No Milk Today Lyrics
The bottle stands forlorn, a symbol of the dawn
No milk today, it seems a common sight
But people passing by don't know the reason why
The end of my hopes, the end of all my dreams
How could they know the palace there had been
Behind the door where my love reigned as queen
The company was gay, we'd turn night into day
A terraced house in a mean street back of town
Becomes a shrine when I think of you only
Just two up two down
The company was gay, we'd turn night into day
As music played the faster did we dance
We felt it both at once, the start of our romance
The end of my hopes, the end of all my dreams
How could they know a palace there had been
Behind the door where my love reigned as queen
The bottle stands forlorn, a symbol of the dawn
A terraced house in a mean street back of town
Becomes a shrine when I think of you only
Just two up two down
The bottle stands forlorn, a symbol of the dawn
No milk today, it seems a common sight
But people passing by don't know the reason why
The end of my hopes, the end of all my dreams
How could they know a palace there had been
Behind the door where my love reigned as queen
The company was gay, we'd turn night into day
A terraced house in a mean street back of town
Oh all that's left is a place dark and lonely
A terraced house in a mean street back of town
Oh all that's left is a place dark and lonely
A terraced house in a mean street back of town
"No Milk Today", In England, milk was delivered to the door in glass bottles and there was usually a regular order (Two pints please). The empty bottles were rinsed and left on the doorstep for the milkman to pick up with the next delivery. It wasn't unusual to leave a note in the top of a bottle for any variation ("one extra pint, please, we have company" or "No milk for the next week, we are away") "no milk today" was the most common, usually because for some reason the previous day's hadn't been used. Of course this matches in with the general thrust of the song. Only one person is living there now, the other has left, so not so much milk is being used, hence "No milk today, it seems a common sight But people passing by don't know the reason why" And in case you're wondering, "just two up, two down" describes a small english terraced house with two main rooms on the ground floor and two bedrooms above. I was brought up in a 'three up, two down' terraced house. So, the final meaning is that a couple were living together in a small, very working-class house, but their love made it a palace. But now she has left him and he is alone with only his memories.
@AlanOldie Perfect explanation No one could do better! Congrats man.
@AlanOldie Perfect explanation No one could do better! Congrats man.
I remember those years when the milk came in glass bottles here in my country Brazil... 60's and 70's.
I remember those years when the milk came in glass bottles here in my country Brazil... 60's and 70's.
@AlanOldie I realize this subj is 11 years old ( 2020 at time of my reply ), however I wanna thank you for the nice summary, esp the 2up 2down comment. Brilliant. -kel
@AlanOldie I realize this subj is 11 years old ( 2020 at time of my reply ), however I wanna thank you for the nice summary, esp the 2up 2down comment. Brilliant. -kel
Don't mean to sound condescending, but there's really only one meaning for this (I think). Back in the day, you had milk delivered in bottles to your front doorstep... and the girl moved out, so milk is no longer delivered where she used to live. The guy reminisces about all the fun they had at her place, but now it's just deserted, and he misses her. I really like this song, it's a more mature side to the band.
hit the nail on the head!
hit the nail on the head!
I think the song is about a guy who lived together with a girl. Now she abandoned him. He is still adapting to the bachelor live. He doesn't cook nor takes care of himself. When he sees the abandoned milk bottle at his porch he is suddenly confronted with how things have changed and he starts to appreciate how things were before. At the same time he is struck with the solitude of how, to outsiders, everything about his life seems pretty much the same. All they see is an empty bottle and they don't understand what that stands for. He must cope with his loss on his own.
beautiful song :)
Wow. i was born in 1990 and i have much appreciation for oldies music. this song stands out more than anyother song from that time and genera. way better than any Beatles song. The chorus is just so beautiful. Great song!
Alan Oldie is right on target. Young man lost the love of his life for whatever reason. He is not sure why, neighbors can't know. He is just heartbroken and leaves the message to the milkman, "no milk today", because his love has gone away. The house, once a shrine to his queen, is now dark and lonely, just two up, two down.
Alan Oldie is right on target. Young man lost the love of his life for whatever reason. He is not sure why, neighbors can't know. He is just heartbroken and leaves the message to the milkman, "no milk today", because his love has gone away. The house, once a shrine to his queen, is now dark and lonely, just two up, two down.
I agree with ehoff14 and others that this is an unusually beautifull song from a group typically associated with glib "pop" music. If you have ever had your heart crushed by lost love, this song...
I agree with ehoff14 and others that this is an unusually beautifull song from a group typically associated with glib "pop" music. If you have ever had your heart crushed by lost love, this song hits home.
I don't know for sure, that's why I came here. Maybe there was no milk because the girl (or man, or boy or whatever) left his house early and drank the milk that was at the door...
I have been wondering what it means thanks glamorous*sunrise
Can I just say, this is a gerat, beautiful song. I hate it when you try to tell someone about a great oldie and all they can say is "OMG, THAT SONG IS SOOOOOOOOOOO OLD!"
Its sickening "THAT SONG IS SO LAST YEAR" when it had only been released last week.
Peace to you people who commented; Oiram, glamorous*sunrise, travelerbird123, zell and peace to shut for putting the lyrics up.
Yeah, you're right. I'm 17 years old and I love the music of the 60ies and 70ies. It just goes on my nerves when other people say that I'm too young for this music. I'm sorry to tell but the biggest part of the music stuff that is made today just makes me sick ;)
Yeah, you're right. I'm 17 years old and I love the music of the 60ies and 70ies. It just goes on my nerves when other people say that I'm too young for this music. I'm sorry to tell but the biggest part of the music stuff that is made today just makes me sick ;)
No Milk Today is a real classic for me, I loved listening to this catchy tune since my early youth :) I wasn't that sure about the meaning of the song, but I guess glamorous*sunrise is right.
No Milk Today is a real classic for me, I loved listening to this catchy tune since my early youth :) I wasn't that sure about the meaning of the song, but I guess glamorous*sunrise is right.
I think the song is about a man who has just been dumpt by his big breasted girlfriend. She dumpt him, decause she realised that she's a lesbian.
I think tragedy struck his wife.