Music video by Jon Bon Jovi performing Blaze Of Glory. (C) 1990 The Island Def Jam Music Group
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
I wake up in the morning and I raise my weary head
I’ve got an old coat for a pillow, and the earth was last night’s bed
I don’t know where I’m goin’, only God knows where I’ve been
I’m a devil on the run, a six gun lover, a candle in the wind
[Verse 2]
When you’re brought into this world, they say you’re born in sin
Well at least they gave me somethin’, I didn’t have to steal or have to win
Well they tell me that I’m wanted, yeah, I’m a wanted man
I’m colt in your stable, I’m what Cain was to Abel, Mr. Catch-Me-If-You-Can
[Chorus 1]
I’m goin’ down in a blaze of glory
Take me now but know the truth
I’m goin’ out in a blaze of glory
And, Lord, I never drew first, but I drew first blood
I’m no one’s son, call me young gun
[Verse 3]
You ask about my conscience and I offer you my soul
You ask If I’ll grow to be a wise man, well I ask if I’ll grow old
You ask me if I’ve known love and what it’s like to sing songs in the rain
Well, I’ve seen love come, I’ve seen it shot down, I’ve seen it die in vain
[Chorus 2]
Shot down in a blaze of glory
Take me now but know the truth
‘Cause I’m goin’ out in a blaze of glory
Lord, I never drew first but I drew first blood
I’m the devil’s son, call me young gun
[Bridge]
Each night I go to bed, I pray the Lord my soul to keep
No I ain’t lookin’ for forgiveness, but before I’m six foot deep
Lord, I gotta ask a favor, and I’ll hope you’ll understand
‘Cause I’ve lived life to the fullest, let this boy die like a man
Starin’ down a bullet, let me make my final stand
[Chorus 2]
Shot down in a blaze of glory
Take me now but know the truth
I’m goin’ out in a blaze of glory
Lord, I never drew first but I drew first blood
And I’m no one’s son, call me young gun
I’m a young gun
Young gun
Young gun
“Blaze of Glory” is the debut solo single by Jon Bon Jovi which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Mainstream rock chart in 1990,[1] his only chart-topper away from his band Bon Jovi. The song also reached No. 1 on the BillboardAlbum Rock Tracks chart.[2] “Blaze of Glory” also topped the ARIA music chart in Australia for a total of six weeks, and reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart.[3]
History
The song was allegedly recorded by Jon Bon Jovi because Emilio Estevez requested Bon Jovi’s song “Wanted Dead or Alive” for the soundtrack to Young Guns II, but Bon Jovi did not think the lyrics about the band constantly touring, fit the theme of the Western movie. However, the request inspired him to write “Blaze of Glory” with lyrics more topical to the film.
The song features a music video and remains a crowd favorite with Bon Jovi fans, despite the fact that the song was not released as one of the band’s singles, and only by Jon. The track is notable for the performance of Jeff Beck on guitar.
Appearances
It first appeared in the motion picture Young Guns II, for which it was originally recorded. It later appeared as the title track on his solo album Blaze of Glory. Next, it appeared on Cross Road, Bon Jovi’s greatest hits album. It appeared on Bon Jovi’s live DVD Live From London and their 2010 Greatest Hits album.
In October 2005, “Blaze of Glory” was voted as “Best Song to Ride a Horse to in Slow Motion” by Blender Magazine.
The song is referenced in the 2008 romantic comedy My Best Friend’s Girl, where Jason Biggs‘ character is told by a babysitter he has been “Shot down…. in a blaze of glory” after insulting the woman he was about to go out on a date with.
In 2009, the song became the theme song for Storm Chasers season 3.
It was also featured in the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia episode “Mac & Charlie Die (Part One)”, where Mac and Charlie play the song on the car radio right before staging their deaths.
The lyrics to the song were also featured in the horror game Silent Hill 2, on the back of a letter written by James Sunderland’s dead wife Mary.
In a mission where the Protoss make the final stand in the widely popular video-game Starcraft 2, the player can unlock the ‘Blaze of Glory’ achievement if he manages to kill 2250 Zerg before the last Protoss unit falls.
