Sometimes words are hard to find (The Best Of Me - Bryan Adams)

Member Name: NikkiH

Product:	The Best Of Me - Bryan Adams
Date:	25/06/01 (1508 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Absolutely brilliant lyrics, Classic songs

Disadvantages: one weak song

The title sums me up really. It is the first line of the first song this "best of" album. "The Best Of Me" is the title and opening track of the album, and is a bit of an anthem to me. I find it hard to express myself sometimes, and find music a good medium to fill gaps my vocabulary may have left. This song follows that line with "I'm looking for that perfect line to let you know you're always on my mind". After some bad times with my husband this was the song I played for him, and although most people define Adams as a rock singer, this song is a ballad written by Adams, and the words are just so apt for my life.

No time to relax with this album though, because you quickly move onto "Can't Stop This Thin We Started". It is an upbeat love song, and defies you to try not to tap your foot at least. Then the mood changes again, and we move to my personal favourite of the album, and many of you may now know that I am a sucker for a ballad, and surprise, surprise this song is a ballad. "I'm Ready" is truly beautiful, and rather than being melancholy, it is a feel good uplifting song.

Quick change again onto a song everyone probably knows and has sung along with once or twice in their life. "Summer Of 69". Even if you do not like Bryan Adams, you will probably like this song. It is a heavy guitar based rock song, and possibly about Bryan himself.

Then the tempo is slowed down again with "Let's Make It A Night To Remember". One of his lesser known ballads, and criminally ignored by a lot of people. It is a song for lovers about lovers. Then we move onto a collaboration between Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting. "All For Love" was not that well received by the music press, but I think it is a great piece of work, especially because I think it is quite an achievement getting these three megastars working together.

"Have You Ever Really Lov
ed A Woman" is another ballad, and this was used on the soundtrack of the film "Zorro" starring Antonio Banderas. Bryan's voice sounds gruffer than normal, almost a whisper in parts. It has a Latin influence, even Flamenco in some parts.

Then the tempo is changed again, and we move to another era of Bryan Adams with "Run To You". Simple lyrics that are so effective with the musical arrangement. It is a shame the same cannot be said for the next song, which unfortunately is my weakest link. "Cloud Number 9" was a big mistake. Bryan should stick to what he does best, and not try to change his style, which is what I believe he did with this song. He is trying to hard to update his sound when there is no need.

Not much that can be said about the next song. "Everything I Do" was number 1 forever, and frankly started to grate on me after the first few months. Less said the better. "Back To You" is a great song, and it is the lyrics which do it for me. I have a version of this song live, and it is one of my all time favourites.

Another collaboration next. On "When You're Gone" Bryan was joined by Mel C, and the chemistry between the two was evident for all to see. As he did with Tina Turner, his voice compliments Mel's, and they work very well together. Then when you're up dancing to this, the mood changes abruptly with "Please Forgive Me". A ballad about someone who was wronged someone they love. The lyrics are from the heart, and they are beautiful, "So if you're feeling lonely, don't. You're the only one I ever want". I am a romantic, so please no mocking comments.

The penultimate song is the hilariously titled, "The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You". This song has a slight country and western vibe, and it works well. The final song is the lesser known "Inside Out", and it is not one of my favouri
tes, but it may grow on me.

A lot of the songs on here were co written by Adams and Mutt Lange, who is the husband of Shania Twain.

This is a great album for me as there are varied styles of music, with excellent lyrics. The only ommission for me would be the spine tingling "It's Only Love" on which he duetted with Tina Turner.

Summary: