“Adele” is one of the most successful and influential artists of our time. Born in Tottenham, London, Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, better known as Adele, has won the hearts of millions with her soulful, heartfelt music. With a voice that is both powerful and emotive, Adele has become a household name, dominating the music charts and breaking records with each of her releases. Her music is known for its themes of heartbreak, loss, and self-reflection, and resonates with listeners on a personal level.
From her breakthrough hit “Chasing Pavements” to her smash hit “Hello,” Adele has consistently delivered songs that connect with people on an emotional level. Her ability to convey raw emotions through her music has earned her numerous accolades, including 15 Grammy Awards, 4 Brit Awards, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award.
In this list, we explore the 10 best Adele songs of all time, showcasing her incredible range and versatility as an artist. Each song tells a unique story and highlights Adele’s powerful voice and emotive songwriting. From heart-wrenching ballads like “Someone Like You” to upbeat anthems like “Rolling in the Deep,” this list is a tribute to Adele’s extraordinary talent and impact on the music industry.
1. “Easy on Me”
“Easy on Me” is a soulful and emotional ballad by Adele. The song, released in 2021, is Adele’s first single in six years and serves as a teaser for her highly anticipated fourth studio album. The piano-led arrangement perfectly complements Adele’s powerful vocals, which soar in the chorus as she sings about her struggles and mistakes in life.
The lyrics are introspective and vulnerable, with Adele admitting her faults and seeking forgiveness. The chorus is especially moving as she repeats the plea, “Go easy on me, baby,” emphasizing her desire for understanding and compassion. The song is a departure from some of Adele’s more upbeat hits, such as “Rolling in the Deep,” but showcases her incredible talent for conveying raw emotion through her music.
Overall, “Easy on Me” is a beautifully crafted song that highlights Adele’s vocal prowess and confirms her place as one of the greatest singers of our time.
2. “When We Were Young”
“When We Were Young” is a heartfelt ballad from Adele’s third studio album, “25.” The song was co-written by Adele and Tobias Jesso Jr. and features a beautiful piano melody and Adele’s powerful vocals. The lyrics reflect on the memories of a past relationship and the longing to relive those moments again.
Adele’s soulful voice captures the emotion and nostalgia of the song, and the chorus builds to an anthemic crescendo with Adele belting out the lines, “Let me photograph you in this light, in case it is the last time, that we might be exactly like we were before we realized, we were sad of getting old, it made us restless, it was just like a movie, it was just like a song.
” “When We Were Young” received critical acclaim and was praised for Adele’s vocal performance and the song’s emotional impact. The music video features Adele performing the song live in a studio, adding to the raw and authentic feel of the track.
Overall, “When We Were Young” is a standout track from Adele’s discography and a testament to her ability to capture the essence of human emotions through her music.
3. “Hello”
“Hello” is a power ballad by British singer-songwriter Adele that was released as the lead single from her third studio album, “25”, in 2015. The song was written by Adele and Greg Kurstin and produced by Kurstin. It features Adele’s signature soulful vocals over a melancholic piano melody, building up to a soaring chorus that showcases her vocal range. Lyrically, the song addresses the themes of regret and closure in a past relationship, as Adele sings about reaching out to an ex-lover and apologizing for past mistakes.
The song was an instant commercial success, debuting at number one in multiple countries, including the US, UK, and Canada. The music video for the song, directed by Canadian filmmaker Xavier Dolan, features Adele making a phone call to a former lover and reflects the themes of the song through its moody, sepia-toned visuals.
“Hello” received critical acclaim and has become one of Adele’s most successful and well-known songs, earning numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards for Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year.
4. “Skyfall”
“Skyfall” is a powerful and haunting song that Adele recorded for the James Bond film of the same name. The song is characterized by its dramatic orchestration, with a heavy emphasis on strings, and Adele’s soulful vocals that are both powerful and emotional.
The lyrics of the song reflect the dangerous and suspenseful nature of the James Bond franchise, with Adele singing about the need to “let the sky fall” as the world crumbles around her. The chorus is particularly striking, with Adele’s voice soaring over the orchestral arrangement as she declares “Let the sky fall / When it crumbles / We will stand tall / And face it all together”.
The song was a critical and commercial success, receiving widespread acclaim for its powerful vocals, dramatic orchestration, and its ability to capture the essence of the James Bond franchise. It won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, and remains one of Adele’s most beloved and iconic songs.
5. “Rumour Has It”
“Rumour Has It” is a song by Adele from her second studio album, 21. The song was released as the fourth single from the album in 2011. It features an upbeat tempo and a catchy melody, making it one of Adele’s more lively songs.
The lyrics describe the rumors that have been spread about the singer’s ex-boyfriend and his new relationship, with Adele singing confidently that she’s moved on and is doing just fine. The song’s production features a driving drumbeat and a prominent bassline, along with Adele’s soulful vocals. “Rumour Has It” was a commercial success, reaching the top 20 in several countries and becoming a staple of Adele’s live performances.
It was praised for its catchy chorus and Adele’s strong vocals, with critics noting that the song showed a different side of the singer’s musical range. Overall, “Rumour Has It” is a standout track on Adele’s 21 album and remains a popular song in her discography.
6. “Someone Like You”
“Someone Like You” is a heart-wrenching ballad by Adele that speaks about the pain of lost love and the struggle to move on. Adele’s powerful and emotional vocals accompanied by a simple piano arrangement make for an incredibly powerful and moving performance.
The song starts slowly and builds to a soaring chorus, with Adele’s voice conveying all the heartbreak and emotion of the lyrics. The lyrics are relatable to anyone who has gone through a tough breakup, and Adele’s vocal delivery captures the vulnerability and raw emotion that comes with the experience. The song’s bittersweet melody and lyrics are sure to strike a chord with listeners, as it touches upon the themes of lost love, heartache, and hope.
Overall, “Someone Like You” is a timeless classic that showcases Adele’s incredible vocal ability and songwriting talent.
7. “Set Fire To The Rain”
“Set Fire To The Rain” is a powerful ballad by Adele, which showcases her emotive vocals and poignant lyrics. The song features a driving beat and soaring chorus, as Adele sings about the aftermath of a failed relationship and the struggle to move on.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the pain and confusion that comes with heartbreak, with lines like “But I set fire to the rain / Watched it pour as I touched your face / Well, it burned while I cried / ‘Cause I heard it screaming out your name.” Adele’s vocals are full of raw emotion and vulnerability, capturing the essence of the song’s themes. The chorus is especially powerful, with Adele belting out the lyrics “But I set fire to the rain / And I threw us into the flames / When it fell, something died / ‘Cause I knew that that was the last time, the last time.”
Overall, “Set Fire To The Rain” is a standout track from Adele’s discography, showcasing her incredible talent as a vocalist and songwriter.
8. “Rolling in the Deep”
“Rolling in the Deep” is a powerful and emotional song from Adele’s second album, “21”. Released in 2010, the song became a massive commercial success, topping charts around the world and earning numerous awards and accolades. The song features Adele’s signature powerful vocals and a driving beat, with lyrics that deal with themes of heartbreak and moving on.
The song’s chorus, with its refrain of “We could have had it all,” has become an iconic anthem for anyone who has experienced a difficult breakup. The song’s music video, which features Adele singing in a dark, smoky room, adds to the overall dramatic and moody atmosphere of the song.
“Rolling in the Deep” has been praised for its raw emotion and authenticity, with critics and fans alike hailing it as one of the best songs of Adele’s career. The song’s impact on popular music and culture cannot be overstated, and it remains a beloved and enduring classic to this day.
9. “Chasing Pavements”
“Chasing Pavements” is a song by British singer-songwriter Adele, released as the lead single from her debut album “19”. The song is an upbeat pop-soul track that showcases Adele’s powerful vocals and emotive songwriting. It tells the story of a failed relationship, with Adele lamenting that she’s “chasing pavements” and feeling stuck in a cycle of heartbreak.
The song’s production is stripped-back, with a focus on Adele’s vocals and the simple piano and guitar instrumentation. The chorus is catchy and anthemic, with Adele declaring that she won’t give up on love despite the setbacks she’s faced.
“Chasing Pavements” was a commercial success, reaching the top ten in the UK and US charts and earning Adele a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The song’s relatable lyrics and catchy melody have made it a fan favorite and a staple of Adele’s live performances.
10. “Hometown Glory”
“Hometown Glory” is a soulful and introspective track from Adele’s debut album, “19.” The song paints a vivid picture of the singer’s hometown of London and the emotions she feels towards it. The simple yet powerful piano melody sets the tone for Adele’s soulful vocals as she sings about the streets, buildings, and people she grew up with.
The lyrics capture the nostalgia and longing for home, as Adele ponders the memories she has made and the experiences that have shaped her. The chorus is an anthem for her city, with Adele declaring that she loves her hometown despite its flaws and challenges. The song’s bridge features a soaring vocal performance from Adele, showcasing her range and ability to convey raw emotion through her singing.
“Hometown Glory” became a fan favorite and a staple in Adele’s live performances, cementing her status as a talented and relatable singer-songwriter.
