Some 15-year-old kid sits on his porch, just half-past noon
Trying to figure out just what he’s doing
Why he had to grow up so soon
With all the gangs, all the guns, what you’re gonna learn in school?
There’s got to be some way out of here
He says, “Man, this life is cruel.”
I used to know this Puerto Rican girl who lied to change her life
She changed her name
Her face because the grass looked greener on the other side
She turned her back, she ran away straight into the night
Her friends, her family feel the pain, but she’s the one who cries
Tell me what you want
Tell me what you need
I want everything
I’ve had enough of having nothing, I won’t take just anything
I got my mind set on something, all I want is everything
It’s my life, mister. I ain’t running. I’m no puppet on a string
I want more than I see coming
All I want is everything
All I want is everything
My next-door neighbor Donnie
Died in his room just the other day
His brother come home
Found him dead on the floor with a needle in his vein
Cops come down with a body bag
They said Donnie was a casualty
I said, all it’s about is the boy checked out
He couldn’t handle reality
Tell me what you want
Tell me what you need
I want everything
I’ve had enough of having nothing, I won’t take just anything
I got my mind set on something, all I want is everything
It’s my life, mister. I ain’t running. I’m no puppet on a string
I want more than I see coming
All I want is everything
All I want is everything
Searching for More in a Harsh Reality
“All I Want Is Everything” by Bon Jovi powerfully captures the struggles and dreams of youth facing tough circumstances. The lyrics paint vivid portraits of individuals—like the 15-year-old on his porch and the Puerto Rican girl seeking a new life—who are forced to grow up too soon. Through these stories, the song highlights their longing for a better future and the difficult choices they confront in pursuit of happiness and purpose. Each verse offers a glimpse into personal battles against societal pressures and the pain of lost potential, such as Donnie’s tragic fate. Ultimately, the recurring refrain of wanting “everything” is a call for fulfillment beyond mere survival—a universal desire to break free from limitations and claim a life that feels truly lived.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Desmond Child
Release Year: 1995
Label: Mercury Records