Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 2006…
#7 – Alright, Still – Lily Allen
I say this every time I revisit the Decades series, but it’s worth saying again. The best part of Decades is revisiting albums I haven’t listened to in forever and remembering how much I liked (and usually still like) them.
That’s certainly the case for English singer-songwriter Lily Allen’s debut album Alright, Still, which I haven’t played in full for probably a decade and a half. Listening to it today, I was instantly reminded of every lively little nuance, every endearing quirk that made this record such a refreshing blast.
Allen stumbled out of the gate, using the name of her father (Welsh actor Keith Allen) to land a record deal that quickly fell apart when the label was uninspired by the folk covers she delivered.
She started writing her own songs, eventually publishing them on MySpace (the TikTok of its era) and amassing a large following on the streaming site. That led to a new deal giving her more control over her debut album, which she recorded over two years in the UK and U.S.
Alright, Still is a vivid snapshot of a young woman’s life in London, sometimes autobiographical and sometimes finding Allen assuming a colorful array of characters. It’s brash and funny.
The music is jaunty pop with a healthy dose of reggae and a dash of hip-hop, delivered in a cheeky Cockney accent that I find irresistible.
Alright, Still went 4X Platinum in the UK and Gold in the U.S., and remains Allen’s top-selling release. Lead single ‘Smile’ went to #1 in Britain while peaking at #49 stateside. I recall it being a much bigger hit here, but I guess that was just based on my own interest.
I love this album the way I love a great film that immerses me in a brand-new time and place. It did that back in 2006 and it does it still, only now with an added dose of nostalgia.
Riding through the city on my bike all day
‘Cause the filth took away my licence
It doesn’t get me down and I feel okay
‘Cause the sights that I’m seein’ are priceless
Everything seems to look as it should
But I wonder what goes on behind doors
A fella looking dapper, and he’s sitting with a slapper
Then I see it’s a pimp and his crack whore
[Pre-Chorus]
You might laugh, you might frown
Walkin’ ’round London town
[Chorus]
Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why
Would I wanna be anywhere else?
Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why
Would I wanna be anywhere else?
When you look with your eyes
Everything seems nice
But if you look twice
You can see it’s all lies
[Verse 2]
There was a little old lady who was walking down the road
She was struggling with bags from Tesco
There were people from the city having lunch in the park
I believe that is called al fresco
When a kid came along to offer a hand
But before she had time to accept it
Hits her over the head, doesn’t care if she’s dead
‘Cause he’s got all her jewelry and wallet
[Pre-Chorus]
You might laugh, you might frown
Walkin’ round London town
[Chorus]
Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why
Would I wanna be anywhere else?
Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why
Would I wanna be anywhere else?
When you look with your eyes
Everything seems nice
But if you look twice
You can see it’s all lies
[Bridge]
Life, yeah, that’s city life (Angel, Dalston, Stockwell)
Yeah, that’s city life (Clapton, Soho, Ladbroke Grove)
Yeah, that’s city life
Life, yeah, that’s city life (Camden, Brixton, Putney)
Yeah, that’s city life (Tottenham, Chiswick, Old Kent Road)
Yeah, that’s city life
[Chorus]
Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why (Sun is in the sky)
Would I wanna be anywhere else? (Anywhere else)
Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why
Would I wanna be anywhere else? (Anywhere else)
Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why (Sun is in the sky)
Would I wanna be anywhere else?
Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why
Would I wanna be anywhere else?
When you look with your eyes
Everything seems nice
But if you look twice
You can see it’s all lies
When you look with your eyes
Everything seems nice
But if you look twice
You can see it’s all lies
[Outro]
You can see it’s all lies
You can see it’s all lies, lies, lies
Meet Me In Montauk 
I really like her sound and love the cockney accent as well.
I agree it’s a delightful song ❤️