Best for Last by Adele Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Depths of Unrequited Love and Hope
Lyrics
It’s been there for days on end and
It’s been waiting for you to open up
Yours too baby, come on now
I’m trying to tell you just how
I’d like to hear the words roll out of your mouth finally
Say that it’s always been me
That’s made you feel a way you’ve never felt before
And I’m all you need and that you never want more
Then you’d say all of the right things without a clue
But you’d save the best for last
Like I’m the one for you
You should know that you’re just a temporary fix
This is not rooted with you, it don’t mean that much to me
Oh, just a filler in the space that happened to be free
How dare you think you’d get away with trying to play me, yeah
Why is it every time I think I’ve tried my hardest
It turns out it ain’t enough?
You’re still not mentioning love
What am I supposed to do to make you want me properly?
I’m taking these chances and getting nowhere
And though I’m trying my hardest you go back to her
And I think that I know things may never change
I’m still hoping one day I might hear you say
I make you feel a way you’ve never felt before
And I’m all you need and that you never want more
Then you’d say all of the right things without a clue
But you’d save the best for last
Like I’m the one for you
You should know that you’re just a temporary fix
This is not rooted with you it don’t mean that much to me
Oh just a filler in the space that happened to be free
How dare you think you’d get away with trying to play me, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
But, despite the truth that I know
I find it hard to let go and give up on you
Seems I love the things you do
Like the meaner you treat me, more eager I am
To persist with this heartbreak of running around
And I will do until I’m finding myself with you
And make you feel a way you’ve never felt before
And be all you need so that you never want more
Then you’d say all of the right things without a clue
And you’ll be the one for me and me, the one for you
Yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Adele, known for her soul-rending melodies and poignant lyrics, often weaves personal heartache into universal anthems. ‘Best for Last’ is no exception. The song, tucked away in her debut album ’19’, does more than skim the surface of love’s complex layers. It dives headfirst into the muddled waters of unrequited affection, temporary replacements, and the undying flicker of hope.
Amidst the eloquent piano strokes and her trademark smoky vocals, Adele’s ‘Best for Last’ becomes an arena where listeners are invited to confront the painful truth about holding onto someone who views them as nothing more than an interim convenience. Here, we explore the intricate tapestry woven by the lyrics, as they chronicle a love that’s never quite secured its place in the light.
The Heart on the Sleeve: An Emblem of Vulnerability
Adele starts ‘Best for Last’ with a candid revelation: her heart is openly on display, symbolizing an unguarded vulnerability. This visual metaphor of the heart worn externally serves as an invitation for the listener to engage with the raw emotional honesty that defines her music.
The plea for reciprocation, a common thread in tales of one-sided love, sets the stage. Adele isn’t just waiting; she’s actively beckoning her love interest to share a similar openness. It’s a stance of bravery, allowing oneself to be susceptible to the whims of another.
The Carousel of Unrequited Love
Delving deeper into the song’s narrative, Adele touches on a theme that resonates with many: unrequited love. The singer meticulously describes the cyclical struggle of yearning for someone who fails to acknowledge the depth of her emotions.
Despite efforts to be seen as more than a stopgap, Adele’s character in the song is met with indifference. The emotional investment does not seem to be mutual, a stinging reality that is echoed in the crushing line, ‘You should know that you’re just a temporary fix.’
Temporary Fix vs. Eternal Desire: The Battle Within
The confrontation between what’s fleeting and what’s earnest in desire brings an unsettling tension to the song. Adele’s use of the phrase ‘temporary fix’ suggests a placeholder, something impermanent and ultimately insignificant.
Yet, despite this acknowledgment, the lyrics rap around the hope that one day this person could elevate her status from convenience to necessity. This inner conflict between the rational mind and the longing heart is a core aspect of the song’s narrative.
Revelations within the Hidden Meaning
There is a powerful hidden meaning simmering beneath the expressive resignation of ‘Best for Last.’ Adele subtly reveals the dichotomy of self-worth versus the need for external validation through love. The lines masquerade a personal reflection under the guise of addressing a lover.
The masked confession, ‘I think that I know things may never change,’ demonstrates an awareness of the situation. This insight unfolds as a journey towards self-realization, hinting at personal growth beyond the scope of the song’s immediate drama.
Lyrical Hooks That Cut Deep: The Song’s Memorable Lines
Throughout ‘Best for Last,’ Adele peppers the melody with memorable lines that thrive as hooks not only melodically but emotionally. For instance, ‘Say that it’s always been me’ is a phrase that evokes an innate craving for affirmation in love.
Coupled with her vocal prowess, the song carries a profound impact through these brief confessions wrapped in lyricism. The way she sings ‘But you’d save the best for last, like I’m the one for you’ captures the agony and ecstasy of romantic limbo in just a few words.
