Adam Lambert, Holding Out for a Hero | COVERS

In the 6^th edition of COVERS (2023), Adam Lambert delivers a compelling rendition of “Holding Out for a Hero,” originally performed by Bonnie Tyler.

“Ineed a hero / I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night…” Ah, it’s time to get cozy and totally cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS separates itself from a related column, Head 2 Head 🗣️ only highlighting the musician who covers, as opposed to the original/most famous performer. COVERS is open to both established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 6^th edition of COVERS (2023), 🎙 Adam Lambert delivers a compelling rendition of 🎵 “Holding Out for a Hero”, originally performed by 🎙 Bonnie Tyler.

“Where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods?” That is a legitimate question, 🎙 Adam Lambert, sigh. I wish I had the answer! He goes on to sing in the first verse of 🎵 “Holding Out for a Hero”, “Where’s the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds?” Again, I totally agree, but again, I don’t have the answer… Of course, Mr. Lambert is not the first to asks these burning questions.  That honor belongs to 🎙 Bonnie Tyler, who recorded this 🎼 ✍ Jim Steinman and Dean Pitchford penned record for the Footloose soundtrack in 1984.  Additionally, the hit appeared on the Welsh singer’s 1986 LP, 💿 Secret Dreams & Forbidden Fire. Of course, this is NOT about Bonnie but rather, it’s about Adam, whose cover of “Holding Out for a Hero” graces his 2023 album, 💿 High Drama.

“Holding Out for a Hero” suits Adam Lambert perfectly. Big-voiced and theatrical to the n^th degree, he makes this hit sound like an original. Given his prodigious vocal skills, it is unsurprising that Lambert can transform a song originally sung by the opposite sex and make it work perfectly for him.  Of course, given the fact that Lambert is openly gay, it also works seamlessly that his love interest is male (“It’s gonna take a Superman to sweep me off my feet”). As intriguing as the verses are, it is the anthemic chorus where Adam shines his brightest:

“I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night

He’s gotta be strong, and he’s gotta be fast

And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight.”

Besides the singing, the production (🎛 Andrew Wells and Charley Bagnall) successfully reintroduces “Holding Out for a Hero” for the 21^st century.  The synths sizzles, while the beat hits hard. Sure, this is quintessential 80s but certainly does not sound like an anachronism in 2023, particularly in the 🏆 Grammy-nominated pop/rock artist’s hands.

🎙 Adam Lambert • 💿 High Drama • 🏷 More is More, LLC / BMG Rights Management (US) LLC • 🗓 2023

Adam Lambert, “Holding Out for a Hero”: Covers No. 6 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; More is More, LLC / BMG Rights Management (US) LLC; Paul Brennan from Pixabay;  Sdf Rahbar on Unsplash]