Studio Album · No. 3
Cuts Like a Knife Songwriting Credits by Bryan Adams
Produced by Bryan Adams, Bob Clearmountain · Engineered by Bob Clearmountain, Mike Fraser, Paul Northfield, Bob Ludwig
A&M Records
RockPop RockHeartland Rock
100%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 10 of 10 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 10 / 10 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Bryan Adams carries a lyricist or composer credit.
10 trackswritten by Bryan Adams
0 tracksoutside writers
Bryan Adams's roles on this album
Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
10
Tracks
4
Lyricists
2
Producers
1983
Released
Data Insight
Cuts Like a Knife was Bryan Adams's North American breakthrough, with nearly every track co-written alongside his longtime collaborator Jim Vallance. "Straight from the Heart" and the title track became the album's signature hits, pushing him into mainstream rotation on radio and MTV. The record reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200 and earned RIAA Platinum certification in the United States. It established the polished arena-rock sound that would define his next album, Reckless.
Cuts Like a Knife is Bryan Adams's third studio album, released February 8, 1983 on A&M Records. Co-produced by Adams and Bob Clearmountain, the album marked his North American breakthrough with nearly all tracks co-written with Jim Vallance.
Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Only One
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 2 |
Take Me Back
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 3 |
This Time
#24
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 4 |
Straight from the Heart
#10
|
Bryan AdamsEric Kagna | Bryan AdamsEric Kagna | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 5 |
Cuts Like a Knife
#15
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 6 |
I'm Ready
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 7 |
What's It Gonna Be
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 8 |
Don't Leave Me Lonely
|
Bryan AdamsJim VallanceEric Carr | Bryan AdamsJim VallanceEric Carr | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 9 |
Let Him Know
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 10 |
The Best Was Yet to Come
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 5 contributors
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Frequently Asked Questions Cuts Like a Knife
When was Cuts Like a Knife released?
Cuts Like a Knife, Bryan Adams's third studio album, was released on January 18, 1983 by A&M Records.
Who wrote the songs on Cuts Like a Knife?
Bryan Adams co-wrote almost every track with Jim Vallance. The exceptions are "Straight from the Heart," written with Eric Kagna, and "Don't Leave Me Lonely," which adds a co-writing credit for Bob Carr.
What were the hit singles from the album?
Three singles were released: "Straight from the Heart," which reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, the title track "Cuts Like a Knife," which peaked at number 15, and "This Time," which reached number 24.
How did the title track Cuts Like a Knife become a hit?
"Cuts Like a Knife" reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 6 on the Top Rock Tracks chart. Its music video, directed by Steve Barron and filmed in a drained Hollywood swimming pool, became one of the most-played clips on MTV in 1983 and helped launch Adams into the mainstream.
Did Cuts Like a Knife chart well?
Yes. The album peaked at number 8 on the Billboard 200 and was Adams's commercial breakthrough in the United States and Canada.
Is Cuts Like a Knife certified Platinum?
Yes. The album is certified Platinum by the RIAA in the United States for one million copies sold and 3x Platinum in Canada.
Where was the album recorded?
Recording took place between August and October 1982 at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, Le Studio in Morin-Heights, Quebec, and the Power Station in New York City. Adams co-produced the album with Bob Clearmountain.
How did Adams and Vallance write the title song?
According to Jim Vallance, the hook came together spontaneously in the studio: Adams kept singing "it cuts like a knife," and Vallance answered with the line "but it feels so right," which became the song's signature refrain.