Bryan Adams - 'The Ballad Of Terry Fox'
The legacy of Terry Fox, told in song by Bryan Adams.
Byan Adams, Grammy and JUNO Award-winning singer, songwriter, and recording artist known for hits “Summer Of ‘69”, “Cuts Like a Knife”, “All for Love”, “Run To You”, “Heaven”, and more released his latest single “The Ballad of Terry Fox” on August 27th. The song is a heartfelt and uplifting celebration of one of Canada’s most enduring heroes, Terry Fox.
Adams’ musical career spans more than four decades, and is one of Canada’s most celebrated musicians. He continues to perform for audiences across the globe, and his music reflects a lifelong commitment to storytelling, authenticity, and the enduring power of rock and roll.
The single, “The Ballad of Terry Fox”, is inspired by the life and legacy of Terry Fox, telling the story of his historic Marathon of Hope, a 5,373 kilometers (3,339 mile) marathon from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Some of the lyrics telling Terry’s legacy included, “he didn't run for medals, he didn’t run for gold”, “there was no closing ceremony, just a roadside clap”, and “he said “its a mission greater than himself””, showing how Terry's goal was not to become famous, it was to create change and fund a cure for all cancers.
At eighteen years old, Terry Fox was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma just above the knee, causing the subsequent amputation of his leg. After sixteen months of treatment, he decided he would not stay in the cancer wards, instead he would run across Canada to raise money for cancer research in a Marathon of Hope, stopping in more than 400 towns, schools, and cities to speak about the marathons purpose. With lyrics, “he carried the nation's weight for 26 miles, then he’d go again” showing how each morning, Terry ran 26 miles, from 4:30am to 7pm each day for 143 days straight.
The saddest lyrics of the song, “on a lonely stretch near Thunder Bay, his stride was halted, the body gave way”, was inspired by his final run on September 1st, 1980. After running 5,373 kilometers about 3,339 miles, the marathon ended at Thunder Bay, Ontario, on September 1st, 1980, when cancer returned in his lungs and he was forced to stop.
Even confined to a hospital bed, Terry’s advocacy for cancer donations did not halt. With over $25.4 million raised before his death and $1 billion more after, Terry changed the lives of many. With lyrics “He ran for everybody, he ran for me and you” and “he might have had to stop the run, but the fight still carries on / For every heart that followed him, the race was bravely won” Adams showed how much Terry shaped advancements, support, and donations in cancer research.
“I remember Terry’s run back in 1980 when I was on tour In Canada playing 200-capacity clubs,” Adams shared. “When he stopped near Thunder Bay on September 1, I had just played in Ottawa, and his run was all over the news. Without knowing it, Terry gave our country a ‘something' and ‘someone' that everyone could agree on and unite behind.” For Adams, Terry’s ability to turn one person’s determination into a country wide movement was what inspired the “The Ballad of Terry Fox”. The song is more than just a tribute to a Canadian hero, it is a celebration of the enduring power of hope, perseverance and the belief that one person can make a difference.
The music video was directed by Sean Menard, the acclaimed filmmaker behind the upcoming documentary Run Terry Run. Together Adams’ musical tribute and the story of Terry’s Marathon of Hope capture Terry's legacy that continues to resonate across generations. The song will also be in the film, premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival. Adams stated, “I’m extremely proud to be part of Sean Menard’s film and especially proud of Terry and his legacy.”
With Terry’s uplifting story, and Adams astounding story telling, “The Ballad of Terry Fox” draws on your emotions, making you want to learn more about Terry and his legacy.
Words by Isabella Basile
