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WCSX Classic Cuts : Livin’ On A Prayer

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…

MIAMI BEACH, FL – DECEMBER 03: Singer Jon Bon Jovi performs onstage during the Bon Jovi live concert presented by SiriusXM during Art Basel at Faena Theater on December 3, 2016 in Miami Beach, Florida. Private Concert Airs Live On SiriusXM’s Bon Jovi Radio.

Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images

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.”