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

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.