19, el álbum debut de la cantautora británica Adele, lanzado en 2008, es la presentación al mundo de una de las voces más extraordinarias de su generación. Titulado por la edad que tenía durante su creación, el álbum es una colección de canciones de soul, pop y R&B profundamente personal y emocionalmente cruda. Las letras, inspiradas en gran parte por una dolorosa ruptura juvenil, muestran una madurez lírica asombrosa para una artista tan joven. Con su voz poderosa y conmovedora como eje central y un sonido orgánico de instrumentación real, "19" fue un éxito de crítica y público, ganó el premio Grammy a la Mejor Artista Nueva y sentó las bases de una carrera que redefiniría el pop del siglo XXI.
Contexto y Grabación
Adele Adkins se graduó de la prestigiosa BRIT School en 2006. Poco después, una maqueta de tres canciones que un amigo publicó en MySpace llamó la atención del sello independiente XL Recordings, que la fichó inmediatamente. El título del álbum, "19", no solo refleja su edad, sino también el período de su vida que inspiró las canciones, marcado por el final de su primera relación amorosa seria.
La grabación del álbum se llevó a cabo con varios productores para capturar diferentes facetas de su sonido. Jim Abbiss, conocido por su trabajo con artistas como Arctic Monkeys, produjo la mayor parte del disco, dándole un sonido de soul contemporáneo. Mark Ronson produjo la enérgica "Cold Shoulder", y Eg White coescribió y produjo el exitoso sencillo "Chasing Pavements". Adele insistió en un sonido orgánico, con un uso prominente de piano, guitarras acústicas y secciones de cuerda, en contraposición al pop electrónico que dominaba la época.
Análisis Musical y Estilo
El sonido de "19" es una fusión de soul clásico y pop contemporáneo, un estilo que se conocería como "blue-eyed soul". La influencia de sus ídolos como Etta James y Amy Winehouse es palpable, pero Adele aporta su propia y única personalidad vocal. El álbum se caracteriza por sus arreglos elegantes y su instrumentación acústica, que sirven de telón de fondo para que su voz, el verdadero instrumento principal, brille en todo su esplendor. Las letras son confesionales, directas y llenas de la angustia y la sabiduría prematura de un corazón roto.
Análisis de las canciones
El álbum generó varios sencillos exitosos. El primero, "Hometown Glory", es una emotiva oda a su barrio de West Norwood en Londres. El sencillo que la catapultó a la fama fue "Chasing Pavements", una poderosa balada de soul inspirada en una discusión con su exnovio que la llevó a correr por la calle. La canción le valió el Grammy a la Mejor Interpretación Vocal Pop Femenina.
"Cold Shoulder" es uno de los temas más enérgicos del disco, con un ritmo de R&B y una producción de Mark Ronson. Sin embargo, una de las canciones más queridas del álbum es su versión de la balada de Bob Dylan, "Make You Feel My Love", una interpretación delicada y conmovedora que se ha convertido en un estándar moderno.
Lanzamiento y Rendimiento en Listas
"19" fue un éxito comercial inmediato en el Reino Unido y, tras su aclamada actuación en el programa "Saturday Night Live" en 2008, también en Estados Unidos. El álbum ha vendido más de 7 millones de copias en todo el mundo.
- UK Albums Chart: 1
- USA Billboard 200: 4
- España (PROMUSICAE): 5
- Australia (ARIA): 3
- Canadá (Billboard): 4
Recepción Crítica
La crítica aclamó "19" de forma casi unánime. Fue elogiado por la increíble potencia y madurez de la voz de Adele, así como por la honestidad de sus letras. The Guardian lo describió como "excepcional". El álbum no solo ganó dos premios Grammy, sino que también estableció a Adele como la nueva gran voz del soul británico y el comienzo de una de las carreras más exitosas de la historia reciente.
Listado de Canciones
- Make You Feel My Love3:32
When the rain is blowing in your face, And the whole world is on your case, I could offer you a warm embrace To make you feel my love. When the evening shadows and the stars appear, And there is no one there to dry your tears, I could hold you for a million years To make you feel my love. I know you haven't made your mind up yet, But I will never do you wrong. I've known it from the moment that we met, No doubt in my mind where you belong. I'd go hungry; I'd go black and blue, I'd go crawling down the avenue. No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do To make you feel my love. The storms are raging on the rolling sea And on the highway of regret. The winds of change are blowing wild and free, You ain't seen nothing like me yet. I could make you happy, make your dreams come true. Nothing that I wouldn't do. Go to the ends of the Earth for you, To make you feel my love To make you feel my love - Right As Rain3:17
Letra
Who wants to be right as rain It's better when something is wrong You get excitement in your bones And everything you do's a game When night comes and you're on your own You can say "I chose to be alone" Who wants to be right as rain It's harder when you're on top 'Cause when hard work don't pay off and I'm tired There ain't no room in my bed As far as I'm concerned So wipe that dirty smile off We won't be making up I've cried my heart out And now I've had enough of love Who wants to be riding high When you'll just crumble back on down You give up everything you are And even then you don't get far They make believe that everything Is exactly what it seems But at least when you're at your worst You know how to feel things See when hard work don't pay off and I'm tired There ain't no room in my bed As far as I'm concerned So wipe that dirty smile off We won't be making up I've cried my heart out And now I've had enough of love Go ahead and steal my heart To make me cry again 'Cause it will never hurt As much as it did then When we were both right And no one had blame But now I give up On this endless game 'Cause who wants to be right as rain It's better when something is wrong I get excitement in my bones Even though everything's a strain When night comes and I'm on my own You should know I chose to be alone Who wants to be right as rain It's harder when you're on top 'Cause when hard work don't pay off and I'm tired There ain't no room in my bed As far as I'm concerned So wipe that dirty smile off We won't be making up I've cried my heart out And now I've had enough of... There ain't no room in my bed As far as I'm concerned So wipe that dirty smile off We won't be making up I've cried my heart out And now I've had enough of love Woah, yeah! Had enough Woah oh oh oh oh! Woah oh oh do da! - First Love3:10
Letra
So little to say but so much time, Despite my empty mouth the words are in my mind. Please wear the face, the one where you smile, Because you lighten up my heart when I start to cry. Forgive me first love, but I'm tired. I need to get away to feel again. Try to understand why, don't get so close to change my mind. Please wipe that look out of your eyes, it's bribing me to doubt myself; Simply, it's tiring. This love has dried up and stayed behind, And if I stay I'll be a lie Then choke on words I'd always hide. Excuse me first love, but we're through. I need to taste a kiss from someone new. Forgive me first love, but I'm too tired. I'm bored to say the least and I, I lack desire. Forgive me first love, Forgive me first love, Forgive me first love, Forgive me first love, Forgive me, Forgive me first love, Forgive me first love - Melt My Heart To Stone3:23
Letra
Right under my feet is air made of bricks It pulls me down turns me weak for you I find myself repeating like a broken tune And I'm forever excusing your intentions And I give in to my pretendings Which forgive you each time Without me knowing They melt my heart to stone And I hear your words that I made up You say my name like there could be an us I best tidy up my head I'm the only one in love I'm the only one in love Each and every time I turn around to leave I feel my heart begin to burst and bleed So desperately I try to link it with my head But instead I fall back to my knees As you tear your way right through me I forgive you once again Without me knowing You've burnt my heart to stone And I hear your words that I made up You say my name like there could be an us I best tidy up my head I'm the only one in love I'm the only one in love Why do you steal my hand? Whenever I'm standing my own ground You build me up, then leave me dead Well I hear your words you made up [Album version:] I say your name like there should be an us [Live version:] So I say your name like there should be an us I best tidy up my head I'm the only one in love I'm the only one in love - Crazy For You3:28
Letra
Found myself today Singing out loud your name, You said I'm crazy, If I am I'm crazy for you. Sometimes sitting in the dark Wishing you were here Turns me crazy, But it's you who makes me lose my head. And every time I'm meant to be acting sensible You drift into my head And turn me into a crumbling fool. Tell me to run and I'll race, If you want me to stop I'll freeze, And if you want me gone, I'll leave, Just hold me closer, baby, And make me crazy for you. Crazy for you. Lately with this state I'm in I can't help myself but spin. I wish you'd come over, Send me spinning closer to you. My oh my, how my blood boils, It's sweet taste for you, Strips me down bare And gets me into my favourite mood. I keep on trying, fighting these feelings away, But the more I do, The crazier I turn into. Pacing floors and opening doors, Hoping you'll walk through And save me boy, Because I'm too crazy for you. Crazy for you - Cold Shoulder3:11
Letra
You say it's all in my head And the things I think just don't make sense So where you been then? Don't go all coy Don't turn it 'round on me like it's my fault See I can see that look in your eyes The one that shoots me each and every time (every time) You grace me with your cold shoulder Whenever you look at me I wish I was her You shower me with words made of knives Whenever you look at me I wish I was her These days when I see you You make it look like I'm see-through Do tell me why you waste our time When your heart ain't admitting you're not satisfied You know I know just how you feel I'm starting to find myself feeling that way too When you grace me with your cold shoulder Whenever you look at me I wish I was her You shower me with words made of knives Whenever you look at me I wish I was her Time and time again, I play the role of fool (Just for you) Even in the daylight when you think that I don't see you Try to look for things I hear but our eyes never find 'Though I do know how you play You grace me with your cold shoulder Whenever you look at me I wish I was her You shower me with words made of knives Whenever you look at me I wish I was her You grace me with your cold shoulder Whenever you look at me I wish I was her You shower me with words made of knives Whenever you look at me I wish I was her - Chasing Pavements3:30
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 chasin' 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 chasin' pavements Even if it leads nowhere? I build myself up And fly around in circles Waitin' as my heart drops And my back begins to tingle Finally, could this be it [Chorus:] Or should I give up? Or should I just keep chasin' 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 chasin' pavements Even if it leads nowhere? Should I give up? Or should I just keep on chasin' 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 chasin' pavements? Should I just keep on chasin' pavements? Ohh oh [Chorus:] should I give up? Or should I just keep chasin' 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 chasin' pavements Even if it leads nowhere? - Best For Last4:18
Letra
Wait, do you see my heart on my sleeve? It's been there for days on end and It's been waiting for you to open up Yours too baby, come on now I'm trying to tell you just how I'd like to hear the words roll out of your mouth finally Say that it's always been me That's made you feel a way you've never felt before And I'm all you need and that you never want more Then you'd say all of the right things without a clue But you'd save the best for last Like I'm the one for you You should know that you're just a temporary fix This is not rooted with you it don't mean that much to me You're just a filler in the space that happened to be free How dare you think you'd get away with trying to play me? Yeah Why is it every time I think I've tried my hardest It turns out it ain't enough? You're still not mentioning love What am I supposed to do to make you want me properly? I'm taking these chances and getting nowhere And though I'm trying my hardest you go back to her And I think that I know things may never change I'm still hoping one day I might hear you say I make you feel a way you've never felt before And I'm all you need and that you never want more Then you'd say all of the right things without a clue But you'd save the best for last Like I'm the one for you You should know that you're just a temporary fix This is not rooted with you it don't mean that much to me You're just a filler in the space that happened to be free How dare you think you'd get away with trying to play me But, despite the truth that I know I find it hard to let go and give up on you Seems I love the things you do Like the meaner you treat me more eager I am To persist with this heartbreak of running around And I will do until I find myself with you and Make you feel a way you've never felt before And be all you need so that you'll never want more Then you'd say all of the right things without a clue And you'll be the one for me and me the one for you - Daydreamer3:40
Letra
Daydreamer Sitting on the sea Soaking up the sun He is a real lover Of making up the past And feeling up his girl Like he's never felt her figure before A jaw dropper Looks good when he walks Is the subject of their talk He would be hard to chase But good to catch And he could change the world With his hands behind his back, oh You can find him sittin' on your doorstep Waiting for a surprise And he will feel like he's been there for hours And you can tell that he'll be there for life Daydreamer With eyes that make you melt He lends his coat for shelter Plus he's there for you When he shouldn't be But he stays all the same Waits for you Then sees you through There's no way I Could describe him What I'll say is Just what I'm hoping for But I will find him sittin' on my doorstep Waiting for a surprise And he will feel like he's been there for hours And I can tell that he'll be there for life And I can tell that he'll be there for life - My Same3:15
Letra
You said I'm stubborn and I never give in I think you're stubborn 'cept you're always softening You say I'm selfish, I agree with you on that I think you're giving out way too much in fact I say we've only known each other a year You say I've known you longer my dear You like to be so close, I like to be alone I like to sit on chairs and you prefer the floor Walking with each other, think we'll never match at all, but we do But we do, but we do, but we do I thought I knew myself, somehow you know me more I've never known this, never before You're the first to make out whenever we argue I don't know who I'd be if I didn't know you You're so provocative, I'm so conservative You're so adventurous, I'm so very cautious, combining You'd think we wouldn't, we do, but we do, but we do, but we do Favouritism ain't my thing but, In this situation I'll be glad... Favouritism ain't my thing but, in this situation I'll be glad to make an exception You said I'm stubborn and I never give in I think you're stubborn 'cept you're always softening You say I'm selfish, I agree with you on that I think you're giving out way too much in fact I say we've only known each other a year You say I've known you longer my dear You like to be so close, I like to be alone I like to sit on chairs and you prefer the floor Walking with each other, think we'll never match at all, but we do - Tired4:18
Letra
Hold my hand while you cut me down It had only just begun but now it's over now And your in the heat of moments with your heart playing up cold I'm between the middle watching hastiness unfold On my eyes your were smiling in the spotlight dancing with the night When I Fell off your mind I'm tired of trying Your teasing ain't enough Fed up of biding your time When I don't get nothing back And for what, and for what, and for what When I don't get nothing back Boy I'm tired Where'd you go when you stay behind I looked up and inside down and outside only to find A double taking punching hard and laughing at my smile I get closer you obviously prefer her [Chorus:] I'm tired of trying Your teasing ain't enough Fed up of biding your time When I don't get nothing back And for what, and for what, and for what When I don't get nothing back Boy I'm tired of trying Your teasing ain't enough Fed up of biding your time When I don't get nothing back And for what, and for what, and for what When I don't get nothing back Boy I'm tired (I should have known) Never mind said your open arms I couldn't help believe you trick me back into them Even though... [Chorus] - Hometown Glory4:31
Letra
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 could 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 of my world 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 shit Shows that we are united Shows that we ain't gonna take it Shows that we ain't gonna stand shit Shows that we are united Round my hometown Memories are fresh Round my hometown Ooh the people I've met (Do da di di da da da da do do do do oh oh oh yaaaaaa yaa aye) Are the wonders of my world Are the wonders of my world Are the wonders of this world Are the wonders of my world Of my world Yeah Of my world Of my world yeah