“Cold Shoulder” by Adele - meaning and lyrics analysis
Adele's soulful ballads never fail to evoke strong emotions and resonate with us as listeners. At first glance, her song "Cold Shoulder" reads as a tale about the pain of an unreciprocated love. However, a more imaginative and daring theory suggests that the song is not only about heartbreak but also about time travel. Yes, you read it right - time travel.
Let's dive into this creative and unexpected interpretation of the unique blend of longing, love, and time, as portrayed in Adele's "Cold Shoulder".
The opening lines, "You say it's all in my head / And the things I think just don't make sense" alludes to a situation that seems beyond reason. Like in the 2001 film "Donnie Darko" where the protagonist is driven by inexplicable dreams and experiences, Adele seems to be questioning her reality. The lyrics, "So where you been then? Don't go all coy" indicate a situation where her beloved might be time traveling and inexplicably appearing and disappearing, thus making her question if it's all in her head.
As the song progresses, we hear, "Time and time again, I play the role of fool / (Just for you)". The phrase "time and time again" is often used to convey repetition over an extended period, which can be seen as a clever way to incorporate a notion of time travel. Furthermore, the idea of continuously trying to reach something impossible echoes the story of the Greek mythological figure Sisyphus, who was condemned to push a large boulder up a hill for eternity. Just like time traveling may seem romantic but ultimately futile, Adele is aware of the futility of her desires.
The following lyrics are particularly interesting, "Even in the daylight when you / (I see you) / Try to look for things I hear but our eyes never find / 'Though I do know how you play." This suggests that even when they are together in the present, the ones they love are not truly there, trying to find something that they can't seem to discover. Similar to Christopher Nolan's 2014 film "Interstellar," where the main character struggles to connect with his loved ones due to his time travel's demands, Adele's lyrics paint a picture of longing and hopelessness.
Taking inspiration from the love story in Audrey Niffenegger's novel "The Time Traveler's Wife," the repetitive chorus lines, "Whenever you look at me I wish I was her," might lead us to believe that Adele is singing not just about jealousy but about her lover's longing for a different version or time of herself. Showering with "words made of knives" could signify the painful truth of their complicated relationship, spanning through different timelines. Through these lyrics, Adele plunges into emotions that are far beyond the realms of regular romantic issues and delves into the complex issues attached to a love transcending time.
Adele's "Cold Shoulder" can be interpreted as an ode to a deeply unattainable and tragic love, not just because of unrequited emotions, but also due to the conflicting and ever-changing circumstances stemming from time travel. By juxtaposing this interpretation with different cinematic and literary references, we uncover the deeper layers and meanings that Adele's powerful lyrics possess, allowing us to appreciate this timeless piece on an entirely new level.
