America’s on fire
There’s protests in the street
Her conscience has been looted
And her soul is under siege
Another mother’s crying
As history repeats
I can’t breathe
God damn those eight long minutes
Lying face-down in cuffs on the ground
Bystanders pleaded for mercy
As one cop shoved a kid in the crowd
When did a judge and a jury
Become a badge and a knee
On these streets?
Stay alive, stay alive
Shine a light, stay alive
Use your voice and you remember me
American reckoning
I’ll never know what it’s like
To walk a mile in his shoes
And I’ll never have to have the talk
So it don’t happen to you
Three little words written ‘cross the chest
Of a twelve-year-old who hasn’t lived life yet
“Am I next?” “Am I next?”
Stay alive, stay alive
Shine a light, stay alive
Use your voice and you remember me
American reckoning
Is this a moment or movement?
Is this the tide or a flood?
Is our American reckoning
Our story written in blood?
Or in love?
Or in peace?
Stay alive, stay alive
Shine a light, stay alive
Use your voice and you remember me
Stay alive, stay alive
Shine a light, stay alive
Use your voice and you remember me
American reckoning
In our American reckoning
Reflecting a Nation in Crisis
“American Reckoning” by Bon Jovi confronts the profound unrest and turmoil in the United States, drawing directly from real-life events that have sparked nationwide protests. The lyrics vividly capture a nation grappling with social injustice, systemic racism, and the urgent call for accountability. Through poignant lines like “I can’t breathe” and “Am I next?”, the song echoes the voices of those seeking justice and highlights the emotional toll on communities across America.
The Power of Remembrance and Action
Bon Jovi urges listeners not only to remember the tragedies but to actively shine a light and use their voices for change. The refrain “Stay alive, shine a light, use your voice and you remember me” serves as both a tribute and a call to action, emphasizing the importance of empathy, solidarity, and continued advocacy for social progress.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Jon Bon Jovi
Release Year: 2020
Label: Island Records