ChordSongs
Rock

Living on a Prayer Chords

Bon Jovi Beginner Key of E 4 Chords 3 min read
Emtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Key
E Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
Em · C · D · G

Living on a Prayer Chords – Guitar

Bon Jovi’s iconic anthem about working-class resilience and love. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play the chord shapes for C, G, Am, and F to match the original recording’s key of G#.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Tommy used to work on the docks, union’s been on strike
B C#m
He’s down on his luck, it’s tough, so tough
A
Gina works the diner all day, working for her man
B E
She brings home her pay, for love, for love
 

Verse 2

 
E
She says, “We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got
B C#m
It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not
A
We got each other and that’s a lot for love
B
We’ll give it a shot”
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Verse 3

 
E
Tommy’s got his six-string in hock, now he’s holding in
B C#m
What he used to make it talk, so tough, it’s tough
A
Gina dreams of running away, when she cries in the night
B E
Tommy whispers, “Baby, it’s okay, someday”
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Bridge

 
A
We’ve got to hold on, ready or not
B
You live for the fight when that’s all that you’ve got
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Outro

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
E B C#m
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Practice tip: Master the four core chords (E, B, C#m, A) before adding the strum pattern. The chorus is all about the powerful, shouted vocals, so play the chords with confidence.

Emtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Key
E Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
Em · C · D · G

Living on a Prayer Chords – Ukulele

Bon Jovi’s iconic anthem about working-class resilience and love. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play the chord shapes for C, G, Am, and F to match the original recording’s key of G#.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Tommy used to work on the docks, union’s been on strike
B C#m
He’s down on his luck, it’s tough, so tough
A
Gina works the diner all day, working for her man
B E
She brings home her pay, for love, for love
 

Verse 2

 
E
She says, “We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got
B C#m
It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not
A
We got each other and that’s a lot for love
B
We’ll give it a shot”
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Verse 3

 
E
Tommy’s got his six-string in hock, now he’s holding in
B C#m
What he used to make it talk, so tough, it’s tough
A
Gina dreams of running away, when she cries in the night
B E
Tommy whispers, “Baby, it’s okay, someday”
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Bridge

 
A
We’ve got to hold on, ready or not
B
You live for the fight when that’s all that you’ve got
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Outro

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
E B C#m
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Practice tip: Master the four core chords (E, B, C#m, A) before adding the strum pattern. The chorus is all about the powerful, shouted vocals, so play the chords with confidence.

Emtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Key
E Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
Em · C · D · G

Living on a Prayer Chords – Piano

Bon Jovi’s iconic anthem about working-class resilience and love. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play the chord shapes for C, G, Am, and F to match the original recording’s key of G#.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Tommy used to work on the docks, union’s been on strike
B C#m
He’s down on his luck, it’s tough, so tough
A
Gina works the diner all day, working for her man
B E
She brings home her pay, for love, for love
 

Verse 2

 
E
She says, “We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got
B C#m
It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not
A
We got each other and that’s a lot for love
B
We’ll give it a shot”
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Verse 3

 
E
Tommy’s got his six-string in hock, now he’s holding in
B C#m
What he used to make it talk, so tough, it’s tough
A
Gina dreams of running away, when she cries in the night
B E
Tommy whispers, “Baby, it’s okay, someday”
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Bridge

 
A
We’ve got to hold on, ready or not
B
You live for the fight when that’s all that you’ve got
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Outro

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
E B C#m
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Practice tip: Master the four core chords (E, B, C#m, A) before adding the strum pattern. The chorus is all about the powerful, shouted vocals, so play the chords with confidence.

Emtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Key
E Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
Em · C · D · G

Living on a Prayer Chords – Banjo

Bon Jovi’s iconic anthem about working-class resilience and love. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play the chord shapes for C, G, Am, and F to match the original recording’s key of G#.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Tommy used to work on the docks, union’s been on strike
B C#m
He’s down on his luck, it’s tough, so tough
A
Gina works the diner all day, working for her man
B E
She brings home her pay, for love, for love
 

Verse 2

 
E
She says, “We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got
B C#m
It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not
A
We got each other and that’s a lot for love
B
We’ll give it a shot”
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Verse 3

 
E
Tommy’s got his six-string in hock, now he’s holding in
B C#m
What he used to make it talk, so tough, it’s tough
A
Gina dreams of running away, when she cries in the night
B E
Tommy whispers, “Baby, it’s okay, someday”
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Bridge

 
A
We’ve got to hold on, ready or not
B
You live for the fight when that’s all that you’ve got
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Outro

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
E B C#m
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Practice tip: Master the four core chords (E, B, C#m, A) before adding the strum pattern. The chorus is all about the powerful, shouted vocals, so play the chords with confidence.

Emtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Key
E Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
Em · C · D · G

Living on a Prayer Chords – Mandolin

Bon Jovi’s iconic anthem about working-class resilience and love. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play the chord shapes for C, G, Am, and F to match the original recording’s key of G#.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Tommy used to work on the docks, union’s been on strike
B C#m
He’s down on his luck, it’s tough, so tough
A
Gina works the diner all day, working for her man
B E
She brings home her pay, for love, for love
 

Verse 2

 
E
She says, “We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got
B C#m
It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not
A
We got each other and that’s a lot for love
B
We’ll give it a shot”
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Verse 3

 
E
Tommy’s got his six-string in hock, now he’s holding in
B C#m
What he used to make it talk, so tough, it’s tough
A
Gina dreams of running away, when she cries in the night
B E
Tommy whispers, “Baby, it’s okay, someday”
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Bridge

 
A
We’ve got to hold on, ready or not
B
You live for the fight when that’s all that you’ve got
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Outro

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
E B C#m
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Practice tip: Master the four core chords (E, B, C#m, A) before adding the strum pattern. The chorus is all about the powerful, shouted vocals, so play the chords with confidence.

Emtap to play
Ctap to play
Dtap to play
Gtap to play
Key
E Major
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
Em · C · D · G

Living on a Prayer Chords – Harmonica

Bon Jovi’s iconic anthem about working-class resilience and love. Beginner difficulty in the key of E.

Driving Rock (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
123456

Tip: Use a capo on the 4th fret and play the chord shapes for C, G, Am, and F to match the original recording’s key of G#.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
E
Tommy used to work on the docks, union’s been on strike
B C#m
He’s down on his luck, it’s tough, so tough
A
Gina works the diner all day, working for her man
B E
She brings home her pay, for love, for love
 

Verse 2

 
E
She says, “We’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got
B C#m
It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not
A
We got each other and that’s a lot for love
B
We’ll give it a shot”
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Verse 3

 
E
Tommy’s got his six-string in hock, now he’s holding in
B C#m
What he used to make it talk, so tough, it’s tough
A
Gina dreams of running away, when she cries in the night
B E
Tommy whispers, “Baby, it’s okay, someday”
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Bridge

 
A
We’ve got to hold on, ready or not
B
You live for the fight when that’s all that you’ve got
 

Chorus

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Outro

 
E
Whoa, we’re halfway there
B
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
C#m
Take my hand, we’ll make it I swear
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
E B C#m
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
A B E
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer
 

Practice tip: Master the four core chords (E, B, C#m, A) before adding the strum pattern. The chorus is all about the powerful, shouted vocals, so play the chords with confidence.