#69 21 by Adele
The 100 Greatest Albums of All Time
- 2025 Album Rank
- 69
- Total Points
- 886
- Year Released
- 2011
- Billboard 200 Chart Peak
- 1
- Weeks at #1
- 24
- RIAA Sales Certification
- 14,000,000 (Multi Platinum)
- Buy Album
- Apple Music Amazon
21 Album Details
21 is Adele's sophomore album and the record that catapulted her to global superstardom, blending soul, pop, blues, and country influences into a deeply personal breakup narrative. Released on January 24, 2011 in the UK (and February 22 in the US), the album chronicles the emotional aftermath of a failed relationship, with Adele's powerhouse vocals and raw songwriting front and center. The title reflects her age at the time of writing and recording the project. 21 became one of the best-selling albums of the 21st century, resonating with listeners across generations thanks to its emotional honesty and timeless sound.
Produced by a range of collaborators including Paul Epworth, Rick Rubin, Dan Wilson, and Ryan Tedder, the album balances intimate ballads like Someone Like You with fiery tracks such as Rolling in the Deep and the bluesy Rumour Has It. Lyrically, Adele combines heartache with defiance, creating a record that feels both cathartic and empowering. 21 not only earned critical acclaim but also dominated charts worldwide, becoming a cultural touchstone for the 2010s.
Interesting Facts About 21
- Rolling in the Deep was the first song written for the album, composed the day after Adele's breakup. Paul Epworth encouraged her to channel her anger into a more aggressive, rhythmic sound.
- Someone Like You was co-written with Dan Wilson in a single day, recorded with minimal instrumentation to preserve its emotional impact. The song became Adele's first No. 1 hit in the US.
- Rick Rubin's sessions for the album were recorded live with a band, giving tracks like Don't You Remember and One and Only a warm, organic feel.
- Set Fire to the Rain was inspired by Adele's frustration during an argument, turning a metaphor into a soaring pop ballad that topped the Billboard Hot 100.
- Adele temporarily lost her voice during the album's promotion due to a vocal cord hemorrhage, leading to surgery and the cancellation of part of her tour.
- The track Turning Tables was co-written with Ryan Tedder and inspired by a particularly manipulative relationship dynamic.
- Rumour Has It was recorded in just one take, capturing Adele's raw energy and sly sense of humor in addressing gossip about her personal life.
- 21 won six Grammy Awards in 2012, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year for Rolling in the Deep.
- The success of 21 helped revitalize interest in soul-infused pop music and influenced a wave of powerful-voiced female artists throughout the decade.
21 Tracklist
- Rolling in the Deep - Reached #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart
- Rumour Has It - Reached #16 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart
- Turning Tables
- Don't You Remember
- Set Fire to the Rain - Reached #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart
- He Won't Go
- Take It All
- I'll Be Waiting
- One and Only
- Lovesong
- Someone like You - Reached #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart
