Dry County

Bon Jovi

About Dry County

"Dry County" is a song by American rock band Bon Jovi. It was released in May 1994 as the sixth and final single from their 1992 album Keep the Faith. It was written by Jon Bon Jovi. "Dry County" stands as the band's longest song released so far, with a length of 9 minutes and 52 seconds. A shorter 6-minute version reached #9 in the UK singles chart and #1 in Latin America.


Year:
1992
9:52
70 
#1

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Across the border they turn water into wine
Some say it's the devil's blood
They're squeezing from the vine
Some say it's a savior
In these hard and desperate times
You see it helps me to forget that we're just born
To die

I came here like so many did to find a better life
To find my piece of easy street
To finally be alive
And I know nothing good comes easy
All good things take some time
I made my bed I'll lie in it
To die in it's the crime

You can't help but prosper
Where the streets are paved with gold
They say the oil wells ran deeper here than anybody's known
Now I packed up on my wife and kid
And left them both back at home
See there's nothing in this pay dirt
The ghosts are all I know

Now the oil's gone
And the money's gone
All the jobs are gone
Still we're hangin' on

Down in dry county
They're swimming in the sand
Praying for some holy water
To wash the sins from off our hands
Here in dry county
The promise has run dry
Where nobody cries
And no one's getting out of here alive (Not this time)

"In the blessed name of Jesus" I heard a preacher say
That we are all God's children
And He'd be back, back someday
I hoped that he knew something as he drank that cup of wine
I didn't have too good a feeling as I head out to the night

I cursed the sky to open
I begged the clouds for rain
I prayed all night for water
For this burning in my veins
It was like my soul's on fire
And I had to watch the flames
All my dreams went up in ashes
And my future blew away

Now the oil's gone
And the money's gone
All the jobs are gone
Still we're hangin' on

Down in dry county 
They're swimming in the sand 
Praying for some holy water 
To wash these sins from off our hands
Here in dry county 
The promise has run dry 
Where nobody cries 
And no one's getting out of here alive 
						
Men spend their whole lives waiting 
Prayin' for some big reward 
But it seems sometimes the payoff 
Leaves you feeling like a dirty whore 
If I could choose the way I'd die 
Make it by the gun or knife 
'Cause the other way there's too much pain 
Night after night after night after night

Down in dry county
Where they're swimming in the sand 
Praying for some holy water 
To wash the sins from off our hands
In dry county 
The promise has run dry 
Where nobody cries 
No one's getting out of here
Dry county
And no one's getting out of here
Dry county

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Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi (John Francis Bongiovi, Jr.), guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, and bassist Alec John Such. The band's lineup has remained mostly static during their history, the exceptions being Alec John Such in 1994, and Richie Sambora in 2013. The band is credited with bridging the gap between heavy metal and pop with style and ease. more »

21 fans

Written by: Jon Bon Jovi

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album Record
"Dry County" is a song by American rock band Bon Jovi. It is included in their fifth studio album, "Keep the Faith," released in 1992.
Song Length
With a duration of over nine minutes, "Dry County" is the band's longest song released commercially.
Genre and Style
The song is in the style of progressive rock or rock opera, showcasing a lengthy guitar solo by Bon Jovi lead guitarist Richie Sambora, which has often been compared to the styles of Pink Floyd.
Inspiration
The lyrics of "Dry County" are about a hard-working but poor man living in a drought-stricken place known as a "dry county." The story is reportedly inspired by the 1980s Texas oil glut.
Single Release
"Dry County" was also released as a single in 1994. It was the sixth and final single off the album "Keep the Faith."
Chart Performance
The song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 9. In contrast, it did not chart in the US Billboard Hot 100, although it fared better in the Mainstream Rock chart, reaching number 17.
Live Performances
"Dry County" is not frequently played during Bon Jovi's live performances, likely due to its length. However, it's seen as a fan favorite especially among their dedicated followers.
Awards and Recognition
Despite being less popular compared to Bon Jovi's other hits, "Dry County" was rewarded with critical recognition. It was awarded the "Best Song" at the 1994 Metal Edge Readers' Choice Awards.
Video Representation
The music video for "Dry County" is a mini-drama, featuring band member Jon Bon Jovi as a cowboy in the desert and shots of the band performing.
Songwriting Credit
Like most songs by the band, "Dry County" was written solely by lead singer Jon Bon Jovi.

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