The last two weeks have been devoted to my Kindle and Adele. I view it as a balance of interests. The former is fluff, the latter is stuff.
I first heard of Adele a couple of years ago, most likely on Elaine‘s blog. I loved her immediately but, as I am wont to do when it comes to music, promptly forgot about her in exchange for something else, probably a book. Then I came across this video and remembered everything about Adele there is to love. I’ve played this video nonstop for almost two weeks. I’ve linked to it on Facebook, emailed friends, and coerced the Mister to watch it one night when he was really tired. He watched the whole thing without moving, commenting once that “she can really wail it,” which is a credit to her voice since I thought for sure he would zero in (with pleasure) on her buxom figure.
I’ve read that Adele wrote this song shortly after her break up with a man she considers to be “the love of [her] life.” She imagined what it would be like to find him decades later, happily married and with children, and the thought left her decimated. She’s only 21, and while it’s possible that she has met and lost the love of her life, I want to hope that she lost, instead, her first love.
Do you remember your first love? I suppose that’s a silly question. They’re impossible to forget, although who knows if they would have left such an impact on your life is they had been your second, third, or even fourth love. There is something about the first, though, that can leave you wrecked. My friend, Steve, says it’s because with the first love, the feelings are all so new and expansive that you can’t help but open yourself wide and give everything to that person. Subsequent loves, even when they are greater, truer, better, aren’t as frenetic.
A few things I love about this video…
- Her hair. I always wanted to try one of those sleek, bouffant ponytails.
- Her makeup. From the sea-fan fake lashes and smokey eyes, to her pale lips. Very Brigitte Bardot.
- Her mannerisms. I find the way she holds her hands compelling, and I’m not saying that to sound like some jerk with $10 words. I really couldn’t take my eyes off her hands, especially the movement she makes at the almost 2:00 and 4:00 marks. She doesn’t hold the mic like most artists do, and her nails are old fashioned, long and oval.
- Her emotion. She seems to lose herself when she is singing, thinking back and thinking forward. You can almost see the moment she returns to the present when the song ends. She smiles, giggles a bit, and then shudders, as if she is glad to stop thinking about the experience that inspired the song.
I think I could be really good friend with her. I love that song.
I’ve been playing Adele non stop too. I love ‘Don’t You Remember’ and watch that constantly on YouTube..it reminds me of my first love :)
Her voice is breathtaking, I’ve been obsessed with her voice since I heard it a few years back. She exudes class and beauty without trying and it’s soooo refreshing!
I love her voice, I love “Rolling in the Deep” just makes me want to cry and dance at the same time. I must be a little emotional.
I love, love, love her! I’m a huge fan of the moody, blue-sy kinda stuff. Sarah Bareilles, Norah Jones..
I’m sure you have, but you’re familiar with Adele’s “Make you feel my love.”, yes? When I listen to it, I feel the overwhelming need to cry…for no reason.
And to eat chocolate.
I got chills. I had never experienced her before but agree with almost everything you said.
It reminds me of the commentary of Love, Actually (I have a point, bear with me!) when Emma Thompson goes into her bedroom while “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell is playing. The director is talking about how this song was originally recorded when she was very young (after wiki check, it was in 1969 when she was 26). She rerecorded it in 2000 and that’s the version that was played in that scene, and he was talking about how different the versions were. The original was so much more innocent while the newer one has this weight of life and history to her words.
I really want to see if Adele re-records this song in 20-30 years and how different it will sound.
Ooh, interesting movie trivia! I swear, my favorite part about the movies are the director’s commentary and extra scenes and footage. I wonder what she will think of this song and her statements that he was the love of her life in 20 years. She claims this will forever be her song, so it will be interesting to see if that changes.
Oh yes, commentary is the best! I have watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy with the commentary on so much that even if I watch it without I know what is being said with each part….
But yes, Love, Actually is the best commentary. Just wonderful.
Holy Crap, her voice is freakin’ amazing! I love a kind of dirty voice, sort of darker and rougher. And she really can belt it while keeping the melody really clean and tight. Thanks for posting her!
I suspect that the hands are a bit of a mnemonic device for her, given the way they repeat; slam poets and gospel singers do this also. But I agree, the effect is really graceful and captivating.
And on first love (sorry to be so chatty): Not to be ridiculously cheesy, but I really don’t remember very much about any of the men I was with before my husband or all the drama and emotion that went along with them. I remember more about unrequited, secret crushes than the guy I dated for two years in college. I believe that I wasn’t really in love with anyone before the man I married, contrary to whatever I may have thought or felt about ex’s at the time. Being in love with him is so much bigger.
Of course, this probably indicates some underlying psychosis, so there’s always that…
True on the hands, but some of the moves she makes are so unusual that if they weren’t graceful they would be so distracting! The way she cups her chest, for example. I have seen her do in several other videos so I think it’s a natural melodramatic move for her…but still so odd!
I think that’s true. If you don’t really remember someone you dated, then they must not have been love lost, you know? I remember my high school crush, definitely!
When I first saw this, I thought it was a stellar performance all round, for all the reasons you mentioned.
The pain of losing my first love still smarts, and I’ve been happily married for six years. Perhaps the most bittersweet thing about it is, we loved each other but we never had a relationship beyond our years-long correspondence of letters and phone calls.
You’re kidding! That sounds like a great story to share over drinks. :)
She sings like I talk. All gestures and loud voice. She moves with the rhythm of her thoughts and I love it. :)
I’m the same way. Loud and active. :)
Oh my goodness…I dearly love Adele and her incredible voice. So glad you posted this video! I think I’ll be linking this to others as well…
I also wanted to let you know how much I enjoy reading your blog! I stumbled across your site via Cardigan Empire a few months ago and am so glad I did. You make me want to pick up a good book ;^)
You know, I’m such a throw back I tend to get stuck with the Rat pack. But look at me–I’ve found two new favorites in the last few weeks–Adele and Mindy Gledhill.
I do love someone who sings with passion.
As for first loves, I try not to think of mine actually. I know my heart broke at the time, but it didn’t take me long to realize he was a bit of a dork … and not in a good way. The one I do remember, however, was my high school crush. Four years–FOUR YEARS–I pined after that guy. I would cry myself to sleep every time he would talk with a girl–and heaven forbid he would give her a ride home. Little did I know, I should have been crying when he was talking to the guys. Sigh.
Every time I see Amy has left a comment, I know I am going to smile, laugh, think, awww, or feel good…and I know she will end whatever she says with a smile or a *sigh*.
LOVE it.
It’s true. I do tend to get stuck in a rut. Sigh. :)
Seriously though, such kind words … especially considering I feel like I simply blather on.
And this was probably one of my favorite comment of yours. (For now.)
Yeah, the fact that I pined after a gay man all through high school is usually a hit. Actually, my mom said I need to do a blog series: the men in my life. It would be a sordid tale, I’m sure …
I love Adele! I recently put out a feeler to my friends back in the states (I’m currently stationed in Naples, Italy – Active Duty Navy) for some hip new music. One friend came back with her as a suggestion. Oh-Mmm-Gee! I was sitting here in front of the computer all day listening to her and watching her videos. Today, I couldn’t take it any more and went out and bought her album!
First loves…I dated this one ‘love’ for more than a year and I thought for sure we would marry. Despite having HUGE obstacles (like he wanted to live in Washington state and I HATED the idea) I would have said ‘yes’ if he had proposed. He never did and he ended up marrying a woman who could be my twin. A friend emailed me with the kooky story. She said she followed them all around the grocery store because she could have sworn it was me shopping with him even though she knew I was out of the country. I found his social networking page and yes, *GASP!* was super surprised to see myself looking back at me. I’m not sure I’m hurt or harbor any kind of negative feeling. I actually think about how since leaving him I’ve been to the Middle East, Budapest and Italy and I’ve seen another US state. I’ve also met my husband who makes me feel what I’ve always wanted to feel in life – secure and happy! He’s also blessed me with the greatest gifts ever – my little boy and future bambino to arrive any day now. Yep, I think I’m more weirded out that my ex would find my look-a-like. Weird. Just weird.
Why didn’t anyone ever say this to me before?
They�re impossible to forget, although who knows if they would have left such an impact on your life is they had been your second, third, or even fourth love.
This is very good perspective.
And I love Adele. Her voice is so haunting. She’s perfect for a Sunday afternoon spent in the kitchen. I’ve also been having some pity parties for myself and she’s always up for a good pity party!
Seriously, right? Sometimes you have to wonder why you are making such a big deal about a guy that, in the end, is no more special than the other guys you’ve dated.
Adele had me at Chasing Pavements. I have loved her soulful, beyond-her-years voice, since then. She hits it on the head with this song about something most of us have felt at some point in our life. Could you imagine having this song to listen to while trying to get over a broken heart? Oh my, talk about crying a river…
I am SO SO glad that I am not the only one obsessed with her right now! I was home sick yesterday and just kept 21 on loop all day long. :)
The first time I saw Adele on television, I nodded with great appreciation — not just at her voice (which I liken to “sky” (vast, shades of various colors, rich, etc.) — but also because she wasn’t this tiny, skinny little thing. (Neither am I, obviously) Every time I’ve seen her perform (unfortunately never live), she finishes singing then immediately goes into chewing gum! She has a piece of gum in her mouth while she sings! And if her voice, and her full-figure wasn’t enough to make me really like her, the gum thing certainly got me.
How crazy that I am just now (sitting at work, ha!) listening to 21 for the first time and clicked over to your blog!! It’s so beautiful. Listening to Love Song right now……..I adored it when The Cure sang it as well. Love it!! :)
Jules- one more example of how you speak my language! I love, love, love Adele. I first saw her a couple years ago on SNL (the pre-Cee Lo days!) and was captivated. I put her music on when I feel a little moody, nostalgic, thoughtful, or just mellow.
My first serious boyfriend (first love, I guess, but not “true love”) was my junior year in high school. I had a crush on his best friend for 3 years but finally gave that up and started dating him. As soon as we became serious, my crush confessed that he liked me too and asked me to just “give him a chance.” I held out for a year, insisting with all the 16-year old romantic wisdom I could muster that I had to see where my relationship with the other guy was going(!). Fast forward 13 years: My “crush” and I have been married for 9 happy years and have 2 beautiful daughters.
Whaaaat?! That is so romantic!!!! I love it! You have no idea what a sucker I am for love stories.
Comment of the day! +200 points.
Absolutely love Adele. My favorite song is “Make you feel my love.” I am a huge Bob Dylan so naturally that song appeases to my music senses.
I kinda forget about Adele too but its such a great feeling when I’ve reconnected with her music. I think I need her vinyl record. I bet that soulful voice would sound amazing over vinyl.
So not sure if you saw but Adele is playing in Los Angeles on June 9th at the Greek Theater. I saw your blog post yesterday and all of the sudden was noticing all these posters around town for Adele.
Also, Starbucks “pick of the week” is Adele’s new song Rumor has it.
I love that song. And I didn’t know she would be in town. The Greek is a small venue, too. I might have to go! Thank you!
Hi
I just found your blog through Stumble Upon. You have Great stuff here. THank you for putting Adele on. Never heard of her. Now I will have to find more of her beautiful love songs.
come and visit anytime
chickhardware.blogspot.com