Cold Shoulder (song)

“Cold Shoulder”
Single by Adele from the album 19
B-side	“Now and Then”
Released	March 30, 2008 (Ireland) March 31, 2008 (UK) April 21, 2008 (International)
Recorded	Compass Point Studios (Nassau, Bahamas)
Genre	Pop, jazz, blues, soul, funk, trip hop
Length	3:12
Label	XL Recordings
Writer(s)	Adele Adkins, Sacha Skarbek
Producer(s)	Mark Ronson
Adele singles chronology
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“Chasing Pavements”	“Make You Feel My Love”
19 track listing
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“Chasing Pavements”	“Crazy for You”
Audio

"Cold Shoulder" is the third single from soul singer Adele released from her debut album 19. It was released digitally in Ireland on 30 March 2008 and in the UK on March 31, 2008. This is the only song on the album to be produced by Mark Ronson. Ex-Jamiroquai bassist Stuart Zender plays on the song who is also part of Mark Ronson's touring band. Adele performed the song on Friday Night with Jools Holland on February 8, 2008 and on Saturday Night Live during the October 18, 2008 show. A remix by Basement Jaxx also received airplay and is digitally available. The song’s B-side is “Now and Then,” which was released as a bonus track from the Japanese deluxe edition of 19.

Background

Adele explained to The Sun newspaper January 18, 2008 about this Mark Ronson collaboration: 

“

It’s about being cheated on. Wishing you were the other girl. I love the tune. I’ve loved Mark since his first album, Here Comes the Fuzz. But I didn’t know he’d got into producing for other people. Then when [Amy Winehouse’s] record and Lily Allen’s Littlest Things came out, I remembered hearing about his covers album. I wrote my song ‘Cold Shoulder’ and my label XL were really keen to keep it how it was. But I thought it needed a beat because the album was lacking a real upbeat club tune. And I couldn’t think of anyone else but Mark Ronson to do it.

”

She further revealed in an interview with Blues & Soul that she was more persistent to include an upbeat track on the album than her record label:

“

When I first played the song ‘Cold Shoulder’ to XL, it had no beats. It was just vocals and keyboards. But, while they really liked it and thought it was charming, I was like ‘No, you’re wrong! Right now my album lacks rhythm! We need something fast on it!’ ... And, because I knew Mark Ronson did beats and I’d been a huge fan of his since his (2003) Here Comes The Fuzz album, I asked Richard Russell (head of XL) to get him in to produce that song. So, as Mark likes to meet people before he works with them — to make sure he clicks — we set up a meeting. But, with Mark forgetting about the meeting, by the time he turned up I was pissed off my face, smoking cigarettes and watching Jerry Springer! So it was just the most awkward meeting ever! But we ended up making a great track together. And, while most people think I worked with Mark simply because he was Mark Ronson, the fact is I met him the same day his Version album came out in the UK. At a time when no one was expecting it to do that well and not even Amy [Winehouse]’s record was that big. It was purely because I think he’s amazingly talented and he’s got a real ear. And personally, I just think he’s got nicer with his success and completely deserves all the acclaim he gets. Particularly when, to me, in [Amy Winehouse's] Back to Black he’s produced one of the greatest albums of all time.

”

Adele’s co-writer on the track, Sacha Skarbek, admitted that he saw his role as a songwriter on the track as “filling in the gaps” rather than creating something from scratch. He recalled to Q Magazine June 2012 his collaboration with Adele on this song: “Adele was pretty reluctant. She was like, ‘What the hell am I doing here with this songwriter guy?’ But once the barriers had come down we were able to bond. She said, ‘Well, I’ve got one little idea’ and bang! — we knocked out ‘Cold Shoulder’ in three hours.”

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Mark Ronson listed “Cold Shoulder” in his “My Life in 10 Songs,” stating:

“

I went into the offices of Richard Russell at XL, and he was like, ‘We got this girl, Adele. We’ve heard lots of great things about her and she wants to play you this song from her demo and see if you want to produce it.’ I walked in and she played me her song and I thought it was great. I asked her, maybe being a little greedy, like, ‘Do you have anything else you want to play?’ You know, you’re thinking maybe there’s another one, and she was like, ’Nope, that’s it. That’s the only one I want you to do.’ I was so blown away and impressed by how already what a strong vision she had of what she wanted for her record. To be honest, the demo is pretty amazing — just her on the Wurlitzer.

”

Live Performances

Adele performed “Cold Shoulder” and “Chasing Pavements” when she was the musical guest on the October 18, 2008 episode of Saturday Night Live. The episode received high ratings due to an appearance from political candidate Sarah Palin, which caused 19 to top the US iTunes charts immediately following the show.

Music video

The video was shot in February 2008 in London. It has begun gaining airplay on UK music channels, and features Adele singing in a darkened room amongst melting ice statues who all have looks of despair. The video ends with many of the statues melted and final shots of Adele interfade into those of the statues.

Single artwork

7" vinyl

CD single

Track listing

UK CD single / 7-inch vinyl
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	“Cold Shoulder”	Adele Adkins, Mark Ronson	3:15
2.	“Now and Then”	Adele Adkins	3:24

Digital EP
1.	“Cold Shoulder (Album Version)”	3:12
2.	“Cold Shoulder (Basement Jaxx Classic Edit)”	2:52
3.	“Cold Shoulder (Basement Jaxx Classic Remix)”	5:01
4.	“Cold Shoulder (Basement Jaxx DuBB)”	6:51
5.	“Cold Shoulder (Rusko Remix)”	4:08
6.	“Cold Shoulder (Out of Office Remix)”	6:48

Release history

Country	Date
United Kingdom	28 April 2008
Europe	16 June 2008

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2008)	Peak Position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)	3
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)	19
European Hot 100 Singles	61
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)	28
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)	18

End of year

Country (2008)	Position
United Kingdom	192

Credits

Personnel

• Adele – songwriting, vocals
• Sacha Skarbek – songwriting
• Stuart Zender – bass
• Pete Biggins – drums, percussion
• Sam Koppelman – glockenspiel
• Matt Allchin, Michael Tighe – guitar
• Jason Silver – keyboard
• The London Studio Orchestra – strings
• Chris Elliott – string arrangement, conductor
• Tom Elmhirst – mixer
• Dan Parry – mixing assistant
• Dom Morley, Matt Lawrence – recording
• Matt Paul – recording assistant

Lyrics

Download the ringtone and see more at Lyrics wiki!

You say it's all in my head And the things I think just don't make sense So where you been then? Don't go all coy Don't turn it round on me like it's my fault See I can see that look in your eyes The one that shoots me each and every time You grace me with your cold shoulder Whenever you look at me I wish I was her You shower me with words made of knives Whenever you look at me I wish I was her These days, when I see you You make it look like I'm see-through Do tell me why you waste our time When your heart ain't admitting you're not satisfied You know I know just how you feel I'm starting to find myself feeling that way too When you grace me with your cold shoulder Whenever you look at me I wish I was her You shower me with words made of knives Whenever you look at me I wish I was her Time and time again I'll play the role of fools (just for you) Even in the daylight when you're dreaming (I'm close to you) Try to look for things I hear but our eyes never find Even though I do know how you play You grace me with your cold shoulder Whenever you look at me I wish I was her You shower me with words made of knives Whenever you look at me I wish I was her You grace me with your cold shoulder Whenever you look at me I wish I was her You shower me with words made of knives Whenever you look at me I wish I was her