Introduction
October 1, 2017, saw two rock icons step into the spotlight together at Toronto’s Ricoh Coliseum. For veterans and fans gathered to close out the Invictus Games, the evening transformed from ceremonial to cathartic as Adams and Springsteen traded guitar licks and vocals on stage .
The Invictus Games were established in 2014 by Prince Harry to celebrate the resilience of wounded servicemen and women. By its fourth edition in Toronto, the closing ceremony had become known for surprise performances—and nothing caught the crowd off-guard quite like this pairing.
Cuts Like a Knife
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Written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, “Cuts Like a Knife” debuted May 27 1983 as the title track of Adams’ third studio album.
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Its raw, raspy vocals and yearning lyrics propelled it to No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 6 on the Top Rock Tracks chart.
Badlands
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Released in 1978 on Springsteen’s album Darkness on the Edge of Town, “Badlands” quickly became a live staple, opening shows on his tour before the song’s album release.
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It ranks as Springsteen’s fourth most played song in concert, outpaced only by “Born to Run,” “Thunder Road,” and “The Promised Land.
With no rehearsal, Adams’ first chords of “Cuts Like a Knife” were met by Springsteen’s harmonica and guitar callbacks, then segued seamlessly into the driving riffs of “Badlands.” The crowd’s roar grew louder with each chorus, sealed by both artists’ unmistakable voices uniting in raw rock fervor.
This wasn’t merely a celebrity cameo—it was two generations of rockers honoring each other’s legacies. For veterans in the audience, it underscored music’s power to heal; for fans worldwide, it affirmed that great songs remain timeless bridges between hearts.