Hometown Glory

This song, which captures the bittersweet beauty of London life, was written by the 18-year-old Adele in 10 minutes after her mother tried to persuade her to leave London for university. She explained to the Observer Music Monthly October 2007: "I played it to her as a protest song and said this is why I'm staying."

Despite Adele being signed to XL, this was originally released in 2007 as a limited edition 7-inch single on her friend, the singer songwriter Jamie T's, Pacemaker Recordings label. She explained in the same OMM interview: "He was like, 'But you promised I could put out 'Hometown' back in the day."'

Adele's debut album 19, according to Q magazine January 2008, was titled because it "fully represents" the 19-year-old's final 12 months as a still-at-home teenager. She added in the same OMM interview that "most of my album is about splitting up with my ex. So it's a sad, bitter, record, I suppose, but optimistic and all."