“Love in the Dark” is a poignant ballad by English singer-songwriter Adele, featured on her third studio album, 25, released in 2015. The song was co-written by Adele and Samuel Dixon, who also produced the track.
Known for its emotional depth and powerful vocals, “Love in the Dark” delves into the heart-wrenching experience of ending a relationship when the love has faded and the connection has deteriorated.
The lyrics of “Love in the Dark” capture the complexity and pain of breaking up with someone who is still emotionally invested. Adele expresses a sense of guilt and the necessity of being “cruel to be kind,” showing that prolonging the relationship would only lead to more hurt.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
“Love in the Dark” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Take your eyes off of me so I can leave
I’m far too ashamed to do it with you watching me
This is never-endin’, we have been here before
But I can’t stay this time ’cause I don’t love you anymore
In this verse, Adele is expressing the difficulty of leaving a relationship while being watched by her partner. She feels ashamed and acknowledges that this isn’t the first time they’ve faced this situation.
However, this time she has made up her mind to leave because she no longer loves her partner.
[Pre-Chorus]
Please, stay where you are
Don’t come any closer
Don’t try to change my mind
I’m being cruel to be kind
Here, Adele is asking her partner to stay away and not to try to convince her to stay. She believes that ending the relationship is the best course of action for both of them, even though it seems harsh. This is encapsulated in the phrase “cruel to be kind”.
[Chorus]
I can’t love you in the dark
It feels like we’re oceans apart
There is so much space between us
Baby, we’re already defeated
Ah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
Everything changed me
The chorus highlights the emotional distance between the partners. Adele feels that their relationship is shrouded in darkness, lacking clarity and connection.
The metaphor of being “oceans apart” signifies the vast emotional gap between them. She acknowledges that the relationship has already failed and that she has changed significantly, making it impossible to continue loving her partner in the same way.
[Verse 2]
You have given me something that I can’t live without
You mustn’t underestimate that when you are in doubt
But I don’t want to carry on like everything is fine
The longer we ignore it all, the more that we will fight
In this verse, Adele recognizes the positive impact her partner has had on her life, giving her something invaluable. However, she insists that they can’t continue pretending everything is fine. Ignoring their issues will only lead to more conflict.
[Bridge]
We’re not the only ones, I don’t regret a thing
Every word I’ve said, you know I’ll always mean
It is the world to me that you are in my life
But I want to live and not just survive
The bridge reflects on the universality of their situation, suggesting that many people go through similar breakups. Adele does not regret the relationship and means every word she has said. While her partner means the world to her, she wants more out of life than just surviving; she wants to truly live.
[Chorus]
That’s why I can’t love you in the dark
It feels like we’re oceans apart
There is so much space between us
Baby, we’re already defeated
‘Cause ah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
Everything changed me
And I-I-I-I-I don’t think you can save me
The reprise of the chorus reinforces the emotional distance and the inevitability of the breakup. Adele reiterates that everything has changed her, and she does not believe her partner can save the relationship.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Love In The Dark”
Adele’s “Love in the Dark” is a raw and honest portrayal of the struggle to let go of a relationship that has lost its spark.
While Adele’s album 25 is generally considered a “make-up” album, “Love in the Dark” reaches back to the themes that made her famous in her previous album 21, which was a break-up album.
The song delves into the emotional pain of ending a relationship when love has faded, capturing the heartache and difficulty of making such a decision.
The song reflects Adele’s desire to move on from a relationship that no longer brings joy or growth. She emphasizes the importance of self-preservation and the pursuit of genuine happiness. The lyrics convey her realization that staying in the relationship would mean living a lie and merely surviving rather than truly living.
The phrase “Love in the Dark” signifies a relationship that is shrouded in uncertainty and emotional disconnect. Adele feels that their love lacks clarity and direction, akin to being in the dark where things are unclear and uncertain.
The song’s title also reflects her realization that the relationship has run its course and cannot be salvaged. The emotional gap between them is too vast, and she feels that they are “already defeated.”
Interestingly, it has been reported that Adele derived the metaphor “love in the dark” from Bonnie Tyler’s 1983 classic “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” This connection further emphasizes the theme of a relationship overshadowed by emotional darkness and the need to move on.
The song’s narrative is relatable to anyone who has faced the heartache of a necessary separation. Adele’s powerful vocals and the somber melody create a deeply moving experience that resonates with listeners who have gone through similar breakups.
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