When We Were Young

Adele

Everybody loves the things you do
From the way you talk
To the way you move
Everybody here is watching you
'Cause you feel like home
You're like a dream come true
But if by chance you're here alone
Can I have a moment
Before I go?
'Cause I've been by myself all night long
Hoping you're someone I used to know

You look like a movie
You sound like a song
My God, this reminds me
Of when we were young

Let me photograph you in this light
In case it is the last time
That we might be exactly like we were
Before we realized
We were sad of getting old
It made us restless
It was just like a movie
It was just like a song

I was so scared to face my fears
Nobody told me that you'd be here
And I swear you moved overseas
That's what you said, when you left me

You still look like a movie
You still sound like a song
My God, this reminds me
Of when we were young

Let me photograph you in this light
In case it is the last time
That we might be exactly like we were
Before we realized
We were sad of getting old
It made us restless
It was just like a movie
It was just like a song

When we were young
When we were young
When we were young
When we were young

It's hard to admit that
Everything just takes me back
To when you were there
To when you were there
And a part of me keeps holding on
Just in case it hasn't gone
'Cause I still care
Do you still care?

It was just like a movie
It was just like a song
My God, this reminds me
Of when we were young

When we were young
When we were young
When we were young
When we were young

Let me photograph you in this light
In case it is the last time
That we might be exactly like we were
Before we realized
We were sad of getting old
It made us restless
Oh, I'm so mad I'm getting old
It makes me reckless
It was just like a movie
It was just like a song
When we were young


Lyrics submitted by Abbie96

When We Were Young Lyrics as written by Tobias Macdonald Jesso Adele Laurie Blue Adkins

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

When We Were Young song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • +8
    My Interpretation
    This song is 100% about a guy whom Adele loved, but who left her suddenly leaving her heartbroken. Adele sees him one night and is instantly filled with nostalgic memories of their past love when they were much younger, and she hopes that by speaking to him again, it'll be just like old times. However, the idea of speaking to him also scares her because it wasn't something she had prepared to do; no one told her he'd be there that night and she thought he had been long gone, since he told her he'd be moving far away when he left her; now that they're both together in the same room again, she feels as if she can no longer hide and has to face the dragon. She knows that this may be the last time they ever see each other again while they're young because as more and more time goes on, they're both aging and it angers her. All she wants is to be young--to be young with him, and have what they used to have when they were young.
    GoddessofLoveon November 21, 2015   Link
  • +3
    Song Meaning
    In an interview with SiriusXM Music, Adele explains that the song is set at a party. Everyone there knew each other when they were younger, and now they’re all over fifty. Everyone one that you've ever loved, everyone you've never loved and how you can't find time to keep up as life goes on. They’ve been placed in this party where they get to congregate and catch up and meet again after many years and none of the other stuff matters and you feel like you're 15 again. soundcloud.com/siriusxmmusic/…
    oofuson November 24, 2015   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I can imagine myself in 10 or 15 years looking back at my last relationship that ended 6 months ago and thinking about the beginnings of the love while this song plays in the background. When We Were Young is about the glory days of a relationship. Not necessarily a romantic one, though. When you're young, everything is easy and so care free. You can be reckless and yearn for more. In this situation, the restlessness that people feel when they are getting older and develop more and more responsibility is what has torn this relationship apart. "Oh I'm so mad I'm getting old, it makes me reckless" is a perfect example of this. She hates that she is getting older so she begins to be reckless--in this situation she is reckless with her lover or the other half of whatever relationship she is referring to. In my opinion, WWWY is one of the best songs she has ever come out with. It is perfection.
    stevenrmcon November 30, 2015   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation
    I thought it was about nostalgia or an adult looking back on their childhood after seeing a former lover at a party (See the title of the song).
    seeingon January 27, 2016   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    You will find the best meaning of this song here. Adele When we were young skywardmagazine.com/2016/02/…
    Yomeon May 18, 2016   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Someone already says: "Life is a journey not a destination..." Anyway, life goes on, but some people still stand: "...and a part of me keeps holding on just in case it hasn't gone I guess I still care Do you still care? And I guess that... "we were sad of getting old It made us restless Oh, I'm so mad I'm Getting old..." Does anybody like to grow older? Keep me out of this... Life is short no waste your time!!!
    browserboy72on September 19, 2017   Link
  • -1
    General Comment
    IMO, this song is about the reminiscence of the past upon seeing old flame or old friends. It's a great song. Adele sang it with a strong emotion. I'm sure many could share the empathy of the song.
    Metson November 18, 2015   Link
  • -4
    General Comment
    A beautiful graduation song!
    somewhatbohemianon November 26, 2015   Link

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