
i really love this cover great job thanks for sharing
cukimay oi
What a great cover!
Curtis Sharp
this is the best version of this song, i heard it years ago and it took til today to find it again
ivocarvalhosalles
This is really good!!