The New Oldies: #4 Album of the Year 2022: Bryan Adams – So Happy It Hurts

Something seems to be missing these days. It seems that record companies, radio stations, and streaming services are pushing some the great established musicians to the background. As a result these veteran artists are not getting the attention they deserve. Enter the Top 10 Album Countdown: The New Oldies. The main point is simple – to make this list you must have at least 20 years of producing established music. The album by the artist must have been released between November 1st, 2021 and October 31st, 2022.

#4 Bryan Adams – So Happy It Hurts

When it comes to Canadian music history, if you look at a decade from 1983 to 1993, Bryan Adams was a big a star as there was. It was not just in the Canadian market, as Adams established himself as one of the biggest acts in the music industry. Adams proved he could do hard rock, the pop song, and the soft ballad. While in this author’s eyes, Adams had done enough for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame consideration, that has not happened yet. One negative factor might be the last 30 years hasn’t been as strong creatively or commercially for Adams. That would all change in 2022 with the release of So Happy It Hurts. This is one of Adams’ best albums in since 1991’s Waking Up the Neighbours, and it lands #4 on the New Oldies Countdown.

The music of Bryan Adams of the 1980s and 1990s gave us the story of a 20 or 30something year old man. Now at 63 years old, Adams is a father and has a more introspective look at the world. But the thing that makes So Happy at Hurts stand out is that the music is a throwback to those 1980s and 1980s days. There are places where the guitar riffs are present, there are the pop-friendly songs, and some of the softer moments. The difference is the lyrics reflect more maturity. The throwback style with this maturity makes for a wonderful fusion.

There are songs like So Happy It Hurts and Never Gonna Rain, that are quintessential Bryan Adams styled music. Songs like Kick Ass showcase some great guitar riffs, and remind us of the 20something Adams. You Lift Me Up showcases some of the maturity Adams now brings tot he table.

I’ve said it many times. Every artist has one great album still left in them. So Happy It Hurts seems to be that album for Bryan Adams. But this delivers enough to make me believe this isn’t the last of Bryan Adams.