While driving home the other day, I heard the Bon Jovi song “Wanted Dead or Alive” and somehow became inspired to write a version of the song that would be good for The Personal Finance Program.
On that note (no pun intended) I came up with the following lyrics to “Wanted Debt or Alive,” which is about how many of us over spend using money that isn’t even ours to begin with.
Enjoy!
It’s all the same
Only the stores will change
Everyday
It seems I’m spendin’ away
Another store
Where the sales are so bold
I shop all night
Because I’m easily sold
I’m a spender
On a Visa I ride
I’m wanted
Debt or alive
Wanted
Debt or alive
Sometimes I’m cheap
Sometimes it’s not for days
To the cashiers I meet
I’m glad to hand my pay
Sometimes you tell the day
By the bill that’s on the brink
And times when you’re alone
You buy everything but the kitchen sink
I’m a spender
On a Visa I ride
I’m wanted
Debt or alive
Wanted
Debt or alive
I’m a spender
On a Visa I ride
I’m wanted
Debt or alive
When I walk these streets
A loaded AMEX string on my back
I buy for keeps
‘Cause I might have to pay it back
I’ve spent everywhere
Still I’m spendin’ it all
I’ve seen a million offers
And I’ve bought them all
‘Cause I’m a spender
On a Visa I ride
I’m wanted
Debt or alive
I’m a spender
FICO’s not on my side
And I’m wanted
Debt or alive
And I’m wrong
Debt or alive
I still spend
Debt or alive
Debt or alive
What did you think? Any good? Worth putting together a YouTube video over? Leave your comments below.
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Nice approach to a tough to approach subject for so many. Love the Bon Jovi tune and have it on my ipod, won’t be able to get it out of my head all day..lol
Thanks for the comment, Mitch. It’s definitely a catchy tune. I’m trying to think of other songs I could work with. Any suggestions?
I don’t know that song – so difficult for me to pass comment. Can you add a YouTube video of the original to the post?
Andrew
I’ll get the video up shortly…
Hi Brian,
Definitely need a youtube video to go with that song – a humorous way to tackle a difficult, and sometimes volatile, subject.
If only I could sing well!
Oh, yeah – thanks LOADS for the earworm, dude.
Actually, you did a great job with the parody. Making a music video is loads of work. But this one’s liable to go viral, because everyone can relate, so if you’ve got the time and inclination (or the bucks to outsource it), I say go for it.
Thank you for picking rockin’ good tune. But I’m still imagining crab fishing boats (cuz the song is the theme to “The Deadliest Catch.”).
I was thinking of doing something simple using my Flip HD camera. Unfortunately, I’m the world’s worst singer. Maybe that’ll be the fun of it.
Sounds good to me. and there is a lot of truth in it. You do need to put it on YouTube.
Hope you can sing better then me.lol
Debbie
Sadly, I think my singing will kill any chance the video has of going viral.
Excellent — and true! I vote for the You Tube video!
Haha, well, it looks like I’m going to have to do the video now that everyone is asking for one!
Good parody. The question begs, what is your solution to their problem?
Maybe a follow up tune about what the bank will do set to the
George Thorogood tune “Bad to the Bone”
Thanks! Well, first off I would recommend reading some articles on this site, namely the ones talking about doing a needs vs. wants analysis and how time equals money
I love Thorogood’s stuff!
Brian
Intrigued I had to go and find a video:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRvCvsRp5ho but I’m so deaf at present from a virus I couldn’t hear it properly. But I was left with the impression its not so much what you sing, but how you pose and what you wear!
David
Haha, I’ll be sure to study up on my mid-1980’s poses and clothing!
Cowboy boots, spandex, and big hair!
Autotune the song through “I am T-pain” and you’ll have an YTube hit, at least a small one
Hahaha, I love that Bud Light commercial… pass the guacamolllllleeeeee
Not knowing the tune takes away from your lyrics. Posting a link to the Bon Jovi video would be great, at least for musical illiterates with some time on their hands. Of course, to have your video-version would be far out, and would have the potential to go viral, given the number of lives impacted by overspending. Reading your lyrics made me think of JibJab [?] – is selling the idea to them an option? Way to go, Brian!
I had no idea people would be so supportive of a video idea. I’m game to selling anything
Now I’ll never get this out of my head! LOL Nice job. yes I want to hear you singing it on youtube!
Consider it done!
Brian, that’s hilarious! I definitely want to see the youtube version when you’ve got it. Then you could link to the helpful articles and maybe hook some more people into the debt-free life. Freedom from debt is a fantastic feeling.
Tell me about it. I’m hopefully on the verge of selling my house – I hope I didn’t just jinx it – and at that point I will have no debt. It will be ah-may-zing!
I liked it , Brian!
Definitely worth a few nervous laughs… as it hits close to home.
I think I’m happier with getting rid of the credit cards than with anything that I ever bought on them… if only I had realized this a few thousand dollars sooner…
Oh well… live and learn.
Thanks for bringing a fun 80’s tune!
keep smiling,
Ben
Thanks for the reply. And, yes, I think many people experience the phenomenon of feeling happier once they’ve paid off and/or gotten rid of their stuff than they did when the purchased said stuff.
Are you planning on a live cover version?! Made me laugh, thanks! Though a serious topic for a lot of people, it doesn’t mean you can’t smile now and again of course
Yep, all live. Getting studio time would be a complete waste of money! I’ll use my $25 Target mic, some free editing software, and away I go…
Hilarious Brian! It’s not easy coming up with a winning parody, but I think you have something here. I say on with the YouTube video!
I have about 800 songs on my iPod and I try and find ways to parody each one. I have a list of about 50 where I have at least half of the song done already. If this who parody thing actually works, I think I’ll have a great traffic stream to this site and for selling my upcoming ebook.
Very clever! You Tube! You Tube!
Hi Mom.
Hi Brian,
Haha. Really a spender song that made me jive into the music. Yes and I agree with everyone that you should put up a Youtube video in it soon so we can really see how this song will portray living or dying in debts. You’ve got good ideas in it so enhance it through video and sound!
Thanks for the encouragement!
Definitely YouTube – if your singings bad it will be even funnier. Can’t wait to see it. (no pressure :0)
Haha, it’s not a matter of if my singing is bad, it’s a matter of when my singing is bad!
Brian,
Excellent parody!!!
If you don’t want to sing it yourself, check out some local karaoke gigs and see if someone will sing it with your lyrics. You can use your flip video camera to record it for posting on YouTube.
I sing karaoke at least a few times a month, and more often if I can fit it in. A lot of our singers are good enough to be on American Idol. Just because it’s local and for fun doesn’t mean there isn’t some real talent just around the corner. “Wanted Dead or Alive” is a popular song with the karaoke singing crowd.
My 2 cents,
Sherri
I love karaoke! It’s one of the the few things in life where the worse you are, the better you are!
OK everyone, here’s what I’m planning on doing:
I don’t have the ability to create some super awesome music video (just yet) so what I’m planning on doing is recording the song over the instrumental version of Wanted Dead or Alive (found it on Youtube) and then taking that audio and creating a movie in Windows Movie Maker using pics from the recession, Wall Street, the financial melt down, etc.
What are your thoughts?
Brian,
Instead of the instrumental version, I would see if I could find the CDG file (the karaoke version). It has all the backup singing in it. All you have to do is sing lead. It can be downloaded from iTunes for $0.99 if you can’t find a free version.
The slide show over the song is a great idea. A lot of people did that after Hurricane Katrina with Green Day’s “Wake me up when September ends”. The music and pictures are much greater than the sum of the parts.
I look forward to the video you produce! I want to see it.
Sherri
Are you going to dress like Bon Jovi and sing the song? hahahahaha
I think a youtube is in order.