Cuts Like a Knife (song)
| "Cuts Like a Knife" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Cuts Like a Knife" is a rock song written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance for Adams third studio album Cuts Like a Knife (1983). It was the second single released from the album Cuts Like a Knife. It is arguably one of Adams' most recognizable and popular songs. The song peaked at 6 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and peaked at 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.
Writing and recording
In an interview in 1988 with Vancouver's Georgia Straight newspaper, Adams explaining how Vallance and him 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 was singing "it cuts like a knife" over and over again.[1] Eventually Vallance responded with "but it feels so right".[1]
Release and reception
"Cuts Like a Knife" was released in 1983 and became most successful song from Cuts Like a Knife on the American rock charts and arguably one of Adams most recognizable and popular songs.[2] "Cuts Like a Knife" reached the top ten on the Mainstream Rock Tracks and was Adams first top ten hit on the Mainstream Rock Tracks. "Cuts Like a Knife" also charted on the Billboard Hot 100 where it peaked 15.[3] "Cuts Like a Knife" reached the top twenty on the Canadian singles chart and remained in the top twenty for seven weeks. "Cuts Like a Knife" was Adams highest charting single in Canada and on the mainstream rock tracks while previous single "Straight from the Heart" peaked at ten on the Hot 100.[4]
Stewart Mason from Allmusic said "Thanks in large part to a memorable video that received a ton of MTV airplay in the summer of 1983, "Cuts Like a Knife" became Bryan Adams' second consecutive Top 20 single after close to a decade of scrambling for mainstream success. 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]
Music video
The music video for "Cuts Like a Knife" was filmed in an empty indoor swimming pool in Hollywood. The video was directed by Irish director Steve Barron.[6] The pool hasd been drained and out-of-use for several years.[1] It would also be the location for Adams platinum album party.[1]
Chart positions
| Chart (1983) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[3] | 15 |
| US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks[3] | 6 |
| Canadian Singles Chart[4] | 12 |
References
- ^ a b c d e ""Cuts Like a Knife". JimVallance.com. Retrieved 2008-10-03.
- ^ "Album notes for Anthology by Dave Marsh (CD booklet). A&M Records (A&M 5613)". 2005-10-18.
- ^ a b c "Artist Chart History (singles) - Bryan Adams". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ a b "Bryan Adams - Canadian Album Chart". RPM. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ "Cuts Like a Knife". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ "Steve Barron - Cuts Like a Knife". MTV. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
