I've been walking in the same way as I did
Missing out the cracks in the pavement
And turning 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 now

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 yeah

Do-dily-di-da-da-da-da-day, yeah
Do-dily-di-da-da-da-da-day, yeah
Do-do-do-do-ohh-ohh, yeah
Yeah, yeah, hey, ay

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


Lyrics submitted by onemanguy, edited by 512kearra

Hometown Glory Lyrics as written by Adele Laurie Blue Adkins

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Hometown Glory song meanings
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  • +3
    General Comment

    "Breathe Me" is my favorite song, and I see how this song can be compared to that in terms of how the strings and piano affect the song. Beyond that, though, I think they're very different. If I had to compare her to other artists, I'd say this song by Adele sounds like a blend of Sia and Amy Winehouse in terms of instrumentals (which are Sia-esque) and vocal tone (which is Winehouse-esque). I still think comparing her to either artist is selling her short, as she is clearly in her own element.

    I'll agree that this song is about her appreciation for her hometown. She looks at the city not in terms of location or geography, but rather the people she cares about and the memories she has. Regardless of where she's specifically singing about, it's a song that resonates to anyone's hometown. People who love their hometown do so not just because they were born there, but because of the people. Those people aren't just the wonders of an individual's world, but the wonders of the whole world, as they are the wonders of every individual's world. The song does a very good job of speaking to both the personal feelings of the singer and the general feelings of the public. It's beautiful.

    theInnovatoron April 16, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Overall I think this song is about appreciating all that is real and wonderful in the world, starting with the people. People are very diverse so connections we make with the people we meet, and human interactions in general are intriguing. You can feel at home in a place simply remembering all the people you've made connections with there. Not many people take the time to remember and appreciate these things, perhaps that is why the "Madam" at the begginning asks if she is lost because she is "just wandering" and remembering.

    I think when she talks about the people and the governement and two words colliding that she is refering to the division we create by taking opposing sides (can be applied to government parties). Then the whole thing about "shows that we ain't gonna stand shit..." I think she is saying that "we are united" in "not taking the shit" that extremists of any identifying group can try to sell. Maybe we ballence eachother out that way. Thoughts?

    aeiou3on January 29, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Beautiful song, but I completely agree with you, skttrbrain, the instrumental beginning in particular sounds exactly like Sia's "Breathe Me".

    RachWho?on March 26, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song was ammmmazing in SKINS, when Cassie runs through the streets of New York... Love this song

    thommmmmason August 19, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think there is DEFINITELY something to do with 7/7 in this. The first 2 lines, missing out the cracks is saying that London is defiant in the face of things that try to set it back. Just ignoring them sort of and getting on with it. It's really about being defiant and positive in the face of adversity and appreciating people and the good things in life. Nice one.

    ed_cefaluon October 07, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I saw this song on So You Think You Can Dance. It's a beautiful song. aeiou3 i believe your right when it comes to your meaning to this song. She is trying to show the beauty that this world has to offer. and how so many times we take them for granted. Thank you Adele.

    SavedByMusic4811on September 05, 2009   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    Generally speaking, the song “Hometown Glory” is obviously about Adele missing her hometown of London. However, I think the song can relate to anyone’s home. In the first verse, the singer is narrating a moment of reminiscing. “I’ve been walking in the same way as I did/Missing out the cracks in the pavement/And turning my heel and strutting my feet” sounds like she is just trying to remember how everything back home was calm. When I hear Adele sing the words, I think of myself walking in familiar places, such as my house, at the Pier, or at a mall. These familiar places are going to stay in my mind forever. Not even going off to college will make me forget completely. The lines “Is there anything I can do for you dear?/Is there anyone I could call?” reminds me of the people that care about me. I tend to blank out constantly, so “No and thank you, please Madam/I ain’t lost, just wandering” explains how I react. Daydreaming moves me into this other world. Memories and my imagination take over, and I lose focus. It may seem like I look like a “deer in headlights”, but I’m just thinking. No concern is needed because I’m perfectly fine.

    carchanon August 16, 2012   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    Obviously about London, but I think the song is about the differences in opinion between two different generations.

    Verse 1: "dear" and "madam" reveals a conversation between a youngster and an older woman. The youngster is wandering aimlessly (alludes to no direction in life) and the older woman offers help.

    Verse 2: She loves her hometown all year round even in winter ("the air is thick and opaque") and summer ("short skirts, shorts and shades"). She even loves how diverse it is with all the different cultures of the world living in one place ("when two worlds collide") but then you get the "people" and "the government" taking different sides on whether this is such a great thing (immigration issues).

    Verse 3: Contrasted with the politeness of verse 1. Basically, we don't care what you say, we have our own opinions and we will live our life our own way.

    BiancaRozon January 25, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    saw her perform this at the great escape. its about London

    Adele deserves to be huge. she's like a talented Lilly Allen

    selfishisgorgeouson June 20, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song as she has stated before is about her love for london. this girl is going to be big i can definately see it happening

    Grayseaon September 15, 2007   Link

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