Bryan Adams
says he's "so happy it hurts."
He thus proclaims it in the title of his latest album, 'So happy it hurts' (BMG).
A phrase that, these days, can sound subversive and provocative.
"The world has always been scary and ugly, and music has always been there to lift our spirits," says the Canadian singer, author of friendly rock materialized in hits like
'Summer of '69', 'Have you ever really loved a woman?'
or
'(Everything I do) I do it for you'.
Adams says that the album, which was released last March, is not so much a positive reaction to the pandemic situation as an adventure exploring new possibilities.
"Actually," she confesses, "it's what you get when
you put me behind the drums on an album. I've never done it before
, but I've always wanted to try it. And I love the results."
'So happy it hurts' has among its list of collaborators an unusual figure: the British humorist
John Cleese, from Monty Python
.
Adams is "truly honored" by the collaboration.
"It was the perfect voice for the song 'Kick ass.'
The presence of Python leads us to think about issues such as cancellation culture.
Cleese's colleague, Terry Gilliam, was recently fired from directing a musical at the Old Vic theater for making offensive remarks.
However, Adams does not see the matter as important and even assures that something similar to the troupe that concocted the movie The Life of Brian would be possible today.
"Why not? Look: we have
Ricky Gervais. I read today that he really wants someone to try to cancel it
. Hilarious."
He, who in his songs praises the freedom of the past, admits that something has been lost in that regard.
"So it seems. But then again,
I just saw Will Smith appear on TVs all over the planet to assault a guy...and then go and win an Oscar!
So obviously the world hasn't figured it out yet. "
clarified in this regard.
FASHION AND PASSION
The album also comes after Adams has known the effects of covid.
"I didn't learn anything from the disease," she says.
"Of the free time he brought with him, I used it to reset my dial, make some music and practice playing the drums," she insists.
And
"as far as Covid is concerned", in general, "the only good thing it has brought is the invention of Zoom calls
".
'So Happy It Hurts' comes at a time when Adams's career oscillates between music and fashion photography.
"Being in music these days is like being in the Wild West
and that's quite exciting," he notes of his original creative side.
"We have no idea what's coming next or where we're going. Because there are so many streaming platforms for music, but are they being fair? Will the situation change at some point?" he asks.
On the other hand, "photography is very exciting for the same reason: I have no idea what I'm going to do next."
Although she does reveal a wish:
"I would like to work for a magazine full time
, that would be a dream."
For now, Adams has been in charge of the images of the latest
Pirelli Calendar, for which he portrayed Cher, Iggy Pop or Grimes
.
"It was a great experience and, even during the pandemic, it came to fruition," he recalls, although he notes that it was also "complicated, because it required a lot of movement and nobody wanted to travel. In addition, the company was exceptionally kind and took care of me when I had Covid in Milan. I will never forget their generosity and kindness."
And who would you like to work with as a photographer from now on?: "Oh, the list is very long. But actually I would love to work with some of the great fashion stylists, like
Katie Grand or Grace Coddington
. It would be a dream ".
Finally, it's time to ask him about
Putin: "There have always been bad guys and thugs, that will never change.
That's why, I repeat, you always have to remember that music is there to lift your spirits. So: keep rocking!".
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