Many iconic songs feel inseparable from the artist who made them famous, yet some of rock's biggest hits have surprising origins. Bryan Adams's 1984 anthem "Run to You" is a prime example, a track that defined his career but was originally written with a completely different band in mind: the American hard rock group Blue Oyster Cult.
Key Takeaways
- Bryan Adams and co-writer Jim Vallance initially wrote the hit song "Run to You" for the band Blue Oyster Cult.
- After the song was not used by them, Adams recorded it himself, and it became the lead single from his career-defining album, Reckless.
- The album Reckless sold over 12 million copies worldwide and produced six Top 20 singles in the United States.
- Adams has a long history of writing successful songs for other major artists, including Joe Cocker, Roger Daltrey, and 38 Special.
A Songwriting Strategy With an Unexpected Result
In the early 1980s, Bryan Adams and his songwriting partner Jim Vallance were working to establish themselves in the music industry. Part of their creative process involved targeting specific artists to spark inspiration, even if they had no direct line to them.
In a recent interview with 97.1 Rock, Adams explained their method. "Sometimes we put ourselves in a position of, 'Okay, today we're going to write a song for such and such, even if we didn't know how to get that song to them or not,'" he recalled. This approach often yielded strong material.
It was during one of these sessions that "Run to You" was born. "For example, the song 'Run to You' was written for a band called Blue Oyster Cult," Adams stated. The track was passed to producer Bruce Fairbairn to present to the band, but it never made it onto one of their albums.
"They never got it or if they did, the producer, Bruce Fairbairn, who we gave it to, he never played it for them," Adams added.
Another Band Passed on the Hit
Blue Oyster Cult wasn't the only group that had a chance to record the song. According to reports, the southern rock band 38 Special was also offered "Run to You" but ultimately declined to record it.
'Reckless' Becomes a Global Phenomenon
After being passed over, Adams decided to record "Run to You" for his own album. His guitarist, Keith Scott, was immensely relieved that the song remained with them. "I remember the phone call," Scott recalled. "[Bryan] said, 'I just wrote this thing. It was for Blue Oyster Cult. But I don't think they're going to keep it.' I said, ‘Please don’t give it away!’”
The decision proved to be a pivotal moment in Adams's career. "Run to You" was released as the lead single from his fourth studio album, 1984's Reckless. The song's driving rhythm and memorable guitar riff resonated with audiences, climbing to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The success of the single set the stage for the album's massive triumph. Reckless became a commercial juggernaut, achieving several firsts for the Canadian musician.
- It was the first album by a Canadian artist to sell over one million copies within Canada.
- It generated a total of six Top 20 singles on the Billboard charts.
- The album has sold over 12 million copies worldwide, making it his second best-selling record.
The Hits of 'Reckless'
Beyond "Run to You," the 1984 album spawned a remarkable string of successful singles, including "Somebody," "Heaven" (which hit No. 1), "Summer of '69," "One Night Love Affair," and the Tina Turner duet "It's Only Love."
A Prolific Songwriter for Other Stars
While "Run to You" became one of his own signature songs, Adams and Vallance frequently and successfully placed their compositions with other artists. Their work can be heard on albums by Kiss, Motley Crue, and many others.
Collaborating With Joe Cocker
One of their most notable collaborations was with the legendary vocalist Joe Cocker. Along with acclaimed songwriter Diane Warren, they penned "When the Night Comes" for Cocker's 1989 album. The track became Cocker's last Top 40 hit in the United States.
Adams shared fond memories of working with his hero, including a memorable social encounter. "I made the mistake of trying to keep up with Joe at one point," he told UCR in 2022. "He had this thing called the Joe Cola [which was] Bacardi and Coke... It flattened me." Cocker also recorded another Adams/Vallance song, "Feels Like Forever."
Writing for a Rock Icon
The Who's frontman, Roger Daltrey, also benefited from Adams's songwriting prowess during the '80s. When Daltrey was working on his 1985 solo album, Under a Raging Moon, he reached out to Adams for material.
"Roger called me up and he said, 'Do you have any songs for my solo album?' I said, “Yeah, I do, actually.” I gave him that and 'Rebel' as well."
The song Adams provided, "Let Me Down Easy," was originally considered for Reckless but was ultimately left off. For Adams, the opportunity to work with singers he admired was a significant part of his journey. "To get the chance to work with your heroes and have a laugh doing it, it’s so much fun," he said.
Continued Independence and Creativity
Decades after the release of Reckless, Bryan Adams continues to be a prolific recording and touring artist. He has embraced a new phase of his career by becoming an independent artist, managing his own work and releasing music through his own label, BAD Records.
Speaking to USA Today about his newfound autonomy, Adams described the change as liberating. "Extracting myself from the past and moving into the future has been enormously liberating and inspiring," he explained. This sense of freedom is reflected in his recent work, demonstrating an enduring passion for creating music on his own terms.