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
What's It Gonna Be
Bryan Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd say it's his decision
And maybe you should wait and see, yeah
You haven't got a choice
You gotta second guess him
So go ahead
What's it gonna be
What's it gonna be yeah
All you get is no reply
If it was up to you
You'd say you need protection
When all you really need is me, oh yeah
Now that's the bottom line
It's your sincere intention
So go ahead
What's it gonna be
Well you need an answer
What's it gonna be yeah
All you get is no reply
What's it gonna be yeah
Well you need an answer
What's it gonna be now
All you get is no reply, oh yeah
Oh, you've been waiting for so long
Now you say you can't go on
You can't go on, oh no
Oh what's it gonna be
Well you need an answer
What's it gonna be now
All you get is no reply, no reply
Oh yeah
Yeah, so what's it gonna be yeah
Oh, when you need an answer
All you get is no, no reply (no reply)
The lyrics of the song "What's It Gonna Be" by Bryan Adams is about a man telling a woman that she has to make a decision about their relationship. He is not committing to the idea of being together and is leaving it entirely up to her to decide. The singer tells the woman that he thinks it's difficult for her to make a decision because of her confusion and mixed feelings. In the first verse, the singer advises the woman to give her partner some time to think about their relationship's future. He believes she needs to be patient with her partner and wait until he makes up his mind, adding that she doesn't have another option but to second guess his decision.
In the second verse, the singer admits their relationship is not built on solid ground, noting that the woman says she needs protection and security while all she needs is him, indicating that she isn't sure about what she wants. He acknowledges her true intentions are sincere, so she should go ahead and make a decision. In both verses, the singer stresses how vital it is for the woman to know what she wants and make a decision since she has been waiting for so long.
Overall, the lyrics of the song highlight the importance of communication and clear intentions in relationships. It's the woman's decision to make, but the lack of clarity on the man's part makes the decision-making process difficult. Therefore, it emphasizes the need to be honest and straightforward in relationships and clearly communicate your wants and needs.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, if it was up to me
The singer acknowledges that it's not up to them to make the decision.
I'd say it's his decision
The singer would suggest that it's the decision of someone else, not themselves.
And maybe you should wait and see, yeah
The singer suggests that the person should wait for the decision before taking any actions.
You haven't got a choice
The person doesn't have the option of making the decision themselves.
You gotta second guess him
The person needs to predict what the other person will decide.
So go ahead
The person is encouraged to take action.
What's it gonna be
The singer wants to know what the decision will be.
Well you need an answer
The person needs to know what the decision will be.
All you get is no reply
The person is not getting an answer or response to their question.
If it was up to you
The artist acknowledges that the person isn't the one making the decision.
You'd say you need protection
The person would claim they need protection, even though it may not be true.
When all you really need is me, oh yeah
The artist believes that the person mainly needs them, not any other form of protection.
Now that's the bottom line
This is the most important fact or information.
It's your sincere intention
The person intends to do something genuinely.
Well you need an answer
The person needs to know what the decision will be.
What's it gonna be yeah
The artist wants to know what the decision will be.
All you get is no reply
The person is not getting an answer or response to their question.
Oh, you've been waiting for so long
The person has been waiting for a response for a considerable amount of time.
Now you say you can't go on
The person is feeling like they can't continue waiting for a response.
Oh what's it gonna be
The artist wants to know what the decision will be.
All you get is no reply, no reply
The person is not getting an answer or response to their question, and this is emphasized.
Yeah, so what's it gonna be yeah
The artist wants to know what the decision will be, and emphasizes it.
Oh, when you need an answer
The person needs an answer to their question.
All you get is no, no reply (no reply)
The person is not getting an answer or response to their question, and this is emphasized.
Contributed by Jack J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.