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Song Stories

“Chasing Pavements”

Adele | 2008

While working on her first full-length album, 19, this British powerhouse discovered her boyfriend had cheated on her. But before she could channel her insufferable heartbreak into a song, she had to let out a little aggression. "I went to the pub [where he was] and punched him in the face," Adele recounted to Rolling Stone. "I got thrown out, and as I was running away, the phrase 'chasing pavements' came to me." And that fateful slug was doubly worth it, as the resulting breakup song earned the singer a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

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“Rumour Has It”
Adele | 2011
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“Planet Rock”
Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force | 1982

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

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