“Tired” by Adele - meaning and lyrical analysis
Introduction:
The enigmatic song Tired by the powerhouse, Adele, has left many contemplating its deeper meanings hidden within beautifully penned lyrics. Although its message may appear straightforward at first glance, a deeper analysis of the song uncovers a complex and imaginative narrative that delves into love, spirituality, and ultimately, the beauty in the imperfection of life. In this blog article, we will embark on an intricate journey, weaving through unexpected connections with other musical and cultural touchstones, to reveal a fresh new perspective on the meaning of Adele's Tired.
The Beauty of Contrast:
"you're so provocative, I'm so conservative / You're so adventurous, I'm so very cautious, combined"
As Adele's lyrics suggest, the song is inherently about opposing characteristics, the contrasting traits that on the surface seem irreconcilable. It is in this unlikely combination that we find the message of Tired – the beauty of imperfection. When juxtaposing it against Lesley Gore's 1963 classic, "You Don't Own Me", we begin to see the depth of Tired's exploration into the intricacies of balancing love and self-discovery. Gord's song fiercely proclaims independence, while Adele's piece acknowledges the complex, imperfect nature of our connections to others.
The Yin And Yang of Love:
"you like to be supported, I like to be alone / I like to sit on chairs and you prefer the floor"
Right here, we find an allegory for the ancient Chinese concept of Yin and Yang. In this context, Yin represents passivity, support-seeking, and the floor, while Yang denotes activeness, self-reliance, and chairs. Like the Yin and Yang, Adele and her lover's contrasting qualities create harmony, revealing the deep spirituality hidden within the song.
The Power of Time and Familiarity:
"I say we've only known each other one year / You say I've known you longer my dear"
Tired plays heavily on the theme of duality, not just in love but in our perceptions of time. Billy Joel, in his song "Vienna", declares, "Slow down, you crazy child / And take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while." Similarly, Adele's Tired projects a sense of nostalgia and familiarity, even in a seemingly short span of time, the idea of discovering deep connections in shorter timelines, just like the aforementioned from Joel's Vienna.
A Serendipitous Journey:
"I've never known this inevitable / You're the first to make out whenever we are two"
As Adele unveils her feelings of inevitability within this deep connection, the idea of fate and serendipity becomes evident. Tired echoes the sentiment of Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" in its romantic exploration of the unexpected pathways that join two souls. The song itself becomes a tribute to the inexplicable magic of human connection.
Tired, by Adele, is a poetic enigma that unravels a richly imaginative theory about the human condition. It is a journey through love's complexity, spirituality, the beauty of imperfection, and the intimate dance of serendipity in our lives. Adele reminds us that in the midst of life's imperfections, our broken, contrasting pieces ultimately create an exquisite masterpiece – one that only we, and our loved ones, can truly understand.
