“Hello” by Adele - meaning and lyrics analysis
Adele's soulful single 'Hello' might appear to be a classic ballad of love and loss, but there is a fascinating theory that suggests something far more profound and cosmic in its themes.
Upon closer examination, the emotive lyrics and deep sense of longing presented in 'Hello' could actually be the story of two star-crossed lovers separated by time and space, with one reaching out from "the other side" through an interdimensional phone call.
Consider the opening line - "Hello, it's me, I was wondering if after all these years you'd like to meet, to go over everything." Adele could be hinting at a love spanning several lifetimes, and her desire to reconnect with her lost love. This idea is strengthened when she continues: "I'm in California dreaming about who we used to be, when we were younger and free."
This reference to California might be a subtle nod to the famous Beach Boys' song "California Dreamin'" which also spoke about escapism during tough times. Both songs evoke a sense of nostalgia, fueled by the need to revisit youth and the desire to find freedom. Adele could well be tapping into the concept of time travel in her pursuit of love that has survived through multiple timelines.
As the song progresses, Adele's lyrics mention "the other side" and "the outside," which could be symbols of an alternate universe or a distant world where her lost love resides. She expresses her frustration at not being able to reconnect, saying, "I must've called a thousand times, to tell you I'm sorry for everything that I've done, but when I call you never seem to be home."
The repetition of a "thousand times" might suggest that Adele's character is caught in a time loop, desperately trying to amend her past mistakes and reunite with her lover across lifetimes. This idea calls to mind the time-travel romance in the 2009 film "The Time Traveler's Wife," where the protagonist travels through time randomly, attempting to maintain his relationship with his beloved wife.
Moreover, the phrase "running out of time" occurs later in the song, supporting the idea of a cosmic romance predestined by fate, similar to the star-crossed lovers in David Bowie's concept album "Space Oddity." The track also shares a theme with Coldplay's hit song "The Scientist," wherein the lyrics ask for the chance to "go back to the start" and fix a broken relationship.
In short, "Hello" can be seen as a beautiful commentary on the power of eternal love, transcending the physical world, as well as a celebration of the timelessness of human connection. Adele's exploration of the idea of a love story punctuated by cosmic forces and time travel positions the song as an unexpectedly imaginative and ethereal take on the subject of heartache.
