☝️ Key Points
- The song is a metaphorical representation of life on tour and the musician's life, using imagery and language from the Wild West.
- The singer identifies himself as a 'cowboy', which here represents a rockstar. His 'steel horse' is his tour bus or airplane.
- 'I'm wanted dead or alive' expresses that the singer is constantly in the spotlight and sought after by fans and media.
- The lines 'Sometimes I sleep, sometimes it's not for days. The people I meet always go their separate ways' speak about the unstable lifestyle, lack of sleep, and the constant meeting and parting of people on tour.
- The final part talks about the willingness to take risks, the uncertainty, and the adrenaline rush that comes with the musician's life. The singer is proud to perform everywhere and reach so many people with his music.
Interpretation
"Wanted Dead or Alive" is a song by the American rock band
Bon Jovi. It is a metaphorical depiction of life on tour and the musician's existence, using imagery and language from the Wild West. The song begins with the words "It's all the same, Only the name will change. Ev'ry day it seems we're wasting away." This indicates the monotony and exhaustion that comes with constant traveling and changing of locations. The feeling of being in a cold, unfamiliar place and the longing to go home is also emphasized.
In the chorus "I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride. I'm wanted dead or alive", the singer identifies himself as a "cowboy", which here is a metaphor for a rock star. The "steel horse" he rides on is his tour bus or airplane. The line "I'm wanted dead or alive" expresses that he is constantly in the spotlight and sought after by fans and media, regardless of whether he is on stage or not.
The verse "Sometimes I sleep, sometimes it's not for days. The people I meet always go their separate ways" speaks about the unstable lifestyle, lack of sleep, and constant meeting and parting ways with people on tour.
The closing part "And I walk these streets, a loaded six strung on my back. I play for kicks, 'cause I might not make it back. I've been everywhere, and still I'm standing tall. I've seen a million faces. And I've rocked them all." speaks of the willingness to take risks, the uncertainty, and the adrenaline rush that comes with the musician's life. Despite the challenges and difficulties, the singer is proud to have been able to perform everywhere and reach so many people with his music."