Do I Have to Say the Words?

Last updated

"Do I Have to Say the Words?"
DoIHaveToSayTheWords.jpg
Single cover
Single by Bryan Adams
from the album Waking Up the Neighbours
ReleasedJuly 1992
Genre Pop rock
Length
  • 6:11 (album version)
  • 4:15 (single/video version)
Label A&M
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Bryan Adams
  • Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Bryan Adams singles chronology
"All I Want Is You"
(1991)		"Do I Have to Say the Words?"
(1992)		"Touch the Hand"
(1992)

"Do I Have to Say the Words?" is a song by Canadian singer and songwriter Bryan Adams from his sixth studio album, Waking Up the Neighbours (1991). It was written and produced by Adams and Robert John "Mutt" Lange, with Jim Vallance serving as its co-writer. It was released in July 1992 as the sixth single from the album. "Do I Have to Say the Words?" is a mid-tempo pop rock ballad with guitar riffs and soft synths in its instrumentation, while Adams gives a dramatic vocal delivery.

Contents

"Do I Have to Say the Words?" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised it for being a beautiful ballad and Adams for his vocal delivery. Commercially, it was successful in North America, reaching number two in Canada and number eleven on the US Billboard Hot 100. Elsewhere, it peaked modestly, reaching the top-forty in three other countries. "Do I Have to Say the Words?" was also included on some of Adams' compilations.

Composition and reception

"Do I Have to Say the Words?" was written and produced by Bryan Adams and Robert John "Mutt" Lange, with Jim Vallance serving as a co-writer. The track began life as a different Adams/Vallance composition called "Rescue Me", an unreleased version of which was recorded with producer Steve Lillywhite. "Rescue Me" was a mid-tempo song that Jim Vallance has described as "U2 inspired". As part of the recording sessions for Waking Up the Neighbours, Mutt Lange radically altered the song, switching the chorus to become the verse, slowing the tempo to create a rock ballad and adding a new chorus, to create the new track "Do I Have to Say the Words?". [1] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Universal Music Publishing Group, it is written in the key of G major with a rock ballad tempo of 72 beats per minute in common time. [2] The mid-tempo ballad features guitar riffs and "cushiony" synths as its instrumentation, while Adams delivers a dramatic vocal. [3] In a part of the chorus, he "whines", "Do I have to tell the truth?" [4]

Larry Flick of Billboard called it a "charming rock ballad", where Adams "returns to the pensive, romantic tone of his record-breaking hit '(Everything I Do) I Do It for You'." Flick noted that the singer "excels at laying agile [instrumentation] for his gravelly, dramatic vocal delivery." [3] David Hiltbrand and Craig Tomashoff of People named it the best of the ballads on the album. [5] James Hunter of Rolling Stone named it a moodier "eloquent mall ballad," [6] while Jan DeKnock of Chicago Tribune noted that "he really does shine brightest on [the] beautifully bittersweet [ballad]." [7]

Music video

The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Anton Corbijn and was mainly shot in Istanbul, Turkey on July 28, 1992. The video marked the first outdoor stadium show in Istanbul history, with over 20,000 concertgoers in İnönü Stadium. Part of the video was filmed in Iceland with the female character.

Track listings

Charts

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesJuly 1991Cassette A&M
United KingdomSeptember 14, 1992
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [27]
JapanDecember 21, 1992Mini-CD [28]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryan Adams</span> Canadian singer-songwriter and musician (born 1959)

Bryan Guy Adams is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, and photographer. He is estimated to have sold between 75 million and more than 100 million records and singles worldwide, placing him on the list of best-selling music artists. Adams was the most played artist on Canadian radio in the 2010s and has had 25 top-15 singles in Canada and a dozen or more in the US, UK, and Australia.

<i>Waking Up the Neighbours</i> 1991 studio album by Bryan Adams

Waking Up the Neighbours is the sixth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams, released on September 24, 1991. The album was recorded at Battery Studios in London and The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, mixed at Mayfair Studios in London, and mastered by Bob Ludwig at Masterdisk in New York City.

<i>Into the Fire</i> (album) 1987 studio album by Bryan Adams

Into the Fire is the fifth studio album by the Canadian rock singer Bryan Adams. It was co-written by Jim Vallance. It was released on 30 March 1987 by A&M Records as the follow-up album to the chart-topping Reckless (1984). Into the Fire peaked at number seven on the US Billboard 200 chart and reached the Top 10 in several other nations. Six singles were released from the album: "Heat of the Night", "Hearts on Fire", "Victim of Love", "Only the Strong Survive", "Into the Fire" and "Another Day".

<i>So Far So Good</i> (Bryan Adams album) 1993 greatest hits album by Bryan Adams

So Far So Good is a compilation album by Canadian rock musician Bryan Adams, released by A&M Records in November 1993. The album reached number six on the Billboard 200 in 1994 and was a number one hit in the United Kingdom and many other countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summer of '69</span> 1985 single by Bryan Adams

"Summer of '69" is a song recorded by the Canadian singer Bryan Adams from his fourth album, Reckless. It is an up-tempo rock song about a dilemma between settling down or trying to become a rock star. The track was written by Adams and his longtime songwriting collaborator Jim Vallance. "Summer of '69" was produced by Adams and Bob Clearmountain. "Summer of '69" was released in June 1985 under A&M Records as the fourth single from Reckless. According to later claims by Adams, the title is a reference to the sex position, not the year, but Vallance disputes this.

<i>Reckless</i> (Bryan Adams album) 1984 studio album by Bryan Adams

Reckless is the fourth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams, released by A&M Records on November 5, 1984 to coincide with Adams' 25th birthday. Like its predecessor Cuts Like a Knife, the album was entirely produced by Adams and Bob Clearmountain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(Everything I Do) I Do It for You</span> 1991 single by Bryan Adams

"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams. Written by Adams, Michael Kamen, and Robert John "Mutt" Lange, the power ballad was the lead single for both the soundtrack album from the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Adams's sixth studio album, Waking Up the Neighbours (1991). The single was released on June 17, 1991, by A&M and the accompanying music video was directed by Julien Temple.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heaven (Bryan Adams song)</span> 1985 single by Bryan Adams

"Heaven" is a song by the Canadian singer and songwriter Bryan Adams recorded in 1983, written by Adams and Jim Vallance. It first appeared on the A Night in Heaven soundtrack album the same year and was later included on Adams' album Reckless in 1984. It was released as the third single from Reckless and reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in June 1985, over a year and a half after the song first appeared on record. The single was certified Gold in Canada in 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spending My Time</span> 1991 song by Roxette

"Spending My Time" is a song by Swedish duo Roxette, released as the fourth single from their third studio album, Joyride (1991). It was written by Per Gessle and Mats Persson, and produced by Clarence Öfwerman. The single attained moderate success, reaching the top 10 in Germany and Italy, and the top 20 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland, while peaking at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart and 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Its music video was directed by Wayne Isham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Always (Bon Jovi song)</span> 1994 single by Bon Jovi

"Always" is a song by American rock band Bon Jovi. The power ballad was released in September 1994 by Mercury as a single from the band's first official greatest hits album, Cross Road (1994), and went on to become one of their best-selling singles, with a million copies sold in the US and more than three million worldwide. The song reached number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming their 11th and last top 10 hit. It was an international hit, peaking at number one in Belgium, Canada, Ireland and Switzerland, number two in Australia and the United Kingdom, and number four in Germany. The music video for the song was directed by Marty Callner. "Always" was bass player Alec John Such's final single with the band before he left in late 1994.

Canadian singer Bryan Adams has released 18 studio releases, six compilation albums, two soundtrack albums, seven live albums, and 77 singles. After the success of his debut single, "Let Me Take You Dancing" (1979), Adams signed a recording contract with A&M Records. Bryan Adams (1980), his debut album, peaked at number 69 on the Canadian RPM Albums Chart. Adams followed this with You Want It You Got It (1981), which peaked at number 118 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold in Canada. Cuts Like a Knife, his third release, became his first successful work outside Canada. The album charted within the top 10 in Canada and the United States and was certified three-times platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) and platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Reckless (1984), his fourth studio album, selling over 12 million copies worldwide and featured the hit singles "Run to You", "Heaven" and "Summer of '69". In 1987, he released Into the Fire, which reached platinum status in the United States and triple-platinum in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Please Forgive Me</span> 1993 single by Bryan Adams

"Please Forgive Me" is a song by Canadian rock musician Bryan Adams. It was released in October 1993 by A&M Records as the only single and bonus track from his first greatest hits compilation album, So Far So Good (1993). The single reached numbers seven and three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100, and number two on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. In the United Kingdom, "Please Forgive Me" peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart. It is his only Australian number-one single not written for a motion picture, and it also topped the charts of Belgium, Canada, France, Ireland, Norway, and Portugal. The accompanying music video was directed by Andrew Catlin and filmed in a recording studio, featuring a dog.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">There Will Never Be Another Tonight</span> 1991 single by Bryan Adams

"There Will Never Be Another Tonight" is a song written by Bryan Adams, Robert Lange, and Jim Vallance for Adams sixth studio album Waking Up the Neighbours (1991). It was the third single released from the album, in November 1991. The song peaked at number two on Canada's RPM Top Singles chart, number six on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, and number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has only appeared on one compilation album released by Adams: Anthology (2005). Starting in 2009, the song is used as the opening theme song for the CBC reality competition, Battle of the Blades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You</span> 1996 single by Bryan Adams

"The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams. Adams co-wrote and co-produced the track with Robert John "Mutt" Lange. It was released in May 1996 as the lead single from Adams' seventh studio album, 18 til I Die (1996). The song peaked at number one in Canada, number six in the United Kingdom, and number 52 in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Stop This Thing We Started</span> 1991 single by Bryan Adams

"Can't Stop This Thing We Started" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams. The song was written by Adams and Robert John "Mutt" Lange, and was released in September 1991 by A&M Records as the second single from Adams' sixth studio album, Waking Up the Neighbours (1991). The song peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 while topping the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart for three non-consecutive weeks. The track received two nominations at the Grammy Awards of 1992 for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance, Solo, winning neither. It served as the 2009 British Columbia Liberal Party campaign theme song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thought I'd Died and Gone to Heaven</span> 1992 single by Bryan Adams

"Thought I'd Died and Gone to Heaven" is a song by Canadian singer and songwriter Bryan Adams from his sixth studio album, Waking up the Neighbours (1991). Penned by Robert Lange and Bryan Adams, the song became Adams' third chart-topper in his native Canada, reached No. 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and peaked at No. 8 in the United Kingdom.

<i>11</i> (Bryan Adams album) 2008 studio album by Bryan Adams

11 is the eleventh studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams. The album was released by Polydor Records on March 17, 2008. 11 was the first release of new Adams material since Colour Me Kubrick in 2005 and the first studio album in four years since Room Service. Adams, Jim Vallance, Eliot Kennedy, Gretchen Peters, Trevor Rabin and Robert John "Mutt" Lange received producing and writing credits. Similar to Adams' previous material, the themes in 11 are mainly based on love, romance, and relationships. 11 received generally mixed reviews from contemporary music critics.

"Midnight in Montgomery" is a song written by American country music singer Alan Jackson and Don Sampson, and recorded by Jackson. It was released in April 1992 as the fourth single from Jackson's second album, Don't Rock the Jukebox. The song peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, and number 3 as well on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let's Make a Night to Remember</span> 1996 single by Bryan Adams

"Let's Make a Night to Remember" is a song written by Canadian rock artist Bryan Adams, and Robert John "Mutt" Lange. It was recorded by Adams and released on August 12, 1996, as the second single from his seventh studio album, 18 til I Die (1996). The song's musical-style and production were heavily inspired by rock and pop music from the 1980s, and its lyrics chronicle a relationship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">On a Day Like Today (song)</span> 1998 single by Bryan Adams

"On a Day Like Today" is a song by Canadian musician Bryan Adams, released on September 22, 1998, as the first single from his eight album, On a Day Like Today (1998). The song reached number one in Canada and number nine in Hungary. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number thirteen on the UK Singles Chart.

References

  1. ↑ "Bryan Adams - do I Have to Say the Words?".
  2. ↑ "Bryan Adams – "Do I Have to Say the Words?" - Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Universal Music Publishing Group. August 30, 2002. MN0019431. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  3. 1 2 Flick, Larry (July 25, 1992). "Single Reviews". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 30. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 66. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  4. ↑ Arnold, Gina (September 27, 1991). "Waking Up the Neighbours | EW.com". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  5. ↑ Hiltbrand, David; Tomashoff, Craig (October 21, 1991). "Picks and Pans Review: Waking Up the Neighbours". People . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  6. ↑ Hunter, James (October 17, 1991). "Waking Up the Neighbours : Bryan Adams Review : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on December 29, 2007. Retrieved July 6, 2016.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ↑ DeKnock, Jan (October 10, 1991). "Bryan Adams Waking Up the Neighbours (A&M)". Chicago Tribune . Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  8. ↑ Do I Have to Say the Words? (US cassette single cassette notes). Bryan Adams. A&M Records. 1991. 75021 1611 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ↑ Do I Have to Say the Words? (UK & European 7-inch single vinyl disc). Bryan Adams. A&M Records. 1992. AM0068, 580 068-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ Do I Have to Say the Words? (UK & European CD single liner notes). Bryan Adams. A&M Records. 1992. AMCD 0068, 580 068-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  12. ↑ "Bryan Adams – Do I Have to Say the Words?" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  13. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1949." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1889." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 9, no. 41. October 10, 1992. p. 39. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Bryan Adams – Do I Have to Say the Words?" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  17. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 47, 1992" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Bryan Adams – Do I Have to Say the Words?" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Bryan Adams Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Bryan Adams Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Bryan Adams Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  23. ↑ "The RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1992" (PDF). RPM . Vol. 56, no. 25. December 19, 1992. p. 8. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  24. ↑ "The RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary tracks of 1992". RPM . Library and Archives Canada . Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1992". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  26. ↑ "1992 The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 52. December 26, 1992. p. YE-38. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  27. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . September 12, 1992. p. 19.
  28. ↑ "ドゥ・アイ・ハフ・トゥ・セイ・ザ・ワーズ | ブライアン・アダムス" [Do I Have to Say the Words | Bryan Adams] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved August 30, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.