To be honest, I wasn’t exactly sure what constituted a ‘breakout’ album when I saw this week’s theme on the Song Lyric Sunday schedule. However, I was enlightened by the fact that ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine has an article that defined it, in broad terms, as not a debut release but the first commercial (and critical?) success.

Helpfully, the article also provided a list of 25 examples – interestingly, with a predominance of heavy metal bands, which aren’t really my thing. Neither is glam rock – unless it’s performed with tongue firmly planted in cheek (e.g. T Rex, The Darkness). However, this is catchy stuff – from Bon Jovi’s third studio album ‘Slippery When Wet’ (nudge, nudge), which was released in 1986 and was a huge commercial success.

Shot through the heart and you’re to blame
Darling, you give love a bad name

An angel’s smile is what you sell
You promised me heaven, then put me through hell
Chains of love got a hold on me
When passion’s a prison, you can’t break free

Whoa, you’re a loaded gun, yeah
Oh, there’s nowhere to run
No one can save me, the damage is done

Shot through the heart and you’re to blame
You give love a bad name (Bad name)
I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name (Bad name)
Yeah, you give love a bad name

Paint your smile on your lips
Blood red nails on your fingertips
A school boy’s dream, you act so shy
Your very first kiss was your first kiss goodbye

Whoa, you’re a loaded gun
Oh, there’s nowhere to run
No one can save me, the damage is done

Shot through the heart and you’re to blame
You give love a bad name (Bad name)
I play my part and you play your game
You give love a bad name (Bad name)
You give love a—

Written by Desmond Child, Jon Bon Jovi and Richard Sambora

There are quite a few videos of this song available, but I eschewed the earliest ones from what I’d describe as the ‘big hair’ days (meh), and also ones which show the lyrics (distracting).

Song Lyric Sunday 25 May 2025