Jon Bon Jovi Says ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ Is About a Friend Who Wanted to Be a Baseball Player

Again within the ’80s and ’90s, nobody within the music business might compete with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora’s songwriting expertise. The duo produced dozens of main hits that also get air time on the radio many years later. Nevertheless, even a number of the band’s greatest followers don’t know that an previous highschool buddy impressed this number-one tune.

‘He never even played a season’ recalled Jon Bon Jovi 

All of us had huge goals as youngsters and infrequently even greater hearts. In an interview with American Songwriter within the early ’90s, Bon Jovi recalled writing “Livin’ on a Prayer” about his good friend’s relationship. “‘Prayer’ is about a guy and his wife who got married as soon as they got out of high school,” Bon Jovi defined.

“I remember getting out of school that summer and going to a wedding and losing my mind because I was gonna be a rock star, and he was gonna be on the New York Yankees. He never even played a season. He’s got two beautiful kids now and a nice job, but the glove hangs in the closet with those pinstripes forever.”

Like his good friend, the musician additionally married his highschool sweetheart, Dorothea Hurley, in 1989. Nevertheless, Bon Jovi managed to keep his relationship whereas following his goals, which is not any straightforward feat. He and Hurley are nonetheless collectively right this moment and have 4 kids collectively. 

Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora stunned folks with their writing movement

Whereas reflecting on how they wrote “Stick To Your Guns,” Bon Jovi in contrast how he and Sambora labored collectively to a fax machine as a result of the lyrics would come collectively shortly. Keep in mind, they made this comparability within the early ’90s, so it was appropriate for the instances. So it’s no shock that their writing movement typically stunned individuals who watched them. 

In the identical American Songwriter interview, the music duo mentioned how they labored collectively so properly. “The best collaborators are people that can pick up on somebody’s better qualities and use that to his or her advantage,” mentioned Bon Jovi.

Sambora elaborated, “There’s an understanding of the objective and the goal. That’s important. Also, a respect and a non-egotistical look at your own material.”

‘Wanted Dead or Alive’ was impressed by the band’s cowboy life-style

Bon Jovi and Sambora mentioned their inspiration behind songs like “Wanted Dead or Alive,” which have apparent western themes. Whereas Bon Jovi defined he’s a huge Clint Eastwood fan, Sambora’s inspiration got here from what he thought of a cowboy life-style. “Take Nashville for example,” Sambora defined.

“We get in at 5 PM, I do a sound check, sing a couple of Elvis songs, now I’m doing an interview. I’ve got to meet contest winners and all this kind of thing. I’m busier than hell between now and the time I hit the stage. I hit the stage, I’m off the stage. I take a shower, get in the van, and I’m gone. It’s like riding into town, robbing the bank, drinking the booze, stealing the women, and leaving before the sheriff gets here. It’s really what I do for a living. I’m a cowboy.”

American Songwriter

Sadly, these modern-day cowboys haven’t collaborated in years, as Sambora left the band in 2013. Nevertheless, in February, Sambora claimed he and Bon Jovi mentioned a reunion, so followers may not have seen the final of those two simply but!

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