Water Under the Bridge (song)
"Water Under the Bridge" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Adele | ||||
from the album 25 | ||||
Released | 14 November 2016 | |||
Format | Digital download | |||
Recorded | Metropolis Studios, London | |||
Genre | Disco-pop | |||
Length | 4:00 | |||
Label | XL | |||
Writer(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Greg Kurstin | |||
Adele singles chronology | ||||
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"Water Under the Bridge" is a song recorded by English singer and songwriter Adele for her third studio album 25 (2015). The song was written by Adele Adkins and Greg Kurstin, while production of the song was provided by the latter. It was released as the fourth single from the album on 4 November 2016.[1] 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.
The song peaked at number 20 on the Finnish Singles Chart and number 42 on the Spanish Singles Chart. It also charted in Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Scotland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Adele has performed the song during Adele Live in New York City and on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Composition
"Water Under the Bridge"
A 24-second samples of "Water Under the Bridge"'s chorus, a mid-tempo disco-pop song featuring an electro-drum beat and a tropical, trip hop riff. | |
Problems playing this file? See media help. |
"Water Under the Bridge" is a mid-tempo disco-pop song,[2][3] featuring an electro-drum beat and a tropical, trip hop riff,[4] with Adele proclaiming to her lover "If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently".[2] While reviewing 25, Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone noted gospel influence in the song.[5] More specifically, Chris Gerard of PopMatters cited a gospel choir in the background of the song.[6]
The song is written in the key of E♭ major with a tempo of 95 beats per minute. The song follows a chord progression of A♭–Fm7(add 4)–Cm–B♭–Gm in the verses, and Adele's vocals span from B♭3 to C6.[7]
Critical reception
MTV's Christina Garibaldi wrote that "The song is all about a critical point in a relationship and trying to figure out if your partner is in or out".[8] Katy Forrester of Daily Mirror stated that "The lyrics to this song make us swallow hard and sit thinking about everything in life" and called it "one of the best on the album".[9] The National's Rob Garratt called the song "A pop sing-along which sacrifices none of Adele's trademarked intimacy" and called it "a smart choice for the album's second single".[10] Lewis Corner of Digital Spy wrote that "they [Kurstin and Adele] strike upon a shimmering mid-tempo pop parade".[2]
Commercial performance
On 14 December 2015, Billboard reported that "Water Under the Bridge" was the third best-selling song from 25, having sold 104,000 copies.[11]
Live performances
She performed the song on Adele Live in New York City, which was held at Radio City Music Hall on 17 November 2015 and broadcast on NBC on 14 December 2015.[12] She also performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on 23 November 2015.[13][14]
Charts
Chart (2015–16) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[15] | 75 |
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[16] | 73 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[17] | 11 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[18] | 38 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[19] | 58 |
Canada AC (Billboard)[20] | 44 |
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[21] | 50 |
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[22] | 20 |
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[23] | 92 |
Finland Download (Suomen virallinen latauslista)[24] | 20 |
France (SNEP)[25] | 56 |
Germany (Official German Charts)[26] | 80 |
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[27] | 22 |
Ireland (IRMA)[28] | 33 |
Israel (Media Forest)[29] | 1 |
New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ)[30] | 8 |
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[31] | 46 |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[32] | 42 |
South Korea International Chart (Gaon)[33] | 21 |
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[34] | 61 |
UK Indie (Official Charts Company)[35] | 3 |
US Billboard Hot 100[36] | 70 |
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[37] | 25 |
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[38] | 17 |
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[39] | 27 |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Worldwide | 4 November 2016 | Digital download | XL | [1] |
United States | 14 November 2016 | Adult album alternative | Columbia | [40] |
15 November 2016 | Mainstream radio | [41] | ||
References
- 1 2 "Water Under the Bridge - Single". iTunes Store. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
- 1 2 3 Lewis Corner. "It's here! Adele's new album 25 – Our track-by-track review". Digital Spy. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ↑ Patrick Bowman. "Adele's 25: Album Review". Idolator. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ↑ Alexandra Pollard. "First listen: Our track by track review of Adele's 25". Gigwise. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ↑ Dolan, Jon (November 24, 2015). "25". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ↑ Gerard, Chris (November 20, 2015). "Adele 25". PopMatters. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ↑ "Water Under the Bridge". www.musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
- ↑ Garibaldi, Christina (20 November 2015). "A Track-By-Track Breakdown Of Adele's 25". MTV. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ Forrester, Katy (19 November 2015). "Adele's new album 25 reviewed track-by-track using her own facial expressions". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ Garratt, Rob (21 November 2015). "Adele's 25 track-by-track". The National. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ Trust, Gary (14 December 2015). "Adele's 'When We Were Young' Confirmed As Second Single From '25'". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ Maresca, Rachel (7 December 2015). "Adele rocks Radio City Music Hall in first concert in four years". Daily News. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ Brandle, Lars (24 November 2015). "Adele Performs 'Water Under the Bridge' on 'Fallon'". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ Romano, Nick (24 November 2015). "Watch Adele's First Live Performance of 'Water Under the Bridge'". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "ARIA CHART WATCH #397". auspOp. 3 December 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Adele – Water Under the Bridge" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Adele – Water Under the Bridge" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Adele – Water Under the Bridge" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
- ↑ "Adele – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Adele. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Adele – Chart history" Billboard Canada AC for Adele. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
- ↑ "Adele – Chart history" Billboard Canada CHR/Top 40 for Adele. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ↑ "Adele – Chart history" Billboard Canada Hot AC for Adele. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201646 into search. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
- ↑ "Adele: Water Under the Bridge" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Lescharts.com – Adele – Water Under the Bridge" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Adele – Water Under the Bridge". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ↑ "Chart Track: Week 48, 2016". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- ↑ "Adele – Water Under the Bridge Media Forest". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
- ↑ "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 5 December 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 2015-12-03". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Adele – Water Under the Bridge" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ↑ "Gaon Digital Chart". Gaon Chart. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 2016-12-02" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 2016-12-08" UK Indie Chart. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
- ↑ "Adele – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Adele. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
- ↑ "Adele – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Adele. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ↑ "Adele – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Adele. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ↑ "Adele – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Adele. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ↑ "Future Releases on Triple A (AAA) Radio Stations". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ↑ "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on 2 November 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2016.