Easy on Me

Harmonically, 'Easy on Me' is deliberately restrained: a fully diatonic F major palette with no modulations, so the emotional arc comes from dynamics, vocal phrasing, and the gradually intensifying piano rather than chordal surprise. The minor-leaning chorus opening is the song's one key harmonic gesture, mirroring the lyric's vulnerability.

Adele wrote 'Easy on Me' with its producer Greg Kurstin, with whom she had previously collaborated on three tracks from '25', including 'Hello'. She conceived the song's verses while taking a shower. Friends had been telling her to 'go easy on yourself, don't beat yourself up too much about your decisions', advice that resonated with her and shaped the song's central plea. Her friends were unimpressed by an initial snippet, but Adele persisted with the idea.

Released on 15 October 2021 as the lead single from Adele's fourth studio album '30', 'Easy on Me' marked her return after a long hiatus. Written with producer Greg Kurstin, the ballad pairs progressively building piano with one of her most acclaimed vocal performances. It topped the charts in 30 territories, became her longest-running number one in both the UK and US, and won the Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance.