While the title of this songs sets up the expectation that it’s about a relationship that’s over, the opposite is actually the case. Adele confirmed in her Rolling Stone cover story that it’s about her relationship with Simon Konecki, the father of her son Angelo, whom she’s since married.
It was s...
[Verse 1]
If you're not the one for me
Then how come I can bring you to your knees?
If you're not the one for me
Why do I hate the idea of being free?
And if I'm not the one for you
You've gotta stop holdin' me the way you do
Oh, honey, if I'm not the one for you
Why have we been through what we have been through?
[Pre-Chorus]
It's so cold out here (Here, here, here)
In your wilderness (Eh, eh, eh)
I want you to be my keeper (Eh, eh, eh)
But not if you are so reckless
[Chorus]
If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently
Don't pretend that you don't want me
Our love ain't water under the bridge
If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently
Don't pretend that you don't want me
Our love ain't water under the bridge
[Post-Chorus]
Woah
Say that our love ain't water under the bridge
[Verse 2]
What are you waiting for?
You never seem to make it through the door
And who are you hiding from?
It ain't no life to live like you're on the run
Have I ever asked for much?
The only thing that I want is your love
[Chorus]
If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently
Don't pretend that you don't want me
Our love ain't water under the bridge
If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently
Don't pretend that you don't want me
Our love ain't water under the bridge
[Post-Chorus]
Woah
Say that our love ain't water under the bridge
[Pre-Chorus]
It's so cold (Here, here, here)
In your wilderness (Eh, eh, eh)
I want you to be my keeper (Eh, eh, eh)
But not if you are so reckless (Ooh)
[Chorus]
If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently
Don't pretend that you don't want me
Our love ain't water under the bridge
If you're gonna let me down, let me down gently
Don't pretend that you don't want me
Our love ain't water under the bridge
[Post-Chorus]
Woah
(Say it ain't so, say it ain't so)
(Say it ain't so, say it ain't so)
Say that our love ain't water under the bridge
(Say it ain't so, say it ain't so)
(Say it ain't so, say it ain't so)
Woah
(Say it ain't so, say it ain't so)
(Say it ain't so, say it ain't so)
Say that our love ain't water under the bridge
(Say it ain't so, say it ain't so)
(Say it ain't so, say it ain't so)
[Outro]
Say that our love ain't water under the bridge
Water Under the Bridge was written by Greg Kurstin & Adele.
Water Under the Bridge was produced by Greg Kurstin.
Adele released Water Under the Bridge on Fri Nov 20 2015.
In addition to the quotes in the song bio, Adele often gives some variation of this lead-in to “Water Under the Bridge” at her live shows: