Bryan Adams has shed light on the real meaning behind his iconic 1984 hit Summer Of ’69.
Many believed the sunshine anthem recalled the rocker’s heady summers in 1969, however the Canadian star has now revealed the truth.
The singer, 64, admitted he was going to call the song Best Days Of My Life but opted instead to reference the sex position 69 – something he previously stated fans would be ‘thick’ not to realise.
He told the Sunday Times: ‘Well, I was going to call the song Best Days of My Life but mentioning ’69’ felt a bit more provocative. Isn’t this talk a bit sexy for breakfast time?’
When asked about ‘the best days of his life’, he added: ‘Oh, the best days are now, always now. When I wrote that song I was trying hard to imagine or fantasise what life would hold, but I’m there now and, you know, it’s great.’
In 2008, Bryan confessed: ‘There is a slight misconception it’s about a year, but it’s not… “69” has nothing to do about a year, it has to do with a sexual position.
‘At the end of the song, the lyric says that “it’s me and my baby in a 69”. You’d have to be pretty thick in the ears if you couldn’t get that lyric.’
He later said: ‘I only ever wrote that title because it made me laugh’.
Despite his saucy claims, the song’s co-writer Jim Vallance insisted the end of the track was merely a saucy aside and for him, the song was about the year.
He added: ‘I don’t pretend to speak for Bryan. Two of us wrote the song… Maybe he was thinking about something completely different… but I was thinking about that amazing summer when I turned 17.’
Bryan’s candour about the song will come as a shock to some given an uncomfortable exchange last year when he refused to discuss the track.
While promoting his 15th album So Happy It Hurts, journalist Belinda Russell said: ‘1969 though, it was a pretty big year in history. The moon landing, Woodstock. But you were just a kid back then so what is the story behind Summer of ’69?’
The star then surprisingly retorted: ‘I don’t want to talk about that. I want to talk about the new album. That’s why I’m here.’
In July this year, a crazed fan rushed on stage to sing along with a performing Bryan – before being thrust off stage by the rocker’s security.
The unsanctioned feature happened at his recent concert in Salt Lake City, Utah, as the Canadian crooner sought to sing the opening bars of Summer of ’69.
In footage of the incident, as Bryan leant back to catch his breath, the overeager admirer was seen rushing within a few feet of the musician.
The man – dressed in black jeans and a white T-shirt – went on to grab the mic before continuing the song himself in a mangled warble. Prior to being apprehended, the concert crasher was able to let out the lyric ‘bought it at the five and dime’.
Despite the incident Bryan – who appeared bewildered but unfazed by the interruption – still hit his iconic line, ‘was the summer of ’69,’ apparently completely unfussed by the intrusion.
Laura Davis is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Broadway, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
