Livin' on a Prayer Trivia Quiz

Answer: on the docks

The first line of the song is "Tommy used to work on the docks".

"Livin' On a Prayer" was included on the 1986 album "Slippery When Wet" and was released as a single in 1987.

Answer: he's on strike

"...Union's been on strike, he's down on his luck, it's tough."

The song did very well on the charts: it was number one in the US (on Billboard's Hot 100 for four weeks and on the Mainstream Rock Tracks for two weeks), number one in Norway and New Zealand, number three in Australia and number four in the UK.

Answer: the diner

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

The success of "Livin' On a Prayer" lasted much longer than the few weeks it spent on the charts. In 2004, it was rated number one on a list of 40 "'80s Icons" on New Zealand's music television show "U Choose 40". Also in New Zealand, the song was named number one on the "sing-a-long classics" list. Even more recently, in 2006, "Livin' On a Prayer" was rated number one by VH1 viewers, for their "100 Greatest Songs of the '80s" special.

Answer: if we make it or not

By this point in the song, we can clearly see the story forming in the lyrics; it's a story about a hard-working couple facing hard times who have only each other to lean on. Many people also think that is a protest against labour unions, because Tommy being on strike is making their lives difficult, but Jon Bon Jovi has said that that was not the intention and that the song is not supposed to have a strong political message.

Answer: his guitar

This was stated in the first line of the second verse: "Tommy's got his six-string in hock."

The music video for "Livin' On a Prayer" was shot at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minnesota. It's a straight-forward video, featuring the band playing the song on stage, first in rehearsal and then in front of a crowd. Towards the end of the video, Jon Bon Jovi soars over the audience in a harness and wires.

Answer: running away

It is said that the first verse, about Tommy being on strike and Gina working to support both of them, is set when the two are young, and that the second verse is set later in time; the line "Gina dreams of running away" supposedly implies that the couple are again facing hard times. Personally, though, I've never thought of it that way. I always thought that the verses were set at the same time, and I don't really see proof in the lyrics that the second verse is supposed to be later in life.

Answer: "Baby it's okay"

"When she cries in the night Tommy whispers 'Baby it's okay, someday...'".

The song has served several times as an inspiring anthem for underdogs. It is used by the Chicago White Sox to rally the crowd when the team needs a big play; it was the theme song for the Boston Red Sox in 2004, when they made a huge comeback in the World Series playoffs against the New York Yankees; and it was one of John Kerry's theme songs during the 2004 presidential campaign.

Answer: love

The song has been covered a few times over the years including by Stellar Kart and The Audition. It was also sung by Jordin Sparks on "American Idol" in 2007 and it was considered to be one of her worst performances during the competition. In addition, the Bowling For Soup song "Punk Rock 101" makes reference to "Livin' On a Prayer" with the lyric "Like Tommy and Gina, they're living on a prayer".

Bon Jovi also performed a moving slow version of this song on September 21, 2001 at the "Tribute to Heroes" benefit that raised money for the many people whose lives were affected by the terrorist attacks in New York.

Answer: Take my hand

Bon Jovi certainly rode on the success of "Livin' On a Prayer" for years. A lot of their subsequent material makes references to the song. The song "99 in the Shade"(1988) contains the lyric "Tommy's coming down tonight if Gina says it's alright"; "It's My Life"(2000) has "This is for the ones who stood their ground, for Tommy and Gina who never backed down"; and 2005's "Have a Nice Day" has "There's a different kind of meaning now to living on a prayer." In addition, Jon Bon Jovi has said that 1995's "Lie to Me" is also about Tommy and Gina, though they are not mentioned by name.

Answer: when it's all that you've got

In addition to being on "Slippery When Wet"(1986), "Livin' On a Prayer" can also be found on most, if not all, Bon Jovi greatest hits, live, or compilation albums. The 2004 box set "100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong" contains not only the released version of "Livin' On a Prayer", but also an original recording which Jon hated.

After the original recording he did not even want to include it on the "Slippery When Wet" album, but Richie Sambora convinced him that the song had potential and they re-worked it into the famous song we all know and love (well, maybe secretly love).