Million Years Ago (song)

Last updated
"Million Years Ago"
Song by Adele
from the album 25
Studio Metropolis Studios, London
Genre Folk [1]
Length3:47
Label XL
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Greg Kurstin

"Million Years Ago" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Adele for her third studio album, 25 (2015). The song was written by Adele and Greg Kurstin, with production of the song provided by the latter. Lyrically, the track is about how fame has personally affected her and everyone around her. On Adele at the BBC in 2015, she stated that the song was, "kind of a story about ... I drove past Brockwell Park, which is a park in South London I used to live by. It's where I spent a lot of my youth". [2] Musically, the song is an acoustic tune accompanied only by guitar.

Contents

"Million Years Ago" charted in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. Adele performed the song during Adele at the BBC, Adele Live in New York City , and on Today .

Composition

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
"Million Years Ago"
A 22-second sample of "Million Years Ago"'s chorus, an acoustic tune accompanied only by guitar.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Million Years Ago" is an acoustic tune accompanied only by guitar, finds Adele pining "for the normality of her not-so-distant childhood. Entwined with Middle Eastern twists of background hums that suggest Madonna's 'Frozen'". [3] The song's lyrics touch upon themes of fame, and how it "frightens", the song's lyrics talk about how fame has personally affected her and everyone around her, singing about how she misses the air, her mother, and her friends, but her "life is flashing by and all I can do is watch and cry." [4] Jon Pareles of The New York Times described the song as a "delicate guitar ballad with a hint of Edith Piaf [that] mourns lost youth". [5] Rolling Stone 's Brian Hiatt compared the song to "a Nineties Madonna ballad mixed with 'The Girl From Ipanema'". [6]

Plagiarism Accusation

In December 2015, Adele was accused of plagiarizing the melody of "Million Years Ago" from singer Ahmet Kaya's 1985 song "Acilara Tutunmak". [7] [8] [9]

In September 2021, she was accused by Toninho Geraes of plagiarizing his song, [10] Mulheres, with an expert analysis showing that 88% of the melody is similar. After the lack of responses from Adele's representatives, the song's author said he will take the case to court. [11]

Live performances

She performed the song on Adele at the BBC , which was recorded at The London Studios on 2 November 2015 and broadcast on BBC One on 20 November 2015. She also performed the song on Today on 25 November 2015. [12] [13] [14] Adele also performed the song on Adele Live in New York City , which was recorded at a one-night-only show at Radio City Music Hall on 17 November 2015 and broadcast on NBC on 14 December 2015.

Adele received a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program nomination for performing "Million Years Ago" live on Today.

Charts

Chart (2015–2017)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [15] 84
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [16] 48
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) [17] 46
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [18] 97
Finland Download (Latauslista) [19] 8
France (SNEP) [20] 42
Germany (Official German Charts) [21] 74
Hungary (Single Top 40) [22] 36
Ireland (IRMA) [23] 94
Israel (Media Forest) [24] 3
Netherlands Digital Songs ( Billboard ) [25] 7
Scotland (OCC) [26] 24
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [27] 25
South Korea International Chart (Gaon) [28] 22
UK Singles (OCC) [29] 64
UK Indie (OCC) [30] 10
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard ) [31] 19
US Digital Song Sales ( Billboard ) [32] 28

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [33] Platinum80,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [34] Silver200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Make You Feel My Love</span> 1997 song by Bob Dylan

"Make You Feel My Love", also known as "To Make You Feel My Love", is a song written by Bob Dylan for his album Time Out of Mind, released in September 1997. It was first released commercially in August 1997 by Billy Joel for his compilation album Greatest Hits Volume III.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adele</span> English singer-songwriter (born 1988)

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, known mononymously as Adele, is an English singer-songwriter. She is known for her powerful mezzo-soprano vocals and songwriting. She has received numerous accolades including 16 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award.

<i>19</i> (Adele album) 2008 studio album by Adele Adkins

19 is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter Adele Adkins, released on 28 January 2008 by XL Recordings. Following Adele's graduation from the BRIT School in April 2006, she began publishing songs and recorded a three-song demo for a class project and gave it to a friend, who posted the demo on MySpace, where it became very successful and led to interest from the record label. This led to Adele signing a recording contract at age 17 with the label and providing vocals for Jack Peñate. During this session for Peñate's song she met producer Jim Abbiss, who would go on to produce the majority of her debut album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adele discography</span>

English singer-songwriter Adele has released four studio albums, one video album, two extended plays, 17 singles and eleven music videos. Adele has sold over 70 million in pure album sales and over 100 million in album equivalent units worldwide over four studio albums and one video album as of December 2021. She was named the best-selling album artist of the 2010s decade in the US and worldwide. She has also sold over 100 million in single sales with total sales records over 170 million as of December 2021. She also became the best-selling female artist of the 21st century in the UK. Her album 21 became the best selling album of 2010s decade and best selling album of 21st century.

<i>21</i> (Adele album) 2011 studio album by Adele

21 is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter Adele. It was released on 24 January 2011 in Europe by XL Recordings and on 22 February 2011 in North America by Columbia Records. The album was named after the age of the singer during its production. 21 shares the Motown/soul influences of her 2008 debut album 19, but also draws influence from the American country and Southern blues music that Adele started listening to during the North American leg of her tour An Evening with Adele. Composed in the aftermath of the singer's separation from her then partner, the album explores themes of heartbreak, healing, introspection, and forgiveness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolling in the Deep</span> 2010 single by Adele

"Rolling in the Deep" is a song by English singer-songwriter Adele from her second studio album, 21 (2011). It is the lead single and opening track on the album. The song was written by Adele and Paul Epworth. The singer herself describes it as a "dark blues-y gospel disco tune". In 2011, it was reportedly the biggest crossover hit in the United States since 1985; "Rolling in the Deep" gained radio airplay from many different radio formats. It was first released on 29 November 2010 as the lead single from 21 in digital download format. The lyrics describe the emotions of a scorned lover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Someone like You (Adele song)</span> 2011 single by Adele

"Someone like You" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Adele. She and Dan Wilson wrote and produced the track for her second studio album, 21 (2011). It is the second single and final track on the album. The song was inspired by a broken relationship with one's life partner, and lyrically speaks of Adele's coming to terms with it. XL Recordings released the song as the second single from the album on 24 January 2011 in the United Kingdom and on 9 August 2011 in the United States. Accompanied only by a piano in the song, Adele sings about the end of the relationship with her ex-partner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Set Fire to the Rain</span> 2011 song by Adele

"Set Fire to the Rain" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Adele for her second studio album, 21 (2011). The song was written by Adele and Fraser T. Smith while the production was handled by the latter. It became Adele's third consecutive US number-one single from 21 and reached the top ten in most of other foreign markets. It is a power pop ballad with lush instrumentation and a swelling string arrangement, in contrast to the understated production of most songs on the album. The song has received acclaim from various critics with many complimenting on Adele's vocals. "Set Fire to the Rain" was voted by readers of Billboard as their favorite number one hit of 2012. Though no official music video was released for the song, a live performance from the DVD Live at the Royal Albert Hall was uploaded to video-sharing website YouTube. This rendition won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rumour Has It (Adele song)</span> 2011 song by Adele

"Rumour Has It" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Adele for her second studio album, 21 (2011). The song was written by Adele and Ryan Tedder; the latter is also the producer. Adele has stated that the song was not inspired by the media but it was aimed at her own friends who believed 'rumours' they read about her in tabloids. It was released on 5 November 2011 as the fourth single from the album in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skyfall (song)</span> 2012 single by Adele

"Skyfall" is a song recorded by English singer Adele for the James Bond film of the same name. It was written by Adele and producer Paul Epworth and features orchestration by J. A. C. Redford. British film production company Eon Productions invited the singer to work on the theme song in early 2011, a task that Adele accepted after reading the film's script. While composing the song, Adele and Epworth aimed to capture the mood and style of the other Bond themes, including dark and moody lyrics descriptive of the film's plot. "Skyfall" was released at 0:07 BST on 5 October 2012 as part of the Global James Bond Day, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of Dr. No, the first James Bond film.

<i>25</i> (Adele album) 2015 studio album by Adele

25 is the third studio album by English singer-songwriter Adele, released on 20 November 2015 by XL Recordings and Columbia Records. The album is titled as a reflection of her life and frame of mind at 25 years old and is termed a "make-up record". Its lyrical content features themes of Adele "yearning for her old self, her nostalgia", and "melancholia about the passage of time" according to an interview with the singer by Rolling Stone, as well as themes of motherhood, new love, and regret.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sorry (Justin Bieber song)</span> 2015 single by Justin Bieber

"Sorry" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Justin Bieber for his fourth studio album, Purpose (2015). Written by Bieber, Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, Skrillex, and BloodPop; the song was produced by the latter two. It was released on October 22, 2015, as the second single from the album. A dancehall pop, tropical house and moombahton song, "Sorry" contains in its instrumentation "brassy horn bleats", warm island rhythms and a bouncy dembow riddim drum beat. Lyrically, "Sorry" is a plea for a chance to apologize to a lover, with Bieber asking forgiveness and a second chance to redeem himself. Bieber has since said that the lover was Selena Gomez.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hello (Adele song)</span> 2015 single by Adele

"Hello" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Adele, released on 23 October 2015 by XL Recordings as the lead single from her third studio album, 25 (2015). Written by Adele and its producer, Greg Kurstin, "Hello" is a piano ballad with soul influences, and lyrics that discuss themes of nostalgia and regret. Upon release, the song garnered critical acclaim, with reviewers comparing it favourably to Adele's previous works and praised its lyrics, production and Adele's vocal performance. It was recorded in Metropolis Studios, London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Send My Love (To Your New Lover)</span> 2016 single by Adele

"Send My Love (To Your New Lover)" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Adele for her third studio album, 25. It was written by Adele, Max Martin and Shellback, with the latter two also handling its production. The song was first sent to mainstream radio on 13 May 2016 and then released to digital formats on 16 May 2016 by XL Recordings as the third single from the album. "Send My Love" is a pop and R&B song with an uptempo, rhythmic sound, which the singer describes as a "happy you're gone" song dedicated to an ex-boyfriend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When We Were Young (Adele song)</span> 2015 single by Adele

"When We Were Young" is a song by English singer Adele from her third studio album, 25 (2015). Adele and Tobias Jesso Jr. wrote the song, and Ariel Rechtshaid produced it. The song was written within three days in Los Angeles, after Adele struggled with writer's block during unfruitful early sessions for the album. XL Recordings released it as the album's second single on 22 January 2016. A soul ballad, the song has piano instrumentation that places emphasis on Adele's vocals. Inspired by the vision of meeting acquaintances at a party at an older age, it explores the fear of getting older and the loss of one's youth.

"All I Ask" is a song by English singer-songwriter Adele for her third studio album 25 (2015). The song was written by Adele, Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence and Christopher Brody Brown, with production by The Smeezingtons. Backed by a piano, the pop torch ballad describes the singer looking for one last night with her partner, before the couple separate.

<i>Adele at the BBC</i> Television special

Adele at the BBC is a television special featuring British singer and songwriter Adele, hosted by Graham Norton for BBC One, and which was recorded at The London Studios, London, United Kingdom on 2 November 2015. The programme featured Adele and her live band performing songs from her repertoire and third studio album 25 (2015), as well as other songs from her other two albums, 19 (2008) and 21 (2011), alongside Adele being interviewed by Norton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Water Under the Bridge</span> 2016 single by Adele

"Water Under the Bridge" is a song by English singer Adele from her third studio album 25 (2015). Adele wrote the song with its producer, Greg Kurstin. Columbia Records released the track as the album's fourth single on 14 November 2016. A mid-tempo pop and soul song, "Water Under the Bridge" incorporates influences of 1980s music, R&B, and a gospel choir over guitars and snare drums. Inspired by her relationship with charity founder Simon Konecki, who Adele dated for seven years and married in 2018, the song speaks of forgiveness and details the crucial point in a courtship of determining whether one's partner is willing to put in the work to make it succeed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Easy on Me</span> 2021 single by Adele

"Easy on Me" is a song by English singer Adele from her fourth studio album 30 (2021). Adele wrote the song with its producer, Greg Kurstin. Columbia Records released it as the album's lead single on 15 October 2021. It is a minimally produced pop ballad set to a prominent, sombre piano and propelled by sparse bass beats. Expressing themes of nostalgia, regret, and forgiveness, the lyrics represent Adele's plea to her son, in which she details her struggles with her dissolved marriage and requests him to be kind to her.

References

  1. ↑ The following sources refer to the song as folk:
    • Sperounes, Sandra (19 November 2015). "Album review: Adele soars on new release 25". Edmonton Journal . Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
    • McKee, Hannah (19 November 2015). "Review of Adele's album 25". Stuff.co.nz . Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  2. ↑ Iasimone, Ashley (23 November 2015). "Adele Performs 'Million Years Ago' and 'Hometown Glory' on BBC Special: Watch". billboard.com. Archived from the original on 11 June 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  3. ↑ Walters, Barry (23 November 2015). "Review: Adele, '25'". NPR. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  4. ↑ mtv (2015-11-20). "A Track-By-Track Breakdown Of Adele's 25". MTV. Archived from the original on 2015-12-25. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
  5. ↑ Pareles, Jon (12 November 2015). "Adele Cries to Her Music, Too". The New York Times . Archived from the original on 2016-01-18. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
  6. ↑ Hiatt, Brian (2015-11-03). "Adele: Inside Her Private Life and Triumphant Return". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2015-12-04. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
  7. ↑ "Adele Accused Of Plagiarism On 'Million Years Ago': YouTube Video Compares The Songs (Video) : PERSONAL TECH". Tech Times. 18 December 2015. Archived from the original on 2016-01-23. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
  8. ↑ Tristram Fane Saunders (2015-12-08). "Did Adele really copy Kurdish singer Ahmet Kaya with Million Years Ago?". Telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2016-01-24. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
  9. ↑ "Did Adele Plagiarize on New Song "Million Years Ago"? Some Kurdish Listeners Believe It". Mic.com. Archived from the original on 2016-01-30. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
  10. ↑ "Quem é Toninho Geraes, o compositor mineiro que processa Adele por suposto plágio do samba 'Mulheres'". Archived from the original on 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  11. ↑ "«l'É meu legado', diz compositor que acusa Adele de plagiar música gravada por Martinho da Vila". BBC. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  12. ↑ Ree Hines (2015-11-25). "Adele performs 'Million Years Ago' on TODAY Show, talks motherhood and more". TODAY.com. Archived from the original on 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
  13. ↑ "Adele Performs "Million Years Ago" on "Today" | News". Pitchfork. 2015-11-25. Archived from the original on 2016-01-26. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
  14. ↑ Rachel McRady (2015-11-25). "Adele Belts New Song "Million Years Ago" on Today Show: Watch Now! - Us Weekly". Usmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2016-01-31. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
  15. ↑ "ARIA Report: Issue 1344 (Week Commencing 30 November 2015)" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-12-01. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  16. ↑ "Adele – Million Years Ago" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  17. ↑ "Adele – Million Years Ago" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  18. ↑ "Adele Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  19. ↑ "Adele: Million Years Ago" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  20. ↑ "Adele – Million Years Ago" (in French). Les classement single.
  21. ↑ "Adele – Million Years Ago" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  22. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  23. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 48, 2015". Irish Singles Chart.
  24. ↑ "Media Forest Week 8, 2017". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  25. ↑ "Chart Search: Netherlands Digital Songs for Adele". Billboard . Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  26. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  27. ↑ "Adele – Million Years Ago" Canciones Top 50.
  28. ↑ "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  29. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  30. ↑ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  31. ↑ "Adele Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  32. ↑ "Adele Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  33. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Adele – Million Years Ago". Music Canada . Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  34. ↑ "British single certifications – Adele – Million Years Ago". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 5 November 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.