In the heat of the street of the city
A young boy hides the pain
And he walks so tall, trying to hang on
But he knows he’s going down again
I know he’s going down
Darkness fades. He’s the prince of his city
In a place where they all know your name
You can see in their eyes life so paralyzed
You’re just a pawn in a losing game
You lose at life it ain’t no game
Hear their cries
The hardest part is the night
(In the night, hear their cries, in the night)
Stay alive (Stay alive)
The hardest part is the night
(In the night, in the night)
All alone in a place where the lonely
They all have to walk through the rain
And they dance on the edge where you only
Only pray that it has to end
That the night ain’t no friend
Hear their cries (Hear their cries)
The hardest part is the night
(In the night, hear their cries, in the night)
Stay alive (Stay alive)
The hardest part is the night
(In the night, stay alive, in the night)
Hear their cries (Hear their cries)
The hardest part is the night
(In the night, hear their cries, in the night)
(It’s the night, it’s the night)
Stay alive (Stay alive)
The hardest part is the night
(In the night, in the night)
These four walls they could tell you some stories
About lying and dying and fame
There’s a price that you pay for the glory
About losing and choosing and pain
Hear their cries (Hear their cries)
The hardest part is the night
(In the night, hear their cries, in the night)
Stay alive (Stay alive)
The hardest part is the night
(In the night, stay alive, in the night)
Hear their cries (Hear their cries)
The hardest part is the night
(In the night, hear their cries, in the night)
(It’s the night, it’s the night)
Stay alive (Stay alive)
The hardest part is the night
(In the night, in the night)
Struggles in the Shadows: A Lyric Analysis
“The Hardest Part Is The Night” by Bon Jovi delves into the emotional battles of surviving tough urban life. The song paints a vivid picture of a young protagonist navigating the city’s unforgiving streets, burdened by pain and loneliness. The recurring theme of darkness throughout the lyrics symbolizes both literal nightfall and the metaphorical struggles faced by those who feel lost or marginalized. The refrain, “the hardest part is the night,” poignantly captures the despair and uncertainty that creeps in when hope seems out of reach. Yet, amidst all this hardship, there’s a persistent urge to “stay alive,” highlighting resilience and the fight to endure until dawn brings new possibilities.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, David Bryan
Release Year: 1985
Label: Mercury Records