Best Songs of 2009 – #5
I recently named Lily Allen’s Alright, Still on my list of the last decade’s best album so that gives you an idea of the act her sophomore release, It’s Not Me, It’s You, had to follow. This album wasn’t the equal of that one but it was great nonetheless, mining some new territory for Allen while legitimizing the acclaim she received for her debut.
As smart and sarcastic as Allen can be, and as withering with a put-down, I’ve always been most intrigued by her more romantic material. I suppose a sweet song from a bitter person feels more earned somehow.
‘Who’d Have Known’ is one of the sweetest songs on It’s Not Me, It’s You, an intimate look at a friendship blossoming into something more. It’s a great example of Allen’s lyrical dexterity… she excels at using straight-forward language that seems to rhyme and fit the meter almost by accident.
I also love her vocal performance in this song, particularly the way you hear her smile on the line “And today you accidentally called me baby.”
The conversation got boring
You said you’d go into bed soon
So I snuck off to your bedroom
And I thought I’d just wait there
Until I heard you come up the stairs
And I pretended I was sleeping
And I was hoping you would creep in with me
You put your arm around my shoulder
And it was good the room got colder
And we moved closer in together
And started talking about the weather
You said tomorrow would be fun
And we could watch A Place in the Sun
I didn’t know where this was going
When you kissed me
Are you mine?
Are you mine?
Cause I stay here all the time
Watching telly, drinking wine
Who’d have known?
Who’d have known?
When you flash up on my phone
I no longer feel alone
No longer feel alone
I haven’t left you for days now
And I’m becoming amazed how
You’re quite affectionate in public
In fact your friend said it made her feel sick
And even though it’s moving forward
There’s just the right amount of awkward
And today you accidentally called me baby
Are you mine?
Are you mine?
Cause I stay here all the time
Watching telly, drinking wine
Who’d have known?
Who’d have known?
When you flash up on my phone
I no longer feel alone
Let’s just stay
Let’s just stay
I wanna lie in bed all day
We’ll be laughing all the way
You told your friends, they all know
We exist but we’re taking it slow
Let’s just see how it goes
Let’s see how it goes
Are you mine?
Are you mine?
Cause I stay here all the time
Watching telly, drinking wine
Who’d have known?
Who’d have known?
When you flash up on my phone
I no longer feel alone
Let’s just stay
Let’s just stay
I wanna lie in bed all day
We’ll be laughing all the way
You told your friends, they all know
We exist but we’re taking it slow
Let’s just see how it goes
Let’s see how it goes
Meet Me In Montauk 
nice song, and very well produced.
It was Glee’s cover of Lily Allen’s “Smile” that put her back on my radar after reading your raves here in the past. I liked it quite a bit, and i’m liking the one you’re featuring today very much. Yup, I think it’s time I broke down and bought one of her albums.