Start me up
Start me up

Oh, Tommy used to work on the docks
Union's been on strike, he's down on his luck
It's tough, oh, so tough

Oh, we gotta hold on ready or not
You live for the fight when that's all that you've got

Start me up
We're half way there
Oh-oh, livin' on a prayer
Start me up
We'll make it, I swear
Oh-oh, livin' on a prayer

If you start me up (uh)
Kick on the starter, give it all you got (you got it, you got it, you got it)
I can't compete (ooh) with the riders in the other heat, yeah-yeah

(Well, we gotta hold on) you'll make a grown man cry
(You gotta be sure) I'll make a grown man give it a shot

Start me up
We're half way there
Oh-oh (start me up), livin' on a prayer
Start me up
We'll make it, I swear
Oh-oh (start me up), livin' on a prayer
Livin' on a prayer

Oh, we gotta hold on, ready or not (ready or not)
You live for the fight when that's all that you've got
Start me up (oh, we're half way there) we're half way there
Oh, livin' on a prayer (oh, livin' on a prayer)
Well, take my hand and we'll make it, I swear (make it, I swear)
Oh-oh, livin' on a prayer

Start me up
If you start me up, I'll never stop (I'll never stop)
Livin' on a prayer
(Start me up) take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
(If you start me up, I'll never stop) oh, livin' on a prayer
(Start me up) oh, we're halfway there
Oh (livin') livin' on a prayer (on a prayer)

Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear
We're almost there (oh) we're livin' on a prayer
Livin' on a prayer
You gotta start me up