Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media, Inc.
The 1991 hit has sold over 15 million copies, yet its creator, Bryan Adams, initially regarded it as simply a “pretty love song.”
“(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” became the song of the summer in 1991, a monumental hit that comes along only once every decade or so. Its success was evident from the start – it was featured in “Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves,” the summer’s biggest film, and it boasted an unforgettable, incredibly catchy chorus, along with orchestral elements. Everyone anticipated its enormous success, everyone except Bryan Adams himself.
In an extensive interview featured in the latest issue of Classic Rock, guest-edited by Bryan Adams himself, he admitted that he initially viewed the song as just a “pretty love song.” However, his producer, Mutt Lange, a seasoned veteran in producing hit songs, recognized its potential. Bryan Adams explained, “I’d been working with Mutt on ‘Waking Up The Neighbours’ for a year and a half. We were in Battery Studios in North London. We were at the end of the record, starting to mix it, and Michael Kamen brought the idea to me in the form of forty minutes of orchestration.”
Over this piece of music from the film’s score, Bryan Adams crafted his biggest hit. He recalled, “Mutt and I sat at the back of the room, chewing on a Marks & Spencer’s red pepper, and came up with this song underneath Michael’s score. I’ll never forget seeing the look on Mutt’s face. He just said, ‘Keep going, Badams, keep going.’ It came together so quickly. When we were done, Mutt said to me, ‘You know, this is really special, this song.’ And I’d never heard him say that about anything… I didn’t know it was going to be a hit. Mutt really knew.”
This anecdote sheds light on the creative process and the incredible foresight of Bryan Adams’ producer, Mutt Lange, in recognizing the song’s potential despite Adams’ initial reservations.
Bryan Adams describes how the creation of “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” marked the start of a successful songwriting partnership between himself, Michael Kamen, and Mutt Lange. He highlights the collaborative journey that followed, resulting in the composition of two or three number-one hits, Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, and various accolades that songwriters typically only dream of achieving.
Adams expresses his curiosity and enthusiasm for the creative process that unfolds when different musical styles are combined, making his collaboration with Michael Kamen irresistible. The beauty of Kamen’s music provided a solid foundation, and Adams could effortlessly craft lyrics and melodies over it, with Mutt Lange’s expertise adding an extra layer of excellence to their work. This partnership yielded exceptional results and solidified their place in the realm of successful songwriters.