Broken Base: A lot of his older fans really hate the way Adams' public reputation went from hip pop-rocker to uncool adult contemporary balladeer with "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You", from which it still hasn't really recovered, even when he's made plenty of rock records since.
Mutt Lange's production on "Waking Up The Neighbours", which makes Adams sound like Def Leppard. The lack of Jim Vallance co-writes on the album doesn't help.
There seems to be a portion of the fanbase who thinks 18 Til I Die is one of his best and On A Day Like Today sucks, and another portion who thinks On A Day Like Today is best and 18 Til I Die sucks. You won't find many who like both equally.
Critical Dissonance: The 18 Til I Die album was thrashed by critics, though it is generally well liked by fans.
In the United Kingdom, his Signature Song "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" was at the top of the UK Singles Chart for SIXTEEN WEEKS STRAIGHT. This makes it the longest-reigning single on a UK chart ever. Probably helps the song is tied to a filmabout one of the most iconic British folk heroes ever.
Signature Songs: "Summer of '69" remains Adams' most iconic song, with "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" (technically his biggest hit), and "Heaven" very close behind. Going by album we have:
Cuts Like a Knife: "Straight from the Heart" and the Title Track.
Reckless: "Summer of '69", "Heaven" and "Run to You" are the three absolute classics. Also well-known are "Somebody" and "It's Only Love".
Waking Up the Neighbours: "Everything I Do", although "Can't Stop This Thing We Started" and "Do I Have to Say the Words" are also well-remembered.
So Far So Good: "Please Forgive Me".
18 'til I Die: "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman".
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