July 01, 2009

She's got a heart of gold, she'd never let me down

In 1985, Bryan Adams' album Reckless was not only Canada's most popular album, but the world's. Reckless spawned numerous notable singles, including "Somebody," "Heaven," and the redoubtable "Summer of '69." But until "(Everything I Do) I Do It fo You" topped the charts everywhere in 1991, it was Reckless' lead single that was Adams' biggest hit - "Run to You":

[Lyrics]

Lyrically, this song is about a love triangle: the vocalists romantic loyalties are divided between two women, one loyal and the other sexually attractive. Oddly, the video suggests that the latter is his guitar.

I have a theory that many good songs are considered so on the basis of one notable, very short musical hook that grabs your attention and causes you to listen for it every time you hear the song. (This is, of course, purely subjective and entirely unscientific.) I originally formed this idea after hearing "Run to You": its hook comes after the second verse and refrain, a moment of silence followed by some unaccompanied guitar chords. "Run to You"'s hit status isn't deserved for its remarkable originality, but that's a good few seconds of music.

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