Studio Album · No. 5
Into the Fire Songwriting Credits by Bryan Adams
Produced by Bryan Adams, Bob Clearmountain · Engineered by Bob Clearmountain
A&M Records
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
2
Lyricists
2
Producers
1987
Released
Data Insight
Into the Fire was the last full album Bryan Adams co-wrote with Jim Vallance, and the pair deliberately moved away from the romantic material of Reckless toward more political and personal songs. "Native Son" addresses the treatment of Indigenous peoples and "Remembrance Day" honors soldiers killed in war, while the title track and "Only the Strong Survive" turn inward toward themes of endurance. "Heat of the Night" served as the lead single and reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100. Vallance later reflected that the heavier subject matter pushed the partnership off course, and the two paused their collaboration not long after.
Into the Fire is Bryan Adams's fifth studio album, released April 1, 1987 on A&M Records. Co-produced by Adams and Bob Clearmountain, all ten tracks are co-written with Jim Vallance. The album takes a more serious, political tone compared to its predecessor.
Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Heat of the Night
#6
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 2 |
Into the Fire
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 3 |
Victim of Love
#32
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 4 |
Another Day
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 5 |
Native Son
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 6 |
Only the Strong Survive
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 7 |
Rebel
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 8 |
Remembrance Day
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 9 |
Hearts on Fire
#26
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
| 10 |
Home Again
|
Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsJim Vallance | Bryan AdamsBob Clearmountain | Bryan Adams (Vocals) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 3 contributors
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Frequently Asked Questions Into the Fire
Who wrote the songs on Into the Fire?
Every track on Into the Fire was co-written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance. It marked the last full album the two wrote together before they paused their long-running partnership, and they deliberately reached for weightier subjects than the love songs that had defined Reckless.
What was the lead single from Into the Fire?
"Heat of the Night" was the lead single. It reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Mainstream Rock chart, becoming the album's biggest hit. Adams and Vallance built it around themes of determination rather than romance.
What is the song Native Son about?
"Native Son" addresses the injustices faced by Indigenous peoples in North America. It is one of the more politically charged tracks Adams and Vallance wrote together, part of a conscious shift toward heavier subject matter on Into the Fire. At just over six minutes, it is also the longest song on the album.
What inspired Remembrance Day?
"Remembrance Day" is a tribute to soldiers who died in war, taking its title from the day set aside to honor the war dead. The song reflects the album's broader move away from romance toward political and historical themes, written by Adams and Vallance during the same sessions as "Native Son."
How did Into the Fire perform on the charts?
Into the Fire reached number seven on the Billboard 200 in the United States. While it did not match the multi-platinum success of Reckless, it was certified Platinum by the RIAA and three-times Platinum in Canada. The album produced several charting singles, led by "Heat of the Night."
Why was Into the Fire the last Adams and Vallance album collaboration?
Jim Vallance later said that after Reckless the pair felt they could not write another toss-away song and turned toward political material, but in doing so they lost their way. He felt they were no longer being authentic to themselves and decided it was time to take a break. They reunited years later to work on Adams' 2008 album 11.
Where was Into the Fire recorded?
Into the Fire was recorded at a studio set up in Bryan Adams' home in Vancouver, British Columbia, with sessions running from August to October 1986. Adams and his backing band isolated different instruments across rooms of the house, including the dining room, bathroom and bedroom.
Sources
Wikipedia: Into the Fire (album)
Ultimate Classic Rock: How Bryan Adams Stretched His Songwriting on Into the Fire
American Songwriter: The Writer's Block, Jim Vallance
MusicBrainz: Into the Fire release-group
Cover Art Archive: Into the Fire front cover
RIAA: Gold & Platinum database
Cover Art Archive: Into the Fire by Bryan Adams