Welcome to Musical Monday!
Lately I can't get enough of Adele. This is the result: "Rolling in the Deep" haunts me day and night. Perhaps it will stop if I feature it here? Who knows... ;-)
Lyrics:
Reaching a fever pitch and it's bring me out the dark
Finally I can see you crystal clear
Go ahead and sell me out and I'll lay your ship bare
See how I'll leave, with every piece of you
Don't underestimate the things that I will do
There's a fire starting in my heart
Reaching a fever pitch and it's bring me out the dark
The scars of your love remind me of us
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all
The scars of your love, they leave me breathless
I can't help feeling
We could have had it all
Rolling in the deep
You had my heart inside your hand
And you played it to the beat
Baby, I have no story to be told
But I've heard one of you and I'm gonna make your head burn
Think of me in the depths of your despair
Making a home down there as mine sure won't be shared
The scars of your love remind you of us
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all
The scars of your love, they leave me breathless
I can't help feeling
We could have had it all
Rolling in the deep
You had my heart inside your hand
And you played it to the beat
Could have had it all
Rolling in the deep
You had my heart inside your hand
But you played it with a beating
Throw your soul through every open door
Count your blessings to find what you look for
Turn my sorrow into treasured gold
You pay me back in kind and reap just what you sow
(Now I'm gonna wish you never had met me)
We could have had it all
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
We could have had it all
(Now I'm gonna wish you never had met me)
It all, it all, it all, it all
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
(Now I'm gonna wish you never had met me)
We could have had it all
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
Rolling in the deep
(Now I'm gonna wish you never had met me)
You had my heart and soul
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
And you played it to the beat
(Now I'm gonna wish you never had met me)
Could have had it all
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
Rolling in the deep
(Now I'm gonna wish you never had met me)
You had my heart and soul in your hand
(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)
But you played it, you played it, you played it to the beat.
I must admit I need some help here and I would like to pick your brains. Please, tell me, how you understand the chorus (marked in red) especially such idioms as 'rolling in the deep' and 'played it to the beat' (the heart) ? It is a challenge for a non-English speaker, those pesky idioms, and I am not sure I got them right. I found many translation versions of these and somehow I hasn't been persuaded by them as they tended to be, in my humble opinion, too literal.
I've recently become acquainted with Adele's work and like much of it a great deal. I resisted "Rolling In The Deep" for two reasons: one, the chorus was snatched and played by anything and everything on television trying to cash in on the song's success and, two: I couldn't stand the chorus because it was nonsensical, vague and pop-formulaic. I hadn't heard the full song but recently purchased the CD because of "Someone Like You." Now having heard it in it's entirety, I still think the chorus is nonsensical, vague.. well I just don't like it, although there is a lot to like about the song. Slightly off topic: I wonder at Lady Gaga being so popular. Isn't rock music supposed to be about rebellion? And yet her songs read like ads. "There's no reason for you and I to be alone tonight." Okay, I thought when I first heard this. Familiar territory: (We've got tonight, babe, who needs tomorrow, why don't you stay...) but I listened for a while longer. Next thing it segues into "We're on the edge of glory." It's like something out of the Song Writer's Handbook To Formula in Song.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Adele is convinced by her own lyrics and that's why they're unconvincing. Good luck to the young woman though. She's achieved and talented and no doubt her best is yet to come.
Thanks Susan for your comment. Indeed, when a song is played over and over again, any song I mean, you can get annoyed.
ReplyDeleteSo you find the chorus nonsensical? Hmmm...I thought something was wrong with my English.
I like the song overall - she is rhythmic, dynamic, sung with a lot of passion, at least in that version. The lyrics do pose a problem AND not only the chorus. On the other hand find me a song with good lyrics which actually convey a message and make sense...
I like the song. I think Adele has an amazing voice. 'the deep' usually means the sea so when someone talks about 'the deep' I think it is how deep the love was - like the ocean. What is a tear drop in the ocean? Not much. It takes alot of tears to make up a deep.
ReplyDeletePlayed it to the beat - I think you have it correct. The beating of the heart, which has its own rhythm.
After I posted, I thought of a Latin connection. The word 'altus' in Latin means both high and deep and refers both to the high heaven and the high seas (deep waters as opposed to coastal). So it is a sense of deep that has survived from the Romans. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks The Red Witch, you always discover new depths with your insightful remarks! Adele's voice is indeed great!
ReplyDeleteHowever I still don't know who these words (rolling in the deep) concern - them both? Him, because now he is in deep trouble? Her, because she seems still to love him, 'rolling in the deep'?
That's actually the first time I've seen that video. I've heard the song so many times it's not really funny, but the video, only once. My favorite part would have to be the dancing ninja in that powdery stuff. It reminded me of powdery snow of a sort. The radio played that song to death here, but I still like it every now and again. :D
ReplyDeleteFinally, no crappy internet connection so I can listen to this awesome song, Adele rocks
ReplyDeleteI love Adele too. I was disappointed she wasn't on the AMA's last night. It would've been nice too see her preform but I was happy she won an award.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope Adele has completely recovered from the problems she's been having with her throat - she really does have a wonderful voice.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/15752338
My favorite part would have to be the dancing ninja in that powdery stuff. It reminded me of powdery snow of a sort.
ReplyDeleteI've read some people describing it as a ninja warrior dancing in cocaine. Why ninja and why cocaine? He has a walking stick, people and if you look closer his mouth is covered (small wonder, so much dust).
@Blodeuedd - great to know your Internet life quality improved!
@Lena, yes she is amazing.
@Tracy - I haven't heard about that, thanks for the link!
Heh... the guy was an ass and she is calling him out. They were deep in love and he played her. Played her heart and hurt her bad (played it to the beat). Did that help?
ReplyDeleteLove Adele!
It did help, thanks Melissa! :) Clear and succinct!
ReplyDelete