Somewhere Only We Know

Story of Song

“Somewhere Only We Know” is a traditional piano rock song, originally made by the group Keane, to describe a hidden place where a couple can go and feel as if they are leaving, where they feel all their true emotions and express everything from their heart. Tim Rice-Oxley told UK paper The Mirror that: “It’s about being able to draw strength from a place or experience you’ve shared with someone. I think it’s an idea a lot of people can relate to. “ He also told Billboard: “I was thinking of something like David Bowie’s ‘Heroes,’ which you drive along to a really rocking beat. I really like the bridge and it’s great fun to play live. It was one of the first things we recorded for the album.” Lily Allen’s version of “Somewhere Only We Know” is actually a cover of the original, recorded for an animated John Lewis Christmas advert on the suggestion from Keane. Tom Chaplin, the vocalist for Keane, told the Daily Star: “She’s a big fan, and we knew she’d do a great version. I think the cartoon advert is lovely. It’s like Watership Down without the bloodshed.” Lily Allen told BBC Radio 1’s Nick Grimsaw “I can’t listen to the song, I’ve gotta be honest. It’s quite shrill.”

Release date

November 10, 2013

Songwriter/s

Tom Chaplin – Richard Hughes – Tim Rice-Oxley

Label

Regal – Parlophone

Chart Rankings

Lily Allen’s cover version of “Somewhere Only We Know” reached number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Lily Allen’s third number one single.  Besides the UK, the song reached number one in Ireland, and the top ten in Euro Digital Songs, France, and Scotland. It was also certified Platinum in the United Kingdom.

Artist’s age on release date

Lily Allen was 28 years old when “Somewhere Only We Know” was released

Cover Versions

Very few amateur artists covered this song on YouTube.