After a nearly four-year hiatus, Adele Atkins made an electrifying comeback with her highly anticipated “25” album in late 2015. The moment she unveiled her single, “Hello,” it sent shockwaves through the music industry. In keeping with her signature style, Adele’s new music continued to explore themes of heartbreak, separation, and the intricacies of love, solidifying her reputation as a masterful storyteller of pain and longing.
The impact of “Hello” was nothing short of astonishing, with 1.2 million digital downloads and a staggering 61.2 million streams in its very first week of release. Unsurprisingly, it soared to the top of the Billboard Top 100 chart. This wasn’t the first time Adele had achieved such a feat; in fact, “Hello” marked her fourth single to debut at the number-one spot. The song became a global phenomenon, propelling her to sell over 10 million album copies in the United States alone by late 2016.
Adele’s triumphant return culminated in a remarkable sweep at the 2017 Grammy Awards, where she claimed every award she was nominated for, including the prestigious Album of the Year. What endeared her even more to fans and peers alike was her heartfelt dedication of the award to Beyoncé, whom many had expected to win. Adele publicly expressed her admiration for Queen Bey and revealed that she had voted for Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” in her backstage interview, underscoring her genuine humility.
However, there was one hidden revelation amidst the fervor. Adele thanked her husband and son during her acceptance speech, revealing that she had secretly tied the knot.
While her Grammy triumph was undoubtedly the highlight of the evening, Adele delivered numerous memorable moments throughout the show. Her opening performance of “Hello” was nothing short of phenomenal, seemingly a redemption after her challenging rendition of “All I Ask” the previous year. She also paid a touching tribute to George Michael and even livened things up by letting an expletive slip on stage, demanding a flawless performance from the band.
“Send My Love (To Your New Lover),” Adele’s latest single from her “25” album, offered a departure from her typical melancholic ballads. With a hint of Indian musical influence, the song carried a more upbeat tone, though it still revolved around themes of letting go and moving on from a past relationship. The lyrics echoed a message of acceptance, as Adele encouraged sending love to an ex’s new lover and releasing all lingering ghosts. The accompanying music video portrayed Adele in a sunny, forgiving mood, a departure from her previous songs that often harbored themes of revenge and anger.
Adele’s status as a global phenomenon was unquestionable, reflected in the immense success of her worldwide concerts, particularly in 2016. If you haven’t had the chance to witness her live, fret not, as she continued her world tour into 2017, with upcoming performances in Perth, Australia, Auckland, New Zealand, and London.
In a surprising twist, Adele announced that her future albums would no longer be named after her age at the time of their release. Contrary to expectations of titles like “29” or “30,” she revealed this shift during a Carpool Karaoke session on James Corden’s The Late Late Show. Corden playfully teased that he had hoped Adele would keep the age-based album-naming tradition until she turned 77.
During the same show, Adele joked about forming her own celebrity squad, one that would rival Taylor Swift’s famous squad. In her dream team, she envisioned herself alongside Beyoncé, Amy Schumer, Emma Stone, and Jennifer Lawrence.
Clearly, Adele stands at the zenith of her success, breaking records with her album sales, chart-topping hits, and Grammy accolades. With her exceptional vocal prowess and timeless songwriting, her ascent to even greater heights in the years to come seems all but assured.