June 3, 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of one of Bryan Adams’ biggest hits, “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?,” ascending to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Canadian rocker recorded the romantic ballad for the soundtrack of the 1995 comedy-drama Don Juan DeMarco. The film co-starred Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp, and Faye Dunaway.
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Adams co-wrote “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” with hit-making producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange and acclaimed composer Michael Kamen. The trio had previously collaborated on two other chart-topping hits for Adams—“(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (1991) and “All for Love” (1994). “All for Love” also featured Rod Stewart and Sting.
“Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” ended Montell Jordan’s seven-week run at the top of the Hot 100. Adams’ tune went on to spend five weeks at No. 1 on the chart before being replaced by TLC’s “Waterfalls.”
“Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” was highlighted by a flamenco-style solo by Spanish guitar virtuoso Paco de Lucia.
The song was heard three times in Don Juan DeMarco. It was performed twice by other artists in Spanish, while Adams’ version played over the film’s credits.
More About “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?”
In 1996, “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” was nominated for an Oscar in the best song category. The award went to “Colors of the Wind” from the animated flick Pocahontas.
Adams also included “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” on his 1996 studio album, 18 til I Die. The album was produced by Lange, who also co-wrote 12 of the 13 tracks on the record. Kamen also co-wrote two other songs on 18 til I Die—“Star” and “I’ll Always Be Right There.”
Bryan recorded a new version of “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” for his 2022 album Classic Pt. II.
Adams’ Other Chart-Topping Singles
“Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” was Adams’ fourth and, to date, final single to top the Billboard Hot 100.
Bryan scored his first No. 1 Hot 100 hit with “Heaven” in 1985. The power ballad spent two weeks at the top of the chart in June of that year.
“(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” was Adams’ most successful single. The song, which was featured in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, had a seven-week chart-topping run on the Hot 100 during the summer of 1991.
“All for Love,” a collaboration with Stewart and Sting, was featured on the soundtrack to the 1993 movie The Three Musketeers. The tune became Bryan’s third No. 1 hit on the Hot 100, topping the tally for three weeks in January-February 1994.
Adams’ 2025 Tour Plans
Adams has a packed 2025 tour itinerary supporting his upcoming studio album, Roll with the Punches. The outing features more than 75 total dates.
He currently is in the midst of a lengthy European leg that’s plotted out through a September 6 performance in Chelmsford, U.K.
Bryan then will head to his Canadian homeland for a series of concerts running from a September 11 show in Kamloops, British Columbia, through an October 15 gig in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Adams will wind down 2025 with a U.S. leg featuring special guests Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. The trek begins October 25 in Uncasville, Connecticut, and scheduled through a November 26 show in Minneapolis.
Roll with the Punches will be released on August 29.
(Photo by Phil Dent/Redferns)
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