(Everything I Do) I Do It For You by Bryan Adams

Album: Waking Up The Neighbors (1991)

Charted: 1 1

License This Song

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

This song is featured in the Kevin Costner movie Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, where it plays over the end credits. It was written to order for the movie, initially by American film composer Michael Kamen, with the middle eight, break, outro and arrangement added by Adams and producer Mutt Lange. Adams used a line in the movie, "I do it for you..." as the basis for the song, and they had it written in about an hour.
There are no specific references to Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves in the lyric; the song quickly became dissociated from the film and far more popular. The song finds Adams pouring out his devotion for a girl, letting her know that their love is worth dying for. He knows if she looks into her heart, she will know it's true.

In the wrong hands, this would be terribly cheesy, but Adams can deliver this sentiment with total conviction, even if it was written for a movie.
Adams said that initially, this song didn't meet with Hollywood approval, as the film company wanted the song to have instrumentation in line with the film's era - lutes, mandolins, and the like. The film company relented, but still buried the song midway through the credits, apparently unaware of the huge hit they had on their hands.
This is one of the most successful singles of all time, selling over 3 million copies. It was #1 for 16 weeks in the UK (from 13th July to 26th October 1991) and seven weeks in the US. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Matthew - Shrewsbury, England
A longer version of this song was used as the B-side to Adam's next single, "Can't Stop This Thing We Started."
This brought Adams a huge Adult Contemporary audience, but alienated many fans of his rock music. He continued to record dramatic ballads for romantic movies: In 1993, he sang "All For Love" with Rod Stewart and Sting for The 3 Musketeers, and in 1995 he recorded "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?" for Don Juan DeMarco.
This went to #1 in 30 countries. It also won a Grammy for Best Song Written Specifically For A Motion Picture Or For Television in 1992.
Some of the hits Mutt Lange produced before lending his talents to this track include "Back In Black" for AC/DC and "Photograph" by Def Leppard. Bryan Adams told Songfacts about working with Lange: "Mutt is great to work with because he is committed to making sure the songs have the best of everything before they go out into the world. We've had three number one records together and many good times, a true friend."
Brandy covered this on her 1998 album Never Say Never. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Daisy - Ikast, Denmark
Michael Kamen had originally wanted the song to be as if it were Maid Marian singing to Robin Hood. However, this initial version was deemed so bland that Kate Bush, Annie Lennox and Lisa Stansfield all turned it down.
When Adams and Lange were recording the song, Adams told the producer he felt they'd cut it too slow. The Canadian singer demonstrated it to Lange by grabbing him and dancing together to the tune. Lange agreed with his point of view, but said they didn't have time to re-record it. So instead, Adams and Lange sped the tape up to the right speed and then he re-sang it. Adams thinks this contributed to the enormous success of "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You."

"Anyone who is a musician out there will note that the song is in C sharp, but it was actually recorded in C and so it has got this strange key for the song, so I wonder even if that contributed to the fact that the song is different, because it is in a strange key," he told Absolute Radio presenter Leona Graham. "It is in a key that no other song had ever been in, you would never write a song in C sharp, so I just wonder if that had something to do with it."

Comments: 27

Larry from Coral Springs, FlLove this song
Barry from Sauquoit, NyWas nominated for Best Song at the 1991 Academy Awards {Lost to "Beauty and the Beast" from the movie of the same name}!!!
Rubymae Scribner from Auburn, MeI have not been able to get this song out of my head for a weak , I love it so much
Rubymae Scribner from Auburn, MeI love this song , this is my parents song. I danced to this song when I won prom princess with my prince. and I have not been able to get it out of my head
Joel from Columbia, MdHeard this song when I was in college. I played it for my future wife.
Lennon from Harare, Zimbabwethis here ladies and gentleman what we have is a great song period. half the times people go out of their way to try and find complex lyrics all the name of lyrical prowess but here is a straight forward simple sing along song that is good.
Marine from Stanton, American Samoathis son is very good very impressive for #1 IN 30 COUNTRIES
Sara from Silver Spring, MdOriginally Kate Bush was to sing the song before Bryan Adams did. Another early choice was Peter Cetera with Julia Fordham
Liquid Len from Ottawa, CanadaI don't think that most love songs are sappy, but ultimately that's a matter of taste. I just find it's maudlin without being really emotional. The lyrics are not particularly moving to me, just cliches. And even that would be ok except the music is totally humdrum too. I like 'Heaven' (and most of his other ballads) infinitely more than this song.
Sarah from Madison, WiI love this song. Bryan Adams has a one of a kind voice and I will love anything he sings. My favorite song by him is "Heaven". By the way "Liquid Len", most love songs are sappy.
Jeff from Liverpool, Englandthe melody to this monster hit was actually based on a aural impression of harpsichord and lute sounds recorded by michael kamen in the 1960's which he had sent to bryan adams so he could write lyrics to,which he did with mutt lange.
Stacey from Edinburgh, ScotlandI love this song so much, Also love Bryan Adams.
You are a brilliant singer and I love all your songs xxx
Gena from Prestonsburg, KyThis song brings back too many painful memories for me....and I just cannot bring myself to like it.
Tom from Putnam Valley, NyI'd like to know where that "age 10" came from, too. I don't think that it's true, though. I still love this song; glad to know there are others still out there! It was written in a short amount of time; the producers of the movie HATED the song; I think it should have won Best Song 1991, but it was beaten out by Natalie & Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable."
Polly from London, EnglandYou are head over heels in love. Love this song and most of Bryan Adams hits. "If you love someone"--is one of my treasured songs.
Melanie from Philadelphia, PaI absolutely love this song. My boyfriend surprised me and picked this song to dedicate to me in my last semester at college during his fraternity formal. So romantic!
Brian from Meriden, CtEven if it was written at age 10 the recording was not built on the strength of its songwriting. It was a great record because they really nailed it in the studio with Mutt. They got it just right. From vocal to piano to guitar solo. It was definately a praiseworthy record but if you think about the composition it was just another sappy love song. Great records can come out of limited material.
Ana from Lokev, Europeso simple, but it's great! i think this song is one of the most listened love songs by lovers. i like when bryan did it with celine dion in live performance.
Anita from Belgrade, SerbiaThis is definetelly my favourite song!I think that this song is the best love song ever written;the amazing song.Every word is so special.I would like if someone sing me that song oneday,maybe Bryan...Who knows...
People,you just must love that song!!!
Jack from Nottingham, EnglandAdams and Lange did probaly look at the script first cause there are lines in the film that go with the song e.g.
Robin - Was she worth it
Barberian - Worth Dying For
Bunny from Oz, AustraliaForgot to say...I believe that they read the script and then wrote the song.
Bunny from Oz, AustraliaHe and Mutt Lange wrote it and apparently in about 45 mins. I think they were both surprised it was a hit. Bryan was never happy with the video clip, very disappointed. The "film people" didn't like it and hence it only plays in the credits.
Vaughn from New York, NyThis song was adopted by david duke (the ex-clans man) when he was running for Govenor of Louisana and the 90's ..Happily Bryan Adams made him stop using this song at his rallies.
Minh Nhat from Ha Noi, OtherBryan adam wasn't my most fovourite artist but the song "everything i do " of him makes me sympathy so much . And this is my most favourite song!i mostly like this man. Thank B.A so so so so much !
Nicola from London, EnglandThis song is my personal favourite and is very romantic.
Artel from Buffalo, Nyfor any one that doesnt already know, this song was covered by new found glory.
Matthew from Shrewsbury, EnglandI love this song. I did, at one point, make a pseudo living as a Bryan Adams impersonator. Just gotta wait again until my voice is that grainy...

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Giving You The Best That I GotAnita Baker

Before the game when he hit a famous shot to win a playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Michael Jordan was listening to Anita Baker's "Giving You The Best That I Got."

Uptown FunkMark Ronson

The actress Michelle Pfeiffer gets namechecked in the 2014 megahit "Uptown Funk" ("Michelle Pfeiffer, that white gold"). When it was released, "Riptide" by Vance Joy was on the charts; that song also mentions her ("Closest thing to Michelle Pfeiffer that you've ever seen").

FancyIggy Azalea

The video for Iggy Azalea's "Fancy" pays homage to the classic 1995 film Clueless with the rapper playing Cher and featured singer Charli XCX portraying Tai. It was filmed at some of the same locations used in the movie.

WomanKesha

Kesha's 2017 track "Woman" was the first song titled "Woman" sung by a woman to reach the Hot 100. The prior "Woman" singles to reach the chart were all recorded by male acts.

99 LuftballonsNena

"99 Luftballons" by Nena is about a Cold War scare when balloons showed up on radar and were mistaken as a nuclear threat.

Helter SkelterThe Beatles

The first version of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter" was a 27-minute jam, so you can imagine what Ringo was going through pounding away on drums. To convince the guys he needed a break, he screamed, "I've got blisters on my fingers!" This was included on the fadeout.