Do I Have To Say The Words?
Recording Artist: Bryan Adams
Writers: Jim Vallance
Bryan Adams
Mutt Lange
Date Written: 1988 - 1989 / Vancouver Canada, London England
Albums: Waking Up The Neighbours (A&M Records, 1991)
So Far So Good (A&M Records, 1993)
Charts: #2 - Canada
#3 - US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)
#5 - Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart / 1992
#6 - The Record (Canada) / October 12, 1992 (15 weeks on the chart)
#11 - Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart / 1992 (20 weeks on the chart)
#30 - UK Chart / Sep-Oct 1992 (3 weeks on the chart)
#39 - Netherlands / 1992
Awards: 1993 - SOCAN Award (Society of Composers Authors and Music Publishers of Canada)
Audio:
 

Bryan Adams: rhythm guitar, vocal
Keith Scott: lead guitar
Dave Taylor: bass
Mickey Curry: drums
 
Produced by Mutt Lange and Bryan Adams. Recorded by Nigel Green at Battery Studios, London.  Mixed by Bob Clearmountain at Mayfair Studios, London.
Comments:
Steve Lillywhite
(click on photo)
 
This track began life as a completely different song ... a mid-tempo U2-inspired track titled "Rescue Me". Mutt Lange worked his magic, turned our chorus into a verse, slowed the tempo to ballad-speed, added a new chorus, and the song became "Do I Have To Say The Words?".

A year before Mutt's involvement Bryan recorded a version of "Rescue Me" at Olympic Studios in London with producer Steve Lillywhite. Bryan and I were huge fans of Steve's work with The Pretenders, U2, The Pogues and others. In fact, Adams and Lillywhite recorded eight songs together -- three quarters of an album -- but the Lillywhite recordings were never released.
Lyrics: Rescue me from the mire
Whisper words of desire
Rescue me - darling rescue me

With your arms open wide
Want you here by my side
Come to me - darling rescue me

When this world's closing in
There's no need to pretend
Set me free - darling rescue me

I don't wanna let you go
So I'm standing in your way
I never needed anyone like I'm needin' you today

Do I have to say the words?
Do I have to tell the truth?
Do I have to shout it out?
Do I have to say a prayer?
Must I prove to you how good we are together?
Do I have to say the words

Rescue me from despair
Tell me you will be there
Rescue me - darlin' rescue me

Every dream that we share
Every cross that we bear
Come to me - darlin' rescue me