The standard edition of Adele’s third studio album, 25, features a curated tracklist of 11 songs, beginning with the record-breaking lead single "Hello" and concluding with the soulful "Sweetest Devotion." Released globally on November 20, 2015, the album also includes three additional bonus tracks on the Target and international deluxe editions: "Can't Let Go," "Lay Me Down," and "Why Do You Love Me."
As of 2026, 25 remains a cornerstone of modern pop history. Its tracklist represents a pivotal shift in Adele’s career—moving away from the "breakup" themes of 21 toward "make-up" themes, nostalgia, and the complexities of adulthood. Understanding the tracklist requires looking beyond the titles into the elite production team, the lyrical inspirations, and the cultural impact of each individual composition.
The Full Tracklist of Adele's 25
The structure of 25 was meticulously sequenced to take the listener on a journey through Adele’s psyche as she transitioned into her mid-twenties. Below is the definitive list of tracks found on the standard and expanded versions of the album.
Standard Edition Tracklist
- Hello (4:48)
- Send My Love (To Your New Lover) (3:43)
- I Miss You (5:48)
- When We Were Young (4:50)
- Remedy (4:05)
- Water Under the Bridge (4:00)
- River Lea (3:45)
- Love in the Dark (4:45)
- Million Years Ago (3:47)
- All I Ask (4:31)
- Sweetest Devotion (4:11)
Deluxe / Target Exclusive Bonus Tracks
In addition to the standard eleven, several markets and retailers offered an expanded experience. These tracks are essential for collectors and those seeking the full narrative of the 25 recording sessions. 12. Can't Let Go (3:18) 13. Lay Me Down (4:30) 14. Why Do You Love Me (3:59)
Track-by-Track Analysis and Meaning
Every song on 25 serves a specific purpose in the album’s narrative arc. Adele has famously described the record as a "make-up album," where she makes up for lost time and makes up with herself.
1. "Hello"
The opening track did more than just start the album; it became a global cultural phenomenon. Produced by Greg Kurstin, the song is a power ballad backed by piano and a swelling chorus. Lyrically, it is a conversation with her younger self and people she had lost touch with. In 2026, "Hello" is still cited by vocal coaches for its demanding technical range and by producers for its masterful use of "wall of sound" atmospherics in the chorus.
2. "Send My Love (To Your New Lover)"
This track represented a significant sonic departure for Adele. Working with legendary pop producers Max Martin and Shellback, Adele embraced a rhythmic, guitar-led sound. It is one of the more upbeat tracks on the record, dealing with the maturity of letting go of a past relationship without bitterness.
3. "I Miss You"
Produced by Paul Epworth, who was instrumental in the success of 21, "I Miss You" is a seductive, drum-heavy track. It explores the intimacy and vulnerability of a long-term relationship. The heavy reverb and atmospheric production give it a more "indie" feel compared to the rest of the album’s polished pop-soul.
4. "When We Were Young"
Co-written with Tobias Jesso Jr., this song is the emotional heart of the album. It captures the fear of getting older and the desire to freeze a moment in time. The live-recorded feel of the track highlights Adele’s raw vocal talent, particularly in the bridge where her voice breaks with emotion.
5. "Remedy"
Collaborating with Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, Adele created "Remedy" as a tribute to her son and the people she loves most. It is a classic Adele piano ballad, emphasizing stability and the role of a protector in a chaotic world.
6. "Water Under the Bridge"
This mid-tempo track, another Greg Kurstin production, focuses on the complexities of a committed relationship. Adele wrote it about her then-partner Simon Konecki, questioning if the relationship was "for real" or just "water under the bridge." It features a distinctive 1980s pop-soul influence.
7. "River Lea"
Named after the river that runs through her hometown of Tottenham, London, this track was produced by Danger Mouse. It is one of the more experimental songs on the tracklist, blending gospel influences with dark, moody instrumentation. It serves as an exploration of how her roots and upbringing continue to "stain" her adult life.
8. "Love in the Dark"
A grand, orchestral ballad co-written with Samuel Dixon. The song describes the painful realization that a relationship has reached its natural end, even when there is no "villain" involved. The string arrangement is particularly notable for its cinematic quality.
9. "Million Years Ago"
This track is a stark, acoustic guitar ballad that evokes the style of 1960s French chanson. Lyrically, it is deeply nostalgic, as Adele laments how her life changed so rapidly following the success of her previous albums. It highlights her feelings of isolation from her old neighborhood and friends.
10. "All I Ask"
Co-written with Bruno Mars and his production team, The Smeezingtons, "All I Ask" is widely considered one of the most vocally difficult songs in Adele's entire discography. It is a theatrical, piano-driven song influenced by the power ballads of the 1990s (reminiscent of Celine Dion or Whitney Houston).
11. "Sweetest Devotion"
The album closes with an anthem dedicated to her motherhood. Produced by Paul Epworth, it features the voice of her son in the intro and outro. It is a celebratory, soaring track that provides a sense of resolution to the album’s themes of searching and longing.
Production Credits and Collaborators
The tracklist of 25 is a "who's who" of elite music production. Adele’s ability to blend her traditional soul roots with modern pop sensibilities is largely due to the diverse team she assembled for these sessions.
| Track # | Title | Main Producer(s) | Songwriters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hello | Greg Kurstin | Adele Adkins, Greg Kurstin |
| 2 | Send My Love | Max Martin, Shellback | Adele Adkins, Max Martin, Shellback |
| 3 | I Miss You | Paul Epworth | Adele Adkins, Paul Epworth |
| 4 | When We Were Young | Ariel Rechtshaid | Adele Adkins, Tobias Jesso Jr. |
| 5 | Remedy | Ryan Tedder | Adele Adkins, Ryan Tedder |
| 6 | Water Under the Bridge | Greg Kurstin | Adele Adkins, Greg Kurstin |
| 7 | River Lea | Danger Mouse | Adele Adkins, Brian Burton (Danger Mouse) |
| 8 | Love in the Dark | Samuel Dixon | Adele Adkins, Samuel Dixon |
| 9 | Million Years Ago | Greg Kurstin | Adele Adkins, Greg Kurstin |
| 10 | All I Ask | The Smeezingtons | Adele Adkins, Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Christopher Brody Brown |
| 11 | Sweetest Devotion | Paul Epworth | Adele Adkins, Paul Epworth |
Comparison of Editions: Standard vs. Deluxe
For fans looking to complete their collection in 2026, it is important to distinguish between the various releases. The original 2015 rollout included several "exclusives" that changed the tracklist length.
The Target Exclusive
In the United States, the retailer Target secured exclusive rights to three bonus tracks. These tracks were not available on the initial digital release or standard CD.
- "Can't Let Go": A moody, mid-tempo song co-written with Linda Perry.
- "Lay Me Down": An upbeat collaboration with Mark Ronson.
- "Why Do You Love Me": A vintage-sounding soul track produced by Rick Nowels.
International Variants
In Japan and several European markets, these three tracks were often included as "Deluxe Edition" bonuses. For many years, these tracks were not available on streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music, creating a significant demand for physical "Special Edition" copies.
The Recording Process: Scrapping the First Version
The tracklist we know today was not the first version of the album. In 2013, Adele began working on a collection of songs that she eventually felt were "too boring" and "too much like a concept album about motherhood." She famously scrapped almost an entire album's worth of material to start over.
She struggled with "writer's block" until she met Greg Kurstin. The breakthrough occurred during the writing of "Hello." Once that song was completed, the rest of the 25 tracklist began to fall into place over a six-month period. This period of intense creativity involved sessions in London, New York, and Los Angeles.
Critical and Commercial Impact
Upon its release, the 25 tracklist proved to be a historic commercial juggernaut. It debuted at number one in over 25 countries and broke the record for the most copies sold in a single week in the United States (3.38 million copies).
Awards and Recognition
The album and its tracks dominated the 59th Annual Grammy Awards in 2017. Adele won in all five categories for which she was nominated, including:
- Album of the Year
- Best Pop Vocal Album
- Record of the Year (for "Hello")
- Song of the Year (for "Hello")
- Best Pop Solo Performance (for "Hello")
The cohesive nature of the tracklist was praised by critics, who noted that while the production was more polished than 21, Adele’s "old-soul" vocal delivery remained the anchor of the project.
Common Questions About the 25 Tracklist
Why are some songs missing from my streaming service?
If you are looking for tracks like "Can't Let Go" or "Lay Me Down" and cannot find them on standard streaming platforms, it is likely because they were retailer-exclusive bonus tracks. While some "Complete Editions" were released in later years, the original 11-track list remains the standard digital version.
Which song is considered the hardest to sing?
Most vocalists and critics agree that "All I Ask" is the most technically challenging track on the album. It requires a massive vocal range, precise modulation, and the ability to maintain power during the frequent key changes in the final third of the song.
Is there a hidden meaning to the title "25"?
The title follows Adele’s tradition of naming albums after her age during the time of writing and production. Although she was 27 when the album was released, the songs reflect her mindset and life events that occurred when she was 25—a year she described as a "turning point" toward becoming a full adult.
Who is the "New Lover" in "Send My Love"?
Adele has never publicly identified the specific individual mentioned in the song. However, she has stated in interviews that the track is about a guy she dated briefly between her famous ex (the inspiration for 21) and her husband. The song is meant to be a final "goodbye" to that era of her life.
Legacy in 2026: Why 25 Still Matters
A decade after its peak cultural dominance, 25 remains a benchmark for vocal-focused pop music. In an era often dominated by short, viral-focused tracks, the 25 tracklist stands as a testament to the enduring power of the traditional album format.
The album’s influence can be seen in the rise of other "vocalist-first" artists who prioritize emotional storytelling over electronic artifice. Whether it is the soaring heights of "When We Were Young" or the quiet introspection of "Million Years Ago," the songs on 25 continue to resonate with new generations of listeners discovering Adele's work for the first time.
For the best experience, it is recommended to listen to the tracklist in its original order. The transition from the grand opening of "Hello" to the intimate, family-focused conclusion of "Sweetest Devotion" provides a complete emotional portrait of one of the 21st century's most iconic artists at the height of her powers.
