18 til I Die is the seventh studio album by the Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams. Released on June 5, 1996, by A&M Records, the album became a commercial success peaking at No. 1 in the United Kingdom and No. 2 in his home country Canada. It was recorded on different locations which included Jamaica and France. 18 til I Die featured the number one song "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?", which had been released as a single and on the soundtrack to the film Don Juan DeMarco over a year prior, and 4 other singles: "The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You" (the album's second single, released May 8), "Let's Make a Night to Remember", "Star", and "18 til I Die"; the album track "I'll Always Be Right There" was also released to radio in the United States. Adams traveled throughout North America and Europe to promote the album after its June release, notably playing in front of over 70,000 people at Wembley Stadium in July 1996. The album performed lower than expectations in the US but it sold 5 million copies worldwide.[13][14]

18 Til I Die
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 5, 1996
Recorded1994–1996
GenreRock, soft rock, latin rock
Length51:48
LabelA&M
ProducerBryan Adams, Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Bryan Adams chronology
So Far So Good
(1993)
18 Til I Die
(1996)
Unplugged
(1997)
Singles from 18 til I Die
  1. "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?"
    Released: April 4, 1995
  2. "The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You"
    Released: May 8, 1996[1]
  3. "Let's Make a Night to Remember"
    Released: August 12, 1996[2]
  4. "Star"
    Released: November 11, 1996[3]
  5. "18 til I Die"
    Released: April 7, 1997[4][a]
  6. "Do to You"
    Released: 1997
  7. "I'll Always Be Right There"
    Released: 1997
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[5]
Billboard(favorable)[6]
Cash Box(favorable)[7]
Entertainment WeeklyB−[8]
The Guardian[9]
Los Angeles Times[10]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[11]
USA Today[12]

Music

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Recording and production

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The album was written and recorded and produced by Adams and R.J. "Mutt" Lange in a house in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, from Winter 1994 to Summer 1995 and in two different houses in Provence, France, from Autumn 1995 to Spring 1996 using the Warehouse Studio Mobile Unit. Even the mix was done in a house in Provence, France, in March 1996 by Bob Clearmountain. Adams played some of these songs live before release; for example, he played "Let's Make a Night to Remember" at a soundcheck in a gig in 1993 during the So Far So Good World Tour. Adams had completed 12 songs by 1995, but felt that something was lacking in the album, and went back and recorded two new songs: "The Only Thing" and "18 til I Die". Adams then named the album 18 til I Die.

Release

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18 til I Die was officially released in June 1996. In the United States the album peaked at 31 on the Billboard 200 and held that position for three weeks. In Adams' native Canada, 18 til I Die reached number 4. The album was released in Australia, Europe and New Zealand in late June 1996. The album was a massive commercial success during its release in Europe, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart, Adams' second in a row. 18 til I Die reached the top ten in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Austria, Sweden, Germany and Australia, and was a moderate top 20 success in France.

The album was certified platinum in the United States,[15] 18 til I Die was certified three-times platinum in Canada and Australia and two-times platinum in the UK.[16][17][18]

18 til I Die included the hit singles "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman", "The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You", "Let's Make a Night to Remember", "Star", and "18 til I Die", all of which had accompanying music videos. "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" had been the number-one song on the US Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks when originally released in spring 1995, while "Let's Make a Night to Remember", the second single from the album to chart in the United States, peaked at 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 (and number 6 on the adult contemporary chart). The other singles became big hits in Europe. "The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You" was the most successful rock song from 18 til I Die, reaching number 5 on the UK Singles Chart and number 1 on the Canadian Singles Chart. The music video for "The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You" received heavy airplay on music television. In early 1997, the track "I'll Always Be Right There" became the album's final single, reaching number 3 on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart and number 59 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart.

Album differences

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On November 4, 1996, a second Australian version of 18 til I Die was released, featuring the song "I Finally Found Someone" (a duet with Barbra Streisand) in place of "You're Still Beautiful to Me" and had an alternative cover with a purple background and a different track order, while the Japanese version contained the bonus song "Hey Elvis".

Track listing

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All tracks are written by and produced by Bryan Adams and Robert John "Mutt" Lange, except where noted.

Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You" 3:37
2."Do to You" 4:11
3."Let's Make a Night to Remember" 6:19
4."18 til I Die" 3:30
5."Star"Adams, Lange, Kamen3:42
6."(I Wanna Be) Your Underwear" 3:18
7."We're Gonna Win" 2:27
8."I Think About You"Adams, Peters3:36
9."I'll Always Be Right There"Adams, Lange, Kamen3:17
10."It Ain't a Party... If You Can't Come 'Round" 3:47
11."Black Pearl" 4:00
12."You're Still Beautiful to Me" 5:14
13."Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?"Adams, Lange, Kamen4:48
Total length:51:48
Japanese bonus track[19]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
14."Hey Elvis"Adams, Peters3:26


Japan 2012/2013 SHM-CD bonus tracks[20][21]
No.TitleLength
14."Low Life" (From "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" single)4:10
15."I Want It All" (From "The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You" single)4:48
16."Hey Little Girl" (From "Let's Make a Night to Remember" single)4:39


Australia (Purple cover – November 1996)[22]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You" 3:37
2."Do to You" 4:11
3."Let's Make a Night to Remember" 6:19
4."18 til I Die" 3:30
5."Star"Adams, Lange, Kamen3:42
6."(I Wanna Be) Your Underwear" 3:18
7."I Think About You"Adams, Peters3:36
8."I'll Always Be Right There"Adams, Kennedy3:17
9."It Ain't a Party If Ya Can't Come 'Round" 3:47
10."Black Pearl" 4:00
11."Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?"Adams, Lange, Kamen4:48
12."I Finally Found Someone" (with Barbra Streisand)Adams, Lange, Streisand, Hamlisch3:43
13."We're Gonna Win" 2:27

Personnel

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  • Bryan Adams – vocals, 12-string guitar (1), wah guitar (1), harmonica (2), guitar (3, 5, 6, 7, 10), rhythm guitar (4), vocal solo (4), acoustic guitar (8, 12, 13), electric guitar (8), harmony vocals (8, 12, 13), lead guitar (11), handclaps (13)
  • Olle Romo – programming, percussion (1-6, 8, 10, 11, 12), acoustic piano (2), keyboards (3, 5, 6, 10, 12), pads (8, 13), castanets (13)
  • Michael Kamen – acoustic piano (5), string arrangements (9)
  • Keith Scott – guitar (1, 4, 5), lead guitar (2, 3), 12-string guitar (2), 6-string bass (2), electric sitar (3), tremolo guitar (6, 11), guitar licks (8), guitar swells (8), slide guitar (10), rhythm guitar (11), acoustic guitar (12), electric guitar (12)
  • Mutt Lange – guitar (1, 3-7, 10, 11), rhythm guitar (2), bass (7, 13), guitar picks (12)
  • Phil Palmer – guitars (9)
  • Paco de LuciaSpanish guitar (13)
  • Dave Taylor – bass (1-6, 8, 10, 11, 12)
  • Mickey Curry – drums (1-8, 10-13), brushes (13)
  • La Petite Orchestre De Cannes – strings (9)
  • Edward Shearmur – orchestra director (9)
  • The Pointless Brothers [Bryan Adams and Mutt Lange] – backing vocals (1, 4, 6, 10, 11)

Production

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  • Bryan Adams – producer
  • Robert John "Mutt" Lange –producer (1-7, 9-13)
  • Olle Romo – engineer
  • Ron Obvious – technical assistant
  • Bob Clearmountain – mixing
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering
  • Gateway Mastering (Portland, Maine) – mastering location
  • Dirk Rudolph – artwork, additional photography
  • Matthew Rolston – cover photography, additional photography
  • Andrew Catlin – additional photography
  • Anton Corbijn – additional photography
  • Bruce Allen – management

Charts

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Certifications and sales

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[48] 3× Platinum 210,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[49] Gold 25,000*
Belgium (BEA)[50] Gold 25,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[51] 3× Platinum 300,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[52] Gold 23,896[52]
Germany (BVMI)[53] Gold 250,000^
Japan (RIAJ)[54] Platinum 200,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[55] Platinum 15,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[56] Gold 50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[57] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[58] 2× Platinum 600,000^
United States (RIAA)[59] Platinum 816,000[13]
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[60] Platinum 1,000,000*
Worldwide 5,000,000[13]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ First released to Canadian radio in 1996.

References

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  1. ^ LeBlanc, Larry (May 4, 1996). "Canada Nice Alternative for Reid". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 18. p. 47. We're leading with a rock single ('The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You') May 8...
  2. ^ "Reviews – Records Out on August 12 1996". Music Week. August 3, 1996. p. 21.
  3. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. November 9, 1996. p. 29.
  4. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. April 5, 1997. p. 31.
  5. ^ AllMusic review
  6. ^ Verna, Paul (June 22, 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Albums" (PDF). Billboard. p. 85. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  7. ^ Darzin, Daina (June 8, 1996). "Pop Albums" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 9. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  8. ^ "Entertainment Weekly review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 5, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2008.
  9. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (June 14, 1996). "Music: This Week's Pop CD Releases". The Guardian.
  10. ^ Hochman, Steve (June 2, 1996). "18 'Til I Die". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Brackett, Nathan; Christian Hoard (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York City, New York: Simon and Schuster. p. 6. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  12. ^ "USA Today review". ProQuest 306756891. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  13. ^ a b c LeBlanc, Larry (October 24, 1998). "Bryan Adams Unveils New "Day"". Billboard. p. 59. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  14. ^ Bliss, Karen. "Adams recording new album". Jam!. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
  15. ^ "RIAA Certifications". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  16. ^ "BPI Certifications". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on April 24, 2008. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  17. ^ "CRIA Certifications". CRIA. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  18. ^ "ARIA Certifications". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  19. ^ "Bryan Adams – 18 Til I die (1996, CD)". Discogs.
  20. ^ "Bryan Adams = ブライアン・アダムス – 18 Til I die (2012, Paper Sleeve, SHM-CD, CD)". Discogs.
  21. ^ "Bryan Adams – 18 Til I die (2013, SHM-CD, CD)". Discogs.
  22. ^ "Bryan Adams – 18 Til I die (1996, CD)". Discogs.
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  24. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Bryan Adams – 18 'til I Die" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
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  27. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 3002". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  28. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Bryan Adams – 18 'til I Die" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  29. ^ "Bryan Adams: 18 'til I Die" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
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  31. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Bryan Adams – 18 'til I Die" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
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  33. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Bryan Adams – 18 'til I Die". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  34. ^ "Hits of the World – Spain". Billboard. June 22, 1996. p. 60. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  35. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Bryan Adams – 18 'til I Die". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  36. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Bryan Adams – 18 'til I Die". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  37. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  38. ^ "Bryan Adams Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
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  40. ^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 1996". austriancharts.at. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
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  44. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1996". hitparade.ch. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  45. ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1996". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  46. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End – 1996". Billboard. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  47. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums Chart for 1997". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  48. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  49. ^ "Austrian album certifications – Bryan Adams – 18Til I Die" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  50. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 1996". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  51. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Bryan Adams – 18 Til I Die". Music Canada. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  52. ^ a b "Bryan Adams" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  53. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Bryan Adams; '18 Til I Die')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  54. ^ "Japanese album certifications – Bryan Adams – 18 Til I Die" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved September 14, 2019. Select 1996年8月 on the drop-down menu
  55. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Bryan Adams – 18 'Til I Die". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 6, 2020.[dead link]
  56. ^ Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (PDF) (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. p. 940. ISBN 84-8048-639-2. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  57. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('18 Til I Die')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
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