Released: 2015
“Love In The Dark” by Adele dives deep into the heartfelt decision of ending a relationship that no longer brings joy or growth. Through her powerful lyrics, Adele portrays the struggle of leaving someone you once loved because staying would mean living a lie. It’s about the courage it takes to walk away for the sake of both partners’ happiness.
The opening lines, “Take your eyes off of me so I can leave/I’m far too ashamed to do it with you watching me”, set a somber tone. Adele is ready to leave but feels guilty. She hints that this breakup isn’t a sudden decision, saying, “This is never ending, we have been here before”. The phrase “I can’t stay this time ’cause I don’t love you anymore” signifies a breaking point; her love has faded, and she can’t pretend anymore.
Adele’s use of “I’m being cruel to be kind” suggests that by ending things, she believes she’s doing what’s best for both of them in the long run. “I can’t love you in the dark” likely means she can’t be in a relationship that lacks transparency and true connection. The lyrics “It feels like we’re oceans apart/There is so much space between us/Baby, we’re already defeated” evoke a picture of a love that has grown distant, to the point of feeling insurmountable.
The bridge, “You have given me something that I can’t live without”, acknowledges the value of their past and the difficulty of walking away from someone who has been a significant part of her life. Despite the good times, Adele realizes that just surviving isn’t enough; she wants to truly live, which she expresses in “But I want to live and not just survive”. This denotes a desire for a life filled with more than just the remnants of a relationship that has run its course.
In the closing lines, Adele reiterates the chasm that has grown between them, emphasizing that while the partner changed her, it’s not enough to save the relationship: “And I-I-I-I-I don’t think you can save me”. This is her acknowledgment that some issues cannot be fixed by the other person, often because the problem itself lies not in the tensions or conflicts, but in the fundamental change of feelings.
Adele’s “Love In The Dark” is a powerful anthem for letting go. It’s about facing the hard truth that sometimes, love isn’t enough to keep a relationship going. With every note, she brings to life the pain and liberation that comes from choosing self-respect and personal growth over staying in a loveless partnership.
