Background

Livin on a Prayer is the song that made Bon Jovi immortal in rock history. It's a rock anthem that every intermediate and advanced guitarist needs to learn. In this guitar song lesson by Torrins, our instructor Mike Walker will be focusing on helping you build stage-ready rhythmic skills, chord dynamics, and rock tone shaping, all of which are inspired by Richie Sambora’s iconic playing style. 

The song was released in 1986 as part of the album Slippery When Wet. The song became iconic due to its talkbox intro and a stadium-sized chorus. Richie Sambora’s guitar work in this song is what makes the listener stick till the very end. 

Keep in mind that the talkbox riff present in the song is just a gimmick; it is there to set the song’s mood and hook the audience to the song. The main highlight lies in the chunky syncopated chord work in the verses, which drives the track with a surprisingly tight and sing-along rock piece groove. 

The solo you will be learning here in this guitar song lesson is quite tasteful, the melodic lead feels quite like it’s part of the song’s narrative rather than a separate guitar moment. 

Strumming Pattern Of Livin' on a Prayer By Bon Jovi 

The most common strumming pattern that you need to follow to play the song “Livin on a Prayer” is: DDUUDU. 

  • D = Down Strum. 
  • U = Up Strum. 

This particular strumming pattern that we have shown above matches well with the syncopated, energetic feel, which is the driving force for the entire song. In addition to this, you can also add minor variations on the upstrokes to get that extra bounce that makes you match up with the iconic Bon Jovi’s rhythm. 

FAQs – Livin' on a Prayer By Bon Jovi Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. How do I replicate the talkbox effect, which is present at the start of the song “Livin on the Prayer” by Bon Jovi? 

Ans. You can create a similar-sounding riff using a talkbox pedal, which routes the guitar signal through a tube into your mouth to create a vocal-like sound. If the talkbox pedal is not present, you can also use a “wah” pedal for a similar effect. 

Q2. Is palm muting necessary to learn for the guitar song lesson “Livin on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi? 

Ans. Yes, in this guitar lesson by Mike Walker, you will learn how to use palm muting selectively during the verse riffs that lead to a chugging rhythmic effect. 

Q3. How difficult is it to play the guitar solo from the song “Livin on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi? 

Ans. The solo present in the song is a bit challenging for new guitar players because it has melodic bends, slides, and even vibrato. For intermediate guitar players, it will be much easier to learn. 

E5E5E5E5
E5E5E5E5
E5E5E5E5
E5Once upon a time, not so long ago E5
E5Tommy used to work on the docks, union's been on strike
He's E6down on his luck, it's C5tough D5, so tough E5
E5Gina works the diner all day, working for her man
She E5brings home her pay, for C5love, D5mmm, for E5love
She says, "We've gotta C5hold D5on to D5what we've E5got
It C5doesn't make a D5difference if we D5make it or E5not
We've C5got each oD5ther and D5that's a lot for E5love
C5We'll D5give it a shot"
E5Whoa C5, we're D5half way there
G5Whoa C5oh, liD5vin' on a prayer
E5Take my C5hand, we'll D5make it, I swear
G5Whoa C5oh, liD5vin' on a prayer
E5Tommy's got his six string in hock, now he's holding in
When he used to make it talk so C5tough D5, ooh, it's E5tough
E5Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
"Baby, it's oC5kay D5, someE5day"
We've gotta C5hold D5on to D5what we've E5got
It C5doesn't make a D5difference if we D5make it or E5not
We've C5got each otD5her and D5that's a lot for E5love
C5We'll D5give it a shot
E5Whoa C5, we're D5half way there
G5Whoa C5oh, liD5vin' on a prayer
E5Take my C5hand, we'll D5make it, I swear
G5Whoa C5oh, liD5vin' on a prayer
Csus2Livin' on a prayer
E5C5D5
G5C5D5
E5C5D5
G5C5E5
Oh, we've gotta C5hold D5on, D5ready or E5not
You C5live for the fight when that's D5all that you've got
G5Whoa Eb5, we're F5half way there
Bb5Whoa Eb5oh, F5livin' on a prayer
G5Take my Eb5hand and we'll F5make it, I swear
Bb5Whoa Eb5oh, F5livin' on a prayer
G5Whoa Eb5, we're F5half way there
Bb5Whoa Eb5oh, F5livin' on a prayer
G5Take my Eb5hand and we'll F5make it, I swear
Bb5Whoa Eb5oh, F5livin' on a prayer
G5Whoa Eb5, we're F5half way there
Bb5Whoa Eb5oh, F5livin' on a prayer
G5Take my Eb5hand and we'll F5make it, I swear
Bb5Whoa Eb5oh, F5livin' on a prayer

Unlock Full Access to Lyrics & Chords with Torrins Membership

Unlock with premium

Livin on a Prayer is the song that made Bon Jovi immortal in rock history. It's a rock anthem that every intermediate and advanced guitarist needs to learn. In this guitar song lesson by Torrins, our instructor Mike Walker will be focusing on helping you build stage-ready rhythmic skills, chord dynamics, and rock tone shaping, all of which are inspired by Richie Sambora’s iconic playing style. 

The song was released in 1986 as part of the album Slippery When Wet. The song became iconic due to its talkbox intro and a stadium-sized chorus. Richie Sambora’s guitar work in this song is what makes the listener stick till the very end. 

Keep in mind that the talkbox riff present in the song is just a gimmick; it is there to set the song’s mood and hook the audience to the song. The main highlight lies in the chunky syncopated chord work in the verses, which drives the track with a surprisingly tight and sing-along rock piece groove. 

The solo you will be learning here in this guitar song lesson is quite tasteful, the melodic lead feels quite like it’s part of the song’s narrative rather than a separate guitar moment. 

Strumming Pattern Of Livin' on a Prayer By Bon Jovi 

The most common strumming pattern that you need to follow to play the song “Livin on a Prayer” is: DDUUDU. 

  • D = Down Strum. 
  • U = Up Strum. 

This particular strumming pattern that we have shown above matches well with the syncopated, energetic feel, which is the driving force for the entire song. In addition to this, you can also add minor variations on the upstrokes to get that extra bounce that makes you match up with the iconic Bon Jovi’s rhythm. 

FAQs – Livin' on a Prayer By Bon Jovi Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. How do I replicate the talkbox effect, which is present at the start of the song “Livin on the Prayer” by Bon Jovi? 

Ans. You can create a similar-sounding riff using a talkbox pedal, which routes the guitar signal through a tube into your mouth to create a vocal-like sound. If the talkbox pedal is not present, you can also use a “wah” pedal for a similar effect. 

Q2. Is palm muting necessary to learn for the guitar song lesson “Livin on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi? 

Ans. Yes, in this guitar lesson by Mike Walker, you will learn how to use palm muting selectively during the verse riffs that lead to a chugging rhythmic effect. 

Q3. How difficult is it to play the guitar solo from the song “Livin on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi? 

Ans. The solo present in the song is a bit challenging for new guitar players because it has melodic bends, slides, and even vibrato. For intermediate guitar players, it will be much easier to learn. 

E5E5E5E5
E5E5E5E5
E5E5E5E5
E5Once upon a time, not so long ago E5
E5Tommy used to work on the docks, union's been on strike
He's E6down on his luck, it's C5tough D5, so tough E5
E5Gina works the diner all day, working for her man
She E5brings home her pay, for C5love, D5mmm, for E5love
She says, "We've gotta C5hold D5on to D5what we've E5got
It C5doesn't make a D5difference if we D5make it or E5not
We've C5got each oD5ther and D5that's a lot for E5love
C5We'll D5give it a shot"
E5Whoa C5, we're D5half way there
G5Whoa C5oh, liD5vin' on a prayer
E5Take my C5hand, we'll D5make it, I swear
G5Whoa C5oh, liD5vin' on a prayer
E5Tommy's got his six string in hock, now he's holding in
When he used to make it talk so C5tough D5, ooh, it's E5tough
E5Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
"Baby, it's oC5kay D5, someE5day"
We've gotta C5hold D5on to D5what we've E5got
It C5doesn't make a D5difference if we D5make it or E5not
We've C5got each otD5her and D5that's a lot for E5love
C5We'll D5give it a shot
E5Whoa C5, we're D5half way there
G5Whoa C5oh, liD5vin' on a prayer
E5Take my C5hand, we'll D5make it, I swear
G5Whoa C5oh, liD5vin' on a prayer
Csus2Livin' on a prayer
E5C5D5
G5C5D5
E5C5D5
G5C5E5
Oh, we've gotta C5hold D5on, D5ready or E5not
You C5live for the fight when that's D5all that you've got
G5Whoa Eb5, we're F5half way there
Bb5Whoa Eb5oh, F5livin' on a prayer
G5Take my Eb5hand and we'll F5make it, I swear
Bb5Whoa Eb5oh, F5livin' on a prayer
G5Whoa Eb5, we're F5half way there
Bb5Whoa Eb5oh, F5livin' on a prayer
G5Take my Eb5hand and we'll F5make it, I swear
Bb5Whoa Eb5oh, F5livin' on a prayer
G5Whoa Eb5, we're F5half way there
Bb5Whoa Eb5oh, F5livin' on a prayer
G5Take my Eb5hand and we'll F5make it, I swear
Bb5Whoa Eb5oh, F5livin' on a prayer

Unlock Full Access to Lyrics & Chords with Torrins Membership

Unlock with premium

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