A friend of a friend needs a favor
No questions asked, there’s not much more to say
Me and the wife, we need the money
We’ve got four kids all hungry, one on the way
Slip these sweat socks in your shirt and pray they think your packing
Be sure to keep your head down, don’t look ’em in the eye
And don’t get fancy, Ricky, we ain’t Jimmy Cagney
Look at me, let’s do the job and let’s get home tonight
I got a half tank of gas and if we run all the lights
We’ll slip across the border on the wrong side of right
And just like Butch and Sundance we’ll ride until the dawn
Sipping whiskey, singing cowboy songs
On the Right Side of Wrong
We picked a helluva of a night, from the shore I see the skyline
In a couple of hours from now Rick, we’re gonna get out of this life
We’ll stop for smokes, I brought a six pack, we’ll stop at lookers on the way back
Hell, we’ll laugh this off, keep your fingers crossed that all goes well tonight
I got a half tank of gas and if we run all the lights
We’ll slip across the border on the wrong side of right
And just like Butch and Sundance we’ll ride until the dawn
Sipping whiskey, singing cowboy songs
On the Right Side of Wrong
We’ll make the grade, they’ll know our names, I need a friend to drive here
Wear my necklace of St. Christopher and talk to him while I go inside
I’ll take that suitcase, get the cash and we’ll be gone before you know
Wait until we tell the girls we’re moving down to the Gulf of Mexico…
A friend of a friend needed a favor
Life was just what happened while we were busy making plans
We never saw nothing, there was a run-in
.9 millimeter steel was coming for the windshield of that Oldsmobile
As the cop said, “Show your hands!”
I got a half tank of gas and if we run all the lights
We’ll slip across the border on the wrong side of right
And just like Butch and Sundance we’ll ride until the dawn
Sipping whiskey, singing cowboy songs
On the Right Side of Wrong
Breaking Bad for Good: The Story Behind “Right Side Of Wrong”
“Right Side Of Wrong” by Bon Jovi paints a vivid picture of desperation, loyalty, and the blurry lines between right and wrong. Through storytelling lyrics, listeners are drawn into the lives of two ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. The song follows a man and his friend as they contemplate a risky favor to secure a better future for their families. By referencing iconic outlaws like Butch and Sundance, Bon Jovi romanticizes the idea of living on the edge while highlighting the underlying fear and uncertainty that come with it. The narrative’s details—such as sweat socks passed off as weapons and prayers for luck—underscore the tension and humanity woven throughout the song. Ultimately, the track challenges us to consider how far we might go for those we love, and whether survival can sometimes justify bending the rules.
Song Credits
- Artist: Bon Jovi
- Songwriters: Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Billy Falcon
- Release Year: 2002
- Label: Island Records