WCSX Classic Cuts
Bon Jovi: “Livin’ on a Prayer”
The Hook: Richie Sambora looks at it as a stroke of luck.
Year: 1986
Album: Slippery When Wet
Writers: Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child
Stats: Topped both Billboard’s Hot 100 and Album Rock Tracks charts
Background: Former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora recalls that the night he Jon Bon Jovi and Desmond Child wrote “Livin’ on a Prayer,” he was the one in need of a prayer. He looks at the fact that it came together really fast as a stroke of luck for him.
Richie Sambora on how “Livin’ on a Prayer” was a lucky stroke for him at the end of a bad day. OC:…that’s luck. :22
“The funny story about that is that I was late to the writing session, because I was doing a favor for one of my friends – we did an album in 24 hours. And then I was coming into New York City and it was raining and there was a traffic stop in the tunnel and I was very, very late and they were very mad and I needed a prayer. I needed a prayer, I needed a something, I needed a prayer, I needed a prayer. And then, it just kinda [snaps his finger]. That’s luck.”