Rumour Has It

A bluesy pop stomper aimed at friends who believed tabloid lies about her heartbreak.

Rumour Has It is a dynamic track from Adele's second studio album, 21, released in 2011. Co-written and produced by Ryan Tedder, the song was inspired not by media speculation, but by Adele's own friends who believed false stories about her breakup. Described as a 'bluesy-pop stomping song,' it features an up-tempo beat of 126 beats per minute in D minor. Officially released as a single in the US, it was serviced to radio on December 5, 2011, and became the album's fourth US single. In the UK, however, it was not released as a commercial single; 'Set Fire to the Rain' served as the third UK single instead. The track garnered critical acclaim for its catchy nature and Adele's vocal performance, charting on the Billboard Hot 100 as an official US single.

Quick Facts

Artist

Adele

Album

Released

5 November 2011

Studio

AIR (London)
Metropolis (London)
Patriot (Denver, CO)
Serenity Sound (Hollywood, CA)
Wendyhouse (London)

Genre

Pop rock
blues
soul

Length

3:43

Label

XL, Columbia

Writer

Adele Adkins, Ryan Tedder

Lore & Background

The song emerged from a collaboration between Adele and Ryan Tedder, whom Adele wanted to surprise with a 'bluesy-pop stomping' sound rather than their typical styles. She clarified that the lyrics were not about blogs or magazines, but specifically targeted her own friends who spread rumors regarding her split from her boyfriend, calling it 'pretty mortifying.' Musically, critics described it as a 'soul-strutter' with a 'persuasive backbeat,' comparing its instrumentation of piano and guitars to her earlier work on 19. The A.V. Club noted its similarity to the primal stomp of 'Rolling in the Deep,' while Tom Townshend found it to be a 'pacey, hypnotic, funk' interrupted by 'sublime symphonic blues.' Adele explained that she wrote 'Someone Like You' because she was tired of writing angry songs like 'Rolling in the Deep' and 'Rumour Has It,' reversing the cause-and-effect—she didn't write the angry songs because she was tired of being a 'bitch'; rather, the softer song came after she grew weary of the anger.

Reader's Guide

Released as the fourth single from 21 in the UK on November 5, 2011, the song achieved significant success despite initial plans to release it earlier in the US being scrapped. Columbia Records opted for 'Set Fire to the Rain' instead, citing stronger programmer preference, though both tracks polled well. Without a formal single push in the US, it still peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, fueled largely by a Glee cast mash-up and airplay, and topped the Adult Album Alternative chart. It reached the top 10 in Iceland and Israel and was certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA for over 2 million copies sold. The song appeared in TV shows like Ringer and The Lying Game and became a staple on Adele's second worldwide tour, Adele Live. Critics praised its 'banging drums' and 'cheeky lyrics,' with Rolling Stone ranking it number 29 on their list of the best singles of 2011.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Rumour Has It released as a single in the UK?

While it served as the fourth US single, the song was not issued commercially in the United Kingdom. Set Fire to the Rain took the position of third single for British audiences instead.

What are the musical details of Rumour Has It?

The track is described as a bluesy-pop stomper with an up-tempo beat of 126 beats per minute in D minor. This energetic composition contrasts sharply with the slower ballads found elsewhere on the album.

How did Rumour Has It perform commercially?

The Recording Industry Association of America certified the song as double platinum in the United States. Its commercial success helped solidify its status as a fan favorite from Adele's second studio album.