LIVIN' ON A PRAYER

Original Bon Jovi version

(Once upon a time, not so long ago)

Tommy used to work on the docks
Unions 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
'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

Ohhh, we're half way there
Oh-oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Oh-oh, 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
'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

Ohhh, we're half way there
Oh-oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Oh-oh, livin' on a prayer
Livin' on a prayer

[Guitar solo]

Oooh, we got to hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when that's all that you've got

Ohhh, we're half way there
Oh-oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Oh-oh, livin' on a prayer

Ohhh, we're half way there
Oh-oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Oh-oh, livin' on a prayer

Ohhh, we're half way there
Oh-oh, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
Oh-oh, [fades out]

Info

LIVIN' ON A PRAYER is a song written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Desmond Child, and released on Bon Jovi's 1986 album Slippery When Wet. The above lyrics are for the original Bon Jovi version of LIVIN' ON A PRAYER as released in 1986.

Bon Jovi -- Slippery When Wet

LP - Mercury (422-830 264-1 M-1) - USA, 1986
CD - Mercury (830 264-2 M-1) - USA, 1986
MC - Mercury (830 264-4 M-1) - USA, 1986

Bruce Springsteen's Version

Bruce Springsteen probably played guitar on Bon Jovi's LIVIN' ON A PRAYER live once in 1998. See the live 31 Jan 1998 version for more details.

Available Versions

List of available versions of LIVIN' ON A PRAYER on this website:

Page last updated: 02 Sep 2012