Chasing Pavements: Revisiting Adele’s first top 10 single 15 years on

Virgin Radio

13 Jan 2023, 12:50

For some artists, it can take years to break into the top 10 singles charts, but for superstar Adele, it happened on her second try. 

The singer-songwriter caught the attention of music lovers everywhere when she released her sophomore single, Chasing Pavements, on 14th January 2008, with her soulful melody, heartfelt lyrics, and equally stunning music video. 

After 15 years and four number one albums, Chasing Pavements is still considered one of Adele’s best singles, and to celebrate the anniversary of such a tune, here’s a look back at how the track came to be.

The inspiration 

We all know how it feels to have your heart broken into a million pieces, but for Adele, she channelled one particular moment of heartache into the smash-hit song. 

The idea of Chasing Pavements came from a particularly fiery fight with her then-boyfriend, who she caught being unfaithful during their six months together. 

Confronting her soon-to-be ex in a London pub led to her eventually leaving (or being thrown out, depending on what you read) and walking through the streets of the City on her own. 

It seems inspiration can even spring from dark, grey concrete, as the singer was soon struck with her lyrics while storming home. 

On what inspired her touching words, Adele previously said (via The Independent): "It was six in the morning. There was no one chasing me, I wasn't chasing anyone. I was just running away.

“I remember saying to myself, 'What you're chasing is you're chasing an empty pavement.'" 

It was then she recorded some of the lyrics on her phone, before penning the entire tune, ready for the studio. 

The critical acclaim and chart success

After the heartache subsided through the therapeutic release of making her debut album, 19, Adele released Chasing Pavements as her second single, behind Hometown Glory, on 14th January 2008. 

The track quickly became a much-loved track for critics and fans alike, with it often ranked as one of the best from the London-born singer. 

Chasing Pavements debuted at number two in the UK singles chart, and remained there for three weeks. It then earned an impressive double platinum status after 25 weeks in the charts. 

It was also a huge hit worldwide, landing at number 21 in the US, and number one in Norway, and featured in the top 10 in 13 countries in total.

Almost a year after release, the ballad scored three Grammy Nominations, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, which she eventually won, alongside her Best New Artist gong.

Not only that, but the BMI London Awards, the BRIT Awards and the MTV Video Music Awards all came knocking ready to hand over some plaudits. 19, the album Chasing Pavements featured on, was also then nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. 

The legacy 

Chasing Pavements has lived long in our memories, standing the test of time within various soundtracks and artist covers too.

Featuring hit US series Glee as well as a performance track on American Idol, the song was also featured three separate times on hit teen soap Hollyoaks, as well as 90210 and the Emma Roberts-led drama Wild Child. 

Rapper Machine Gun Kelly has also covered the track as a sample, in a music video with over 10 million views. 

Adele’s debut album, 19,  would be released only a few short weeks after Chasing Pavements, and immediately went to number one in the UK

Since those early days, Adele has released three more albums - 21, 25 and 30 - all of which have made it to the top of the charts. Ten years ago, the singer set fire to the charts once again with her very own James Bond theme - Skyfall.

In 2021, Adele was named the UK’s best-selling female album artist of the 21st century, and she currently stands at only a Tony away from a prestigious EGOT prize. 

Even with all her incredible success, Chasing Pavements stands on its own as a classic Adele tune, and one we can’t imagine living without!