Adele is one of the biggest recording artists of her generation. Her voice is instantly recognizable, and she has quickly risen to the dizzy heights of music royalty. This is all the more remarkable given that she only has four studio albums and 17 singles to her name.
It is hard to pick just one song as my favorite Adele song. But, if pushed, I would say that “Easy on Me” was either a first or second choice. It would either be that or “Hello.” But I am sure you will agree that both are true classics. So, why do I like it so much, and what is the meaning behind “Easy on Me” song? Let’s find out.
Early Career
Adele is a British artist who was born in the Tottenham area of London in 1988. She showed a very early interest in music. From the tender age of four or five, she began singing along to just about everything she heard, apparently, sometimes to the annoyance of her parents. I bet Mum and Dad are not too bothered by it now, though.
Adele was a natural when it came to music…
She took to it like a duck to water. It was a relatively seamless progression for her to begin playing the guitar and writing her own songs. To further foster her obvious talent, her parents enrolled her in the BRIT School, which is a school dedicated to the performing arts.
It was a great decision since it gave Adele specialized help with singing and songwriting. Additionally, she got the opportunity to mix with like-minded students, such as the multi-talented Leona Lewis and Jessie J, which further helped her musical development. Presumably, it also got her out of the house and gave her Mum and Dad a bit of a break!
At 18 years old…
She finished her time at the BRIT school. And she didn’t have long to wait until she was picked up by a major recording company. The recording company that pretty much won the lottery was XL Recordings.
The ink was hardly dry on the contract before Adele’s debut single was released on the 22nd of October 2007. Until this time, other than a brief appearance on a UK TV music program, ‘Later with Jules Holland,’ she had very little exposure.
However, with the release of her first single, “Hometown Girl,” and her subsequent single, “Chasing Pavements,” she quickly established herself as a potential future superstar. Now let’s look at the start of this phenomenal journey.
Career Success
Her debut single saw a positive reception and performed solidly on the UK charts. It peaked at #19. Ironically, the single was taken as the lead song from her debut album, 19. The song also did well in Europe, although it failed to chart in the US. However, for a new singer-songwriter, Adele’s recording debut was undoubtedly a success, and her future domination of the US would not be far away.
Adele’s follow-up single, “Chasing Pavements,” consolidated her previous chart success and gave her first chart position in the US at #21. In all, Adele released four singles from 19. None of these were major hits. In contrast, her album sold strongly and performed well in the all-important American market.
19 went to #4 in America and crucially went multi-platinum. It also went multi-platinum in the UK and went either platinum or multi-platinum in many of the major markets.
This all set her up for her next album, 21…
That album would truly establish her as an international singer and recording artist. Frankly, it exceeded all expectations. It made it to #1 on every major chart. Plus, it sold more than 30 million copies globally. And in the process, became one of the most successful albums of all time.
She released five singles in total from the album. The first three were “Rolling in the Deep,” “Someone Like You,” and “Set Fire to the Rain.” All went to #1 somewhere. Sales and chart positions, like the album, were also strong, to say the very least.
Furthermore, “Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone Like You” became two of Adele’s bestselling singles and remain so. They sold more than 15 million and 13 million copies, respectively, which is honestly nothing short of staggering.
Her next and third studio album was released in 2015 when Adele was 25…
Unimaginatively, it was titled 25. But, given that it also made a clean sweep across the world at #1 and sold like hotcakes, I don’t think Adele really cared.
This all neatly brings us to her fourth and latest studio album, 30. I’ll leave you all to work out what year it was released and how old Adele was when it came out. I can tell you that there will be no surprises.
This album, which also went to #1 everywhere, featured “Easy on Me” as the lead single. It was released in 2021, and like the album, it went to #1 wherever they had music. Gold sashes and tiaras all around.
Recording and Video
“Easy on Me” is an out and out Pop ballad. Adele wrote the song along with her trusted friend, Greg Kurstin. It was also Greg whom she turned to for the production. With Greg having previously collaborated with the making of “Hello,” the final recording was in safe hands.
It is an achingly sad song that feels more profound due to its sparse and stripped-back production. It starts with a beautiful piano introduction, and then comes Adele’s impeccable vocals. Other than a barely detectable bass line, that is all you get. And, frankly, that is all you need.
It is a sound lesson that less really can be more. There is no trickery, no artificial enhancement, no special mixing. It’s Adele, her voice, and essentially pretty much just a piano. It is an incredible testament to her singing brilliance that this works so well. Honestly, I still get goosebumps listening to it.
The video is a perfect accompaniment to the song…
It emphasizes its somber nature. The video kicks off in black and white with just a few background noises as Adele is seen leaving her old house with all her possessions in tow.
As the video progresses and the song begins to build to a climax. Then, everything switches to color in a flashback of Adele sitting back in the house. There are more flashbacks to an even earlier time when presumably, Adele was in her late teens or early twenties. Then it is all over, and we are left trying to catch our breath and wipe a tear from our eye.
Genius. So, what is the Adele song “Easy on Me” about?
Meaning Behind “Easy On Me” – Lyrical Interpretation
No doubt, the meaning of “Easy on Me” by Adele is one of heartbreak. It is a deeply personal piece of music that draws on her failed marriage to Simon Konecki, with whom they have a child, Angelo Adkins. It painfully recounts the complicated nature of their relationship. And how ultimately, she was left where she had nothing left to give.
The first verse starts by detailing her having lost all reasonable hope that there was anything left to save. It tells of someone who now must leave before completely losing themselves and who they are. It is a sad tale of the woes of having to navigate the troubled waters of an unhappy marriage.
However, it is made all the sadder by the chorus being clearly directed toward her son, Angelo. She pleads for his forgiveness and implores him not to judge her too harshly for her decision to walk away and end things with his father.
It is an emotional plea that is painful to hear…
She continues to try to explain the reasons for the failed relationship, but you feel that she knows that it will fall on deaf ears. Adele knows deep down that he is too young to understand, but she feels she has to say it anyway. It is like a purging of the soul over three minutes and forty-four seconds of musical brilliance.
Thankfully, after her very open battles with her relationship, chronic pain, and mental health issues, she is now in a much better place. She is currently engaged to Paul Rich, a sports agency founder, who, funnily enough, is absolutely loaded.
I seriously wish her, Paul, and her son, Angelo, all the very best for the future. Good luck to Simon Konecki too.
Curious About The Meaning Behind Other Famous Songs?
If so, check out our thoughts on The Meaning Behind “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails, the Meaning Behind “Purple Rain” Song By Prince, Meaning Behind “Ghost” Song by Justin Bieber, The Meaning Behind “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele, and The Meaning Behind “Set Fire to the Rain” by Adele for more song insights and analysis.
Meaning Behind “Easy On Me” – Final Thoughts
In many ways, “Easy on Me” reminds me of “Rolling in the Deep.” They are both powerful and deeply personal songs that expose Adele to her very core. They are great songs. But I honestly think that her voice is now even better than before, and her songwriting has matured with it.
There is no doubt that the meaning behind Adele’s “Easy on Me” is highly emotional and cannot fail to move even the most hardened of souls. However, although it’s sad, it still manages to feel uplifting at the same time. I love the song, but I sincerely hope that she never has to write anything like it again.
Until next time, happy listening.
