Adele: 'Hometown Glory'

Released on Monday, Jul 21 2008

Published Friday, Jul 11 2008, 13:36 BST | By Nick Levine | 11 comments

Last October a little-known soul singer called Adele released a limited edition single called 'Hometown Glory'. A stark, intimate piano ballad about her love for London, it showed off her rich, supple, swooping voice beautifully, causing a lot of people to get very excited indeed.

Now, nine months and half a million album sales later, 'Hometown Glory' is being reissued – and just in the nick of time. No, Adele's debut album wasn't the instant classic many were predicting it would be; yes, the hype got a little bit crazy; and no, she should never have won that Brit Award. But listening to this brilliant, haunting single again, you can't blame all those people for getting a bit carried away.

> Click here for our review of Adele's album

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11 Comments

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BritMusicFan, Irvine, on December 24th, 2008
great song, but it sounds remarkably familiar to Sia's "Breathe Me" which was featured in Six Feet Under's final episode in fact, too familiar

Lily, on October 6th, 2008
anthor bore from adele the woman who seems to think she sings soul...... it pop love! and oh rick beyonce christina aguleria and leaona sing way better than this thing so don't you dare compare. and leaona one of the greatest artiste of our and she's got a fantastic voice. adele however is just a bore in hell

Rick, on September 23rd, 2008
People can sit there and say she can't sing because she can't sing, absolutely terrible, constantly strained and she shouts instead of singing (Beyoncé, Aguilera and Leona are the same) - dull dismal songs to boot. The world would be a better place without this manufactured rubbish propagated by chavs who think it's good simply because it's "cool" this minute.

Ken, Manila, on July 21st, 2008
absolutely well crafted. This song is just moving and Adele really did the song with aplomb. Hands-down. :) It's one of those Piano songs that'll leave you teary-eyed.

Phil, Liverpool, on July 20th, 2008
not mad on the song but DS need 2 stop being t**** saying things like she shouldnt of won the brit

Carl, Manchester, on July 12th, 2008
How can people actually sit there and say she can't actually sing? You may not like her style of music, you may not like her image whatever, but to say she can't sing is totally wrong. Brilliant song, and I would say well deserving of that Brit award

Bryn, Wales, on July 12th, 2008
I never understood why her album wasn't huge. I believe the hype beforehand was her downfall and it's sad, because Adele is frankly one of the greatest artists I've ever heard. To see her live was an amazing, amazing experience. She has a lot of growth left to do before she reaches her true potential, but her album is still fantastic. Cold Shoulder should have been big. I am praying that Hometown Glory can revive some positive press around this talented, gorgeous and spectactular girl!

Darras, on July 11th, 2008
This song is beautiful, well sung, and well written

John, Birmingham, on July 11th, 2008
Why was her album called '19'? Because it was about life as a nineteen-year-old? But, the songs were written when she was eighteen or younger. So, was it called '19' as a marketing ploy? London isn't a town; it's an ugly mess full of people with ugly hearts. Adele has no talent; merely part of the Brit School marketing conveyor belt.

Ella, Essex, on July 11th, 2008
Absolutley beautiful, her best song yet and she'll have to try really hard to beat it.

Helen, London, on July 11th, 2008
its not that good actually, the piano is alright, but she actually can't sing