“To Be Loved” is the eleventh track on Adele’s 2021 album ’30.’ The song dives deeper into the theme of the album, which is exploring Adele’s traumatic relationship with her ex-husband.
Adele released her fourth studio album ’30’ on November 19, 2021. The only single from the album, “Easy On Me,” took the world by storm, breaking streaming records. The album follows the series of albums released in correspondence with her age at the time of recording each album.
In “To Be Loved,” Adele sings that she was too young when she got into this relationship and she had little to no knowledge or foresight into what she was getting into. She justifies getting into this relationship by saying that when you want to be loved, you are willing to sacrifice things that are important to you. But later on, you realize that some of these sacrifices may not be worth it.
Listen to “To Be Loved” by Adele
Buy ’30’ Album on Apple Music & Amazon
Adele “To Be Loved” Lyrics Meaning and Song Review
Verse 1
In the first verse of the song, Adele talks about the home that she built around her relationship with her ex-husband Simon Konecki. Together, they gave birth to Adele’s only child, Angelo Adkins, when Adele was only 23-years-old. One could consider that this age is too young to bear the responsibilities of parenthood. Adele dove into this relationship not thinking far ahead, in the name of love.
Reality check… Adele realizes that she has had tunnel vision for the longest time. She has been crying inside for so many years. She has been bleeding on others — infecting her tortured feelings onto those around her, especially her child.
I’ll never learn if I never leap
I’ll always yearn if I never speak
Nothing in this world comes risk-free. Getting into a new relationship is a risk — a risk of getting hurt by heartbreak. But you will never know if this relationship has a happy ending or if it was a mistake if you never take the leap of faith.
Chorus
In the hook of the song, Adele sings that to love is to sacrifice. One might have to give up on certain parts of their lives in the name of love. Giving up some things might be a worthy sacrifice to be with your one true love. But one should never give up so much that they will not be the same person anymore. One’s own happiness and peace of mind are more important than anything else in the world.
Let it be known, let it be known that I tried
If Adele wanted to send one message in her album, it was that she tried to make things work with her ex-husband. She changed her ways so much to accommodate his ways that at one point it just became unworthy.
Verse 2
In the second verse of the song, Adele tries to find some peace within these tumulus experiences. Maybe she was young and naive to commit to such a relationship at such a young age. Maybe the age wouldn’t have mattered at all.
I’ll stand still and let the storm pass by
Keep my heart safe till the time feels right
History writes itself in permanent ink. No one can change the past. Everyone has to live with the consequences of their actions in the past. Something they can change is their future. They can either choose to live with regrets or they can choose to learn from their past mistakes and move on. Adele chooses the latter.
Bridge
The bridge of the song gives us a little more insight into Adele’s relationship with her ex-husband. Adele details how she even lied to protect him/their relationship. This just might be stepping over the lines of what is okay to do for someone you love. If you have to lie about your relationship, it is very much a lie itself.
Love takes sacrifice. But love does not have to be all about sacrifice. How much you are willing to give up to gain love is very much up to you. But the sacrifices should not turn you into someone who you are not.
Let us hear what you think about this song in the comments below. Check out the complete lyrics on Genius.