Adele says she was ‘completely off my face’ writing ’21’ album

Adele has revealed that she was “completely off my face” drunk while writing the majority of her breakthrough album, ’21’.

’21’ came out in 2011, followed by ’25’ last year. Speaking to Vanity Fair, the British singer admitted that she used to be a “massive drinker” but has now limited her alcohol intake. “Having a hangover with a child is torture,” she says.

“I used to love to be drunk, but as I got more famous I would wake up the next morning and think, ‘What the fuck did I say and who the fuck did I say it to?’ I never had blackouts, but when you’re drunk and you go to a party, you’ll talk to anyone.”

Adele continues: “I can see from an outsider’s perspective that I will never write songs as good as the ones that are on ’21’, but I’m not as indulgent as I was then, and I don’t have time to fall apart like I did then. I was completely off my face writing that album, and a drunk tongue is an honest one. I would drink two bottles of wine, and I would chain-smoke. Then I’d write the lyrics down and the next morning think, ‘Fuck, that’s quite good’. Then I’d find the melody.”

“But since I’ve had my baby, I’m not as carefree as I used to be. I’m scared of a lot of things now because I don’t want to die; I want to be around for my kid. I’m very cautious, whereas I was never cautious before. I would never have done anything before that would make me die, but now I go out of my way to avoid anything that is remotely dangerous—like walking along a sidewalk. I’d rather walk on the grass or a lawn, rather than the pavement, in case a car crashes into me. Also, I don’t go out as much as I used to. I go to very civilised dinners, and I’ll go to work things when I have to, but you have to literally drag me onto a fuckin’ red carpet.”

Getty

Adele has also spoken candidly about experiencing postnatal depression following the birth of her son. The singer welcomed son Angelo a little over four years ago, around 18 months after releasing ’21’. Adele said to Vanity Fair that she doesn’t think she will have a second child.

“I’m too scared. I had really bad postpartum depression after I had my son, and it frightened me,” she explained. Asked if she took antidepressants at the time, Adele replied: “No, no, no, no. But also, I didn’t talk to anyone about it. I was very reluctant…”

She continued: “My boyfriend said I should talk to other women who were pregnant, and I said, ‘Fuck that, I ain’t hanging around with a fuckin’ bunch of mothers.’ Then, without realising it, I was gravitating towards pregnant women and other women with children, because I found they’re a bit more patient.”

Adele also explains her attitude towards touring in the future, saying she would be “fine” if she never heard an audience’s applause again. The singer began a 107-date world tour in February and is currently midway through its extensive North American leg. Her final date is due to take place in Phoenix, Arizona on November 21.

“I’d still like to make records, but I’d be fine if I never heard [the applause] again,” Adele told Vanity Fair. “I’m on tour simply to see everyone who’s been so supportive. I don’t care about money. I’m British, and we don’t have that… thing of having to earn more money all the time.”