Bryan Adams may no longer write super hits like “Summer Of ’69” or “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You”, but there is still enough energy and fun left. Even now, having just survived two corona infections.
The most important question first: How are you?
It was pretty nasty, but I’m absolutely fine now, thanks. The worst thing was actually that I had to sit in isolation in a hotel for two weeks.
Her new album So Happy It Hurts sounds like an antidote to these rather bleak times. Is that on purpose?
I don’t do it consciously, it just happened during the lockdown. I started the album by collecting the ideas I had stuck on receipts and coasters in jacket pockets. It ended up being a bit difficult to record without my band. Keith Scott added his guitar solos over the internet while I and my sound engineer built the 30 tracks from which we then selected a dozen. It was even kind of fun.
How well can you judge your own songs? Who will help you?
Most of the time I’m pretty much right. Mutt Lang has of course been a good advisor for many years, as has Jim Vallance, who has worked with me since the 1970s. I really don’t know how they put up with me for so long! I have some wonderful people in my life – including Gretchen Peters, who knows almost as many swear words as I do and whose poetry never fails to bring tears to my eyes.
Are you feeling the pressure of previous hits?
Oh, I just do what I do, surround myself with nice people and laugh at everything. It’s the best medicine when things are getting a little bland. Then age doesn’t bother you anymore. Anyone who can laugh at themselves will never stop having fun.
Are love songs the hardest?
Sometimes yes, because everything has already been said. But it’s not always important what you say, but how you say it. Basically, it always comes down to the same thing: it’s easy to write songs. It’s just damn hard to write good songs.
One of the new songs is called “I Ain’t Worth Shit Without You”. Weren’t there any objections because of possible problems with conservative radio stations?
I have to laugh again now! Mainly because I actually thought about having the song translated into German. “I’m worth shit without you” was one possibility, “I’m fucked up without you” another. I don’t know which translation is better, so this idea is still immature. The song “Kick Ass” is also funny, not only because John Cleese is the narrator. Doesn’t seem to be a very popular format anymore, the feel good kick ass rock song.
Do you miss him?
Rap songs seem to have taken over humor these days. Some of them are very daring, like Cardi B’s “WAP (Wet-Ass Pussy)” which blew me away. Some brilliant lines and very funny. But don’t worry, I won’t be writing a song about willies!
Do you see a rock star singer-songwriter who could follow in your footsteps? Ed Sheeran maybe?
I have no idea, but I’d take Ed’s online following in a heartbeat! I like this band The War On Drugs, I would have loved to sing some of their songs.
Have you ever had writer’s block or tired of it?
Never. On the contrary, when I got frustrated, I just redirected my creativity to something else – like taking photos, for example. And then I went back to music when the inspiration came back and I had something to write about. Most of the time it’s just a song title or a line that comes to mind. Or a pandemic hits and you sit around all day anyway and have nothing better to do than think about what to do next.
In These Are The Moments That Make Up My Life, you reflect on your life so far. How personal is that?
One of the best things about writing a song is that you can write down your own truth – and of course you inevitably reveal a lot about yourself. This song is quite a stream of consciousness, and it’s like this: the small things in life are the secret of happiness, not the big ones.
What dreams are still open?
Day by day: This is the best way to observe your dreams.
Overall, are you satisfied with your work so far?
I’m so happy it hurts!