80's Video Critical Interpretation: Lesson Two

Bon Jovi MTV Music

Per a very vocal request here is a line by line deconstruction of one of the most popular songs of my high school (and well beyond) life: Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer”.

Living on a Prayer
Lyrics by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child

Note #1: Desmond Child is a songwriter who is also responsible for “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Living La Vida Loca.” Take that for what you will other than the fact that not all of the lyrical credit in this song can be given to Messrs. Sambora and Bon Jovi.

Once upon a time
Not so long ago

Much like a prologue in a Shakespearean drama, the opening couplet to the song is used to set the stage for the action to follow. In this case the scene is created that the song will be a fairy tale of sorts but one set in a more modern era. Hence we do not expect to find neither knights nor dragons nor imperial stormtroopers but we still anticipate a morality fable to arise over the next four minutes.

Tommy used to work on the docks

This lyric introduces us to the protagonist of the song who is clearly a blue collar worker due to the fact that a) he is a former dockworker and b) does not go by a more formal name such as Tom or Thomas. Also, it immediately raises the question of just how did Tommy lose his job working on the docks, which is answered in the next line.

Union’s been on strike

This provides us with more vital information on Tommy. He is clearly a member of the union, most likely the Teamsters, and given the assumed setting of New Jersey he may quite possibly know the location of Jimmy Hoffa’s body. We can also assume a more Democratic leading political ideology that is being shaken due to the length of the strike.

He’s down on his luck it’s tough. So tough.

Here is the first instance in which the lyrics of the song break down from acceptable logic. First, we are led to believe that Tommy is out of work due to the union strike. However, as a union member Tommy could have prevented this via his vote or by taking a more vocal position in union matters and preventing or at a minimum, settling the strike. Also, as it appears that the union is not providing for its members during the strike Tommy should have had the forethought and initiative to prepare himself for such a situation if it would arise. Thus while it may be tough luck has absolutely nothing to do with it. A simple degree of financial planning and political activism would have made his problems rather inconsequential.

Gina works the diner all day

As is common it most forms of modern literature after the introduction of the male protagonist it is customary to introduce the female lead. In this instance it is Gina, a service industry employee and if one can suppose based on name and New Jersey residency most likely Italian. Clearly she either works double shifts or lies to Tommy about what she does all day.

Note #2: Until reading the lyrics I had always assumed that this line was “Gina wants to die of old age”, which, to be honest, is not exactly the type of lyric one expects in a pop rock song. That said, it is preferable to “Gina wishes to die in a freak Weed Whacker accident at 23.”

Working for her man

The meaning here is rather unclear. Does Tommy own the diner or is he simply a manager? Is there an almost pimp like aspect to their relationship? Or is she simply working while Tommy is sitting on his ass, drinking beer and watching the Mets game?

She brings home her pay for love. For love.

Again, we have to once again raise the strange implications of a pimp relationship here. Or that she needs to bring Tommy financial assistance for him to love her. Sure, one can read this as she is madly in love with him and would do everything, including pour coffee to truckers all day, in order to please him but you aren’t going to get a master’s in English if you view things that simply.

(Chorus begins)
She says we’ve got to hold on to what we got

Clearly Gina wears the pants in this relationship. She dictates what actions should be taken, shows the initiative that Tommy is sorely lacking, and possesses the financial acumen to understand that at this moment in time all unnecessary expenses are verboten.

‘Cause it doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not

A slight change in tone here as a degree of realism or fatalism (depending on your point of view) comes into play. While she pleads for her and Tommy to hold on to their mutual possessions she also has succumbed to the reality that their actions will have no significant impact on their overall situation. Much like characters in a Kafka short story or a Beckett play they are totally at the whim of outside forces.

We’ve got each other and that’s a lot

I wish to propose an alternate reading to this line than that published in most critical texts. Typically music scholars view this on a metaphorical level in that having each other in terms of a loving and caring relationship matters more than what any tangible asset (whether financial or material) could bring. I believe that this line should be read much more literally. Given the high level of obesity found in the state of New Jersey I believe that here the point is being made that by having each other they have a lot just in terms of pure mass.

For love we’ll give it a shot

This line is almost defeatist by nature. Instead of stating that all effort will be given due to the loving relationship they state that they will only make a token effort. Any degree of success is lessened by the sheer lack of determination.

We’re halfway there

In a rather interesting piece of songcraft this part of the chorus does not make any sense until the reading of the second verse. Nowhere in the song up to this point has a trip been mentioned so it is impossible to understand just where are we halfway to. This creates an air of mystery that has been sorely lacking to this point.

Livin’ on a prayer

Referencing again the poverty and dire situations that could have been easily avoided through better career management or not buying that new Camaro.

Take my hand and we’ll make it I swear

This may be the most troubling line of the entire song. Just a few lines earlier it was made clear that it doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not. But now one party is declaring to the gods above that they will make it even though it will apparently not make a difference. Is this a matter of effort for no reason other than pride? A delusion that they can impact events that are out of their control? A contrived reason to hold hands? The debate rages on.

Livin’ on a prayer

See above

(Second verse)
Tommy got his six string in hock

In an effort to increase his current cash assets Tommy has been forced to pawn his guitar. Now as Tommy’s music career has not been mentioned up to this point we can safely assume that he is not earning any income via his guitar. Thus while he was implored to hold on to what he’s got in this case it is a sensible solution to momentarily relieve himself of one of his assets in the name of greater liquidity.

Now he’s holding in
What he used to make talk so tough. It’s tough.

Along with poor career planning Tommy also has significant emotional issues. As shown in these lines Tommy can only profess emotions through his guitar and once removed he is psychologically shaken. Also note the fact that he used his guitar to talk tough in an effort to suppress a childhood trauma that he has yet to come to grips with.

Gina dreams of running away

A completely sensible dream for someone in a relationship with an emotionally stunted, unemployed man who is forced to live in New Jersey.

When she cries in the night
Tommy whispers “Baby it’s okay. Someday.”

Personally, I do not agree with some of the other critics who take the crying to be symbolic of an abusive relationship. I find myself in the camp that the smog and pollution found in lower class areas would naturally create eye secretions in the evening hours. In this case Tommy is simply reassuring her of his belief that environmental regulations will soon pass Congress and thus greatly reduce the emissions of the nearby plants.

Repeat Chorus

Or, in the words of Herman’s Hermits “Second verse, same as the first.”

We’ve got to hold on, ready or not

Truly, this couple needs every excuse imaginable to just hold hands. Even if they did not prepare by washing beforehand or properly trimming their nails. Also, if it doesn’t make a difference would it really matter if they are ready or not?

You live for the fight when it’s all that you got

The moral of the tale in eleven words. If through lack of foresight all you have remaining is anger and resentment that is all your life will revolve around.

Repeat Chorus until either a) tight jeans begin to chafe or b) harness fails and you fall into the crowd