"Straight from the Heart" is a song was written by Eric Kagna, a Vancouver singer/songwriter, and the instrumental bridge was contributed by Canadian rock musician Bryan Adams. The official songwriter credit is shared equally between Adams and Kagna. The song was first recorded by Ian Lloyd in 1980, on his album Third Wave Civilization.
In 1981, Australian singer Jon English recorded the song for his 1981 album, In Roads. The song peaked at number 72 in Australia.
In 1982, teen band Rosetta Stone recorded it and issued it as a single in November that year.
In February 1983, Adams released a version as the lead single from his third studio album, Cuts Like a Knife.
Chart history It was his breakthrough song in the U.S., the first to make the top 40, reaching number 10.Bryan Adams – Cuts Like A Knife It also peaked at #32 on the Adult Contemporary chart, the first Bryan Adams single to appear on that chart. On the Canadian Adult Contemporary chart, "Straight from the Heart" reached number one. Chart (1983)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)98Canada RPM Top Singles 20Canada RPM Adult Contemporary1UK Singles (Official Charts Company)51US Billboard Hot 10010US Billboard Adult Contemporary29US Billboard Mainstream Rock32 Year-end chart (1983) RankUS Top Pop Singles (Billboard)71
Personnel Bryan Adams – lead and backing vocals, piano Keith Scott – guitars, backing vocals Tommy Mandel – organ, Casio keyboards Dave Taylor – bass Mickey Curry – drums Jim Vallance – percussion Mark Doyle – backing vocals
Other versions Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler released it as a single in the UK 11 August 1983, and in the US as a B-side to "Total Eclipse of the Heart". It was featured on her album Faster Than the Speed of Night.
Canadian singer Anne Murray, according to the liner Notes of her 2025 album “Here You Are”, had previously recorded the song for her 1984 album “Heart Over Mind”, but it did not make the cut. This song was finally released on “Here You Are", on September 5, 2025.
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