In the track, her vocals (which have a notable British accent) take a backseat to the production. Eg White layers a light synth riff, a strong bassline, and violin over simple drums, guitar, and piano while Adele does what she’s known for: singing a universally relatable song about a relationship.
The song climaxes right before the bridge, where the strings build up and change time signature to become a sudden swell of instrumental emotion. Then, she continues on.
Tired
Adele Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It had only just begun but now it's over now
And you're in the heat of moments with your heart playing up cold
I'm between the middle watching hastiness unfold
On my eyes you were smiling in the spotlight dancing with the night
The night fell off your mind
I'm tired of trying
Fed up of biding your time
When I don't get nothing back
And for what? And for what? And for what?
When I don't get nothing back
Boy, I'm tired
Where'd you go when you stayed behind?
I looked up and inside down and outside only to find
A double taking punching, hard and laughing at my smile
I get closer you obviously prefer her
I'm tired of trying
Your teasing ain't enough
Fed up of biding your time
When I don't get nothing back
And for what? And for what? And for what?
When I don't get nothing back
Boy, I'm tired of trying
Your teasing ain't enough
Fed up of biding your time
When I don't get nothing back
And for what? And for what? And for what?
When I don't get nothing back
Boy, I'm tired
(I should have known)
"Never mind" said your open arms
I couldn't help believe it tricked me back into them
Even though
I'm tired of trying
Your teasing ain't enough
Fed up of biding your time
When I don't get nothing back
And for what? And for what? And for what?
When I don't get nothing back
Boy, I'm tired of trying
Your teasing ain't enough
Fed up of biding your time
When I don't get nothing back
(I'm fed up of) And for what? (Biding your time)
And for what? And for what?
When I don't get nothing back
Boy, I'm tired
The lyrics to Adele's song "Tired" explore the theme of a relationship that is not fulfilling. Adele mentions that the relationship had only just begun but it is now over, and she feels tired of putting in effort without getting much in return. She describes a scene where she sees her partner "in the heat of moments with your heart playing up cold" while she watches with a sense of detachment. Adele realizes that her partner is not as interested in her as she thought, and she is tired of trying to make things work.
She expresses her disappointment, saying she is "fed up of biding your time when I don't get nothing back." She wonders where her partner went when he stayed behind and says that she looked up, inside and outside, only to realize that he prefers someone else. Despite her efforts to make things work, she feels she is always left with nothing and concludes that she is tired of trying.
The lyrics express a sense of exhaustion and frustration in a relationship where one person is not invested as the other. Adele's words paint a picture of a relationship where one person is always trying to make things work and keep the other person happy, while the other person is indifferent.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold my hand while you cut me down
You promised to be there for me, but now you're the one hurting me.
It had only just begun but now it's over now
Our relationship ended before it had a chance to really start.
And you're in the heat of moments with your heart playing up cold
You're emotionally unavailable, even in the midst of intimacy.
I'm between the middle watching hastiness unfold
I'm caught in the middle of our relationship falling apart, unable to stop it.
On my eyes you were smiling in the spotlight dancing with the night
You appeared happy and content, while I was struggling with our relationship behind the scenes.
The night fell off your mind
You forgot about the love we once shared.
Where'd you go when you stayed behind?
You're physically present, but emotionally checked out.
I looked up and inside down and outside only to find
I searched for answers everywhere, but couldn't figure out what went wrong.
A double taking punching, hard and laughing at my smile
You're mocking me, hurting me, and taking pleasure in it.
I get closer you obviously prefer her
I thought we were getting closer, but you were actually distancing yourself and choosing someone else over me.
"Never mind" said your open arms
You pretended like everything was okay, but your actions showed otherwise.
I couldn't help believe it tricked me back into them
I fell for your lies and false promises, and allowed you to hurt me again.
I'm tired of trying
I've put in all the effort and received nothing in return, leaving me exhausted.
Your teasing ain't enough
Your flirtation and insincere interest isn't what I need in a relationship.
Fed up of biding your time
I'm tired of waiting around for you to commit or show genuine affection.
When I don't get nothing back
I'm giving my all and getting nothing in return.
And for what? And for what? And for what?
I'm questioning why I keep putting up with your mistreatment and empty promises.
Boy, I'm tired
I'm tired of pouring so much into our relationship and getting so little in return.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, Francis Anthony White
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Zanders459
I have lived in London all my life. I am a Londoner and I don't think I'll ever get too far away from it, however much I may try.
Adele vs. Duffy courtesy of NME was once a thing that I could not give two fucks about. Chasing Pavements goes single of the week on I-Tunes. Okay I say, this is pretty good, but there's too much new music (ha, if only I knew how much more intense that would get) and she'll probably be replaced by someone else soon.
A decade goes by.
I see Adele headline Glasto in whatever year that was...I have never really listened to her before or since... She was hands down the best artist I've ever seen live.
All of the other acts I've seen may move about my self indulgent top 100 gigs, but she has never moved from no.1.
She is one of the few things (not just people) that makes me truly proud to be British. A single rose in a breakfast cafe, seeing every fry up pass by; extra fried bread. Then, I find this song...
I'm stunned. Gurl. You fucking go.
For us all x
@likelayka0
this describes perfectly what it is to have a crush on a boy/girl that you care about, and he/she almost never notices you:CC
@leevaenos3393
Have u ever experienced it?
@User-zv1sd
Usually the person tries to pretend to not notice you because he actually likes you.
@haymarhnin
I will never get tired of this song.
@nevaehburton2389
😍😳☺
@getsmartquick
Lol
@nadialopez8506
This comment is underrated lol
@BrandonNaatz
This will always be my favorite Adele song 🎧 cannot be beat! Love the electro beats mixed with the timeless instruments. Perfect blend of the past and present.
@leeloonewminai6933
Same here
@missmeem936
This should be a sound track in a movie ! the change of the music is incredible can go with the change of the relationship between lovers in a movie ;)