You're repeating me lines
That you think I want to hear
But I don't want to hear anymore
As if sorry is any consolation
For what it's worth, you're stringing me alone

Should, should, shouldn't need anyone
Shouldn't need anyone
Just scared of being alone
But by the time you've figured this out
And I'm already gone

Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene

Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene

You keep giving me signs
That you think I want to see
But you're nothing like you've seen
Hide behind your half smile
But the truth is so undeniable

Should, should, shouldn't need anyone
Shouldn't need anyone
Just scared of being alone
But by the time you've figured this out
And I'm already gone

Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene

Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene

Like lipstick traces on pillow cases
Some things in life are unforgettable
Like love, loss, lies and lust, whoa
Some things in life are undeniable

Like lipstick traces on pillow cases
Some things in life are unforgettable
Like love, loss, lies and lust, whoa
Some things in life are undeniable

Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene

Adelaide, Adelaide
You really had me going this time
Adelaide, Adelaide
You need to quit, quit making a scene



Lyrics submitted by eltroyo11, edited by Mactire

Track duration: 03:15

"Adelaide" as written by Nathan Young (16578) Steven Arnold (16579)

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Adelaide song meanings
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37 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:After reading the interview below, I suppose what follows isn't spot on after all, but the great thing about words is that, unlike mathematic truths, they are open to some interpretation. But I digress.

    I see it much in the same way as presented in the interview, except that the line 'Shouldn't need anyone' refers to the woman rather than the man behind the words. She's been stringing him along because she's afraid of being alone; she just wants the attention and the feeling associated with a burgeoning (or existing) romance. This will comfort her and make her feel better about herself, so she continues to do so, at his expense. He's realized this and no longer wants any part of her, but still feels as if he was the best thing for her at the time of their interaction (By the time you (she) figure this out, I'm already gone).

    To the second verse, I've always thought it was 'But you're nothing like you seem', which goes with the previous lines to indicate that she's been giving him signals indicating that she's into him, but she really is only doing so in order to get the positive feeling associated with him being interested in her.

    Obviously, this is based on my own experiences, but I'm sure many of us, of both sexes, have experienced something similar, including the lyricist.
    Flag uznsa13on August 29, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:its love loss lies and us NOT love loss lies and lust
    Flag 1girlrevalutionon March 15, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:anberlininterviews.blogspot.com/

    What's the meaning behind your song 'Adelaide'?

    actually it’s a very bitter song about my own lack of self discipline; for the longest time i was absolutely co-dependent on those i was in a relationship with. (hence lines like shouldn’t need anyone im just scared of being alone). if you notice in the cities promo shot i tried to “half-smile” so that people knew that the song was about me and not someone from the small town in australia. no one picked up on it.
    i picked the name ‘adelaide’ because it sounded better than ‘brenda’ or ‘shenana’. even though jason tate hates this song, max from say anything said it was one of his favorite songs we have ever done, so i feel like it balances out.
    Flag codyhill06on September 25, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love this song because my girlfriend lives in Adelaide. I'm in Scotland, and it's most certainly a tough relationship. But I was in Adelaide this Summer and it was great. =D I don't really think about the lyrics too deeply - it's just a nice reminder of my lady.
    Flag AHiFion September 17, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:ok ok ok
    some of you are pretty close..
    im from adelaide..and when anberlin played here last...christian said...that the song is called adelaide because...not only was adelaide the location of their first international gig..but on that night of their first international gig...his then girlfriend broke up with him

    he said something along those lines
    Flag tom.asitstandson September 09, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:absolute perfect song for me right now.
    Flag bball.10on August 31, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:um the name of my street is Adelaide? haha dont think the song is in refrence to it tho
    Flag getupscarykidson June 26, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Just a thought..
    Do you think the meaning of this song has something to do with the fact that they're a Christian Rock band, and Adelaide in South Australia is known, worldwide, as the city of churches?

    Just putting it out there, not sure how it can link to the lyrics exactly, but it popped into my head..
    Flag josh_89on February 20, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Uhh buddy, my name's Adelaide after my grandma, and I know another Adelaide, and it's a fine name thanks.
    I dunno what the song means though... makes you wonder.
    I like it :)
    Flag Marmalade16on December 18, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i like this song.
    Flag thepenguinluveron October 14, 2007   Link

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