Cover Wars: Wanted Dead Or Alive

Wanted Dead or Alive is one of Bon Jovi’s most iconic songs, from his wildly popular break out album Slippery When Wet. The rock star as cowboy or gunslinger image is a haunting and provocative image, and the song has been one of Bon Jovi’s most frequently covered songs.

It’s incredible to think that Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora wrote that song in the early 1980s, when both were young men in their early twenties, and couldn’t foresee it would become their anthem. It has appeared on five of their own CDs, including at least one greatest hits compilation and one live CD. It’s been performed acoustically during concerts and has been one of their most covered songs, by a wide range of artists.

I admit it, I am a huge Bon Jovi fan, and have been listening to him for half my life now. As a hard-core rocker, my taste runs towards screaming guitars and grinding percussion, although there are some exceptions. I chose Wanted Dead or Alive because it seemed like the perfect crossover song from indie/pop artists to a heavier type of music. It’s a classic rock song and so many bands of many persuasions have covered it. I don’t think I’m going to make any new Bon Jovi fans here, but with my cover choices, I hope to introduce you to some new artists to rock out to. Here are my top four covers of Wanted Dead Or Alive.

Cover #1:
Artist: Shinedown