Three Best Songs From Adele’s “21″ Album

Adele, Munich, March 2011 (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Adele‘s new album, 21, is getting heavy spins in the minivan on the way to school. It pleases me to no end that both my boys, ages 10 and 12, dig what is probably the most soulful voice on record today. Herein we let you know what are the three best songs from her latest album.

3) “I’ll Be Waiting”: I like a good Memphis R&B groove so, when all is said and done, I pick “I’ll Be Waiting” as the best song on the album. But, I must’ve pummeled my boys with the Stax box sets a little too much when they were little because I can’t get them on-board with this song. They’ll come back and see the light about the time they hit 25; but in the meantime, the lack of consensus puts this song at Number 3.

2) “Set Fire to the Rain”: This is the one that gets played when my 10-year old has access to the stereo controls. They like the “never do, never do” syncopation at 1 minute mark. And, as much as my 12-year old is in the final days of his violin career, he digs the string arrangement. I appreciate the big lush production — and the nice fretless bass sound — so we’re in agreement this is the second best song on the record. (Runner-up for Number 2 from my 10YO: “Rumor Has It”).

1) “Turning Tables”: If not for the boys, I’d not likely gone back to this song more than once or twice. But, with multiple listenings, I have to agree this is the pinnacle of the album. A perfect piano part, gorgeous string arrangement and her magnificent voice at its very best. We love the line: “next time I’ll be braver, I’ll be my own savior,” and she sings with such amazing power and vulnerability.

This video lacks the string part but is really beautiful just the same.

How do your picks stack up against ours? Find more ‘Three Best Songs’ for other artists here.