Lily Allen: '22'

Between the chatshow gig, modelling jobs and forays into the jewellery business, it's easy to forget that Lily Allen lists "popstar" as her day job. Thankfully, she's now taking a break from her ceaseless Twittering to release '22', the third single from her sophomore album It's Not Me, It's You.

A song about a Bridget Jones-type everywoman, albeit five years younger and much more angsty, it features some of Allen's best ever lyrics. "It's sad but it's true how society says her life is already over," she sings, pondering a girl in a dead-end job, approaching 30 and still dreaming of Mr Right. It's a shame, then, that the track is undermined slightly by Allen's nursery rhyme melodies, which were original and quirky in 2007 but are now starting to lose their charm.


> Click here to read our review of It's Not Me, It's You

More: Lily Allen, Music, Gay Spy

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Ross, on December 19th, 2010
She can't sing.

redhat sydney, on October 26th, 2009
When "she's almost 30 and she doesn't have a boyfriend, and a career= her life is already over?" this beautiful Life has a lot, a lot things worth living for besides love and career.the lyrics' meaning is a negative outlook. I don't like this song's lyrics, it sounds lower woman's self respect. English is not my native language, i just give my own opinion.

anna , uk, on August 31st, 2009
oh dear, i think the lyrics are really negative and clearly written by someone with no idea what its like to be nearly 30, and single, i am this and in no way at all do i feel my life is over! in fact, it's just beginning.

rosemary dublin ireland, on August 29th, 2009
Fantastic album, i've never bought any Lily records before but now i will buy her first. i love the catchy melodies and her really don't give a s**t attitude, she is a genius and will be aroung for a long time, she is the genuine article.

Dylan, Birmingham, on August 24th, 2009
It may have been easy to forget that she was a popstar a few months ago - before her massive selling number on single, number one album, and numerous festival gigs - but that really isn't the case now DS.

Jake, Preston, on August 23rd, 2009
Lily Allen is by far one of the best singers and songwriters out there; i think Digital spy need to learn that. Why are singers like Brintey, who dont even write their own songs, get better reviews? oh, and before you try and criticise her 'nursery rhymes melodies' i think you should check your dates properly, Lily's first songs and album came out in 2006..

miles pearce basingstoke, on August 23rd, 2009
first of all this song lacks the greatness of not fair, her previous song and in my opinion her best one to date. it's a bit dull but as it's lily allen it desrves an okay chart placing.

One&Only X, on August 21st, 2009
I agree. All her songs sound like nursery rhymes. Just boring and bland now. But this way better than Not Fair. Oh P.S. I thought was only famous for her big gob and her dad.

Samantha, on August 17th, 2009
"the track is undermined slightly by Allen's nursery rhyme melodies". I agree with everyone below, it's what makes Lily Allen herself! So in fact, she's done a brilliant job making a catchy song!

Megs Sussex, on August 16th, 2009
I knew the lyrics to this song after listening to it for about 5 hours constantly lol. It's very catchy and me and my friends play in the car all the time at the moment when we're driving around. Big summer song! I don't mind the 'nursery rhyme melodies', it's what makes lily LILY tbh.

carol, on August 15th, 2009
when she was 22 the...future looked bright.she's nearly 30 now and, she's...out everynight, i see that look in her face she...s got that look in her (eye).she's thinking how did i get here...and wondering (why?) it's sad but it's true how society says her life is already over... (over) there's nothing to do and there's nothing to...say till the man of her dreams comes along,picks her up...and puts her over his shoulder...it seem's so unlikely in this day... + age she's got an alright job but... it's not career whenever she thinks about (it)... (it) brings her to tears CLASS TUNE ( =

Seb, Dublin, on August 15th, 2009
I don't think you peeps at Digital Spy understand the magic of Lily Allen. You gave "Not Fair"a similarly average review and criticized this single for its "nursery rhyme melodies". Thats the charm of Lily, that she is singing about these serious, adult issues then giving it a childish tune. Best example is "F**k You.

Mark, UK, on August 15th, 2009
Yeah i agree.....its a good enough song but does society say your life is over at 30??? She's making a social issue where there isn't one if you ask me lol

Bryn, on August 15th, 2009
I think it deserves a little more than 3 stars, I normally don't like Lily Allen's type of music but this is very good.

<3, on August 15th, 2009
I love this song. So amazing. It's been on repeat on my ipod since I got the album in February and I still love it. I do think she should release Back To The Start next though =) x

Christina, on August 15th, 2009
I love this song! It's catchy and the lyrics are so true and brilliant. It's not perfect and she sounds kind of monotone, but I still like it!

Ben Kuwas, Houghton, on August 15th, 2009
i love this song, its catchy and a cool meaning for a song, not a break up song for once :D

Natalie from Kent, on August 15th, 2009
This is not Lily's best effort and the video is pretty weak. I think it would have been better for her to release Back To The Start. It is probably her weakest song choice from the album.