last night

Bon Jovi. I've never been a big fan, not enough to be going to a concert. But songs like Dead or Alive, Living on a Prayer, You Give Love a Bad Name, and others, were part of my early teenage years. I'm starting to realize that nostalgia is influencing my choice of concerts. And I have to say, it really was a great concert.

I enjoy observing the crowd during a concert. The arms that lift up in unison, the singer looking back at the crowd, the energy in the air. What a feeling it must be for a rock star on stage. Bon Jovi were playing home, last night. In New Jersey, where they're from. They had a sold out stadium. The atmosphere was just amazing.

I missed You Give Love a Bad Name, which had been playing in my head all day long in anticipation of the concert. I was waiting in line for the ladies room, damn! When I returned to my seat, it was over. They played a few songs from their latest album, The Circle. Nothing exciting ... until Kid Rock joined Bon Jovi on stage and they played a rendition of Bob Seger's Old Time Rock'n'Roll ... Just take those old records off the shelf - I'll sit and listen to 'em by myself - Today's music ain't got the same soul - I like that old time rock 'n' roll - Still like that old time rock'n' roll - That kind of music just soothes the soul - I reminisce about the days of old - With that old time rock 'n' roll. Boy, I really enjoyed this one!! one of the highlights of the evening for me. They went on mixing songs from the latest album with vintage Bon Jovi songs, like It's My Life, Keep The Faith, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead. And of course everyone was singing together I'm a cowboy - on a steel horse I ride - I'm wanted - dead or alive!

Then finally it came, the other highlight of the evening. The lights were dimmed, preparing for the moment, but then Jon Bon Jovi hurt his foot and went aah, and he limped across the stage while talking to the crowd, blablabla, I'm old, what can I tell'ya? And then ... then he started singing the verses of a much famous song, no drums, no guitar, no sound other than his voice going ... ooooh'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 - oooooh We're half way theeeere ... and then the crowd takes over and he's silent while EVERYONE in that stadium sings oooooh We're Livin' on a prayer - Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear - oooooh We're Livin' on a prayer ... it's electrifying ... Jon Bon Jovi smiles a big smile ... and that's when the drums and that famous talkbox guitar riff explode and the song goes on from the beginning ...

Once upon a time
Not so long ago
Tommy used to work on the docks
Union's been on strike
He's down on his luck...it's tough, so tough

Gina works the diner all day
Working for her man, she brings home her pay
For love - for love

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

We're half way there
Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Livin' on a prayer

Tommy got his six string in hock
Now he's holding in what he used
To make it talk - so tough, it's tough

Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night
Tommy whispers: Baby it's okay, someday
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

We're half way there
Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Livin' on a prayer
We've got to hold on ready or not
You live for the fight when it's all that you've got
We're half way there
Livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Livin' on a prayer