Regardless of the popularity levels of both artists, there has always existed a certain amount of confusion surrounding Bryan and Ryan Adams. They are not the same person, they aren’t even alter egos. Nor they are brothers (that would be a bit cruel on the parents’ part wouldn’t it) or father and son. Aside from a birthday (November 5) and achieving acclaim in ‘rock’ music as it is loosely defined, there isn’t that much they have in common at all.
Most obviously Bryan Adams is significantly older than Ryan Adams (15 years to be exact). Bryan hails from Toronto, Canada while Ryan was born and bred in Jacksonville, North Carolina (1,309km away). Bryan has racked up 15 Grammy nominations and a win while Ryan has only a nomination to his name (though every indication exists that he prefers it that way). While Bryan’s biggest audience is mums (does the group need a more detailed description – I think not), Ryan caters to the stand still and think ‘show’-going crowd. Bryan Adams gets covered, Ryan Adams plays covers (though for his credit he does “Wonderwall” much better than Oasis). Bryan plays ‘adult alternative’ (whatever the hell that means) and has made his fortune with the classics you hear at ever wedding: “Summer of ’69”, “Everything I Do I Do It For You”, etc. Ryan on the other hand is most known for his unique style of alt-country heard in “When the Stars Go Blue” and “New York, New York”. Ryan might even have you tossed out of his show if you request that he sing about the six string Bryan played during a magical summer that occurred 5 years prior to his birth.
For those who have sorted out the differences between Bryan and Ryan, the question often turns to who is better? If you judge based on accolades and commercial success, the hands-down champion would be Bryan. If someone judges based on which answer they think will make them look coolest (only the people most obsessed with being cool refuse to use the word) in a room full of self-proclaimed music nerds, the winner would be Ryan.
Personally I love them both more or less equally but in different ways, kind of like how a good parent claims to love their children. I adore that Bryan Adams makes me want to roll the bus windows down and sing at the top of my lungs. I love that Ryan Adams is always there for me when I’m feeling a bit down, reminding me that as bad as I feel it could be worse (I could be him). I like the cheesiness of sloppily slow dancing to “Heaven” and the way in which “Come Pick Me Up” can be interpreted as both desperation and hatred but either way it sends shivers down the spine. My more or less joyful childhood was infused with Bryan Adams as much as Ryan Adams defined my brooding adolescence.
Thus, it is impossible for me to choose. But then again I don’t think I (or anyone else for that matter) should have to. The wonderful thing about music is that it’s a non-competitive good which, at least according to my former development economics professor, means that enjoying one piece of music does not mean that you have to enjoy another piece less. There are no allocated enjoyment units in the game of life that one has to conserve and play strategically.
If anyone else feels the urge to enjoy a bit of Bryan or Ryan (or both) you can find their official sites here:
Bryan – http://www.bryanadams.com/
Ryan – http://ryanada.ms/
