Adele [Journal Entry #1]

Call me old fashioned but I am addicted to listening to the radio. I am constantly scanning the stations to hear new and interesting music, news coverage, and conversations. I, personally, am a fan of acoustic and mellow music with the power to inspire and/or make a difference in my life through the effects of lyrics, vocals, and rhythm.

In my scanning of stations, I have been able to expose myself to new artists and new sounds. My feature for the week is the British singer/song writer, Adele.

A few weeks ago, I listened to her song Hometown Glory. It's a song about her love and respect for her hometown, London. Not only are the lyrics outstanding, the composition of the piano piece against her soulful voice creates such a breathtaking and absolutely phenomenal tune.

The lyrics go as follows:

Hometown Glory
by: Adele

I've been walking in the same way as I did
Missing out the cracks in the pavement
And tutting my heel and strutting my feet
"Is there anything I can do for you dear? Is there anyone I can call?"
"No, and thank you, please Madam I ain't lost, just wandering"
Round my hometown memories are fresh
Round my hometown, ooh, the people I've met
Are the wonders of my world
Are the wonders of my world
Are the wonders of this world
Are the wonders and now
I like it in the city when the air is so thick and opaque
I love to see everybody in short skirts, shorts, and shades
I like it in the city when two worlds collide
You get the people and the government, everybody taking different sides
Shows that we ain't gonna stand
Shows that we are united
Shows that we ain't gonna take it
Shows that we ain't gonna stand
Shows that we are united
Round my hometown memories are fresh
Round my hometown, ooh, the people I've met
Are the wonders of my world
Are the wonders of my world
Are the wonders of this world
Are the wonders of my world



I love that this particular song speaks about the present and allows the listener to visualize living in a city. The lyric, "I like it in the city when the air is so thick and opaque, I love to see everybody in short skirts, shorts, and shades," I get the image of a crowed city and tons of people dressing to impress. She appears to be writing of the social/cultural aspects of London as well as experiencing the beauty of its nature. When she sings of the air being "thick and opaque," she is referring to the fog that drapes over the city, and as she walks through town she admires seeing others out and about. Through out, Adele sings of everything she cherishes about London and sums it all up by reiterating that the memories of living there and the people she's encountered "are the wonders of this world."

Adele's voice and the piano as well as other light acoustics complete this tune. For me, the song becomes alive and I feel like I can really relate with what she's saying and how she's feeling. Just listening to her over a lousy radio set up in my car, I could still hear the emotion and passion she has for what she sings about.

Adele has created a truly inspiring song in all aspects to include lyricism, music composition, and vocal performance. I'm definitely a fan. If you want to learn more about Adele and her music go to http://adele.tv/