Monday, February 18, 2008

Song Meanings: Bon Jovi's Livin' on a Prayer

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Once upon a time / Not so long ago /Tommy used to work on the docs...
This song's protagonist is Tommy: who dresses up as one of the dwarves: one of the "Docs," at Disneyland.

Union's been on strike / He's down on his luck it's tough…so tough...
Unfortunately, for Tommy and his peers, the costumed workers have been forced to picket due to unsafe conditions. He's totally down on his luck as dressing up as a cartoon character for a living is a poor resume builder. In the modern workplace, more recruiters often prefer typing and computer skills over the ability to mimic a cartoon little person.

Gina works the diner all day / Working for her man, she brings home her pay / For love… for love...
Things are no better for Tommy's girlfriend Gina, who works at the Disneyland restaurant: Mouse of Pancakes. There are few labor laws there. She must work all day.

She says: We've got to hold on to what we've got / 'Cause it doesn't make a difference /
If we make it or not / We've got each other and that's a lot / For love - we'll give it a shot...

Hang in there, Gina encourages. We'll resolve our labor issues with gun violence.

We're half way there / Livin' on a prayer / Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear / Livin' on a prayer...
May the Lord forgive us for what we're about to do.

Tommy got his six string in hock / Now he's holding in what he used / To make it talk - so tough, it's tough....
Tommy has just traded his guitar for a handgun.

Gina dreams of running away / When she cries in the night / Tommy whispers: Baby it's okay, someday...
Gina expresses regrets about the pending shooting, but Tommy fortifies her resolve.

We've got to hold on to what we've got...
Tommy: "we need to fight for what's ours…"

'Cause it doesn't make a difference / If we make it or not...
"If this goes poorly for us as individuals…others will still benefit from our actions."

We've got each other and that's a lot / For love - we'll give it a shot...
Gina: Eh what the hell, let's do it!

…You live for the fight it's all that you've got…
Disneyland: An adventure!

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