RECORDS THAT SHAPED ME. VOL. 3
“21” Adele
Photography by Lauren Dukoff.
Adele's record 21 came out thirteen years ago. “Someone Like You” was ubiquitous. My oldest sister, who doesn’t listen to songs like this – heartbreaking ballads – couldn’t get it out of her head. I remember a few years after it came out, we were watching Adele’s famous BRIT performance. Adele looked heavenly to me. Her huge hair, thick black liner, dense fake lashes, and black embroidered dress were stunning. At that age, I loved that kind of look. I loved her voice with great intensity. I didn’t grow up listening to thick and rich voices like hers, so her sound brought a breath of fresh air to my music world. She was likely the first non-Croatian singer I loved. I didn't listen to her because my family introduced me to her. Adele was only mine.
Music school was where I found my love for "Someone Like You." Before solfeggio class, we would gather around the piano. A girl called Marija would play the piano. Few of us would sing very loud which made the professors feel a bit of anger. We were so loud that they couldn’t teach their classes. Our solfeggio professor tried to ban us from singing and piano. But, her mission failed. Ironically, we had to fight for music in the music school. That tells you pretty much everything you need to know about it. We rebelliously continued with our little concerts before class despite the professors' disapproval. I learned how to play it, and instead of practicing pieces my teacher got me, I was playing “Someone Like You.” Adele was far more interesting than some Mozart sonata I couldn’t stand.
In 2011, I had no full access to the Internet. So, I had to get caught up in it as soon as I finally got it. I began to uncover the rest of 21 over time. I glued myself to the screen, watching a music video for "Rolling in the Deep." I loved the drums in "Rumour Has It" and still do. After some time, I decided to buy a CD. In my hometown, a bookshop had Adele's CD. But, at twelve, I had no money to buy it. I was not working, and my parents didn’t give me much pocket money, which allowed me to save it and buy other things. I grew up with a strict mother who didn’t buy me presents outside of birthdays and Christmas. As you can imagine, I was plotting for weeks how I would come to her and ask for a CD. “Aren’t you too young to listen to that kind of music?” was her (rhetorical) question, and that was the end of any possible discussion. That sentence kept echoing in my head for some time. At first, I felt confused, and then frustration grew within me. “How dare you think that there is an age limit for music?” was the thought in my head. I knew there was no point in proving her wrong, so I let it go. At twelve, I wasn't great at exploring the web. So, I couldn't listen to the whole record back then. But, I knew I would have it and listen to it someday.
Adele photographed by Lauren Dukoff.
Years later, I heard 21 in its eternity. I could not relate to her songwriting interests: heartbreak, love, jealousy, and confusion. But I felt her emotions. A sign of great songwriting is when you connect with even if you haven’t experienced it. It's about feeling the writer's emotions. Catharsis is the ultimate goal. “One and Only” is one of my favourite songs of all time. I can’t imagine hearing it without loud singing. It took me years to learn "Lovesong" is a The Cure song. I listened to it so much that the original version doesn't move me.
When 21 came out, it sounded different from everything in the mainstream. Also, her whole visual identity was different. In 2011, "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga was a huge hit. Bruno Mars' "The Lazy Song" exploded. People filmed themselves doing the dance routine. It was like TikTok before TikTok. It was also a huge year for Katy Perry, who had four songs on Billboard’s Year-End Hot 100 singles. Those were “Teenage Dream," “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)," "Firework," and “E.T.” featuring Kanye West. Rihanna released Talk That Talk. Its lead single, "We Found Love," was a collaboration with Calvin Harris. "Rolling in the Deep" was the year's biggest song. It topped the Hot 100 for seven weeks. Adele called it a "dark blues-y gospel disco tune."
This album represents my silent fight for music I love and care about even though I was too young to comprehend lyrics like Close enough to start a war / All I have is on the floor / God only knows what we’re fighting for / All that I say, you always say more. Today, I don’t listen to this record on a weekly basis, not even monthly. It’s not that I outgrew it, but I don’t feel the need to give it a spin. I found out that there’s no shame in wanting to listen, sing and play any kind of music you feel. Songs like “I’ll Be Waiting” and “One and Only” find their way to my playlist every once in a while. Every time I play them, they bring me endless joy.
Six years after 21 came out, I was listening to 25 on repeat in the car with my mother. Once, while we were driving, I retold her the story about 21, and as an apology, she bought me the CD I had wanted for so long.
