Dead Or Alive

Journey's song "Dead Or Alive" delves into the life of a mercenary, a double secret agent who lives by the gun and dies by the gun. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man who is paid to kill, using his skills with cold steel and magnum force to eliminate targets across the globe. From Paris to Los Angeles, his life is a series of high-stakes jobs where the right price can buy someone's life. The chorus, with its repeated refrain of "Wanted, dead or alive, blood for money," underscores the ruthless and transactional nature of his existence.

The song's narrative continues to explore the mercenary's lifestyle, highlighting his material success and the sense of invincibility that comes with it. He drives a Maserati and lives in the hills, embodying the image of a cat with nine lives. However, this sense of invulnerability is ultimately his downfall. The lyrics reveal that he never thought he would be caught off guard, but his last mistake leads to his demise. The mercenary is gunned down by a heartless woman wielding a .38, bringing his violent and precarious life to a sudden end.

"Dead Or Alive" is a commentary on the dangerous and often short-lived life of those who live by violence. It explores themes of greed, survival, and the inevitable consequences of a life spent in the shadows. Journey's storytelling, combined with their signature rock sound, creates a compelling narrative that captures the listener's imagination and evokes a sense of the high-stakes world of a mercenary.