Imagine Bryan Adams' iconic anthem, "Run to You," blasting from the speakers... but sung by Blue Oyster Cult. Sound unthinkable? It almost happened! One of the biggest hits of the 80s nearly went to a completely different band. This is the story of how Bryan Adams almost gave away a song that would define his career, and the twists and turns that saved it for him.
Bryan Adams, a name synonymous with rock anthems and heartfelt ballads, is no stranger to lending his songwriting talents to other artists. He's crafted tunes for rock giants like Kiss and soul singers like Joe Cocker, demonstrating his versatility. But before he became a household name, he faced a critical decision that could have dramatically altered music history.
"Way back when I was working with Jim Vallance, we were just trying to make a name for ourselves as songwriters," Adams recalled in an interview. "Sometimes we'd challenge ourselves: 'Okay, today we're going to write a song for this artist,' even if we had no clue how to actually get the song to them." It was a creative exercise, a way to stretch their songwriting muscles. "Sometimes that would inspire something [really good]."
And this is the part most people miss: the process. Adams and Vallance weren't just waiting for inspiration to strike; they were actively generating it by imagining specific artists and crafting songs tailor-made for their style. It's like a chef creating a new dish with a specific diner in mind.
He continued, "For example, the song 'Run to You' was originally written for a band called Blue Oyster Cult." Yes, that Blue Oyster Cult, of "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" fame. Picture that for a moment. But here's where it gets controversial... can you imagine that song with their style? It might have worked! But fate, or perhaps a savvy producer, intervened. "They never got it – or if they did, the producer, Bruce Fairbairn, who we gave it to, he never played it for them."
"Run to You" ultimately became the first of six singles from Adams' breakthrough album, 1984's Reckless. That album wasn't just a collection of songs; it was a cultural phenomenon. It marked a turning point in Adams' career, becoming the first album to sell over a million copies in Canada, a feat that led to a staggering 10-times platinum certification.
But the success didn't stop there. All six singles from Reckless stormed the Billboard charts, landing in the Top 20. "Run to You" led the charge, peaking at No. 6. Reckless eventually sold over 12 million copies worldwide, solidifying its place as Adams' second best-selling album, surpassed only by 1991's Waking Up the Neighbours.
Blue Oyster Cult wasn't the only band in the running for "Run to You." Southern rock stalwarts 38 Special also reportedly considered recording the song. While they passed on that particular tune, they did collaborate with Vallance and Adams on other tracks, including "Teacher, Teacher," which became a Top 40 hit after being featured in the 1984 film Teachers.
Adams' guitarist, Keith Scott, voiced his relief that "Run to You" didn't end up becoming a Blue Oyster Cult song. “I remember the phone call. [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!’”
Adams' Pen for Hire:
While the Blue Oyster Cult connection never materialized, Adams has penned a significant number of songs for other artists throughout his career, including tracks for Kiss and Mötley Crüe. One of his most notable successes came with Joe Cocker's rendition of "When the Night Comes" in 1989. It was the first of two songs Adams, Vallance, and Diane Warren wrote for Cocker, with "Feels Like Forever" following in 1991.
"When the Night Comes" became Cocker's last Top 40 hit, and Adams holds fond memories of working with the legendary singer. "I remember going to the cinema with my friends [to see] Mad Dogs & Englishmen. We’d never seen anything like that. All of those musicians on stage and this guy’s voice and how he was moving, it was mind-blowing," he told UCR in 2022.
Adams recalled a humorous encounter with Cocker: "Fast forward years later, I got a chance to work with him. I made the mistake of trying to keep up with Joe at one point. He had this thing called the Joe Cola [which was] Bacardi and Coke. He was like, 'Do you want one?' I said, 'Hmmm, I don’t drink.' He said, 'Come on, just have one.' I said, 'Okay, alright.' Because I was with my hero. How could I say no? It flattened me."
Connecting with The Who:
Another example of Adams' prolific songwriting during the early '80s is "Let Me Down Easy," which he contributed to Roger Daltrey's 1985 solo album, Under a Raging Moon. "It was actually destined for Reckless. I don’t know, for whatever reason, I didn’t put it on there," Adams revealed. "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. I mean, again. You’re talking about two of the most iconic singers in my life. There was a few. Joe, Steve Marriott, Roger Daltrey, Ian Gillan, Paul Rodgers and Elton [John], there’s so many great singers from that time period. I know I’m missing some. To get the chance to work with your heroes and have a laugh doing it, it’s so much fun."
A Newfound Freedom:
Bryan Adams continues to release new music, with Roll With the Punches being his latest album. He's also touring with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. The album title reflects his current state of mind.
"It feels like the right title for the right tour at the right time. I've recently become an independent artist and when I say that, I’m self-managed and have my own label, BAD Records," he explained. "Extracting myself from the past and moving into the future has been enormously liberating and inspiring. I kind of feel like ['Roll With the Punches'] is also a song for anyone who has felt they’ve been knocked down with the idea of getting back up again and dusting yourself off. That’s the theme of the song and it’s part of my newfound freedom."
So, what do you think? Could Blue Oyster Cult have pulled off "Run to You," or was it destined to be a Bryan Adams classic? And what other artists do you think would do a great cover of one of his songs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
