In a career spanning over four decades, Bryan Adams has delivered everything from heartfelt ballads to stadium-shaking rock anthems, and he’s shown he’s not slowing down anytime soon. In conversation with Kyle Meredith, Adams digs deep into his latest projects: his album So Happy It Hurts, two re-recorded compilations, Classics 1 and Classics 2, and his own versions of songs from Pretty Woman: The Musical. These four albums reveal a musician who’s found fresh ways to experiment while reclaiming his classics, taking inspiration from his collaborations, his love of photography, and even Taylor Swift’s recent strategy of re-recording her hits.
Adams describes the creative whirlwind that brought about So Happy It Hurts. “We had this time off,” he begins, “and I was just writing songs. Before I knew it, I had enough for a full album.” Initially, he was also exploring some songs he’d written for Pretty Woman: The Musical. While a few didn’t make it to the stage, he realized they’d be perfect for his own record, leading him to breathe new life into pieces like the rockabilly-inspired “I’ve Been Looking For You.” Reflecting on the musical, he shares, “Working on Pretty Woman was a masterclass in songwriting. I had to rewrite and reshape things constantly, which keeps you open-minded about how a song can evolve.”
If So Happy It Hurts is the energetic, fresh-faced new record, the Classics compilations are a deeply rooted callback to Adams’ golden era. Taking cues from Taylor Swift’s approach to reclaim her catalog, Adams re-recorded some of his most iconic hits, from “Summer of ’69” to “Heaven.” The reason? Rights issues. But replicating the magic of those original tracks wasn’t simple nostalgia; it was a serious puzzle. Adams laughs as he recalls hunting down his original 1980s Les Paul guitar and matching amps, experimenting for days to recreate the exact sounds of his youth. “It was like piecing together a mystery,” he says, “finding that unique tone that made those songs what they were.”
Adams also brought some playful energy to So Happy It Hurts with the track “Kick Ass,” which opens with a theatrical monologue by the one and only John Cleese. The two have been friends for years, and Adams didn’t hesitate to ask the Monty Python legend to step into the role of “God.” Cleese, who was initially skeptical, agreed when Adams suggested that “God should be British.” Adams laughs, “John said, ‘You’re right, God should be British,’ and just ran with it.” The humorous collaboration brings an unexpected, tongue-in-cheek vibe to the record, setting the tone for the feel-good anthems that follow.
For longtime fans, Adams’ MTV Unplugged album from 1997 remains a standout moment in his catalog, a chance to see his music stripped down and reimagined in a raw, intimate setting. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Adams reflects on what made that era of unplugged sessions so powerful. “MTV created a unique space for musicians to take risks and reinvent their songs,” he notes. “If there were a similar platform today, I’d love to do another version like that.” His unplugged album was a sonic departure that let fans hear hits like “Cuts Like a Knife” in a whole new way, and he recognizes the impact it’s had in keeping his music fresh and relevant across generations.
Beyond music, Adams’ passion for photography has become a parallel career, seeing him capture everyone from Iggy Pop to St. Vincent through his lens. For Adams, the camera offers a different kind of creative outlet, one that, while influenced by his experience as a musician, requires him to step out of his usual role. “You have to take your musician hat off,” he explains. “It’s about capturing something raw and true on the other side of the lens.” His minimalist, white-background album covers have also become part of his signature, reflecting a desire for simplicity and contrast that he admires in other visual artists.
As Adams looks forward, he hints there may be more on the horizon. He’s managed to pull off four records in a year—a feat for any artist—yet, as he puts it, “The year is young.” Fans can expect more of Adams’ signature rock ‘n’ roll and heart-tugging lyrics, with perhaps a few more surprises along the way. Whether he’s reclaiming past hits, reimagining new music, or diving into photography, Bryan Adams remains an artist whose career is as timeless as his sound. And as So Happy It Hurts proves, he’s still living every bit of his rock-star dream.
Watch the interview above and then check out the video below.
