Breaking Down the Lyrics of Chasing Pavements by Adele

21st January, 2024

By diving deep into the lyrics of Chasing Pavements, Adele’s debut song from her album ‘19’, we can uncover the compelling narrative of heartbreak and unrequited love that catapulted her into stardom. This song was a significant stepping stone in Adele’s career, earning her recognition not only in her native Britain but also in the United States.

Unfolding the Story Behind Chasing Pavements

The tale behind Chasing Pavements is as captivating as the song itself. It paints a vivid picture of Adele’s struggle with a relationship she knew was doomed but couldn’t let go of.

The album 19, named after Adele’s age at the time, was largely influenced by a brief yet intense relationship with an older man. The narrative of Chasing Pavements is deeply intertwined with this romance and the eventual heartbreak that followed.

The phrase chasing pavements, which is central to the song, was born from an argument Adele had with her then-boyfriend in a London West End bar. The disagreement led to Adele storming out of the bar and running down Oxford Street, noticing that her boyfriend did not chase after her. This sparked the idea of ‘chasing pavements’, symbolising the pursuit of a relationship that is ultimately going nowhere.

Understanding the Lyrics

The lyrics of Chasing Pavements reflect Adele’s internal struggle about whether to continue chasing an unattainable love or to move on. She repeatedly questions her decision, highlighting her emotional turmoil.

The lyrics make a clear distinction between love and lust. Adele asserts that her feelings are not rooted in lust but in love. This deep emotional connection makes it all the more challenging for her to let go of the relationship.

The Constant Struggle

The song is a raw depiction of Adele’s constant struggle between clinging to a doomed relationship and breaking free. The lyrics ‘Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements?’ represent her wavering indecision, further emphasising the depth of her emotional turmoil.

The Role of Gender, Power, and Agency

The song also explores the role of gender, power, and agency in romantic relationships. Adele portrays herself as a passive and submissive partner who is dependent on her lover’s actions and choices. She sings, ‘I build myself up and fly around in circles, waiting as my heart drops and my back begins to tingle’, suggesting that she is trapped in a cycle of hope and disappointment, waiting for her lover to reciprocate her feelings. She also sings ‘Even if it leads nowhere’, implying that she is willing to sacrifice her own happiness and dignity for a chance at love.

On the other hand, her lover is portrayed as a dominant and controlling partner who is indifferent to her feelings and needs. He is the one who initiates the argument, the one who does not chase after her, and the one who decides the fate of the relationship. He is also the one who is involved in another relationship, as Adele reveals in another song from the same album, ‘Cold Shoulder’. He is the source of Adele’s pain and frustration, yet he is also the object of her desire and devotion.

The song challenges the traditional gender roles and expectations in romantic relationships, where the woman is expected to be loyal, faithful, and nurturing, while the man is expected to be assertive, independent, and adventurous. The song exposes the power imbalance and the lack of agency that Adele experiences in her relationship and invites the listeners to question the validity and sustainability of such a relationship.

The Song’s Reception and Impact

Chasing Pavements was Adele’s first major hit in the United States, and it facilitated her global recognition. The song’s emotive power and Adele’s soulful voice earned her a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

The Controversy Around Chasing Pavements

Despite its success, the song was not without controversy. The phrase ‘chasing pavements’ led to some speculation in the United States that the song was about being gay. Adele addressed this misunderstanding, clarifying that the song was about pursuing a hopeless relationship, not about chasing gay men.

The Music Video

The music video for Chasing Pavements, though filmed in Los Angeles, depicts a London landscape. The video centres around a car accident, presenting two perspectives of the event – one from a bystander’s view and the other from an aerial perspective.

The End of a Relationship and the Birth of an Album

The relationship that inspired Chasing Pavements and much of the album ‘19’ ended in heartbreak for Adele. Despite the pain, Adele does not harbour any bitterness towards her ex-lover. Instead, she credits him for sparking her creativity and providing material for her debut album.

The Legacy of Chasing Pavements

Chasing Pavements remains one of Adele’s most iconic songs. It laid the foundation for her illustrious career and marked the beginning of her journey to becoming one of the most influential artists of her generation.

Adele’s Chasing Pavements perfectly encapsulates the anguish of a heartbroken lover torn between holding on and letting go. It is a poignant reminder of how personal experiences can serve as catalysts for extraordinary creativity, resulting in timeless masterpieces that continue to touch hearts years after their release.

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Adele Chasing Pavements Lyrics

Verse 1
I’ve made up my mind
Don’t need to think it over
If I’m wrong, I am right
Don’t need to look no further
This ain’t lust, I know this is love, but
If I tell the world, I’ll never say enough
‘Cause it was not said to you
And that’s exactly what I need to do if I end up with you

Chorus
Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements
Even if it leads nowhere?
Or would it be a waste, even if I knew my place?
Should I leave it there?
Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements
Even if it leads nowhere?

Verse 2
I build myself up and fly around in circles
Waiting as my heart drops
And my back begins to tingle
Finally, could this be it, or?

Breakdown
Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements
Even if it leads nowhere?
Or would it be a waste, even if I knew my place?
Should I leave it there?
Should I give up or should I just keep on chasing pavements?
Should I just keep on chasing pavements?
Oh-oh