Adele’s song “Hello” provides intimate insight into the complex emotions surrounding a failed relationship. Through lyrical themes of nostalgia, regret, and moving on, the singer explores trying to reconcile with an ex-lover after time apart. An in-depth look at the song’s lyrics sheds light on the hopes, struggles, and realizations involved in revisiting love gone wrong. “cooking“
Lyrics
Hello, it’s me
I was wondering if after all these years you’d like to meet
To go over everything
They say that time’s supposed to heal ya, but I ain’t done much healing
Hello, can you hear me?
I’m in California dreaming about who we used to be
When we were younger and free
I’ve forgotten how it felt before the world fell at our feet
There’s such a difference between us
And a million miles
Hello from the other side
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
Hello from the outside
At least I can say that I’ve tried
To tell you I’m sorry for breaking your heart
But it don’t matter, it clearly doesn’t tear you apart anymore
Hello, how are you?
It’s so typical of me to talk about myself, I’m sorry
I hope that you’re well
Did you ever make it out of that town where nothing ever happened?
It’s no secret that the both of us
Are running out of time
So hello from the other side (other side)
I must’ve called a thousand times (thousand times)
To tell you I’m sorry for everything that I’ve done
But when I call, you never seem to be home
Hello from the outside (outside)
At least I can say that I’ve tried (I’ve tried)
To tell you I’m sorry for breaking your heart
But it don’t matter, it clearly doesn’t tear you apart anymore
Ooh (lows, lows, lows, lows), anymore
(Highs, highs, highs, highs)
Ooh (lows, lows, lows, lows), anymore
(Highs, highs, highs, highs)
Ooh (lows, lows, lows, lows), anymore
(Highs, highs, highs, highs)
Anymore (lows, lows, lows, lows)
Hello from the other side (other side)
I must’ve called a thousand times (thousand times)
To tell you I’m sorry for everything that I’ve done
But when I call, you never seem to be home
Hello from the outside (outside)
At least I can say that I’ve tried (I’ve tried)
To tell you I’m sorry for breaking your heart
But it don’t matter, it clearly doesn’t tear you apart anymore
Summary
The song opens with the singer wondering if, after all these years, their ex would be willing to meet up to revisit and discuss their entire relationship history. They mention how “time’s supposed to heal ya” but they don’t feel very healed themselves. There is an air of melancholy and nostalgia as the singer thinks back to when they were younger and carefree.
The next verse describes how the singer is physically in California but mentally dreaming about the past and “who we used to be.” They’ve seemingly forgotten what it was like before responsibilities set in and reality pulled them in different directions. A sense of loss pervades as they reflect on how distant they’ve grown—both emotionally and physically, with a “million miles” now between them.
In the choruses, the singer leaves “hello” messages from “the other side,” signaling they are on the outside of that relationship now looking in. They apologize for “everything that I’ve done” but their calls always go unanswered, reinforcing that emotional distance. More choruses repeat this sentiment of trying desperately to say sorry while never getting the chance to do so directly.
One verse finds the singer admitting they often talk about themselves and their feelings before getting around to asking how the other person has been doing. They wonder if their ex ever managed to leave their hometown that “nothing ever happened” in. A sense of regret mingles with the nostalgia here.
FAQs
What is the singer apologizing for?
The singer is apologizing for “everything that I’ve done” and “breaking your heart”, implying they made mistakes and hurt their ex in the relationship.
Why can’t they get a hold of their ex?
When the singer calls to apologize, their ex is “never seem to be home” and does not pick up, indicating they have emotionally moved on and do not want contact.
What do they hope will happen if they meet up?
The singer wants to “go over everything” and discuss their history if they were to meet, perhaps hoping to better understand what went wrong and find closure.
Have they moved on from the relationship?
No, the lyrics suggest the singer has not healed “much healing” and are still nostalgic about “who we used to be”, so they have not fully moved on.
Where is the singer calling from?
The singer is physically located in “California” but their mind is stuck in the past, so they are calling from the emotional “outside” of the relationship while still feeling connected to it.
Conclusion
