He Wasn't There

Album: It's Not Me, It's You (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This torch song pastiche features emotional lyrics about Lily Allen's actor father, Keith Allen. Lily's parents broke up when she was four, and here she forgives her dad for not being around for most of her childhood. The Smile singer told The Sunday Telegraph that she remembers "the day that Dad left, and us all saying good-bye to him in the hall of our flat in Bloomsbury. I just remember there being a thing of 'does that mean Dad's never going to be around?' She was reassured otherwise. "Then of course Dad did go, and didn't come back for a while." However the song praises their adult relationship. Lily explained to The Sun January 30, 2009: "With my dad, we have made a go of our relationship, after years of pain. But we're there now, we're in a good place."
  • For more on Keith Allen on Songfacts, check out "World In Motion," "Jerusalem" and "Country House."

Comments: 1

  • Theresa from Murfreesboro, TnThis song has an old-fashioned feel to it, so cool.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Music Video Director David Hogan

Music Video Director David HoganSong Writing

David talks about videos he made for Prince, Alabama, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, DMB, Melissa Etheridge and Sisters of Mercy.

Kevin Godley

Kevin GodleySongwriter Interviews

Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Grammar In Lyrics

Grammar In LyricsMusic Quiz

Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.