10 Rock Music Songs That Were Almost Never Released
4. Livin’ On A Prayer - Bon Jovi
If you were to look up "hair metal" in the dictionary, then you'd just find a bunch of stills from the Livin' on a Prayer music video and a receipt for a leather jacket.
The signature song of Bon Jovi, Livin' on a Prayer was one of the many gigantic hits to come from the band's 1986 album, Slippery When Wet. The story of Tommy and Gina has become one of the most recognisable and popular rock songs of all time, thanks to its catchy chorus and expert deployment of a talk box.
Fun fact, a similar effect can be achieved by singing with an electric toothbrush in your mouth.
Jon Bon Jovi was originally displeased with the song and went to abandon it before guitarist Richie Sambora stepped in. Sambora helped Bon Jovi to rework the song, as did bass player Hugh McDonald, who would go uncredited on the final release. Eventually, they had something they were happy with, and that was that.
You can hear that original Livin' on a Prayer demo on the compilation album 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong, if you're that way inclined.