Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer"

'Livin' On A Prayer' is my all time Go-To Anthem... it paradoxically revs me up, as tears spring unbidden to my eyes! Obviously, I have excellent taste in this instance, as this track off Bon Jovi's 1986 "Slippery When Wet" album topped the charts in early 1987; later won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Stage Performance in a Video and has become the band's signature song.

I first encountered the song on the radio, whilst living frugally and Nursing in Adelaide, South Australia... no money for cassette tapes (the music tech of the day) nor fancy stereo sound systems. So, it was 'Love at first listen!" It wasn't until a couple of decades later that I finally enjoyed viewing their award winning music video... so, in my case, it was purely the music that 'hooked' me.

According to music purists, Bon Jovi was a Pop-Rock band. Irrespective of my mood, when I hear this song, I am unable to resist the compulsion to sing and dance along to its upbeat tempo and soaring melody... a guaranteed 'pep pill'! It has also come to my notice that I have a penchant for songs written in Minor Keys, of which this is one. Apparently I am not alone in this preference either.

It's distinctive 'woompa woompa, woompa woompa, woompa woompa' guitar riff had me bemused, but bewitched for decades! What instrument was making such weird sound effects? Eventually I concluded, after watching several music videos, that their mouths were crazily uttering gibberish. Apparently, this was partly true! Only moments ago did I arrive at what I hope is the actual truth... lead guitarist, Richie Sambora used an electronic 'talk box device' (a tube plugged into a speaker and an amplifier that allows notes to be spoken). The things you learn!

A favourite segment is when the guitar 'talks' in response to lines referring to it...

''Tommy's got his six string in hock, now he's holding in

When he used to make it talk so tough, ooh, it's tough"

To top it all off, who doesn't like a good story?

"Once upon a time, not so long ago..."

This song is the captivating tale of Tommy and Gina, a dock worker on strike and a waitress in a diner... who are struggling through an especially tough patch in their lives and the overall economy.

"Oh, we've gotta hold on, ready or not

You live for the fight when that's all that you've got."

It's a beautiful love story... together, they can overcome all!

"Whoa, we're half way there

Whoa oh, livin' on a prayer

Take my hand, we'll make it I swear."

So, do I sing this song aloud? Absolutely! Anyplace, anytime... the kitchen or shower are all 'grand stages' for this masterpiece... especially the rousing chorus! In fact, I find it extremely challenging to resist heartily belting it out, when circumstances don't permit it.

Yep... "Livin' On A Prayer" by Bryan Adams is definitely an all time favourite of mine! Ha... gotcha there! After singing along to this song for a couple of decades, I bemoaned the fact that it wasn't on the Bryan Adams album I'd just purchased. My nephew drolly responded..."That's because it's by Bon Jovi!" Some people!

Anyway, what better way to farewell old 2023 and usher in 2024!

... Hand in hand, together... "Livin' On A Prayer!"

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This is my fourth story in response to Judey Kalchik's Ease Out 2023 With These Easy Prompts

* (Prompt number 12: My Go-to Anthem).

Thanks again Judey, for these helpful, writing kick starts!

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