"Reckless" is the fourth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams, released on November 5, 1984, coinciding with his 25th birthday. Produced by Adams and Bob Clearmountain, the album achieved significant commercial success, selling over 12 million copies globally and becoming Adams' second highest-selling album, surpassed only by his 1991 release, Waking Up the Neighbours. Notably, it was the first Canadian album to sell over one million copies in Canada, earning eleven-times platinum certification. The album peaked at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and received positive reviews from critics, who praised its songwriting and sonic quality. Six singles were released from Reckless, all charting in the top twenty of the US Billboard Hot 100: "Run to You," "Somebody," "Heaven," "Summer of '69," "One Night Love Affair," and "It's Only Love."
The song "Heaven" was the first recorded for the album, initially written for the film A Night in Heaven. Although it was considered too light for Reckless, it eventually made the cut. Adams and his co-writer Jim Vallance worked on new material throughout 1983 and 1984, recording at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver. After initial sessions, Adams felt the album lacked a rock edge and decided to return to Vancouver to re-record "One Night Love Affair" and "Summer of '69," and to write "Kids Wanna Rock."
"Run to You" was released as the lead single on October 18, 1984, topping the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart for four weeks and reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Somebody," issued in January 1985, became Adams' second No. 1 hit on the Top Rock Tracks chart and peaked at No. 11 on the Hot 100. "Heaven," released as the third single, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1985. "Summer of '69," initially receiving airplay upon the album's release, peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 after its June 1985 single release. "One Night Love Affair," released in September 1985, peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. "It's Only Love," released as the final single on October 21, 1985, reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In June 2008, the original master tapes for Reckless were destroyed in a fire at Universal Studios. However, a backup copy was found at Adams' home, which served as the basis for the 30th Anniversary remastered edition released on November 10, 2014. This expanded edition included previously unreleased tracks and live concert audio from a 1985 performance at Hammersmith Odeon in London. To celebrate, Adams embarked on the Reckless 30th Anniversary Tour, which ran from November 2014 to October 2015.
