Bon Jovi Releases George Floyd-Inspired Song ‘American Reckoning’

Bon Jovi has released a new song titled "American Reckoning" which is inspired by the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent police brutality protests that have taken place across the United States.

The song was released today (July 10), can be heard in the lyric video below and is available for streaming and download here.

Jon Bon Jovi said via Instagram that "100% of the net proceeds from the download of American Reckoning will support Bryan Stevenson’s Equal Justice Initiative", which "provides legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons."

The song's lyrics are as follows:

America's on fire
There's protests in the street
Her conscience has been looted
And her soul is under siege
Another mother's crying, as history repeats
I can't breathe

God damn those 8 long minutes
Lying 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
Three little words written 'cross the chest
Of a twelve 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