Bon Jovi Drops New Song: ‘American Reckoning’ (Video)

In the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the social justice protests sweeping the country, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Bon Jovi is releasing a new song, “American Reckoning.”

“I was moved to write American Reckoning as a witness to history,” said leader Jon Bon Jovi. “I believe the greatest gift of an artist is the ability to use their voice to speak to issues that move us.”

Released today (July 10), “American Reckoning” will also be on the band’s forthcoming Fall album Bon Jovi 2020. The song follows the release of the track, “Do What You Can,” which was inspired by the Covid-19 pandemic.

100% of the band and Island Records’ net proceeds from the download of American Reckoning will support the Bryan Stevenson’s Equal Justice Initiative thru December 31, 2020.

To order, click HERE.

Watch Below:

Read the lyrics below:

AMERICAN RECKONING LYRICS
 
AMERICA’S ON FIRE
THERE’S PROTESTS IN THE STREET
HER CONSCIENCE HAS BEEN LOOTED
AND HER SOUL IS UNDERE SIEGE
ANOTHER MOTHER’S CRYING AS HISTORY REPEATS
I CAN’T BREATHE
 
GOD DAMN THOSE 8 LONG MINUTES
LAYING 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
 
3 LITTLE WORDS WRITTEN ACROSS THE CHEST
OF A 12-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