Tuesday Tunes: Adele’s “Someone Like You”

Editor’s Note: Song lyrics denoted in bold italics.

If there’s one thing that I can count on in life, it’s that Adele’s voice and words will ALWAYS bring me to tears. Seriously, we’re talking massive tears here! They just automatically start rolling down my face. What can I say? Adele is just the right combination of words, music and vocal chops that hit you right in the heart. And right away, too. She knows how to tell a good story in under four minutes — the real, honest, believable stories. It’s not some song about dancing all night or living some sort of flashy, Hollywood-ized lifestyle that is completely unrelatable and unattainable. It’s life and I think that’s precisely why people can relate to her words so much. But for me, it’s always been about one song in particular.

Adele’s “Someone Like You”
From 21

The first time I heard this song, I was completely stunned. In the best way possible, of course! I mean, here was such a simple song that said so many deep, profound things at the same time. It’s rare for a song to do that, you know? There’s nothing really flashy about this song, so maybe that’s why it’s resonated so much with me over the years. It was like my heart attached itself to the song and wouldn’t let go — it was holding on for dear life. I’m listening to it RIGHT NOW and sing along, so that pretty much says it all right there. And don’t even get me started on the live version — pure magical heaven!

I heard that you’re settled down
That you found a girl and you’re married now
I heard that your dreams came true
Guess she gave you things I didn’t give to you

Old friend, why are you so shy?
Ain’t like you to hold back or hide from the light

There’s that moment where you find out someone you have/had feelings for is now in a relationship. We all been there, haven’t we? It’s a pretty heartbreaking moment, to say the least, and sometimes, it just hits us out of nowhere. Even months later, those feelings can still be there. They seem to come and go at odd times, don’t they? Maybe you’re like me and you don’t even know what to do with these sorts of feelings. I mean, half the time I can easily brush them aside, but there are times were it sort of eats away at my soul a little. I know it shouldn’t. I know it’s all one hopeless game to play and I’ll most definitely never win. And yet…I keep playing, keep engaging with my feelings for some unknown reason. BECAUSE SOMETIMES I JUST FEEL THINGS SO DEEPLY!

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn’t stay away, I couldn’t fight it
I had hoped you’d see my face and that you’d be reminded
That for me it isn’t over

I’ll say one thing: Adele’s got it right when she says that it’s hard to fight it. It’s absolutely impossible to fight it when it comes to matters of the heart. You want to think with your head, but your heart has other plans and it just completely takes over. We like to think we’re in control, but sometimes I feel as though I’m a bit powerless in controlling anything when my feelings get like this! It can get to be A LOT. And you know what? If I could tell certain people anything, it would be that, for me, it’s most definitely not over. I may pretend that I’m fine or that I’ve effortlessly shrugged off those feelings, but you know what? I haven’t. And I honestly don’t know if I ever will. I often wonder what they’d say to that…

Never mind, I’ll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don’t forget me, I beg
I’ll remember you said,
“Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,
Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead”

But, I suppose, we all have to come to some sort of resolution, don’t we? We have to somehow get to a place where it doesn’t hurt as much and we’re able to see the light at the end of a very long and winding tunnel. It doesn’t mean that you’re going to completely forget about the other person — you’re just going to put them somewhere on the shelf of your life, so to speak. It’s hard, trust me, but I think it can be done.

As much as I hate to admit it, time probably helps with this too. I’ve never been much of a fan of that phrase “time heals all,” but maybe it’s true in this case. I’m no pro at this by any means, but it has to be better than always feeling like your heart is breaking a little more. It’s not healthy, that’s for sure, and you all know that I’m constantly striving to be emotionally healthy. I don’t always feel in tip-top shape, but at least I’m forever working at it. There’s something to be said for that, isn’t there? Here’s to your emotional health too, friends!! xoxo