Kick Ass

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Kick Ass" by Bryan Adams, a high-energy track from his 2022 album So Happy It Hurts, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it. This song kicks off with a tongue-in-cheek monologue by legendary comedian John Cleese, who declares that Bryan Adams was sent to save the world from bad music. Adams shared in a Rock Cellar Magazine interview that he initially recorded the intro himself but felt it needed a distinct voice. After meeting Cleese at a lunch, he invited him to the studio, where Cleese nailed the narration, even humorously questioning why Adams would replace his own version before agreeing a British accent was the right fit.

Adams wrote "Kick Ass" with longtime collaborator Robert John "Mutt" Lange, rekindling a partnership that dates back to albums like Waking Up the Neighbours. In a post on X, Adams explained that the song was crafted as a powerful opener for live shows, with Cleese’s sermon setting the tone: “There’s not enough rock music in the world!” The track’s nostalgic, guitar-driven vibe channels the spirit of Adams’ 1984 album Reckless, with critics like Forbes noting its explosive energy. The music video, directed by Adams himself, premiered on YouTube in October 2022, and fans can catch the lyric video, which Adams promoted on Instagram, for a dose of its raw rock attitude.

Behind the song’s creation, Adams revealed in a Wikipedia entry that he and Lange worked up "Kick Ass" naturally, starting with Lange’s initial idea. The song debuted live during Adams’ six-night residency at the Encore Theater in Las Vegas in November 2021, and its rowdy energy made it a fan favorite. A review from Riff Magazine called it an uptempo rocker with “riffs aplenty,” though some found its cheeky tone a bit over-the-top. For the Zoo Freaks craving more, Adams’ Facebook posts often share behind-the-scenes glimpses, like how he aimed to capture the freedom and spontaneity of rock ‘n’ roll in So Happy It Hurts, especially after the pandemic halted touring.

Bryan Adams’ journey to rock stardom began in Kingston, Ontario, where he was born in 1959 to British parents. The son of a diplomat, he spent his childhood traveling across Europe before settling in North Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1973. According to his bio on Amazon, Adams dove into music early, quitting school at 15 to join the glam rock band Sweeney Todd as a lead singer. By 1978, he teamed up with songwriter Jim Vallance, and their demo tape landed Adams a contract with A&M Records for just $1—a symbolic sum he insisted on receiving to frame. His 1980 self-titled debut gained traction in Canada, but it was 1983’s Cuts Like a Knife that broke him internationally, followed by the massive success of Reckless in 1984, featuring hits like “Summer of ’69” and “Heaven.”

Adams’ raspy voice and blue-jeans swagger made him a global icon, with over 75 million albums sold, as noted by GRAMMY.com. Beyond music, he’s a renowned photographer, shooting covers for his albums and the 2022 Pirelli Calendar, which inspired his song “On the Road.” Fans can connect with him on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For Zoo Freaks wanting more, check out fan-driven spaces like the Bryan Adams Fan Club on Facebook or Canadian Beats Media, a site run by fans celebrating Canadian artists, including Adams’ latest releases.