"Water Under the Bridge" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Ad… Read Full Bio ↴"Water Under the Bridge" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Adele for her third studio album 25 (2015). The song was written by Adele and its producer Greg Kurstin. It was released as the fourth and final single from the album on 4 November 2016. Lyrically, the track is about a critical point in a relationship and trying to figure out if your partner is in or out. Musically, the song is a mid-tempo disco-pop song, featuring an electro-drum beat and a tropical, trip hop riff.

Water Under the Bridge
Adele Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you're not the one for me
Then how come I can bring you to your knees?
If you're not the one for me
Why do I hate the idea of being free?
And if I'm not the one for you
You've gotta stop holding me the way you do
Oh honey, if I'm not the one for you
Why have we been through what we have been through?

It's so cold out here in your wilderness
I want you to be my keeper
But not if you are so reckless

If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently
Don't pretend that you don't want me
Our love ain't water under the bridge
If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently
Don't pretend that you don't want me
Our love ain't water under the bridge
Oh-whoa, oh-whoa, oh-oh
Say that our love ain't water under the bridge

What are you waiting for?
You never seem to make it through the door
And who are you hiding from?
It ain't no life to live like you're on the run
Have I ever asked for much?
The only thing that I want is your love

If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently
Don't pretend that you don't want me
Our love ain't water under the bridge
If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently
Don't pretend that you don't want me
Our love ain't water under the bridge
Oh-whoa, oh-whoa, oh-oh
Say that our love ain't water under the bridge

It's so cold out here in your wilderness
I want you to be my keeper
But not if you are so reckless

If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently
Don't pretend that you don't want me
Our love ain't water under the bridge
If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently
Don't pretend that you don't want me
Our love ain't water under the bridge

Oh-whoa, oh-whoa, oh-oh (say it ain't so, say it ain't so)
(Say it ain't so, say it ain't so)
Say that our love ain't water under the bridge (say it ain't so, say it ain't so)
(Say it ain't so, say it ain't so)
Oh-whoa, oh-whoa, oh-oh (say it ain't so, say it ain't so)
(Say it ain't so, say it ain't so)
Say that our love ain't water under the bridge (say it ain't so, say it ain't so)
(Say it ain't so, say it ain't so)

Say that our love ain't water under the bridge

Overall Meaning

In Adele's song "Water Under the Bridge," the lyrics speak to a relationship that is on the brink of ending. The first verse is from the perspective of the singer, who is questioning why they are still holding onto the relationship if they are not right for each other. The second verse flips to the perspective of the other person in the relationship, asking them why they are still holding onto the singer if they are not right for each other. The chorus emphasizes that their love is not something that they can just move on from easily; it is important and they need to handle each other's emotions with care.

The bridge continues the theme of being hesitant to move on from the relationship, despite the coldness and recklessness of the other person. The singer begs the other person to be honest with their intentions, to not pretend that they don't want each other. The repetition in the outro drives home the message that their love is not something that they can just let go of; it is too important to give up on easily.

Overall, the song speaks to the complicated emotions and conflicts that can arise in a relationship that is not meant to be. Despite the pain and uncertainty, the connection between the two people feels too strong to just let go of.

Line by Line Meaning

If you're not the one for me Then how come I can bring you to your knees?
If we're not meant to be together, why is it that I have such power over you? Why do I affect you so deeply?

If you're not the one for me Why do I hate the idea of being free?
If we're not right for each other, why do I fear the thought of being without you? Why do I feel trapped by the idea of being single?

And if I'm not the one for you You've gotta stop holding me the way you do Oh honey, if I'm not the one for you Why have we been through what we have been through?
If I'm not the one you truly want, stop clinging to me as if I am. But if I'm not the one, why have we gone through so much together? Why do we keep coming back to each other?

It's so cold out here in your wilderness I want you to be my keeper But not if you are so reckless
I feel lost and alone in your unpredictable and chaotic world, but I still long for you to provide stability and comfort. However, I can't have you in my life if you continue to behave recklessly and without concern for our relationship.

If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently Don't pretend that you don't want me Our love ain't water under the bridge
If you're going to end things between us, do it with kindness and consideration rather than denying your feelings for me. Our love is too important to simply be forgotten or disregarded.

What are you waiting for? You never seem to make it through the door And who are you hiding from? It ain't no life to live like you're on the run Have I ever asked for much? The only thing that I want is your love
What is holding you back from fully committing to our relationship? You always seem to hesitate and hold yourself back. Who are you trying to avoid or escape from? It's not fulfilling to live in constant fear and apprehension. I only ask for your love, nothing more.

Oh-whoa, oh-whoa, oh-oh Say that our love ain't water under the bridge
Our love is too powerful and significant to simply let go of. I need reassurance that you still feel the same way and that our love is not just a passing phase to you.

Say that our love ain't water under the bridge
Our love is too significant and meaningful to just let go of. It deserves to be acknowledged and cherished.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Anthem Entertainment
Written by: Adele Adkins, Gregory Kurstin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Abu Bakar Abu Bakar

on Set Fire to the Rain

48w

I let it fall, my heart
And as it fell, you rose to claim it
It was dark and I was over
Until you kissed my lips and you saved me

My hands, they're strong
But my knees were far too weak
To stand in your arms
Without falling to your feet

But there's a side to you
That I never knew, never knew
All the things you'd say
They were never true, never true
And the games you play
You would always win, always win

But I set fire to the rain
Watched it pour as I touched your face
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name
Your name

When I lay with you
I could stay there
Close my eyes
Feel you here forever
You and me together, nothing gets better

'Cause there's a side to you
That I never knew, never knew
All the things you'd say
They were never true, never true
And the games you'd play
You would always win, always win

But I set fire to the rain
Watched it pour as I touched your face
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name
Your name

I set fire to the rain
And I threw us into the flames
When it fell, something died
'Cause I knew that that was
The last time, the last time

Sometimes I wake up by the door
That heart you caught must be waiting for you
Even now, when we're already over
I can't help myself from looking for you

I set fire to the rain
Watched it pour as I touched your face
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name
Your name

I set fire to the rain
And I threw us into the flames
When it fell, something died
'Cause I knew that that was the last time
The last time

Oh, oh, no
Let it burn
Oh, oh
Let it burn
Let it burn