Top 10 Lily Allen Songs

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Our Top 10 Lily Allen Songs list presents the music of a Grammy-nominated English singer-songwriter who has always been one of our favorites. From the bright reggae-pop of her earliest hits to the sharp social commentary that became her trademark, Lily Allen built a catalog filled with humor, vulnerability, anger, and some of the most memorable pop melodies of her era.

Allen released four studio albums between 2006 and 2018 before returning in 2025 with her fifth album, West End Girl. Her first new album in seven years introduced another deeply personal chapter in a career that has never been afraid to turn uncomfortable experiences into compelling songs.

# 10 – “Who’d Have Known”

“Who’d Have Known” appeared on Lily Allen’s second album, It’s Not Me, It’s You, in 2009. The chorus closely interpolates Take That’s hit “Shine.” After the similarity was recognized, the members of Take That granted permission for the song to be released and received songwriting credits. T-Pain later sampled “Who’d Have Known” in his 2011 hit “5 O’Clock,” which also credited Allen as a featured artist. “Who’d Have Known” peaked at number 39 on the UK Singles Chart.

# 9 – “Alfie”

“Alfie” was released on Lily Allen’s 2006 debut album, Alright, Still. She wrote the song as a pointed but affectionate plea to her younger brother, Alfie Allen, urging him to stop wasting his time and do something with his life. Alfie Allen later became internationally known for playing Theon Greyjoy in the television series Game of Thrones, beginning in 2011. “Alfie” peaked at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart.

# 8 – “Air Balloon”

“Air Balloon” found Lily Allen collaborating with producer and songwriter Shellback, who has also worked with One Direction, Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, and Avril Lavigne. Released from Allen’s 2014 album Sheezus, “Air Balloon” became another major British hit and peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart.

# 7 – “22”

“22” was released on Lily Allen’s second album, It’s Not Me, It’s You, in 2009. The song balances jazz and pop while examining the pressure placed on women to have their lives settled by the time they reach 30. Allen explained that the song addressed the difficulty some women face when trying to decide what they want from life while confronting society’s expectations. “22” peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart.

# 6 – “Somewhere Only We Know”

Number six on our Top 10 Lily Allen Songs list is her beautiful version of “Somewhere Only We Know.” The song was originally released by the English alternative rock band Keane on Hopes and Fears in 2004. Allen recorded her cover for the 2013 John Lewis Christmas advertising campaign. It was released as a standalone single and later appeared on the deluxe edition of her third studio album, Sheezus.

Allen’s version became her third UK number-one single and spent three nonconsecutive weeks at the top of the chart. Other artists who have covered Keane’s original song include Lifehouse, David Archuleta, Natasha Bedingfield, and Laura Michelle Kelly.

# 5 – “LDN”

“LDN” finds the English artist paying tribute to her native London while also exposing the darker realities hiding beneath the city’s colorful surface. The cheerful arrangement contrasts with lyrics about crime, poverty, and violence. “LDN” samples “Reggae Merengue” by Tommy McCook and the Supersonics. The song peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart.

# 4 – “Hard out Here”

Coming in at number four is “Hard out Here.” Released in 2013 as the lead single from Lily Allen’s third album, Sheezus, which followed in 2014, the song addresses body-image pressure, the objectification of women, and misogyny in the entertainment industry. Allen delivered the criticism with the sarcasm and blunt humor that had always distinguished her songwriting. “Hard out Here” peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart.

# 3 – “The Fear”

Lily Allen teamed with her longtime producer Greg Kurstin to write this electropop song about celebrity culture, consumerism, insecurity, and the desire for fame. “The Fear” became Allen’s second number-one single in the United Kingdom and remained at the top of the UK Singles Chart for four weeks in 2009. On the Billboard Hot 100, the song reached number 80.

# 2 – “Not Fair”

“Not Fair” was released on Lily Allen’s 2009 album It’s Not Me, It’s You. The song finds Allen singing with characteristic bluntness about frustration inside an otherwise promising relationship. Unlike many of her best-known electropop recordings, “Not Fair” draws heavily from country-pop and bluegrass. The contrast between its cheerful arrangement and adult subject matter makes it one of her funniest and most memorable songs. “Not Fair” peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart.

# 1 – “Smile”

Number one on our Top 10 Lily Allen Songs list is the hit “Smile.” The song appeared on Allen’s 2006 debut album, Alright, Still. “Smile” finds Lily Allen taking pleasure in watching an ex-boyfriend struggle after attempting to win her back once their relationship had fallen apart.

“Smile” samples “Free Soul” by the Soul Brothers. It became Lily Allen’s first number-one single on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top position for two weeks. In the United States, “Smile” reached number 49 on the Billboard Hot 100.