“Blaze of Glory” is a B-side release from the album Blood Money by musician Bon Jovi in 1990. It is one of the most successful hard rock songs, which portrays the life of a gunslinger played by Bon Jovi. It peaked at the #1 spot on the Billboard, Mainstream Rock, and Cash Box charts. Danny Kortchmar, the producer and co-writer, recounts having a great time in the studio making the song.

Fun Facts:

• Did you know that Bon Jovi wrote the lyrics to Blaze of Glory to go in line with the script of Young Guns II? The story is that Bon Jovi’s song “Wanted Dead or Alive” featured in Young Guns I, which became a hit. It was either coincidental or by design, but “Blaze of Glory” attained a similar height.
• Some music critics have aligned Bon Jovi’s gunslinger wannabe tendencies with the story behind the song. 
• In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2020, Bon Jovi admitted that he used Billy the Kid’s story to mask his personal feelings because he could not present them in the first person.
• “Blaze of Glory” won the Golden Globe award for Best Original Song.
• Bon Jovi was part of Christmas in the Stars: The Star Wars Christmas Album. He helped with “R2 D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas.” 
• He has only won one Grammy Award, which was Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for his song “Who Says You Can’t Go Home?” 
• Bon Jovi was entered into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009. 

Lyrics 

I wake up in the mornin’

And I raise my weary head

I 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, yeah

You’re brought into this world

But they say you’re born in sin

Well at least they’ve given me something

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 Able

Mister catch me if you can

I’m goin’ down in a blaze of glory

(Down)

Take me now but know the truth

I’m goin’ down in a blaze of glory

(Down)

Lord I never drew first

But I drew first blood

I’m no one’s son

Call me young gun

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 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

Shot down in a blaze of glory

(Down)

Take me now but know the truth

But I’m going down in a blaze of glory

(Down)

Lord, I never drew first

But I drew first blood

I’m a devil’s son

Call me young gun

Yeah

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 got to 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 the bullet

Let me make my final stand

Shot down in a blaze of glory

(Down)

Take me now but know the truth

I’m going down in a blaze of glory

(Down)

Lord, I never drew first

But, I drew first blood

I’m no one’s son

Call me young gun

I’m the young gun

Young gun, yea eee yea

Young gun