Million Years Ago
Adele; Adele Adkins Lyrics
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Learning to fly, learning to run
I let my heart decide the way
When I was young
Deep down, I must have always known
That this would be inevitable
To earn my stripes, I'd have to pay
And bare my soul
I know I'm not the only one
Who regrets the things they've done
Sometimes I just feel it's only me
Who can't stand the reflection that they see
I wish I could live a little more
Look up to the sky, not just the floor
I feel like my life is flashing by
And all I can do is watch and cry
I miss the air, I miss my friends
I miss my mother, I miss it when
Life was a party to be thrown
But that was a million years ago
When I walk around all of the streets
Where I grew up and found my feet
They can't look me in the eye
It's like they're scared of me
I try to think of things to say
Like a joke or a memory
But they don't recognize me now
In the light of day
I know I'm not the only one
Who regrets the things they've done
Sometimes I just feel it's only me
Who never became who they thought they'd be
I wish I could live a little more
Look up to the sky, not just the floor
I feel like my life is flashing by
And all I can do is watch and cry
I miss the air, I miss my friends
I miss my mother, I miss it when
Life was a party to be thrown
But that was a million years ago
A million years ago
In Adele's poignant ballad "Million Years Ago," she reflects on the passage of time and the profound changes that come with growing older. The song is a wistful and melancholic look back at her youth and the people and places that once meant everything to her. The opening lines describe her personal journey of self-discovery, illustrating that when she was young, she was eager to try new things, learn new skills, and make bold choices without hesitation.
The song's central theme, regret is introduced in the second verse. Adele laments about the past decisions she made as she was growing up, convoluting who she had intended to be. She wishes she could live a little more and not just focus on the ground beneath her. She feels like everything is moving too fast and she can't keep up, missing the air she breathed, her friends, her mum, and the moment when life was just one big party.
The final verse is both tender and sad. Adele revisits her old hometown only to feel that the people and places she once knew so well have changed beyond recognition. The people now are scared to look her in the eye, and she's no longer the girl everyone remembered. The last few lines of the song acknowledge that the woman she is now is worlds apart from the girl in that party a million years ago.
Overall, "Million Years Ago" is a heartbreaking and remorseful song that will resonate with many who feel that life is continually spinning out of control, and time is fleeting. Adele's breathtaking vocal performance captures the song's poignant and emotional sentiments to perfection.
Line by Line Meaning
I only wanted to have fun
I desired enjoyment and excitement in my life
Learning to fly, learning to run
I was exploring new things and gaining confidence
I let my heart decide the way
My emotions guided my decisions
When I was young
This time was in my youthful past
Deep down, I must have always known
Internally, I likely had a sense of what was to come
That this would be inevitable
What has occurred was unavoidable
To earn my stripes, I'd have to pay
I had to work hard and face difficult experiences to achieve success
And bare my soul
I had to be vulnerable and reveal my inner self
I know I'm not the only one
I recognize that others also feel this way
Who regrets the things they've done
There are actions from the past that I wish I could change
Sometimes I just feel it's only me
I occasionally believe that I am alone in my struggles
Who can't stand the reflection that they see
I dislike what I see when I look at myself
I wish I could live a little more
I desire a fuller, more satisfying existence
Look up to the sky, not just the floor
I need to expand my perspective and not focus solely on my immediate surroundings
I feel like my life is flashing by
Time seems to be moving very quickly
And all I can do is watch and cry
I am feeling helpless and emotional
I miss the air, I miss my friends
I long for freedom and the companionship of those close to me
I miss my mother, I miss it when
I have fond memories of my past and those I shared it with
Life was a party to be thrown
I viewed life as an enjoyable celebration
But that was a million years ago
However, that time has long since passed
When I walk around all of the streets
As I stroll through my old neighborhood
Where I grew up and found my feet
Where I matured and became independent
They can't look me in the eye
The people there seem uncomfortable or distant
It's like they're scared of me
They act as if they are afraid of me
I try to think of things to say
I attempt to come up with topics of conversation
Like a joke or a memory
Such as a funny story or shared moment
But they don't recognize me now
They do not acknowledge or remember who I am
In the light of day
In normal, everyday situations
Who never became who they thought they'd be
I am someone who did not fulfill their early aspirations
A million years ago
That time feels impossibly distant and far away
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, Gregory Allen Kurstin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind