When We Were Young (Adele 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.

Contents 1 Composition and inspiration 2 Critical reception 3 Live performances 4 Credits and personnel 5 Charts 6 Certifications 7 Release history 8 See also 9 References 10 External links

Composition and inspiration
"When We Were Young"

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A 29-second sample of "When We Were Young"'s chorus, where Adele elevates "maudlin sentiment into high art".[3]

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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
Adele Adkins – songwriting, vocals Tobias Jesso Jr. – songwriting, backing vocals[14] Ariel Rechtshaid – production, backing vocals[14]

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] 22

Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[20] 9

Canada AC (Billboard)[21] 1

Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[22] 24

Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[23] 2

Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[24] 26

Denmark (Tracklisten)[25] [26] 27

Euro Digital Songs (Billboard)[27] 7

Finland (Suomen virallinen latauslista)[28] 3

France (SNEP)[29] 15

Germany (Official German Charts)[30] 29

Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[31] 11

Hungary (Single Top 40)[32] 11

Ireland (IRMA)[33] 12

Italy (FIMI)[34] 56

Mexico Airplay (Billboard)[35] 40

Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[36] 14

Netherlands (Single Top 100)[37] 24

New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[38] 23

Norway (VG-lista)[39] 23

Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[40] 16

Portugal Digital Songs (Billboard)[41] 5

Scotland (Official Charts Company)[42] 3

Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[43] 16

Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[44] 24

South Africa (EMA)[45] 8

Spain (PROMUSICAE)[46] 12

Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[47] 16

Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[48] 5

UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[49] 9

UK Indie (Official Charts Company)[50] 1

US Billboard Hot 100[51] 14

US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[52] 6

US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[53] 3

US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[54] 1

US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[55] 13

US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[56] 46

Certifications
Region

Certification

Sales/shipments

Canada (Music Canada)[57] Platinum 80,000^

New Zealand (RMNZ)[58] Gold 7,500*

United Kingdom (BPI)[59] Silver 200,000double-dagger

^shipments figures based on certification alone double-daggersales/streaming figures based on certification alone
 * sales figures based on certification alone

Release history
Region

Date

Format

Label

Italy[60] 22 January 2016 Mainstream radio XL

Australia[61] 5 February 2016 Digital download

Worldwide[62][63]