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Lily Allen, known for her sharp wit and unmistakable voice, grew up in Hammersmith, West London, as the daughter of actor and musician Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. Though she had an unconventional upbringing that exposed her early to the world of entertainment, Allen’s rise to fame was anything but easy. After attending multiple schools and leaving formal education behind at age fifteen, she decided to focus fully on music. Initially, she worked various jobs while building her musical identity, but it was her use of MySpace in 2005 to share her demos that caught the industry’s attention and quickly built a dedicated following. Her ability to blend observational lyricism with catchy pop melodies set her apart from her peers and led to a recording contract with Regal Recordings, setting the foundation for what would become a major career.
In 2006, Allen released her debut album Alright, Still, which became a massive success, reaching No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album. The album’s lead single, “Smile,” shot straight to No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, where it remained for two weeks, and became her signature hit. Other standout tracks like “LDN” and “Alfie” displayed her signature mix of cheeky humor and serious social commentary, offering a refreshing take on pop music with a ska and reggae-infused edge. Allen’s debut effort sold over 2.6 million copies worldwide, cementing her status as a breakout star and a powerful voice in British pop.
Following her early success, Allen released her second album It’s Not Me, It’s You in 2009, which marked a shift towards a more electropop sound, collaborating closely with producer Greg Kurstin. The album debuted at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 5 on the US Billboard 200, propelled by hit singles like “The Fear” and “Not Fair.” “The Fear” spent four consecutive weeks at No. 1 in the UK and showcased her sharp critique of consumerism and fame. The album also featured the song “22,” which delved into societal expectations of women, and “Fuck You,” which became a political anthem. It’s Not Me, It’s You won her Best British Female Solo Artist at the 2010 Brit Awards, further solidifying her place in pop culture.
After a brief hiatus to focus on her family, Allen returned in 2014 with her third studio album Sheezus, a play on Kanye West’s Yeezus, again working with Greg Kurstin. Though the album received mixed reviews, it was a commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart. Singles like “Hard out Here” tackled sexism and the pressures on women in the music industry, while “Air Balloon” and “Our Time” demonstrated her ability to balance personal introspection with radio-friendly hooks. Allen’s fourth album, No Shame, released in 2018, marked her most personal work to date, addressing topics like motherhood, divorce, and addiction. The album was critically acclaimed, earning a Mercury Prize nomination and praised for its honesty and vulnerability, with songs like “Trigger Bang” and “Lost My Mind” standing out as some of her most mature songwriting.
Throughout her career, Lily Allen has been recognized with numerous awards and nominations. She has won a Brit Award, an Ivor Novello Award for songwriting, and been nominated for Grammy, Mercury Prize, and MTV Europe Music Awards. Her raw, unfiltered approach to songwriting and her willingness to tackle difficult topics like gender politics, mental health, and fame have made her both a critical darling and a relatable figure for fans worldwide. Allen’s impact on pop music extends beyond her chart success; she has been a pioneer in using the internet to connect with audiences, paving the way for future artists to break through via social media.
Beyond music, Allen has been involved in a range of ventures and causes. She has been outspoken on political issues, including women’s rights, refugee crises, and mental health awareness. Her memoir, My Thoughts Exactly, published in 2018, delves deep into her personal struggles with fame, relationships, and substance abuse, receiving praise for its brutal honesty. Allen has also ventured into fashion collaborations and has been a regular voice in public discourse about the pressures faced by women in entertainment. Her advocacy and openness about her personal experiences have further endeared her to fans and the public, who see her as not only a musician but a cultural commentator.
With four studio albums and a career spanning more than fifteen years, Lily Allen continues to evolve as both an artist and a public figure. Her willingness to speak her mind, combined with her talent for crafting catchy yet meaningful pop songs, has ensured her place as one of the most original voices in modern British music. Whether she’s topping the charts or opening up about her life’s hardships, Allen remains a fearless figure, respected for her authenticity and dedication to her craft.
Complete List Of Lilly Allen Songs From A to Z
- 22 – It’s Not Me, It’s You – 2009
- 22 (Acoustic) – It’s Not Me, It’s You (Special Edition) – 2009
- 22 (Vingt Deux) (duet with Ours) – It’s Not Me, It’s You (French Edition)/Paris Live Session – 2009
- Absolutely Nothing – Alright, Still (iTunes Deluxe/Japanese Edition) – 2006
- Air Balloon – Sheezus – 2014
- Air Balloon (Digital Farm Animals Remix) – Sheezus (Japanese Edition) – 2014
- Air Balloon (Taiki & Nulight Dub Remix) – Sheezus (Japanese Edition) – 2014
- Alfie – Alright, Still – 2006
- Apples – No Shame – 2018
- As Long as I Got You – Sheezus – 2014
- Back to the Start – It’s Not Me, It’s You – 2009
- Bass Like Home – Sheezus (Japan Tour Limited Edition) – 2014
- Blank Expression – Alright, Still (iTunes Pre-order/Deluxe Edition) – 2006
- Cake – No Shame – 2018
- Cheryl Tweedy – Alright, Still (iTunes Deluxe/Japanese Edition) – 2006
- Chinese – It’s Not Me, It’s You – 2009
- Close Your Eyes – Sheezus – 2014
- Come On Then – No Shame – 2018
- Everybody’s Changing – Alright, Still (iTunes Deluxe Edition) – 2006
- Everyone’s at It – It’s Not Me, It’s You/Paris Live Session – 2009
- Everything to Feel Something – No Shame – 2018
- Everything’s Just Wonderful – Alright, Still – 2006
- F You – It’s Not Me, It’s You/Paris Live Session – 2009
- F You (Clean Radio Edit) – F.U.E.P. – 2009
- Fag Hag – It’s Not Me, It’s You (Japanese Edition)/F.U.E.P. – 2009
- Family Man – No Shame – 2018
- Friday Night – Alright, Still – 2006
- Friend of Mine – Alright, Still – 2006
- Hard Out Here – Sheezus – 2014
- He Wasn’t There – It’s Not Me, It’s You – 2009
- He Wasn’t There (Acoustic) – It’s Not Me, It’s You (Special Edition) – 2009
- Higher – No Shame – 2018
- Him – It’s Not Me, It’s You – 2009
- Holding On to Nothing – Sheezus (Deluxe/Japanese Edition) – 2014
- I Could Say – It’s Not Me, It’s You – 2009
- I Could Say (Acoustic) – It’s Not Me, It’s You (Special Edition) – 2009
- Insincerely Yours – Sheezus – 2014
- Interlude – Sheezus – 2014
- Kabul Shit – It’s Not Me, It’s You (Japanese Edition)/F.U.E.P. – 2009
- Knock ‘Em Out – Alright, Still – 2006
- L8 CMMR – Sheezus – 2014
- LDN – Alright, Still – 2006
- Life for Me – Sheezus – 2014
- Littlest Things – Alright, Still/Paris Live Session – 2009
- Lost My Mind – No Shame – 2018
- Miserable Without Your Love – Sheezus (Deluxe/Japanese Edition) – 2014
- Mr. Blue Sky – Alright, Still (iTunes Deluxe/French Reissue) – 2006
- Mr. Blue Sky – It’s Not Me, It’s You (Special Edition) – 2009
- My One – No Shame – 2018
- Naïve (BBC Radio 1’s Jo Whiley’s Live Lounge) – Alright, Still (iTunes Deluxe Edition) – 2006
- Nan You’re a Window Shopper – Alright, Still (iTunes Deluxe/US Edition) – 2006
- Never Gonna Happen – It’s Not Me, It’s You – 2009
- Not Big – Alright, Still – 2006
- Not Fair – It’s Not Me, It’s You – 2009
- Not Fair (Style of Eye Remix) – It’s Not Me, It’s You (Special Edition) – 2009
- Our Time – Sheezus – 2014
- Pushing Up Daisies – No Shame – 2018
- Shame for You – Alright, Still – 2006
- Sheezus – Sheezus – 2014
- Silver Spoon – Sheezus – 2014
- Smile – Alright, Still – 2006
- Smile (Version Revisited) – Alright, Still (US Edition) – 2006
- Somewhere Only We Know – Sheezus – 2014
- Take My Place – Sheezus – 2014
- Take What You Take – Alright, Still – 2006
- The Count (aka Hervé) & Lily Face the Fear – It’s Not Me, It’s You (Special Edition) – 2009
- The Fear – It’s Not Me, It’s You/Paris Live Session – 2009
- The Fear (Acoustic) – It’s Not Me, It’s You (Special Edition) – 2009
- Three – No Shame – 2018
- Trigger Bang (featuring Giggs) – No Shame – 2018
- U Killed It – Alright, Still (iTunes Deluxe Edition) – 2006
- URL Badman – Sheezus – 2014
- Waste (featuring Lady Chann) – No Shame – 2018
- What You Waiting For? – No Shame – 2018
- Who Do You Love? – Sheezus (Deluxe/Japanese Edition) – 2014
- Who’d Have Known – It’s Not Me, It’s You – 2009
- Who’d Have Known (Acoustic) – It’s Not Me, It’s You (Special Edition) – 2009
- Wind Your Neck In – Sheezus (Deluxe/Japanese Edition) – 2014
- Womanizer (Acoustic) – It’s Not Me, It’s You (Special Edition)/F.U.E.P. – 2009
- Your Choice (featuring Burna Boy) – No Shame – 2018
Songs per album:
Alright, Still (2006): 20 songs
It’s Not Me, It’s You (2009): 24 songs
F.U.E.P. (2009): 4 songs (all also appear on other releases)
Paris Live Session (2009): 5 songs (all also appear on other releases)
Sheezus (2014): 21 songs
No Shame (2018): 14 songs
Total: 80 songs
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