Looking back over the past 14 months, it's obvious that Adele has become an incredible musical force: she basically tripled the runner-up's album sales last year, and produced three mammoth singles, both in the United States and worldwide. It seemed like she represented a need for something radically different--but still pop--in the industry. She somehow manages to be pure pop, but without the image issues or baggage that comes with being a typical disrespected pop star.

But in addition to her pulling off one of the most astonishing sweeps in music history, a lot of other things have happened. For one, the wheels fell off the Gaga machine after one of the most colossal eras in recent memory. Even with a few decent radio hits, Britney failed to ever make an impact with her album. Despite a 10 week #1 single with billions of AI, Rihanna's album sales are weak and there doesn't seem to be much interest for her follow-up singles. Same with Katy Perry's latest work, which seems to be riding on the success of the early Teenage Dream singles, but boring the public at the same time. Oh, and Beyonce flopped.

In a bigger picture sort of way, it seems like since Adele exploded onto the scene, all of the pop girls have experienced massive blows over time.

I remember I used to think one of the biggest selling points for Adele music is that "it feels like quality music." And now, I look at the songs that are exploding on the charts--We Are Young, Somebody That I Used To Know, Glad You Came, What Makes You Beautiful, even Call Me Maybe--and I can't help but feel like they're riding on this same wagon. They're all pop and summery, but they sort of sound fresh and quality, even if they're recycling old trends or are a product of Katy Perry-like tactics.

It seems to me like Adele's success is somehow related to the fact that people are all of a sudden willing to buy alt rock, indie pop, and even boy band tunes, while the latest Katy Perry and Rihanna songs play second fiddle.

No, obviously it was Christina Aguleria with her hit "Moves Like Jagger". ADELE could never.

I think she bringing back ballads!

And we need them badly!

This is why I'm glad Taylor remained unbothered in the country field while all the other female superstars faltered in Adele's wake.

Her success is truly more astonishing than Michael Jackson's. 20 milliion in 2012? Seriously, no ****ing comment...

I think it's a natural shift. People just get bored with hearing the same type of sound over and over again.

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I've had that exact same thought. I think she has.

2,000,000 less than Fearless?
She was bothered.

no.

I agree with the others, but I don't think the success of this has anything to do with Adele.... And also, I wouldn't exactly call Adele's music 'summery'

But I think she has helped open the doors for more... tame? easy-listening acts? people like Gotye and Ed Sheeran

But still more than 4 million in the US, which is more than any of the pop girls (bar Adele) can say about their most recent releases.

Oh no, I don't think Adele's is summery at all. All of those songs are easy-listening songs that feel clean.

Adele just made people want something that stands out and feels quality, and boy bands kind of fit into that category. To be completely honest, I think What Makes You Beautiful sounds really fresh, not because it's exploring new territory, but because it's such a lightweight re-tread of past sounds.

I'm not trying to say she's influencing others sonically. I think she changed the way music listeners react to pop music.

She definitely opened gates for non-dance artists.
She also showed that a ballad can hit #1.
That's why we see Lana Del Reys et al breaking into the scene.

The other girls would've flopped with or without Adele. It's not like Adele "stole" Bey's, Gaga's, Brit's etc. buyers AWAY from them. The bulk of people who are buying Adele's album would have NEVER bought most pop girls' albums.

I don't get this. How did she fail to make it on the radio?

And to answer the question, maybe.