12. November 2013
Road-Songs: “Wanted Dead or Alive”
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By Walter Price
Regardless of how you view Bon Jovi’s career as a whole, there is no denying the fact that their 1986 road-song Wanted Dead Or Alive is a killer track in verse and arrangement.
And why not, the track is paying homage Bob Seger’s Turn The Page (’73). Nothing wrong with that. And certainly nothing wrong with the way Sambora and Bon Jovi crafted the track relating their time on the road as a band to that of outlaws of the old west going town to town…matter of fact, it is fantastic imagery and makes their point of view more interesting and stylistic in the end.
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
And I’m standing tall
I’ve seen a million faces
And I’ve rocked them all
The song wasn’t their most successful single from their landmark Slippery When Wet Album but has had a very long lasting effect on popular culture. Ask a random person if they know the chorus to Wanted Dead Or Alive…Shazam! You’ll find people from all ages and all walks of life have a bit of a fondness for this 80‘s gem.
“One of the best guitar solos ever!” – Alle Royale
Although not one of the most covered songs in history, there have been versions by Montgomery Gentry, Daughtry, Chris Cagle and even Sir Dingbat himself, Tom Cruise had a duet version with Julianne Hough in the cheesetastic ‘movie’ Rock of Ages. I actually kind of like his version, shh.
Take a look/listen to the following versions and let us know what you think…
Great song!
I had to laugh about Tom Cruise… Who does he want to be? Anthony Kiedis?
I don’t know if he wants to be AK but I do know he is just cool enough to poke fun at himself!