Cuts Like a Knife

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some cool vibes as we spin "Cuts Like a Knife" by Bryan Adams from the compilation album So Far So Good here at THE ZOO! This track, originally from his 1983 breakthrough album of the same name, has a wild story behind it. In a 1988 interview with Vancouver's Georgia Straight, Adams shared that the song's iconic chorus came from him jamming on guitar, mumbling "it cuts like a knife" repeatedly. His songwriting partner, Jim Vallance, jumped in with the killer line "but it feels so right," and the song took shape. Vallance later noted they drew inspiration from classic "na-na-na" choruses like The Beatles' "Hey Jude" and Journey's "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'," giving the song that sing-along energy we all love.

The music video for "Cuts Like a Knife" is another gem. Directed by Steve Barron, it was filmed in an abandoned indoor swimming pool in Hollywood, which had been drained for years. That same pool later hosted the platinum album party for the record—talk about a rock 'n' roll vibe! The video starred Penthouse model Raquel Pena, who revealed in an interview that she was picked because Barron loved her long legs and black bathing suit, which she wore in the shoot. The low-budget production didn’t stop it from becoming a massive hit on MTV in 1983, cementing its place in '80s rock history.

Another fun tidbit: the song wasn’t just a solo effort. Lou Gramm of Foreigner fame lent his voice to the backing vocals, including those catchy "na-na-na" parts, after Adams reached out during recording sessions at Power Station studio. Adams’ manager, Bruce Allen, even joined in on the backing vocals, credited as "B.A." Talk about a party in the studio! Posts on X from fans like @TATECHAN_1210 highlight Gramm’s contributions across the album, showing how this collaboration added to its magic. This track, peaking at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100, remains a staple on nearly all of Adams’ compilation albums, including So Far So Good.

Now, let’s rewind to how Bryan Adams kicked off his epic career. Born on November 5, 1959, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Adams grew up in a family that moved often due to his father’s work as a Canadian diplomat. Music was his escape early on, and by age 12, he was teaching himself guitar. At 16, he dropped out of high school to chase his rock 'n' roll dreams, joining the Vancouver music scene. His first big break came in 1976 when he became the lead vocalist for the glam-rock band Sweeney Todd, recording their album If Wishes Were Horses. But Adams had bigger plans and left to go solo, releasing his first single, "Let Me Take You Dancing," in 1978 at just 19.

Adams’ real turning point came when he teamed up with songwriter Jim Vallance. The duo started crafting songs that caught the attention of A&M Records, landing Adams a solo deal. His self-titled debut album in 1980 didn’t make huge waves, but his second album, You Want It, You Got It, showed promise with the single "Lonely Nights." It was Cuts Like a Knife in 1983 that launched him into stardom, with hits like "Straight from the Heart" and the title track. From there, albums like Reckless and Waking Up the Neighbours made him a global icon, selling over 100 million records worldwide.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Bryan Adams on his official website for tour dates, merch, and news. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates, like his posts about the 40th anniversary of Cuts Like a Knife, including new live recordings from London’s Royal Albert Hall. Fans can dive deeper at the Bryan Adams Wiki or join discussions in Facebook groups like the official Bryan Adams Fan Club. Keep rocking, Zoo Crew!