Bryan Adams was already popular in Canada when the release of his third album 'Cuts Like A Knife' in 1983 brought him a large following in the USA. His fourth album, 'Reckless', often referred to as one of the most significant of the 1980s, sold over 4 million copies at the time and continues to sell now. His fifth album 'Into the Fire' went platinum.
'Waking Up The Neighbours', his sixth album in 1991, powered him to international stardom. The single '(Everything I Do) I Do For You' spent 16 weeks at number 1; it broke a UK record that had stood since 1955 and still stands today. Across in the USA it became the second largest selling single to 'We Are The World'. The song was featured in the film 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' (1991) and for this Mr Adams received his first Academy Award nomination. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe.
42 film Directors' have used Adams' music as soundtrack - from A Night In Heaven (1983) to Bobby (2007).
Adams was awarded the C.M. (Member of the Order of Canada) on April 20th 1998 and the C.O. (Officer of the Order of Canada) on May 6th 1988 for his contribution to popular music and his philanthropic work. He was also inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 1998, and more recently inducted into the Music Hall of Fame at Canada's Juno Awards (the Canadian equivalent of the Grammys) in April 2006. Notably, Adams refuses to attend the awards; as his manager, Bruce Allen explains: "they turned their back on the biggest thing to come out of Canada"--in reference to the hit '(Everything I Do) I Do For You'.
Adams has been nominated for three Academy Awards for songwriting, and was recently nominated for his fifth Golden Globe (2007) for his songwriting in the film 'Bobby'.
Some trivia:
Bryan Adams shares the same birthday as Ryan Adams, the late Herman Brood and René Froger.
He attended the same high school as Michael J. Fox in Vancouver.
Of his #1 hits only one ('Please Forgive Me') was not written for a motion picture.
Bryan Adams is part Maltese. He Declared this on Tour in 2007 when he visited Malta.
Bryan Adams is also an acclaimed photographer. His works include his book "Made in Canada" http://www.photography.ca/photographer/adams_bryan.html
Bryan Adams also did a major part of the Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron soundtrack
Into the Fire
Bryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes you're lucky
Sometimes you're better off dead
Your first breath is taken and into the world you are cast
You long for tomorrow while living each day as your last
Well I know what your heart desires
Into the fire
Now you've done all you can
Your life's at the crossroads
You watch as it slips through your hands
So you stand on the mountain and shout in vain at the sky
But nobody hears you - the words only echo inside
Oh shelter the flame - it may expire
Risin' up from the ashes
Into the fire
Just hold onto your life down to the wire
Oh out from the dragon's jaws
Into the fire
There's a moment in every man's life
When he must decide what is wrong and what's right
You could wait for your dreams to come true
But time has no mercy
Time won't stand still for you
Well I know what your heart desires
Crawlin' out from the wreckage
Into the fire
Here I go...Into the fire
I know...what your heart desires
The lyrics of Bryan Adams’s “Into the Fire” embody the overarching themes of fate, mortality, and the struggle to reconcile one’s own desires with the reality of life. The song opens with the somber reflection that life is as “thin as a thread” and the unpredictable nature of fortune - sometimes we are “lucky” and at other times, we may “be better off dead.” Yet, despite the reality of life’s frailty, humans hold onto hope for the future and the promise of tomorrow.
As the song progresses, Adams speaks to the paradox of living in the moment, while also envisioning the possibilities of tomorrow. The line “you long for tomorrow while living each day as your last,” captures the bittersweet tension that defines the human experience. We are constantly chasing after the future, yet we must also learn to appreciate and find meaning in the present moment.
As the song builds to the chorus, the lyrics become more urgent, reminding the listener that we can’t take our earthly possessions with us “into the fire” of the afterlife. Instead, we must cherish the “flame” of our existence while we are here on earth. The final lines of the chorus, “Just hold onto your life down to the wire / Oh out from the dragon's jaws / Into the fire,” speak to the idea that we must never give up on life, even when it feels like we are facing insurmountable challenges.
The final verse is a call to action, challenging the listener to take control of their life and make important decisions about what is “wrong” and “right.” There are no guarantees in life, and we can’t wait for our dreams to magically come true. Instead, we must “crawl out from the wreckage” and embrace the flames of our existence to truly live. Ultimately, “Into the Fire” is a powerful call to action, reminding us to seize the day and live our lives to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Life - as thin as a thread
Life is fragile and unpredictable
Sometimes you're lucky
Occasionally things work out in your favor
Sometimes you're better off dead
Other times, death seems preferable to continuing on in life
Your first breath is taken and into the world, you are cast
From the moment of birth, you are launched into a world of uncertainties
You long for tomorrow while living each day as your last
You hope for a new day while appreciating the present one
Well I know what your heart desires
I'm aware of your deepest desires
But you can't take it with you
Unfortunately, you can't take those desires with you to the grave
Into the fire
Refers to the metaphorical fire of life, where one pushes through struggles and hardships
Now you've done all you can
You have exhausted every effort and option
Your life's at the crossroads
You are standing at a pivotal moment of decision
You watch as it slips through your hands
You see your life slipping away and perhaps feel helpless
So you stand on the mountain and shout in vain at the sky
You may try to externalize your frustration and rage, but it can be futile
But nobody hears you - the words only echo inside
Perhaps nobody is actually listening or there is no one around to care
Oh shelter the flame - it may expire
Protect your inner passion as it could become extinguished
Risin' up from the ashes
Emerging stronger after facing defeat or obstacles
Just hold onto your life down to the wire
Stay tenacious until the very end
Oh out from the dragon's jaws
Escaping from danger or difficult situations
There's a moment in every man's life
A time in everyone's life when they must face adversity
When he must decide what is wrong and what's right
When facing an ethical dilemma or moral decision
You could wait for your dreams to come true
Your aspirations could be unrealistic or may never come true
But time has no mercy
Time won't wait for anyone or anything
Time won't stand still for you
Time is always ticking, regardless of what you do with it
Crawlin' out from the wreckage
Getting back up and continuing on after a setback or failure
Here I go...Into the fire
Accepting and embracing the challenges and hardships of life
I know...what your heart desires
Understanding someone's true motivations and intentions
Contributed by Ian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@surfz247
Into the Fire
Bryan Adams
Life - thin as a thread
Sometimes you're lucky
Sometimes you're better off dead
Your first breath is taken
And into the world you are cast
You long for tomorrow
While living each day as your last
Well, I know what your heart desires
But you can't take it with you
Into the fire
Now you're done all you can
Your life's at the crossroads
You watch as it slips through your hands
So you stand on the mountain
And shout in vain at the sky
But nobody hears you
The words only echo inside
Oh, shelter the flame - it may expire
Risin' up from the ashes
Into the fire
Just hold onto your life down to the wire
Oh, out from the dragon's jaws
Into the fire
There's a moment in every man's life
When he must decide
What is wrong and what's right
You could wait for your dreams to come true
But time has no mercy
Time won't stand still for you
Well, I know what your hard desires
Crawlin' out from the wreckage
Into the fire
@UCqkdtMiE5ZquD_lF9prae4Q
Lyrics:
Life - thin as a thread
Sometimes you're lucky
Sometimes you're better off dead
Your first breath is taken and into the world you are cast
You long for tomorrow while living each day as your last
Well I know what your heart desires
But you can't take it with you
Into the fire
Now you've done all you can
Your life's at the crossroads
You watch as it slips through your hands
So stand on the mountain and shout in vain at the sky
But nobody hears you - the words only echo inside
Oh shelter the flame - it may expire
Risin' up from the ashes
Into the fire
Just hold on to your life down to the wire
Oh out from the dragon's jaws
Into the fire
There's a moment in every man's life
When he must decide what is wrong and what's right
You could wait for your dreams to come true
But time has no mercy
Time won't stand still for you
Well I know what your heart desires
Crawlin' out from the wreckage
Into the fire
Here I go...into the fire
I know...what your heart desires
@marcozaragoza9267
Life - thin as a thread
Sometimes you're lucky
Sometimes you're better off dead
Your first breath is taken
And into the world you are cast
You long for tomorrow
While living each day as your last
Well, I know what your heart desires
But you can't take it with you
Into the fire
Now you're done all you can
Your life's at the crossroads
You watch as it slips through your hands
So you stand on the mountain
And shout in vain at the sky
But nobody hears you
The words only echo inside
Oh, shelter the flame - it may expire
Risin' up from the ashes
Into the fire
Just hold onto your life down to the wire
Oh, out from the dragon's jaws
Into the fire
There's a moment in every man's life
When he must decide
What is wrong and what's right
You could wait for your dreams to come true
But time has no mercy
Time won't stand still for you
Well, I know what your hard desires
Crawlin' out from the wreckage
Into the fire
Here I go... into the fire
I know... what your heart desires
@olekszyk
His best. Easy to dismiss as an arena anthem, this song is actually deeper and more profound than 99.9% of recorded pop music.
@barbarapowell6746
Much as I love it... it isn't one to play at your funeral' In To the fire' doesn't quite cut it for a cremation! I agree it is one of the best (and unrecognised) tracks. One of my all time favourites.
@toddsyoutube2679
I like this whole album. Very underated (Into the Fire) I met the band back in the 90s at a bar, after the show. Bryan was not there, but as I was talking to the bass player, I had the band sign my CD cover, and they were surprised it was that album. They said it was their least favorite one. I thought it was their best album.
@iantitterton5488
Agree with you big time , amazing song
@ephesians6ten185
😅@@barbarapowell6746
@lindaodell5207
love this song 🎵 🎸 I love the Silvestre in red of Bryan. He's such a handsome man with a beautiful voice❤
@NancyBourgeau-if5uy
Love his music since I was 18years old now I'm 58. 58years old going on 59 on the 26 of November. ❤🎉
@fbenbow2197
This is not only a song, it is a beautiful poem.and we don't just need fire,...
@patrickbennett7002
I love this version , i remember when it debuted in the mid 80s. I thought to myself "This is a brave move" No conceptual music video, totally live , no band , just Bryan & his guitar plus doing it super slow
@harryc2356
Good to see an older song get some appreciation and love after so many years. Well worth it!!