Wild In The Streets
Bon Jovi · Slippery When Wet [1986]
Joey comes from a sacred part of town
Where sometimes you talk so tough
That your feet don't touch the ground
And the sidewalk soldiers sing their midnite blues
While the old men recite their story lines
About when I was young like you
They say: Oh yeah
We were cruising to the backbeat
Oh yeah, making love in the backseats
We were wild, wild in the streets
Wild, wild in the streets
A member of the boy's brigade
Had a date with the girl next door
You know it made her daddy crazy
But it only made her want him more
They weren't looking for trouble
You know that boy didn't want a fight-not tonight
So she headed out through her bathroom window
What her daddy didn't know was gonna be alright
They said: Oh yeah
We were cruising to the backbeat
Oh yeah, making love in the backseat
We were wild, wild in the streets
Wild, wild in the streets
Wild, wild in the streets
Wild, wild in the streets
Sometimes this town ain't pretty
But you know it ain't so bad
Just like a girl who looks so happy
When inside she's so sad
In here we got this code of honor
Nobody's going down
You don't walk in vain
Through the kid's parade
'Cause this is my hometown
Where sometimes you talk so tough
That your feet don't touch the ground
And the sidewalk soldiers sing their midnite blues
While the old men recite their story lines
About when I was young like you
They say: Oh yeah
We were cruising to the backbeat
Oh yeah, making love in the backseats
We were wild, wild in the streets
Wild, wild in the streets
A member of the boy's brigade
Had a date with the girl next door
You know it made her daddy crazy
But it only made her want him more
They weren't looking for trouble
You know that boy didn't want a fight-not tonight
So she headed out through her bathroom window
What her daddy didn't know was gonna be alright
They said: Oh yeah
We were cruising to the backbeat
Oh yeah, making love in the backseat
We were wild, wild in the streets
Wild, wild in the streets
Wild, wild in the streets
Wild, wild in the streets
Sometimes this town ain't pretty
But you know it ain't so bad
Just like a girl who looks so happy
When inside she's so sad
In here we got this code of honor
Nobody's going down
You don't walk in vain
Through the kid's parade
'Cause this is my hometown
Wild In The Streets
Released in 1986 on Slippery When Wet, 'Wild In The Streets' stands as a defining anthem for Bon Jovi's rock era. The track exemplifies the band's signature blend of hard rock and pop sensibilities, featuring soaring vocals and driving instrumentation that became hallmarks of their sound during the mid-1980s. As a central pillar of the Slippery When Wet album, the song captured the rebellious spirit of its time while establishing Bon Jovi as a major force in American rock. Its enduring popularity stems from its anthemic quality and its ability to resonate across generations, cementing its place in the band's extensive discography and their status as one of the most successful rock acts of the decade.