Lonely Nights

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove to some righteous trivia about "Lonely Nights" by Bryan Adams from his 1981 album You Want It, You Got It. This tune was the lead single, dropped in June before the album hit the shelves, and it struck a chord in upstate New York thanks to some late-night DJs in Rochester, Albany, and Syracuse who spun it into a local hit. Their spins got listeners hooked, turning it into a requested fave that spread to other stations. The song’s vibe, with its jangly 12-string Rickenbacker guitar—think those killer opening arpeggios—was a big part of Adams’ emerging signature sound. Fun fact: the track wasn’t just a hit for Adams; it caught the ear of British rockers Uriah Heep, who covered it for their 1983 album Head First, and ex-Stories singer Ian Lloyd, who actually recorded it first in 1980 for his album 3WC (Third World Civilization). Adams himself shared a cool memory about the song’s creation, recalling a night when he played a rough mix over the phone to his co-writer Jim Vallance using his Walkman, both knowing they’d nailed something special.

Another tidbit for the Zoo Crew to share: the album, recorded in just two weeks at Le Studio in Morin-Heights, Quebec, and mixed at The Power Station in New York, was almost called Bryan Adams Hasn’t Heard of You Either—a cheeky jab at the critics who slept on his debut. But the record label played it safe with You Want It, You Got It. Adams worked with co-producer Bob Clearmountain, whose knack for capturing raw rock energy helped shape the album’s gritty, live-in-the-studio feel. Unlike his first album, where Adams and Vallance played most of the instruments, this one brought in heavy hitters like drummer Mickey Curry and keyboardist Tommy Mandel. “Lonely Nights” climbed to number 3 on the Billboard Rock Tracks chart, proving Adams was ready to break out, even if it only hit number 84 on the Hot 100. For the superfans, check out Adams’ own words on X, where he posted in 2019 about the album’s whirlwind recording process with Clearmountain.

Now, let’s rewind to how Bryan Adams got his start, ‘cause this cat’s journey is pure rock ‘n’ roll heart. Born November 5, 1959, in Kingston, Ontario, Adams was a music-obsessed kid, soaking up influences while moving around Europe and the Middle East due to his dad’s diplomatic gigs. By 16, he was already fronting the glam rock band Sweeney Todd, belting out vocals on their 1977 album If Wishes Were Horses—billed as “Bryan Guy Adams.” But he ditched the band to chase his own sound, hustling as a songwriter in Vancouver. At 18, a chance meeting at a Long & McQuade music store hooked him up with Jim Vallance, a former Prism drummer turned songwriter. The two clicked, cranking out songs for Adams and other acts like KISS and Loverboy. Their partnership became a powerhouse through the ‘80s, with Adams’ raw voice and Vallance’s knack for hooks laying the foundation for his career.

Adams’ first big break came in 1978 with his disco-tinged single “Let Me Take You Dancing,” which hit number 18 on Canada’s RPM Dance/Urban Chart when he was just 19. His self-titled debut album in 1980 didn’t make huge waves, peaking at number 69 in Canada, but it got him a deal with A&M Records and enough buzz to keep grinding. You Want It, You Got It in 1981 put him on the map, with “Lonely Nights” leading the charge, and by 1983’s Cuts Like a Knife, he was a North American star with hits like “Straight from the Heart.” His 1984 album Reckless, a diamond-certified monster in Canada, made him a global name with bangers like “Summer of ’69” and “Heaven.” Over the years, Adams has sold between 75 and 100 million records, earning his spot as one of Canada’s biggest musical exports and the most-played artist on Canadian radio in the 2010s.

For all you Zoo Freaks who wanna stay connected to Bryan Adams, hit up his official website for tour dates, merch, and news about his latest releases, like his 2023 live album Live at the Royal Albert Hall. Follow him on Facebook, where his page has over 5.6 million likes and posts about gigs and new tracks. On Instagram, he shares behind-the-scenes shots and throwbacks, while his X account keeps it real with updates and fan shoutouts. For the diehards, dive into fan communities like the Bryan Adams Wiki on Fandom, where fans geek out over every detail of his discography. You can also join Bryan Adams Fans on Facebook, a group with thousands of members swapping stories, photos, and concert memories. Keep rockin’ those lonely nights, Zoo Crew!