Million Years Ago
Adele - Topic Lyrics


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I only wanted to have fun
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

Overall Meaning

In "Million Years Ago," Adele reflects on her past and the changes she has experienced as she's grown older. The song begins with her expressing a desire to have fun and explore, to learn to fly and run. She made decisions based on her heart when she was young, not fully aware of the consequences that would come.


As the song progresses, Adele acknowledges that she is not alone in regretting the choices she has made. She feels isolated, unable to tolerate her own reflection and feeling like nobody else can relate to her struggles. She yearns to live a little more, to shift her perspective and look beyond the ground to the sky. However, she feels as though time is slipping away, leaving her with only tears and a sense of loss.


In the second verse, Adele returns to the streets where she grew up, hoping to find familiarity and connection. However, those who once knew her avoid making eye contact, as if they are scared or no longer recognize her. She tries to engage them in conversation, but they don't remember her. She is reminded of the distance between who she is now and who she thought she would become.


Overall, "Million Years Ago" is a bittersweet reflection on the passage of time, the changes we experience, and the longing for past connections and simpler times.


Line by Line Meaning

I only wanted to have fun
I simply desired to enjoy myself


Learning to fly, learning to run
Trying to discover how to be free and independent


I let my heart decide the way
I relied on my emotions to guide me


When I was young
During the time of my youth


Deep down, I must have always known
On a subconscious level, I must have had the understanding


That this would be inevitable
That this outcome was bound to happen


To earn my stripes, I'd have to pay
To gain recognition, I would need to face challenges


And bare my soul
And reveal the most vulnerable parts of myself


I know I'm not the only one
I am aware that there are others in the same situation


Who regrets the things they've done
Who feel remorse for their past actions


Sometimes I just feel it's only me
At times, I believe it's only myself


Who can't stand the reflection that they see
Who cannot tolerate the image of themselves they perceive


I wish I could live a little more
I desire to experience life to a greater extent


Look up to the sky, not just the floor
To have a broader perspective, rather than just focusing on the immediate surroundings


I feel like my life is flashing by
I sense that my life is passing quickly


And all I can do is watch and cry
And all I am capable of is observing and shedding tears


I miss the air, I miss my friends
I long for the freedom and connection I once had


I miss my mother, I miss it when
I yearn for my mother, I miss the times


Life was a party to be thrown
When life was a celebration to be hosted


But that was a million years ago
However, that was an extremely long time in the past


When I walk around all of the streets
As I wander through the familiar streets


Where I grew up and found my feet
Where I matured and discovered my identity


They can't look me in the eye
They are unable to meet my gaze


It's like they're scared of me
It seems as if they are afraid of me


I try to think of things to say
I attempt to come up with conversations


Like a joke or a memory
Such as a funny story or a shared experience


But they don't recognize me now
However, they do not acknowledge me anymore


In the light of day
During daylight hours


Who never became who they thought they'd be
Who never turned into the person they envisioned


A million years ago
An extremely distant period in time




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, Gregory Allen Kurstin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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