Joey comes from a sacred part of town
Where sometimes you talk so tough
Your feet don’t touch the ground
And the sidewalk soldiers sing the midnight blues
While the old men recite their story lines
‘Bout when I was young like you
They say (Oh yeah)
We were cruising to the back beat
(Oh yeah) Making love in the backseat
And ooh, we were wild, wild in the streets
Wild, wild in the streets
A member of the boy’s brigade
Had a date with the girl next door
You know it made her daddy crazy
It only made her want him more
But they weren’t looking for trouble
That boy didn’t want a fight, not tonight
So she headed out through her bathroom window
What her daddy didn’t know was gonna be alright
She said (Oh yeah)
We’re cruising to the back beat
(Oh yeah) Making love in the backseat
And ooh, we were wild, wild in the streets
Wild, wild in the streets
We were wild, wild in the streets
Wild, wild in the streets
Rock me
Sometimes this town ain’t pretty
But you know it ain’t so bad
Just like a girl who looks so happy
When inside she’s so, so sad
In here, we got this code of honor
No one’s going down
You don’t walk in vain
Through the kid’s parade
‘Cause this is my hometown
Wild, wild in the streets
Wild, wild in the streets
And we were wild, wild in the streets
Wild, wild in the streets
Yeah, we were wild in the streets
Wild in the streets
Wild in the streets
Wild in the streets
Wild in the streets
Oh, we were wild in the streets
Whoa-oh-oh, wild in the streets
Whoa-oh-oh, wild in the streets
Wild
Rebellion and Youthful Freedom
“Wild In The Streets” by Bon Jovi captures the electric energy and unrestrained spirit of youth. The song paints vivid scenes of teenagers breaking free from authority, sneaking out to experience life on their own terms, and navigating the highs and lows of growing up in a tough but beloved hometown. Through characters like Joey and the girl next door, the lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminding listeners of their own days of innocent rebellion and first love. The repeated chorus highlights the wild, carefree attitude that defines adolescence, while the verses acknowledge both the joy and the underlying struggles faced by the town’s youth.
Song Credits
Songwriter: Jon Bon Jovi
Release Year: 1986
Label: Mercury Records