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"I got my first real six-string. Bought it at the five-and-dime. Played it til my fingers bled. It was the summer of 69".I know, I know, you're all thinking, it's all Reckless then? Simple and direct answer, yes! Six singles were released: "Run to You", "Somebody", "Heaven", "Summer of '69", "One Night Love Affair", "It's Only Love". All six singles made the top 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100, a feature that at the time had been accomplished previously only by Michael Jackson's Thriller and Bruce Springsteen's Born In The USA. That big of an album, that big of an impact! We're talking super-size me and the massive upward and forward step from the minor league of Cuts Like A Knife. Has there ever been a bigger step in the history of melodic rock? That darn Reckless album, miles ahead of the rest and it's nearly a question of one-hit-album kind of artist? Nah. That's a wee bit too harsh and I wouldn't want to upset Canada or Bryan Adams for that matter. Take a look at my list (and the overall one at bottom right corner) and you'll notice that a couple of other tracks made it to the Big Ten. For instance, there's a proper dark horse at the top of my personal list and it's not a Reckless tune.
Adams signed to A&M records (Canada) for one dollar in the year of 78' and two years later came the self-titled debut album. Always with former PRISM and studio musician and songwriter Jim Vallance by his side. Lyrically, not always the best artist out there and he's responisble for some of the lamest titles and work in the history of rock. Utterly cheesy moments such as: "The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You" or "(I Wanna Be) Your Underwear", tacky, to say the least. Not to mention that he was almost 40 when he wrote them! Did you say, (Everything I Do) I Do It for You", the best-selling single of 1991 in the United Kingdom. He is also a supporter of Chelsea F.C. and wrote a song about it (We're Gonna Win). Here's the Big 10...
10. Kids Wanna Rock
9. Somebody
8. It's Only Love
7. Run To You
6. Summer of '69
5. Don't Drop That Bomb On Me
John 'Mutt' Lange brought along his Def Leppard can harmonies (originally from The Cars) and produced, recorded, co-wrote the Waking Up the Neighbours album in 1991. Several tracks are scary alike in both sound and style to the Sheffield group. This strange choice? The closing track off the album goes through several stages of Def Lep, but, manage to stay on track due to smashing guitar work and the hypnotic beat and refrain. I'm not sure why I enjoy this? Don't drop that bomb on meee. Save that little tree. Luv the Aldo Nova-like vocal bit at the end of the track (pay attention to the word, 'tree'). Mutt would continue to explore and experiment on/with poor wifey, Shania Twain.
4. Heat Of The Night
The opening track from 'Into The Fire' reeks of the blues (guitar) and rock in the vein of Don Henley and Mellancamp. The slow building track that feature strange lyric and lines such as "Met a man with a message from the other side. Couldn't take the pressure, had to leave it behind". Overall, not the kind of album the fans wished for after the massive success of Reckless. However, there's several great tunes to be found and the rather hi-tech rock sound.
3. Heaven
"Oh - thinking about all our younger years. There was only you and me, we were wild, young and free".. The song was recorded in 1983 and first appeared on the soundtrack for the film 'A Night in Heaven'. It's the most successful single from Reckless, reaching number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The ultimate Adams power ballad was heavily influenced by Journey's 1983 hit "Faithfully", the song was written while Adams served as the opening act on their Frontiers Tour. Originally not intended for the Reckless album, at the last moment, Adams changed his mind and the rest is history...
2. One Night Love Affair
You're the silent type and you caught my eye". Simplicity at its best. A couple of power chords, steady rhythm and beat, and the killer hook to finish things off with. Indeed. The opening track from Reckless and something that goes a long way to prove that keeping it simple, not always as easy as it seems? Let's not dwell and hang around on this topic, since it's just a rock tune and hardly rocket science. But, what a rock tune...
1. Native Son
"Like dogs we were driven from this place. Such injustice, time will not erase. All these changes cannot be undone". Taken off the 1987 album, Into The Fire, the most underrated Adams/Vallance song ever featuring the best lyric work by the songwriting duo. Basically the story about the evil that white men all over the world brought to the natives as they plundered, killed, and raped in the name of God. Plenty of charm and smashing guitar work in the style of U2 meet Dire Straits. Just a great tune that deserves recognition. If U2 or The Boss recorded this today, it would become a smash hit...
This list by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom, 
The list as a YouTube playlist (except for a couple of tracks which couldn't be found)
Individual lists:
Kimmo Toivonen:
10. It's Only Love
9. Lonely Nights
8. There Will Never Be Another Tonight
7. Run To You
6. Do I Have To Say The Words?
5. Before The Night Is Over
4. Thought I'd Died And Gone To Heaven
3. One Night Love Affair
2. Heaven
1. Summer Of '69 |
Alan Holloway:
10. Cuts Like A Knife
9. House Arrest
8. Another Day
7. It's Only Love
6. There Will Never Be Another Tonight
5. Straight From The Heart
4. Heat Of The Night
3. This Time
2. Only The Strong Survive
1. Kids Wanna Rock |
Martien Koolen:
10. Here I Am
9. Heaven
8. Run To You
7. Do I Have To Say The Words?
6. Heat Of The Night
5. Please Forgive Me
4. It's Only Love
3. Somebody
2. (Everything I Do) I Do It for You
1. Summer of '69 |
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(c) 2016 RockUnited.Com
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10. Do I Have To Say The Words?
9. Native Son
8. Somebody
7. Kids Wanna Rock
6. Run To You
5. Heat Of The Night
4. It's Only Love
3. One Night Love Affair
2. Heaven
1. Summer of '69 |
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