Tuesday August 23, 2022 “Wanted Dead or Alive” Bon Jovi
Today we have a more modern cowboy who rides a steel horse rather than the typical black stallion.
Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora wrote this in the basement of Sambora's mother's house in one day and it came easily because it was about their actual experiences touring and it was based on an acoustic guitar riff Sambora came up with, one which many guitarists try to play when they are starting out.
They based the lyrics on their touring schedule to support their debut album. Those tours included nearly 300 dates a year, so when you think about being a rock star forget the Byrds rather simplistic instructional song (“So You Wanna Be A Rock & Roll Star) and think about living in a bus 300 days a year…so maybe those Bon Jovi guys really earned that superstar status. In addition to all their talent and great hair.
Have mentioned this in a previous song of the day but I feel it bears repetition. Jon Bon Jovi used to be a janitor at the recording studio his cousin owned. Before forming the band, he used that studio to sing lead on "R2D2 I Wish You A Merry Christmas," a song from a Christmas-themed Star Wars album called Christmas In The Stars released in 1980…it’s here and it’s pretty cheesy.
Stay safe and well…and there’s Bon Jovi walking these streets, a loaded six-string on his back
playing for keeps 'cause he might not make it back…but don’t worry it worked out OK for him.