Wanted Dead or Alive

Bon Jovi

About Wanted Dead or Alive

"Wanted Dead or Alive" is a song by American rock band Bon Jovi. It is from their 1986 album Slippery When Wet. The song was written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora and was released in 1987 as the album's third single. During a February 20, 2008 encore performance in Detroit, Jon Bon Jovi told the crowd about running into Bob Seger at a Pistons game. As he introduced his song "Wanted Dead or Alive", he said it was inspired by Seger's "Turn the Page" hit and called the song the band's anthem. The song peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #13 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, making it the third single from the album to reach the Top 10 of the Hot 100. As a result, Slippery When Wet was the first hard rock/glam metal album to have 3 top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2001 a live version from the album One Wild Night Live 1985–2001 was released as a single featuring a promotional music video. In 2003 a new version was released on the album This Left Feels Right and this version was also released as a single with a promotional video. 


Year:
1986
5:09
717 
#7

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

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 all 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

Oh, and I ride

(Yeah)

Oh, and I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive

I walk these streets
A loaded six-string on my back
I play for keeps 'cause I might not make it back
I been everywhere, still, I'm standing tall
I've seen a million faces
And I've rocked them all

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
I'm wanted (wanted) dead or alive
And I ride, dead or alive
I still drive (I still drive) dead or alive
Dead or alive, dead or alive, dead or alive, dead or alive

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi (John Francis Bongiovi, Jr.), guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, and bassist Alec John Such. The band's lineup has remained mostly static during their history, the exceptions being Alec John Such in 1994, and Richie Sambora in 2013. The band is credited with bridging the gap between heavy metal and pop with style and ease. more »

21 fans

Written by: Jon Bon Jovi, Richard S. Sambora

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


13 facts about this song

Song Credit
"Wanted Dead or Alive" is a song from American rock band Bon Jovi's third album, "Slippery When Wet".
Songwriters
The song was written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora.
Release Date
"Wanted Dead or Alive" was released in March 1987 as the album's third single.
Chart Performance
The song peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and also reached number 13 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Theme and Inspiration
The song is famous for its Western-themed metaphor, comparing the life of a rock band on the road to that of an outlaw in the Old West. The song was allegedly inspired by Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page.”
Iconic Guitar Intro
Richie Sambora’s 12-string guitar intro is often considered one of the best intros in rock and roll history.
Music Video
The music video was filmed in black and white by renowned director Wayne Isham. It features footage from live Bon Jovi performances.
MTV Unplugged Performance
Bon Jovi performed "Wanted Dead or Alive" as a duet with American country singer Chris LeDoux during the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards.
In Popular Culture
"Wanted Dead or Alive" has been featured in several popular media outlets such as TV shows, films, and video games. A notable instance was its use in the series finale of "Miami Vice".
Acoustic Version
An acoustic live performance of this song, from the "One Night Only" special, was included on the Grammy-nominated album "This Left Feels Right".
Recognition
In 2001, it was ranked 31st on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s. Also, in 2009, it was named as the 45th best hard rock song of all time by VH1.
Live Performances
It is one of Bon Jovi's most popular tracks and has been a staple in their concert performances, often performed as a crowd sing-along in the encore.
Cover Versions
Many artists have covered "Wanted Dead or Alive", including Daughtry, Five Finger Death Punch, and Montel Jordan.

Discuss the Wanted Dead or Alive Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Wanted Dead or Alive Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2589886/Bon+Jovi/Wanted+Dead+or+Alive>.

    Missing lyrics by Bon Jovi?

    Know any other songs by Bon Jovi? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Wanted Dead or Alive

    153.4M
    715.2K     26,254

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1987

    Billboard #7


    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    David Coverdale is the founding member and vocalist of which band?
    A Motley Crüe
    B Journey
    C Whitesnake
    D Def Leppard

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Bon Jovi's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    Bon Jovi tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Wanted Dead or Alive

    »