If It Hadn't Been For Love

Adele's song "If It Hadn't Been For Love" tells a haunting tale of how love can drive a person to extreme actions they would never have considered otherwise. The lyrics describe a series of events that the narrator undertakes, all motivated by love, which ultimately lead to their downfall. The song's narrative unfolds through the recounting of actions taken out of love, emphasizing the powerful and sometimes destructive influence love can have on one's life choices.

The song's chorus, "If it hadn't been for love," serves as a poignant refrain that underscores the regret and recognition of love as the catalyst for the narrator's predicament. The mention of hitchhiking to Birmingham, catching a train to Louisiana, and running through the rain without a dollar to their name, all for love, paints a picture of a person so consumed by emotion that they abandon reason and security. The lyrics suggest a journey both literal and metaphorical, as the narrator traverses not only physical distances but also the depths of their own passion and desperation.

The darker turn of the song is revealed in the verses that speak of four cold walls, a loaded forty-four, and a jailhouse door, indicating that the narrator's actions led to a crime of passion and subsequent imprisonment. The repeated plea for mercy on their soul reveals a sense of remorse and a plea for redemption. Adele's soulful delivery of the song adds to the emotional weight of the narrative, making it a powerful ballad that explores the darker side of love and the lengths to which it can drive a person.