In the old myth, Orpheus descends to the underworld to retrieve his beloved, Eurydice. She is permitted to leave on the condition that he does not look back at her. At the last moment, he turns, and loses her forever. Perhaps it’s not a simple story, but a parable about failing to let go, about how grief tempts us to surrender permanently to doubt and longing. Eurydice becomes a monument to the most painful regrets—nearly recovered, just out of reach. But as this song says, we’ve got to let go of all our ghosts. Life wants to be lived.

Adele, “Send My Love (To Your New Lover),” written by Shellback, Max Martin and Adele, 2015.

This post is part of Music 100, a love letter to songs. 100 words on 100 songs in 100 days, running from Groundhog Day to 4th of July, 2025.

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