On a Day Like Today is the eighth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams, released on October 27, 1998.
Singles "On a Day Like Today" was the first single released. It reached number thirteen in the UK and number one on the Canadian Singles Chart. Follow-up single "When You're Gone", featuring Melanie C, reached number three in the UK, and was in the top-ten for ten weeks, while peaking at number eleven in Canada. "Cloud Number Nine" reached number six in the UK and number seven in Canada.
Critical reception
On a Day Like Today received mixed reviews from critics. Writing for Entertainment Weekly, Tom Lanham gave the album a B+ rating, stating that "Adams started searching for that perfect balance of mature grace and useful guitar grind".
However, William Ruhlmann of AllMusic gave the album two out of five stars, claiming that "Adams simply had no contemporary audience left, and this was not the record to rebuild his career. It was defiantly bereft of ballads, nothing to break on the AC chart, and even if his rock audience had been listening, there was nothing here to rank with his earlier signature hits".
Commercial performance On a Day Like Today was a success around the world, peaking at number three in Canada, and number eleven in the UK. However at the time in the U.S. market, it became the first of Adams' albums since 1983's Cuts Like a Knife not to obtain a platinum sales certification. According to AllMusic, the record company did not do a lot of advertising for album, as Adams and this album got caught when his record company sold his recording contract to rap label Interscope, who in turn did very little in the US to promote it.
Track listing All tracks are produced by Bryan Adams and Bob Rock, except where noted.
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1998) PeakpositionDanish Albums (IFPI Danmark)13Estonian Albums (Eesti Top 10)2European Albums (Music & Media)4Italian Albums (FIMI)18Portuguese Albums (AFP)12
Year-end charts Chart (1998) PositionCanada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)32German Albums Chart84Chart (1999)PositionAustrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)46German Albums Chart45
Certifications
Personnel Dukes of Leisure Bryan Adams – vocals, guitars, bass, Mellotron, Wurlitzer electric piano, arrangements, string arrangements Keith Scott – guitars, six-string bass Mickey Curry – drums Dave Taylor – bass Danny Cummings – percussion
Honorary Dukes of Leisure Robbie Buchanan – keyboards Mike Gillies – programming Vincent Jones – Hammond organ Dave Pickell – acoustic piano, Hammond organ Phil Western – keyboards, programming Olle Romo – programming Phil Thornalley – guitars, bass, string arrangements (4) Bob Buckley – string arrangements David Munday – string arrangements (4) Vancouver Orchestra – strings Melanie C – vocals (8)
Production Bryan Adams – producer, package design, photography Bob Rock – producer (1, 2, 3, 5–9, 11, 12, 14) Phil Thornalley – producer (4), additional recording Phil Western – producer (10), additional recording Randy Staub – recording Bob Clearmountain – mixing Dean Maher – additional recording, mix assistant Ron Obvious – technical engineer Bob Ludwig – mastering Gateway Mastering (Portland, Maine) – mastering location Sandy Brummels – art coordinator Glen Ross – package design
References