34 Years Ago, Bryan Adams' Song Dominated the Billboard Hot 100
Bryan Adams’ iconic track Everything I Do led the Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven consecutive weeks, establishing itself as one of the 1990s' most memorable hits. During that era, movie soundtracks often matched or even surpassed the commercial success of the films they accompanied.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves — A Box Office Success
The 1991 swashbuckling film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner, earned $390.5 million globally on a budget estimated between $48 and 60 million. While Costner's performance received mixed reviews, the movie became a beloved family adventure appealing to a wide audience from children to adults.
The Role of Bryan Adams' Soundtrack
The film renewed interest in English folklore, but its soundtrack played an equally crucial role in its popularity. Bryan Adams’ power ballad "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" was central to this success.
"Surprisingly, for a song that sold 15 million copies and spent seven weeks at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100, '(Everything I Do) I Do It For You' took only 45 minutes to draft up."
The song was written for Adams’ sixth studio album, Waking Up the Neighbours, and also served as the lead single for the movie’s soundtrack. Collaborating with producer Mutt Lange and inspired by a tape from the film's soundtrack composer Michael Kamen, Adams quickly created this enduring hit.
Summary
Bryan Adams' powerful ballad significantly boosted the success of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and became a timeless anthem of the 90s, crafted remarkably swiftly yet selling millions worldwide.