I’ve chosen Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive” as my video of the day solely because my wife is in it. The music video was partially filmed in West Virginia, which is where my wife is from. She saw them at the Huntington Civic Center in Huntington, West Virginia. Portions of that concert were included in the video, as well as portions in Rochester, Chicago, Denver, Pittsburgh, and Oklahoma City. (Pictured below the video is my wife having a blast!)
So, let’s take a trip back to 1987 and enjoy “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi!
Jon Bon Jovi has said that the inspiration for Wanted Dead or Alive came to him one morning while he struggling to sleep on a tour bus. It occurred to him that being in a rock band was much like being an old west outlaw. As Bon Jovi described it, a rock band was “a young band of thieves, riding into town, stealing the money, the girls, and the booze before the sun came up.” I’m not sure that every rock band would agree with that description but, judging from the deathless success of this song, it worked for Bon Jovi.
(I’m also not sure how many old west outlaws came out of New Jersey.)
The video was directed by Wayne Isham and the black-and-white cinematography is courtesy of Derek M. Allen. It was shot over the course of Bon Jovi’s 1987 world tour and it features scenes that were shot at venues all over the United States. The theme of the video is that life on the road is hard and Bon Jovi works really hard. Looking at other music videos that were released around the same time as this one, I’ve noticed that hard work is a recurring theme in many of them. Bands, especially ones that were often dismissed as being “hair bands,” really wanted to make sure people knew that a tremendous amount of work into their performances.
You have to give Bon Jovi some credit. Their music not only epitomized an era but, as a band and with the exception of Richie Sambora, they’re largely stuck together and continued to rock. That’s more than you can say for Winger.
The newest entry in the “Song of the Day” feature takes us back in the glory days of the late 80’s when hard rock made a major come back. It’s only appropriate that I pick one of my favorite hard rock songs of the era: Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive”.
It was to be the third single released off of their monster third full-length album, Slippery When Wet. It would turn out to become their official anthem as millions of fans from several generations since it’s initial release. The Old West-themed song was a collaboration between frontman Jon Bon Jovi and band lead guitarist Richie Sambora. It took the two listening to Bob Seger’s own “on the road” song “Turn the Page” to bring inspiration to the two musicians. What they came up with was their own version of “Turn the Page” and it would become an instant hit and classic.
“Wanted Dead or Alive” would have one of the more recognizable openings with Sambora playing the initials chords on a Spanish guitar before the rest of the band comes in and Jon Bon Jovi starts singing about the hard life of a rock band as it travels from gig to gig. The lyrics to this song shows the less-than-glamorous side of a band no matter how successful they may be. The two musicians liken themselves to the Old West cowboys and gunslingers who, just like a rock band, lived like outlaws and on the edge of what’s morally decent as they passed from dusty towns to dusty towns plying their skills.
Even after 23 years since this song came out I’m still not tired of it and could always get me to sing along to it to the top of my lungs.
Wanted Dead or Alive
It’s all the same Only the names will change Everyday It seems we’re wastin’ away
Another place Where the faces are so cold I drive all night Just to get back home
I’m a cowboy On a steel horse I ride I’m wanted Dead or alive Wanted Dead or alive
Sometimes I sleep Sometimes it’s not for days The people I meet Always go their separate ways
Sometimes you tell the day By the bottle that you drink And times when you’re alone All you do is think
I’m a cowboy On a steel horse I ride I’m wanted (Wanted) Dead or alive Wanted (Wanted) Dead or alive
Ohh alright Ohh
Oh I’m a cowboy On a steel horse I ride I’m wanted (Wanted) Dead or alive
When I walk these streets A loaded six string on my back I play for keeps ‘Cause I might not make it back
I’ve been everywhere (Ohh, yea) Still I’m standin’ tall I’ve seen a million faces And I’ve rocked them all
‘Cause I’m a cowboy On a steel horse I ride I’m wanted (Wanted) Dead or alive
I’m a cowboy I got the night on my side And I’m wanted (Wanted) Dead or alive And I’m right (And I’m right) Dead or alive I still drive (I still drive) Dead or alive
Dead or alive Dead or alive Mm dead or alive Dead or alive
Through the Shattered Lens 