"Let's Make A Night, To Remember"

Where do I even begin?

Let's start with the drive in, I was ecstatic. Bryan Adams' songs were running through my mind. As I was putting curlers in my hair, a new song would pop into my mind, "Oooh, I hope he sings THAT one!"

Driving over the Granville Street Bridge, there was a beautiful rainbow over the city. Could the evening get any better?

We drove into Yaletown and met our friend Michelle and her little brother Matty for dinner. We went to a yummy Thai place. It was good to meet up with friends, it made the night that much more special!


The show was at the Orpheum, which as a very cool venue. It kind of has that "old Hollywood" feel with the beautiful gold painted facades. There were pictures on the walls of past performers, one of Ella Fitzgerald! Wouldn't that have been cool to see? The old glam look set an intimate feel and there isn't a bad seat in the house.

The house lights were on as everyone filed in finding their seats and antcipating the beginning of the show. Once the lights dimmed I was expecting someone to come out and welcome the world reknowned Canadian singer, or a opening band to come and kick off the night. But no, just like that Bryan (yes, we're on a first name basis) just walks out with his guitar! Gives a quick greeting and starts to play. Wow.

There was no band, just him, a mic and guitar. To the side was a grand piano. Once in a while he would bust out the harmonica. His pianist was AMAZING. He was so relaxed and obviously having fun and was very talented.

I tried to take a picture and a video, however the staff of the place were like little ants crawling around everywhere. A tight-faced woman, who did not look like she was having a good time being PAID to be at a BRYAN ADAMS CONCERT told me to "Put that away. Away, away, put that in your bag. There is none of that here at all!" So, here is my pathetic, unfocused attempt at capturing the concert.


In a way it was good, because I was not watching it through the viewfinder of my camera. I relaxed, clapped, held Spencer's hand and cried. (Yes, I got a little teary when he sang my favourite song, "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)".)

Spencer and I were probably one of the youngest people there. Most of them were about 30+. It was cool though to see everyone, of all ages, enjoying his music. As I looked around I saw the guy in the trucker hat who had a bit too much at the bar, the pregnant mom and her husband beside me, young girls in the balcony who Bryan called down to two front seats, the two women well past their prime screaming "I Love You, Bryan!", to which he said "Well this song's for you sweetheart." and sang a song about how he'd rather be drinkin'. The guy yelling "PORT MOODY!" trying to prove..something. The people dancing at the front - the women in their 50's, girls in their 20's and the random guy with the monk ring who was awkwardly standing right at the front.

He was so calm, a natural performer. I loved the intimacy of it, simpleness of the instruments, his husky and familiar voice sounded so good. There was nothing fancy, no special light shows, no specially constructed stage. He made jokes about looking in the crowd for old highschool mates and what it was like trying to make it big in Vancouver. He was saying how "Cuts Like A Knife" brought him from playing in "shitty bars" to "less shitty bars". Excuse my language, but those were his words! He played for two hours, then came out and did five encore songs. The show could have gone all night. In fact, I would have loved for him and his pianist to come and just play us a lullaby as we fall asleep tonight. I remember falling asleep to his "Best of Me" album.

There were times tonight where his voice sounded so familiar, like on the radio, or his CDs, except I couldn't get over that he was there, playing these songs for us. I wasn't JUST listening, I was WATCHING. WOW! Sometimes, I wouldn't clap, chair dance or sing along. I would simply sit and listen and enjoy the moment. I am so, so happy I got to experience this! Thank you Spencer!

To end off this very long blog, I am going to post the lyrics to (one) of my favourite Bryan Adams songs. I know its cheezy and cliche, but I have always loved it, its so romantic, and that is who I am. So if you wish to click on the lyrics, it will take you to a YouTube video of the music video for it, from the movie Robin Hood.

Good night.

Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more

Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you

Look into your heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all - I would sacrifice

Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you

There's no love - like your love
And no other - could give more love
There's nowhere - unless you're there
All the time - all the way

Oh - you can't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
I would fight for you - I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you - ya I'd die for you

Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you