Undeniably the biggest music act to emerge on the scene in the past decade, Adele has managed in very little time to leave her mark in the history books .

As she turns 31, we journey back to a time when she unleashed the first offering from her blockbuster ’21’ album. This week’s pick is the immense ‘Rolling In The Deep.’

It’s common knowledge that each project released from the British belter candidly retraced what had been going on in her life during said numerical frame.

With that, it’s clear her 21st year was filled with heartbreak, anger and yet ample strength.

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‘Rolling’ was penned by the singer alongside Paul Epworth who also produced the track. With its tribal beat and bluesy edge, it’s the epitome of a post-breakup middle-finger anthem. It’s infamously directed at an ex-boyfriend who left her heartbroken – but, as the three Grammys she won for this song attest, it artistically stimulated too.

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To deem this a hit would be an understatement. Not only did it debut at #2 in the UK and charted in the Top 10 for the first ten weeks of its chart run, it also spent 7 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. It reached the Top 3 of many other European countries, peaked at #3 in Australia and made it to the top of the Canadian charts too. Talk about world domination!

The accompanying visual – which has now surpassed 1.5 billion views on YouTube – was directed by Sam Brown and won a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video as well as three VMAs.

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In just over 10 short years, Adele has established herself as a force and has accomplished the tall task of accruing critical acclaim, pop cultural relevance, and commanding commercial clout. Feats rendered most impressive by the fact they were achieved almost entirely on the merit of her music.

So, as we wish the global star a Happy Birthday, we also wish for more glorious moments a la ‘Rolling,’ ‘Hello,’ and ‘Someone Like You.’

Pending then, we’re thankful for the present that is her indisputably classic catalogue.

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