Cuts Like a Knife (song)

Last updated
"Cuts Like a Knife"
Cuts like a knife by bryan adams Canadian single.png
Sleeve for Canadian single
Single by Bryan Adams
from the album Cuts Like a Knife
B-side "Lonely Nights"
ReleasedMay 27, 1983
Genre Rock
Length5:16 (Album Version)
4:05 (Single Version)
Label A&M
Songwriter(s) Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance
Producer(s) Bryan Adams, Bob Clearmountain
Bryan Adams singles chronology
"Straight from the Heart"
(1983)
"Cuts Like a Knife"
(1983)
"This Time"
(1983)

"Cuts Like a Knife" is a song by Canadian rock musician Bryan Adams. It was released in May 1983 as the second single from his third studio album of the same name (1983). It peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart and number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has appeared on all of Adams' compilation albums with the exception of The Best of Me .

Contents

Writing and recording

In an interview in 1988 with Vancouver's Georgia Straight newspaper, Adams explained how Vallance and he came up with the title for the song:

"I think that I'm one of the world's best mumblers, I can mumble some of the best lyrics, but putting them together is another story. I think that's where Jim is really good -- he can piece a story together. It's just a good thing to have the tape rolling when you're recording me. The best example was when we wrote "Cuts Like A Knife," which was just literally a mumble. We looked at each other, rolled the tape back, and it sounded like "cuts like a knife," so we started singing that." [1]

Adams and Vallance jammed on the chord progression for a while. Adams sang "it cuts like a knife" over and over again. [1] Vallance eventually responded with "but it feels so right." [1] As Vallance described it, "There's a long tradition in pop music of songs that employ "na-na-na" choruses: "Hey Jude" by The Beatles, "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" by Steam, "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" by Journey, and more recently "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" by Train. [1] Adams and I tapped into that tradition for the out-choruses of 'Cuts Like A Knife'." [1]

Release and reception

"Cuts Like a Knife" was released in 1983, peaking at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 [2] and number 6 on the Hot Rock Tracks chart. The song reached number 12 on the Canadian singles chart and remained in the top twenty for seven weeks. "Cuts Like a Knife" was Adams' highest charting single to date in Canada while the previous single "Straight from the Heart" was the higher charting song on the US Hot 100 peaking at number 10. [3] "Cuts Like a Knife" won the Procan Award (Performing Rights Organization of Canada) for Canadian radio airplay in 1983 and was nominated for a Juno Award for Single of the Year in 1984. [1]

Cash Box described it as a "tough talking break-up song" and praised Adams' "forceful," raspy vocal. [4] Stewart Mason from Allmusic said "More of an anthemic rocker than the previous power ballad hit, "Straight from the Heart," "Cuts Like a Knife" breaks absolutely no new ground lyrically or musically, but as with his previous hit, Adams here proves his worth as both a singer and songwriter." [5]

The B-sides of the singles were tracks from his previous albums, You Want It You Got It and his first album, except for the France single which had "Take Me Back" from the same album.

Music video

The music video for "Cuts Like a Knife" was directed by Irish director Steve Barron, [6] who filmed it inside an empty indoor swimming pool in Hollywood. The pool had been drained and out-of-use for several years. [1] It would also become the location for Adams's platinum album party. The music video for "Cuts Like a Knife" was in heavy rotation on MTV during 1983 and was one of that year's most popular. The video uses the single edit of the song. [1]

The woman seen in the video is a Penthouse magazine model named Raquel Pena. She later stated that she was chosen at the audition because "Steve Barron wanted someone with really long legs, and I wore a black bathing suit that he liked. I wore the same suit in the video. That's how low budget it was!" [7]

Track listings

US 12" Single
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Cuts Like a Knife" Adams, Vallance 4:05
2."Fits Ya Good"Adams, Vallance4:35
3."Hidin' from Love"Adams, Vallance, Kagna3:17
UK 7" Single
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Cuts Like a Knife"Adams, Vallance4:05
2."Fits Ya Good"Adams, Vallance4:35
France 12" Single
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Cuts Like a Knife"Adams, Vallance4:05
2."Take Me Back"Adams, Vallance4:49
International 7" Single
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Cuts Like a Knife"Adams, Vallance4:05
2."One Good Reason"Adams, Vallance4:22

Personnel

Additional backing vocalists

Chart positions

Chart (1983)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [8] 55
Canada Top Singles (RPM) [3] 12
US Billboard Hot 100 [2] 15
US Billboard Top Tracks [2] 6

Related Research Articles

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

Bryan Guy Adams is a Canadian musician, singer, songwriter, 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 many in the US, UK, and Australia.

<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>Cuts Like a Knife</i> 1983 studio album by Bryan Adams

Cuts Like a Knife is the third studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams. Released on 18 January 1983 by A&M Records, the album was a huge commercial success in the United States and Canada. Three singles were released worldwide from the album: "Straight from the Heart", the title track and "This Time"; the three were responsible for launching Adams into mainstream popularity.

<i>Bryan Adams</i> (album) 1980 studio album by Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams is the debut solo studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams, after previously being the lead vocalist of Canadian hard rock band Sweeney Todd, released on 12 February 1980 by A&M Records. "Hidin' From Love" reached number 64 and "Give Me Your Love" reached number 91 on Canada's RPM 100 Singles chart.

<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 5 November 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">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">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">One Night Love Affair</span> 1985 single by Bryan Adams

"One Night Love Affair" is a song by Canadian singer and songwriter Bryan Adams. Written by Adams and Jim Vallance for Adams's fourth studio album, Reckless (1984), it was the fifth single released from the album. It is one of Adams's most recognizable and popular songs in North America. The song peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the Top Rock Tracks chart and has appeared on Adams's compilation album Anthology (2005). It was the only single taken from Reckless with no music video, among the six that were officially released between 1984 and 1986.

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

"Somebody" is a rock song written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance for Adams fourth studio album Reckless (1984). It was the second single released from the album Reckless. The song topped the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Me Take You Dancing</span> 1978 single by Bryan Adams

"Let Me Take You Dancing" is a song co-written and recorded by Canadian artist Bryan Adams. It was written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance and was later remixed by John Luongo. It is notable for being Adams' first solo single and his first ever release as a solo artist when he was 19.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Ready (Bryan Adams song)</span> 1998 single by Bryan Adams

"I'm Ready" is a song by Canadian rock musician Bryan Adams. It was written by Adams and collaborator Jim Vallance. The song was first released in 1979, by Ian Lloyd, on his solo album Goose Bumps. Vallance played the drums on this recording. In 1983 Adams himself recorded the song for his third album, Cuts Like a Knife, as a straightforward rock song with electric guitar and synthesizer. Adams co-produced his version with Bob Clearmountain, who also mixed it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Time (Bryan Adams song)</span> 1983 single by Bryan Adams

"This Time" is a hit song by Canadian rock star Bryan Adams, appearing as the third track on his 1983 album, Cuts Like a Knife, and released as the third single from that album. The single went to number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 21 on the Top Rock Tracks chart during the fall of 1983. It also peaked at number 32 on the Canadian Singles chart. It reached number 41 on the UK Singles Chart in 1986. Additional backing vocals are done by Lou Gramm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Run to You (Bryan Adams song)</span> 1984 single by Bryan Adams

"Run to You" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams. It was released in 1984 as the lead single from his fourth album, Reckless (1984). The track deals with the subject of infidelity, and is sung from the perspective of a man who declares that he will continue to "run to" his seductive mistress over his faithful partner; critic Ira Robbins for CMJ called it a "cheating classic". In the accompanying music video, however, Adams portrays his guitar as the object of desire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heat of the Night</span> 1987 single by Bryan Adams

"Heat of the Night" is a song written by Canadian rock musician Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance and performed by Adams. The song became the most successful song from Adams's album Into the Fire in 1987. It was released as the first single from Into the Fire and reached number 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

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

"Christmas Time" is a song by Canadian rock singer-songwriter Bryan Adams. It was written by Adams and Jim Vallance and became Adams' most popular Christmas song. It was originally released on clear, green vinyl with a picture sleeve. It was written and recorded in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. No music video was shot for the song when it was originally released, but on December 10, 2019, Adams released a video for the song on YouTube. Over thirty years after it was first recorded, the song still receives significant radio airplay each year during the Christmas season. It features prominently in the 2022 action comedy film Violent Night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)</span> 1986 single by Glass Tiger

"Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)" is a song by Canadian rock band Glass Tiger. It was released in 1986 as the lead from their debut album, The Thin Red Line. The song reached number one in Canada and number two in the United States. The song features backing vocals by fellow Canadian rock singer Bryan Adams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Me Down Easy (Roger Daltrey song)</span> 1985 single by Roger Daltrey

"'Let Me Down Easy'" is a song by Roger Daltrey, who at the time was the former lead vocalist of the Who. The song was written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance and included on Daltrey's sixth solo studio album Under a Raging Moon (1985) as the first track on the second side of the LP. The album was a tribute to the Who's former drummer Keith Moon. The song was released as a single in November 1985 on Atlantic Records.

<i>Wembley 1996 Live</i> 2016 live concert video by Bryan Adams

Wembley 1996 Live is a live concert video from the Canadian rocker Bryan Adams. It was his first concert video and was shot at Wembley Stadium on 27 July 1996, performing to a sold-out over 70,000 people, is released by Eagle Rock Entertainment on October 14, 2016.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 " "Cuts Like a Knife". JimVallance.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
  2. 1 2 3 "Artist Chart History (singles) - Bryan Adams". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
  3. 1 2 "Bryan Adams - Canadian Album Chart". RPM. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
  4. "Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. June 11, 1983. p. 10. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  5. "Cuts Like a Knife". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
  6. "Steve Barron - Cuts Like a Knife". MTV. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
  7. Tannenbaum, Rob (2011). I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution . Dutton Adult. pp.  608. ISBN   978-0-525-95230-5.
  8. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.