Bryan Adams' Musical Journey: From Almost Giving Away a Hit to Collaborating with Legends
Bryan Adams, the renowned Canadian songwriter, has a fascinating history filled with collaborations and near misses. In a recent interview, he revealed an intriguing story about almost giving away one of his biggest songs, 'Run to You'.
The Near Miss with Blue Oyster Cult
Adams shared that during his early days as a songwriter, he and Jim Vallance were writing songs for various artists, even if they didn't know how to reach them. One such song was 'Run to You', which they wrote for Blue Oyster Cult. However, the band never received the song, and the producer, Bruce Fairbairn, who received it, never played it for them.
This song became the first single from Adams' fourth studio album, 'Reckless', released in 1984. The album was a massive success, selling over a million copies in Canada and achieving over 10 times platinum certification in the region. It also produced six Top 20 Billboard hits, with 'Run to You' peaking at No. 6.
Interestingly, 38 Special also had a chance to record 'Run to You', but they didn't take the bait. Instead, they recorded other Vallance/Adams collaborations, including 'Teacher, Teacher', which became a Top 40 hit for the Jacksonville rockers after its release in the soundtrack for the 1984 movie 'Teachers'.
Collaborating with Legends
Adams has written songs for several notable artists, including Kiss, Joe Cocker, and Motley Crue. He scored a big hit with 'When the Night Comes', recorded by Joe Cocker in 1989. This song, co-written with Diane Warren, gave Cocker his last Top 40 hit and left a lasting impression on Adams.
Adams also collaborated with Roger Daltrey of The Who on the song 'Let Me Down Easy' for his 1985 solo album 'Under a Raging Moon'. This song was originally intended for 'Reckless', but Adams decided not to include it. When Daltrey called him, Adams offered him the song along with 'Rebel', and he was thrilled to work with his musical hero.
A Newfound Freedom
Adams' latest album, 'Roll With the Punches', released in late August, showcases his newfound freedom as an independent artist. He explained that becoming self-managed and starting his own label, BAD Records, has been incredibly liberating and inspiring. The album title is a perfect reflection of this, as it encourages resilience and perseverance.
Adams is currently on tour with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, and his music continues to shape pop culture, leaving a lasting impact on fans and listeners worldwide.
