It’s Only Love is a rock song, taken as the last single from Bryan Adam’s fourth studio album Reckless. The live version from the maxi single was recorded in Birmingham, England at the N.E.C. on March 23, 1985. Because Bryan was the opening act for Tina’s Private Dancer Tour in Europe, he performed the song at most of the concerts together with Tina as a special guest. At the Break Every Rule Tour in 1987 / '88, Tina performed the song as a duet with John Miles. At the Rainforest Concert in 1993 and once again for Tina’s birthday special Celebrate! in 1999, Tina and Bryan performed it live again. The cover pictures were taken from the music video and as a special bonus, the single was also released with a gatefold cover, including many live pictures from Tina & Bryan. The single was reviewed in Billboard magazine in it’s issue from November 16, 1985 and received a Grammy nomination in 1986. Both promoted the song at the Juno Award in Canada on November 04, 1985.
Bryan Adams discovered an unreleased vocal track from Tina from the original recording session, while he was working on his 'Classic' album and released a single with two new mixes for the Record Store Day in 2025.
The music video shows Tina in a black mini dress and a jeans jacket, introducing Bryan Adams. He then joins her on stage with his guitar for the duet. The clip was taken from the Private Dancer Tour home video and won a MTV Video Music Award in the category 'Best Stage Performance' in 1986.
Writer: Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance
Producer: Bryan Adams, Bob Clearmountain
Photographer: Paul Cox
Release: November 1985 (Single) / November 1984 (Album)
Label: A&M
Format: 7“ Vinyl (Gatefold) / 12“ Vinyl
Charts: USA: #15 / UK: #29 / Germany: #44 / Europe: #52 / Australia: #57
Grammy: Best Rock Vocals Performance (Nomination 1986)
Music Video: 4:13 / David Mallet (Director)
„I attended Tina Turner's vocal session for „It's Only Love“. As soon as she started singing, my heart sank. Our track was in the wrong key for Tina's vocal range! I thought we'd blown it, but Tina and Bryan tried a few things. They nudged the melody up a third and suddenly, we were back in business and Tina nailed it! What a thrilling moment that was. It was very exciting to witness.“ — Jim Vallance
„This was the most memorable collaboration of all the ones I have done. Working with Tina Turner was amazing. I used to go to see her in the clubs when I was in my late teens before she hit the big time. It was incredible to watch her. It was such a privilege to have sung with her, especially since I was only 24 at the time.“ — Bryan Adams
Tracks
- It’s Only Love 3:15
- It’s Only Love (Live) 3:25
- The Best Was Yet To Come (Bryan Adams) 3:04