Water Under the Bridge
"Water Under the Bridge" | ||||
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Single by Adele | ||||
from the album 25 | ||||
Released | 4 November 2016 | |||
Studio | Metropolis Studios, London | |||
Genre | Disco-pop | |||
Length | 4:00 | |||
Label | XL | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Greg Kurstin | |||
Adele singles chronology | ||||
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"Water Under the Bridge" is a song recorded by English singer and songwriter Adele for her third studio album 25 (2015). The song was written by Adele Adkins and Greg Kurstin, while production of the song was provided by the latter. It was released as the fourth single from the album on 4 November 2016. Lyrically, the track is about a critical point in a relationship and trying to figure out if your partner is in or out. Musically, the song is a mid-tempo disco-pop song, featuring an electro-drum beat and a tropical, trip hop riff.
The song peaked at number 20 on the Finnish Singles Chart and number 42 on the Spanish Singles Chart. It also charted in Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Poland, Scotland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Adele has performed the song during Adele Live in New York City and on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
In 2016, the song was included on the soundtrack of the Brazilian telenovela A Lei do Amor (Wounded Past).
Composition
"Water Under the Bridge" is a mid-tempo disco-pop song,[1][2] featuring an electro-drum beat and a tropical, trip hop riff,[3] with Adele proclaiming to her lover "If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently".[1] While reviewing 25, Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone noted gospel influence in the song.[4] More specifically, Chris Gerard of PopMatters cited a gospel choir in the background of the song.[5]
The song is written in the key of E♭ major with a tempo of 95 beats per minute. The song follows two chord progressions of Progression #1: A♭(IV)–Fm7(ii7)–Cm(vi)–B♭(V)–Gm(iii), Progression #2: E♭(I)-Fm(ii)-Cm(vi)-A♭(IV) in the verses, and Adele's vocals span from B♭3 to C6.[6]
Critical reception
MTV's Christina Garibaldi wrote that "The song is all about a critical point in a relationship and trying to figure out if your partner is in or out".[7] Katy Forrester of Daily Mirror stated that "The lyrics to this song make us swallow hard and sit thinking about everything in life" and called it "one of the best on the album".[8] The National's Rob Garratt called the song "A pop sing-along which sacrifices none of Adele's trademarked intimacy" and called it "a smart choice for the album's second single", though it turned out to be the fourth.[9] Lewis Corner of Digital Spy wrote that "they [Kurstin and Adele] strike upon a shimmering mid-tempo pop parade".[1]
Chart performance
On 14 December 2015, Billboard reported that "Water Under the Bridge" was the third best-selling song from 25, having sold 104,000 copies.[10]
Live performances
Adele performed the song on Adele Live in New York City, which was held at Radio City Music Hall on 17 November 2015 and broadcast on NBC on 14 December 2015.[11] She also performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on 23 November 2015.[12][13]
Charts
Weekly charts |
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[59] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
Belgium (BEA)[60] | Gold | 0‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[61] | Platinum | 0‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[62] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[63] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[64] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[65] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[66] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Radio and release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 4 November 2016 | Digital download | XL | [67] |
United States | 14 November 2016 | Adult album alternative | Columbia | [68] |
15 November 2016 | Mainstream radio | [69] |
References
- ^ a b c Lewis Corner. "It's here! Adele's new album 25 – Our track-by-track review". Digital Spy. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ Patrick Bowman. "Adele's 25: Album Review". Idolator. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ Alexandra Pollard. "First listen: Our track by track review of Adele's 25". Gigwise. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ Dolan, Jon (24 November 2015). "25". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Gerard, Chris (20 November 2015). "Adele 25". PopMatters. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ "Water Under the Bridge". www.musicnotes.com. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
- ^ Garibaldi, Christina (20 November 2015). "A Track-By-Track Breakdown Of Adele's 25". MTV. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ Forrester, Katy (19 November 2015). "Adele's new album 25 reviewed track-by-track using her own facial expressions". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ Garratt, Rob (21 November 2015). "Adele's 25 track-by-track". The National. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ Trust, Gary (14 December 2015). "Adele's 'When We Were Young' Confirmed As Second Single From '25'". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ Maresca, Rachel (7 December 2015). "Adele rocks Radio City Music Hall in first concert in four years". Daily News. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ Brandle, Lars (24 November 2015). "Adele Performs 'Water Under the Bridge' on 'Fallon'". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ Romano, Nick (24 November 2015). "Watch Adele's First Live Performance of 'Water Under the Bridge'". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ "Top 20 Anglo del 27 de Marzo al 2 de Abril, 2017" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Archived from the original on 3 April 2017.
- ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
- ^ "Adele – Water Under the Bridge" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
- ^ "Adele – Water Under the Bridge" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
- ^ "Adele – Water Under the Bridge" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
- ^ "Billboard Brasil". Billboard Brasil. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
- ^ "Airplay Chart" (in Portuguese). Billboard Brasil. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
- ^ "Adele Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^ "Adele Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ^ "Adele Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
- ^ "Adele Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 07. týden 2017 in the date selector. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
- ^ "Adele: Water Under the Bridge" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ "Adele – Water Under the Bridge" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ "Airplay Charts Deutschland – Woche 01/2017". German Charts. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
- ^ "Adele Chart History". RÚV. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Adele". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
- ^ "Media Forest Week 15, 2016". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
- ^ "Classifica settimanale WK 2" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 1, 2017" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
- ^ "Adele – Water Under the Bridge" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
- ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
- ^ "Adele – Water Under the Bridge". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201710 into search. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201709 into search. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^ "SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart". slotop50.si. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ^ "Adele – Water Under the Bridge" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Chart. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ^ "Adele – Water Under the Bridge". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
- ^ "Adele – Water Under the Bridge". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
- ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
- ^ "Adele Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ "Adele Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
- ^ "Adele Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
- ^ "Adele Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
- ^ "Adele Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- ^ "ARIA End of Year Singles 2017". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2017". Ultratop. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
- ^ "Airplay 2017 – w pierwszej trójce Sheeran, Tiësto i Hyży" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ "SloTop50 – Slovenian official Year-End singles chart". SloTop50. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
- ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
- ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
- ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2017". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Adele – Water Under the Bridge". Music Canada. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Adele – Water Under the Bridge". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 15 July 2018. Scroll through the page-list below until year 2018 to obtain certification.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Adele – Water Under the Bridge" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 13 March 2017. Select "2017" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Water Under the Bridge" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Adele – Water Under the Bridge". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
- ^ "British single certifications – Adele – Water Under the Bridge". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 13 October 2017. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Water Under the Bridge in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "American single certifications – Adele – Water Under the Bridge". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
- ^ "Water Under the Bridge – Single". iTunes Store (UK). 4 November 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
- ^ "Future Releases on Triple A (AAA) Radio Stations". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on 2 November 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2016.