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Revision as of 20:31, 20 March 2016

"When We Were Young"
Song

"When We Were Young" is a song by British singer Adele. It was released on 22 January 2016 by XL Recordings as the second single from her third studio album, 25 (2015). Adele co-wrote the song with Tobias Jesso Jr., while production of the track was provided by Ariel Rechtshaid. "When We Were Young" is a soul ballad, with lyrics that talk about reminiscing past memories with a loved one. Upon release, the song received critical acclaim from music critics, who praised the song's lyrics and Adele's vocals.

Following the release of 25, "When We Were Young" had already sold 150,000 digital copies in the United States as an album track.[2] It has reached the top 10 in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Portugal, and Scotland. The song did not receive an official music video, although a version of the song filmed at The Church Studios was released via Vevo. Adele promoted the song with live performances on the BBC one-hour special Adele at the BBC, Saturday Night Live and Adele Live in New York City.

Composition and inspiration

"When We Were Young"
A 29-second sample of "When We Were Young"'s chorus, where Adele elevates "maudlin sentiment into high art".[3]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

In an interview with SiriusXM, Adele said the song "was based on us being older, and being at a party at this house, and seeing everyone that you've ever fallen out with, everyone that you've ever loved, everyone that you've never loved, and stuff like that, where you can't find the time to be in each other's lives. And you're all thrown together at this party when you're like 50, and it doesn't matter and you have so much fun and you feel like you're 15 again. So that's the kind of vibe of it really."[4] When interviewed by Nick Grimshaw on BBC Radio 1, on the release of her previous single "Hello", Adele said that "When We Were Young" was her favourite track off the album 25.[5]

"When We Were Young" is a soul song written in common time in the key of E♭ major with a moderately slow tempo of 72 beats per minute. The song follows a chord progression of Cm–E♭/G–A♭–E♭/G–Fm7–E♭, and Adele's vocals span two octaves, from E♭3 to E♭5.[6]

Critical reception

The track received critical acclaim upon release by music critics. Pitchfork named it "Best New Track" and praised Adele's vocal performance and how she was "capable of elevating maudlin sentiment into high art".[3] Writing for Inquirer.net, Joseph R. Atilano remarked that "a single like this further showcases how lyrically intelligent she is as a composer as well as one of the greatest pure singers alive today".[7] Time named "When We Were Young" the fourth-best song of 2015.[8]

Live performances

Adele first performed the song live on Adele at the BBC, which was recorded at The London Studios on 2 November 2015 and broadcast on BBC One on 20 November 2015.[9] She performed the song on Saturday Night Live on 21 November 2015.[10] Adele also performed the song on Adele Live in New York City, which was recorded at a one-night-only show at Radio City Music Hall on 17 November 2015 and broadcast on NBC on 14 December 2015.[11] A version of the song was filmed live at The Church Studios, where much of 25 was recorded, and released via Vevo.[12] Adele performed "When We Were Young" as the closing song on the 2016 Brit Awards in London.[13]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from 25 liner notes.[15]

Charts

Chart (2015–16) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[16] 13
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[17] 11
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[18] 6
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[19] 23
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[20] 9
Canada AC (Billboard)[21] 3
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[22] 24
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[23] 3
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[24] 26
Denmark (Tracklisten)[25] 31
Euro Digital Songs (Billboard)[26] 7
Finland Download (Latauslista)[27] 3
France (SNEP)[28] 15
songid field is MANDATORY FOR GERMAN CHARTS 29
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[29] 11
Hungary (Single Top 40)[30] 11
Ireland (IRMA)[31] 12
Italy (FIMI)[32] 56
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[33] 14
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[34] 24
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[35] 23
Norway (VG-lista)[36] 24
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[37] 16
Portugal Digital Songs (Billboard)[38] 5
Scotland (OCC)[39] 3
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[40] 16
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[41] 24
South Africa (EMA)[42] 8
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[43] 12
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[44] 16
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[45] 5
UK Singles (OCC)[46] 9
UK Indie (OCC)[47] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[48] 14
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[49] 12
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[50] 7
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[51] 3
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[52] 1
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[53] 13

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[54] Gold 40,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[55] Gold 0*
United Kingdom (BPI)[56] Silver 200,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Italy[57] 22 January 2016 Mainstream radio XL
Australia[58] 5 February 2016 Digital download
Worldwide[59][60]

See also

References

  1. ^ Gamboa, Glenn (14 December 2015). "Best albums of 2015". Newsday. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  2. ^ Trust, Gary (14 December 2015). "Adele's 'When We Were Young' Confirmed As Second Single From '25'". Billboard. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  3. ^ a b Gordon, Jeremy (November 23, 2015). "Adele: "When We Were Young"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  4. ^ Kreps, Daniel (November 16, 2015). "Adele Talks 'When We Were Young,' Jeff Buckley Influence in New Interview". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  5. ^ "BBC Radio 1 - The Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw, Adele Is In The Building With Her New Song, Adele tears up introducing her new song 'Hello' on BBC Radio 1". BBC. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  6. ^ "Adele - When We Were Young Sheet Music - OnlineSheetMusic.com". www.onlinesheetmusic.com. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
  7. ^ Atilano, Joseph (November 21, 2015). "Single review: 'When We Were Young' by Adele". The Inquirer. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  8. ^ "Best Songs of 2015". Time. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  9. ^ "Adele at the BBC review: honest, funny and spectacular - Celebrity News News". Reveal. 18 November 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  10. ^ "'Saturday Night Live': Adele Sings 'Hello' and 'When We Were Young'". Billboard. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  11. ^ "'Adele: Live in New York City' NBC Special – Set List Revealed!". Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  12. ^ Kreps, Daniel (November 17, 2015). "Watch Adele Perform Timeless New Track 'When We Were Young'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  13. ^ Warner, Denise (February 25, 2016). "Adele Closes Out the 2016 Brit Awards With 'When We Were Young'". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  14. ^ a b "How Ariel Rechtshaid Pushed Adele To Her Limit". Fader. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  15. ^ 25 (Liner notes). Adele. England: XL. 2015.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ "Adele – When We Were Young". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  17. ^ "Adele – When We Were Young" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  18. ^ "Adele – When We Were Young" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  19. ^ "Adele – When We Were Young" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  20. ^ "Adele Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  21. ^ "Chart Search". Billboard Canada AC for Adele. Retrieved 7 March 2016. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ "Chart Search". Billboard Canada CHR/Top 40 for Adele. Retrieved 7 March 2016. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ "Chart Search". Billboard Canada Hot AC for Adele. Retrieved 7 March 2016. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 08. týden 2016 in the date selector. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  25. ^ "Adele – When We Were Young". Tracklisten. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  26. ^ "Euro Digital Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 7 March 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ "Adele: When We Were Young" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  28. ^ "Adele – When We Were Young" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  29. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  30. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  31. ^ "Chart Track: Week 9, 2016". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  32. ^ "Top Digital - Classifica settimanale WK 9 (dal 2016-02-26 al 2016-03-03)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  33. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Adele" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  34. ^ "Adele – When We Were Young" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  35. ^ "Adele – When We Were Young". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  36. ^ "Adele – When We Were Young". VG-lista. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  37. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  38. ^ "Portugal Digital Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 12 February 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  40. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201610 into search. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  41. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201609 into search. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  42. ^ "EMA Top 10 Airplay: Week Ending 2016-03-15". Entertainment Monitoring Africa. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  43. ^ "Adele – When We Were Young" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  44. ^ "Adele – When We Were Young". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  45. ^ "Adele – When We Were Young". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  46. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  47. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  48. ^ "Adele Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  49. ^ "Adele Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  50. ^ "Adele Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  51. ^ "Adele Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  52. ^ "Adele Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  53. ^ "Adele Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  54. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Adele – When We Were Young". Music Canada. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  55. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Adele – When We Were Young". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  56. ^ "British single certifications – Adele – When We Were Young". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 4 March 2016. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type When We Were Young in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  57. ^ "Adele – When We Were Young". EarOne.it. 15 January 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  58. ^ "AND THE NEW ADELE SINGLE IS…". auspop. 3 February 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  59. ^ "Adele – When We Were Young (Radio Edit)". daily.plaympe. 3 February 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  60. ^ https://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/when-we-were-young-single/id1078607549
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