When We Were Young

The harmony of "When We Were Young" is deliberately simple and diatonic, relying on the classic I-vi-IV-V cycle that underpins countless pop and soul ballads. What distinguishes it is the tasteful use of bass inversions (particularly the Eb/G in the chorus) that create a descending line adding emotional weight. The Ab major tonality provides warmth and richness, while the production builds dynamically across sections, transforming familiar chord changes into something that feels grand and cinematic. The harmonic simplicity serves the song's purpose perfectly — keeping all attention on Adele's vocal performance.

After struggling with writer's block during early sessions for her third album, Adele flew to Los Angeles in early 2015 to work with new collaborators. She connected with Canadian musician Tobias Jesso Jr. after discovering his song "Hollywood." They spent about three days writing together in a house in Los Angeles, with Jesso playing chords on a piano inherited from Philip Glass while Adele improvised melodies and lyrics. The song emerged from these spontaneous sessions, capturing the feeling of meeting old acquaintances at a party and confronting the passage of time.

Written by Adele and Tobias Jesso Jr. at Philip Glass's piano in Los Angeles, "When We Were Young" became the second single from 25 and one of Adele's most emotionally resonant performances. A piano-driven soul ballad that reached the top 10 in 11 countries, it captures the universal ache of watching youth slip away.