| “If It Hadn’t Been for Love” | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Song by Adele from the album 21 | |
| A-side | “Rolling in the Deep” |
| Released | November 29, 2010 |
| Recorded | XL Studios (London) |
| Genre | Bluegrass, country |
| Length | 3:08 |
| Label | XL Recordings |
| Writer(s) | Michael Henderson, Chris Stapleton |
| Producer(s) | Rodaidh McDonald |
| 21 track listing | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| “Someone Like You” | “Hiding My Heart” |
“If It Hadn’t Been for Love” is a song written by Michael Henderson and Chris Stapleton, and originally recorded by The SteelDrivers. It was later covered by Adele as the B-side to her 2010 single “Rolling in the Deep.” It was later included as a bonus track on the UK limited edition of her sophomore album, 21. A live version of the cover appeared on Adele’s live CD/DVD concert film, Live at the Royal Albert Hall, as the song was included in the setlist for the Adele Live tour.
Background and composition[]
“If It Hadn’t Been for Love” was originally written by Michael Henderson and Chris Stapleton of the bluegrass band The SteelDrivers. They gave the song to country singer Darryl Worley to sing, although they later opted to record the song for their 2008 self-titled LP.[1]
Adele later recorded the song for the deluxe edition of her sophomore studio album, 21. Her friend and touring guitarist Ben Thomas plays guitar on the track, while Rodaidh McDonald produced it. It also serves as the B-side to the album’s lead single, “Rolling in the Deep,” appearing on its CD single.
When introducing the song at the Royal Albert Hall, Adele told concertgoers:
| “ | I love this song [because] the sentiment is about killing [the singer’s] wife. I would certainly kill some of my ex-boyfriends, for fucking sure! Absolutely, I would! And I reckon all of you would as well! I reckon you’ve all got an ex, unless you’re a lucky one that’s been with the one person all your life — I don’t know how lucky that is, though, to be honest![2] | ” |
Live performances[]
“If It Hadn’t Been for Love” was regularly performed throughout the 2011 Adele Live tour. It was the only bonus track from 21 to be performed live during the tour, although Adele had performed “I Found a Boy” and “Hiding My Heart” during her previous tour, An Evening with Adele.
A live recording of the song appears on Adele’s live CD/DVD, Live at the Royal Albert Hall.
Credits[]
Personnel[3]
- Adele – vocals
- Chris Stapleton, Michael Henderson – songwriting
- Ben Thomas – guitar
- Rodaidh McDonald – producer, engineer, mixer
Lyrics[]
Never would’ve hitchhiked to Birmingham |