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Someone Like You (Adele song)

"Someone Like You" is a 2011 song by English singer-songwriter Adele from her second studio album, *21*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

"Someone Like You" is a 2011 song by English singer-songwriter Adele from her second studio album, *21*. Written by Adele and Dan Wilson, the piano ballad is about a breakup and coming to terms with an ex-partner moving on.

Background

The song was inspired by Adele's breakup and her effort to process the end of the relationship. Sources describe the lyric as directed at a former love who had moved on.

Writing and composition

Adele co-wrote the song with Dan Wilson, who also played piano on the recording. It is commonly described as a piano ballad.

Release and reception

"Someone Like You" was issued as a single from *21* in 2011 and became Adele's first UK number-one single. It received strong commercial success and wide recognition.

Song meaning

The song is generally interpreted as a reflection on heartbreak, loneliness, and acceptance after a relationship ends.

Key facts

  • The song was written by Adele and Dan Wilson for Adele's second studio album, *21*.
  • It was released as a single in 2011 and became Adele's first number-one single in the United Kingdom.
  • The lyrics are about a former relationship and the singer's reaction to an ex-partner having moved on.
  • Dan Wilson played piano on the recording.
  • The song became a major international hit and was among the biggest-selling singles of 2011 in the UK.
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Canadian context

The song was a major international hit and became widely known in Canada through Adele's global popularity and radio play.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote "Someone Like You"?
Adele and Dan Wilson wrote the song.
What album is "Someone Like You" on?
It appears on Adele's second studio album, *21*.
What is the song about?
It is about a breakup and the singer's feelings after an ex-partner has moved on.
When was it released?
It was released as a single in the United Kingdom on 24 January 2011.
Was it a chart success?
Yes. It became Adele's first number-one single in the UK and was one of 2011's biggest-selling singles there.
Who played piano on the recording?
Dan Wilson played piano on the recording.

References

  1. Songfacts — https://www.songfacts.com/facts/adele/someone-like-you
    Supports: Song inspiration and general meaning.
  2. BBC Bitesize — https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zvd8jty/revision/1
    Supports: Release context, UK chart success, songwriting, and lyrical meaning.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Someone_like_You_(Adele_song)
    Supports: Songwriters, album, release dates, and recording details.
  4. The Songbook — https://thesongbook.org/about/news-media/the-songbook-blog-items/todays-song-someone-like-you/
    Supports: Release date, songwriting credits, and chart reception.
  5. Smooth Radio — https://www.smoothradio.com/features/the-story-of/adele-someone-like-you-lyrics-meaning-video/
    Supports: Song meaning and relationship context.
  6. Wikipedia (German) — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Someone_like_You
    Supports: Single release and UK number-one status.