there was a music expert talking about the song in a magazine about the top 1000 songs ever (it was #500 or 600 or something) and he said theres some sound effect that has a psychological effect, its to do with the contrast between the verses and chorus, i think.
its also being lyrically ripped off by pop-punk artists to this day.
its allegedly based vaguely on a true story but they had to change names and details: stuff like he wasnt called tommy in real life, and he didnt work on the docks - he worked on the new jersey turnpike. but i think there really was a union strike at that time (not sure, gotta check).
and the characters appear in a couple more jovi songs later on; "99 in the shade" (198 and "its my life" (2000). there was a rumour they were gonna do one last song about them this year or last year but it never materialised.