Aeroplan: Bryan Adams' Personal Picks

Bryan Adams’ Personal Picks

1

Jeff Buckley

Hallelujah

6:52

Bryan says:

Here's something crazy, I never occurred to me until recently that this song was written by the great Leonard Cohen, I guess it was Buckley’s version that got me, and it got me good. Headphones for this one.

2

John Lennon

Imagine (Live) (Acoustic)

3:11

Bryan says:

I heard this acoustic version for the first time on a radio station in Los Angeles while driving down the street. I pulled over to listen to it, as I couldn't believe I’d never heard it before. Stunning song, stunning artist, stunning performance. When John Lennon grew his hair, so did I

3

David Bowie

Life On Mars? (1999 Digital Remaster)

3:49

Bryan says:

Bowie was the first rock concert I ever went to. I saw his "diamond dogs" tour when I was living in Ottawa in the early 70's. His conductor on this tour was a fella named Michael Kamen who I later wrote some of my biggest songs with in the 1990's. I love this song, it's simply amazing. I ended up touring with David in South America many years later, he's is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Humbling.

4

Alice Cooper

No More Mr. Nice Guy (Album Version)

3:8

Bryan says:

I chose this song as I used to love Alice when I was a teen. I saw him in Vancouver the night he fell off the stage, that was tough. I find myself singing Alice’s tunes once in awhile. Maybe you'll like this one.

5

Bob Marley & The Wailers

Redemption Song

3:48

Bryan says:

Probably one of my favourite songs ever written. I had always liked Bob's music, but it wasn't until I lived in Jamaica in the 90's that it really hit me how brilliant he was. If you've been there, it's not hard to understand how he had been inspired by the country and the spirit of the people, both are magical. Songs of freedom

6

Editors

Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors

4:55

Bryan says:

I thought I’d choose a new song by a new band, and this one leaps out to me. Great energy, interesting lyrics, excellent production. If they are as good live as this record, then I’m right there.

7

Sam Cooke

Tennessee Waltz

3:9

Bryan says:

Next to Ray Charles, Sam Cooke is my favourite singer. Actually I need to slot Elvis in there too, but anyway, my manager gave me this Sam song to listen to when his "Movin' On" album came out. Its one of the best vocal performances I’ve ever heard, not to mention I love the lyric. It’s really simple and the production just keeps building and building. You wonder what it must have been like to be one of the musicians in the room watching him sing this.