When We Were Young
Adele
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Everybody loves the things you do From the way you talk To the way you move Everybody here is watching you 'Cause you feel like home You're like a dream come true But if by chance you're here alone Can I have a moment Before I go? 'Cause I've been by myself all night long Hoping you're someone I used to know You look like a movie You sound like a song My God, this reminds me Of when we were young 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 I was so scared to face my fears Nobody told me that you'd be here And I swear you moved overseas That's what you said, when you left me You still look like a movie You still sound like a song My God, this reminds me Of when we were young 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 When we were young When we were young When we were young It's hard to admit that Everything just takes me back To when you were there To when you were there And a part of me keeps holding on Just in case it hasn't gone I guess I still care Do you still care? It was just like a movie It was just like a song My God, this reminds me Of when we were young When we were young When we were young When we were young When we were young 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 Oh, I'm so mad I'm getting old It makes me reckless It was just like a movie It was just like a song When we were young
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Written by: Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, Tobias MacDonald Jesso
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Release Details"When We Were Young" is a single by the British singer Adele from her third studio album, "25", released in 2015.
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SongwritersThe song was co-written by Adele and Tobias Jesso Jr. Jesso Jr. is a Canadian musician and songwriter who has also written songs for artists like Sia, John Legend, and Florence + the Machine.
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ProductionDespite Jesso Jr. being Canadian, "When We Were Young" was produced in England by Ariel Rechtshaid, an American producer who has worked with artists like HAIM, Vampire Weekend, and U2.
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Chart SuccessThe song reached number 14 in the UK Singles Chart and number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
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Grammy Nomination"When We Were Young" was nominated for a Grammy in the 59th Grammy Awards in 2017 for Best Pop Solo Performance.
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Live SessionsThe first live performance of the song was not on a big award show or concert, but in a small studio for a live session that was recorded and posted on Adele's YouTube channel.
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Photography ConceptThe song's lyrical theme explores the dullness of adulthood and the longing for youthful times. There's even a reference to the very relatable task of tagging a childhood friend in an old photo.
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Music CompositionMusically, it's a soul ballad with influences from gospel and pop. The song features piano accompaniment, orchestral arrangements, and background vocals.
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Album Representation"When We Were Young" is a standout representative of the melancholy and emotional depth characterized in Adele's "25", reflecting on nostalgia and the passing of time.
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Personal InspirationIn an interview with SiriusXM, Adele revealed that the song was inspired in part by a time she met up with a group of her old friends and they all felt like they’ve changed.
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Viral SuccessThanks to its emotionally charged lyrics and Adele's powerful vocals, it went viral and was shared across social media platforms multiple times, further enhancing its popularity.
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Critical AcclaimCritically, "When We Were Young" has been acclaimed for its earnest lyricism and Adele's commanding vocal delivery. It is frequently cited as one of the highlights of "25".
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Citation
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"When We Were Young Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2023. Web. 6 Dec. 2023. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/32298022/Adele/When+We+Were+Young>.
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