At some point in our lives, we tend to reminisce about the past.
We look back at the happy memories and our childhood days, and we think about how everything was easier back then. We also reopen old wounds, ponder the scars we have accumulated over time and the bad decisions that accompanied them.
In that spirit, one performer from Indonesia made an acoustic cover of Adele’s “When We’re Young”—and the video has now racked almost nine million views on YouTube.
As the clip begins, he wears a Batman shirt and has disheveled hair as if he just got out of bed.
For those who don’t know, the man’s name is Felix Irwarn Saputra, an Indonesian singer who also joined The Voice Indonesia in 2016.
He deftly plucked the strings as if picking at bittersweet memories.
His voice is raspy, befitting a rock star and suiting the song well. Surprisingly, the quality of his voice made it more heart-wrenching.
“When We Were Young” is a soulful ballad, with lyrics that talk about reminiscing past memories with a loved one.
It was explained that the song is set at a party.
Everyone there knew each other when they were younger, and now they’re all over fifty. They’ve been reunited at a party where they get to gather, catch up and meet again after many years.
Felix perfectly captured the emotion of leaning heavily into dramatic nostalgia with this cover.
You can picture him at the party performing the song as you have flashbacks of the past and all the things you have missed as you lived your separate lives:
“Let me photograph you in this light. In case it is the last time. That we might be exactly like we were. Before we realized.”
In the song, you meet an old lover, which prompts you to revisit those memories and to wish you could stop time.
It’s actually you confronting your past and making amends with yourself.
He gets the sensations across through his raw voice and unpretentious accompaniment, his talent standing out laced with regret, pang of guilt and yearning.
Upon release, “When We Were Young,” just like Adele’s songs, received widespread critical acclaim.
Critics praised its lyrics and understated production, along with Adele’s towering vocal performance.
“When We Were Young” is a beautiful song, and it raises valuable questions about our pasts.
Should we dwell on our past? Can we learn from it? Can we make the future better by looking back to the past? Certainly, the past is a good place to visit, but not a good place to stay.
All of these were encapsulated in this rendition by Felix, for songs aren’t only meant to be sung and heard—they should also be felt.
You can feel his voice quiver at every word he utters, as he strums his guitar, closing his eyes as he crunches his eyebrows bracing the emotions that overwhelm him.
Sure enough, those feelings got across to his audience because they definitely enjoyed his performance. Even if we couldn’t be there in person to see it live, we’re glad he posted it online for the whole world to share! We’re expecting to see even greater things from him in the future.
Watch the full performance by clicking on the link below:
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