Music Details
Artist
Label
Genre
More details
See more music reviews

It's Not Me, It's You (by Lily Allen, Pop)

common sense media says

Excellent singer-songwriter delves into mature topics.

parents & educators say
See all 14 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this album is full of smart observations that most young people, particularly girls, will identify with. However, Allen covers some mature topics, especially when it comes to sex. She talks about one-night stands, selfish lovers, and using men for sex.

Positive messages: Sometimes the subject matter is mature -- sexual frustration, casual sex, etc. -- but Allen usually supplies a well balanced look at the subject matter and provides social commentary on many issues. "it's sad but it's true how society says, her life is already over, there's nothing to do and there's nothing to say, 'til the man of her dreams comes along, picks her up and puts her over his shoulder."
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: On "Not Fair" Allen sings about a sexually frustrating relationship in great detail: "There's just one thing that's getting in the way, when we go up to bed you're just no good, its such a shame...And then you make this noise and it's apparent it's all over...Oh I lie here in the wet patch In the middle of the bed, I'm feeling pretty damn hard done...I spent ages giving head." Many of the other songs discuss various aspects of sex, like booty calls and affairs.
Language: The word s--t is bandied about through several of the songs. In the song "F--k You" she drops the F-bomb a total of 27 times. But in her defense, the song is about dissing people who hate others based on race or sexual orientation.
Consumerism: Allen satirically discusses consumer culture on "The Fear:" and I am a weapon of massive consumption, and it's not my fault it's how I'm programmed to function."
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: "Everyone's On It" discusses drug use with Allen's trademark nonchalance. "I'm not try'na say that I'm smelling of roses, but when will we tire of putting s--t up our noses." And this, on the prevalence of prescription drugs: "From grown politicians, to young adolescents, prescribing themselves anti-depressants, How can we start to tackle the problem, if you don't put your hands up, and admit that you're on them?"
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on It's Not Me, It's You

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about how Lily Allen differs from other female pop singers like Britney Spears or Lady GaGa. How does Allen discuss topics of sexuality differently than other pop divas? Do you think Allen rebels against certain pop music conventions or do you think she fits in with what's expected of female singers?

What's the story?

What's the story?

After making a public blogging plea for fans to buy her album in the hopes of making it to the top of the charts, Lily Allen has achieved her goal. Her second album, IT'S NOT ME, IT'S YOU reached number one in both the US and UK. The album is a collection of a dozen tracks that takes listeners on a slightly serious trip through Allen's musings about love, politics, shopping, religion, and everything in between.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

With lines like "...I'm not a saint, but I'm not a sinner, now everything is cool as long as I'm getting thinner," Lily Allen's clever, irreverent writing takes center stage with her sophomore CD. An appealing mix of edge and vulnerability makes the Brit singer-songwriter sing like that chatty girlfriend who you can always count on for an outlandish remark. "Not Fair" for example, shows what happens when bad sex happens to a good relationship, while "Who'd Have Known," captures the magic of budding love without being overly sweet: "Who'd have known? When you flash up on my phone...There's just the right amount of awkward."

Although most of the songs relate well to the real world, they might be too much for tweens and teens just beginning to come to terms with their own sexuality. The content is more appropriate for college-aged listeners who will probably be able to pick up on the satirical tone and won't take Allen's coy, sometimes controversial ideas to heart.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: February 9, 2009
Label: Capitol
Genre: Pop
Parental advisory: Yes
Edited version available: Yes
This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
 
 

Review It

 

Review It's Not Me, It's You

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

Spongebobelmodude
teen, 16 years old
11
 
Perfection
Although "Not Fair" is super innapropriate, the other songs are great. She really talks about what is happening truthfully, and not singing about tons of relationships and stuff. "22" is about how society glorifies women in their early 20s (Paris Hilton), and "F You" may be a little overdone with the F-bomb, but she is hating on people who hate on others for their sexual orientation or race, so she is telling them off in a good way. "Everyone's at It" says that we can't stop the flow of drugs unless people admit they are on them. Sex is overly sung about on "Not Fair" and "F You" is explicit in terms of language, but Lily is one of the few singers who sings about things in the world and really is fantastic!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (4)
zasderfght
teen, 14 years old
14
 
Lily Allen brings back her talent again
After the hit album "Alright, Still" her new album has a much more fresh taste. It is more mature in not just topics but in vulgarity. Lily Allen is still the bad mouth that made her stand out. The album definitely has some stand out tracks such as "F*** you" and "The fear". I would highly recommend this album if you like Lily Allen's previous work or if you are in the mood for a good album. While the album has explicit content you can purchase it clean. How bad is the content? Mrs. Allen drops the f bomb a total of 14 times (12 were uttered in F*** you), 1 scatological term and 1 mild obscenity. In the song "Not fair" she makes 7 sexual references. For sexual content, Not fair talks about the shame of not having an affair. For violence Allen makes about 2 violent references in The Fear.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (5) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (1)
PYEsinc
teen, 14 years old
13
 
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
luv2sing0723
teen, 15 years old
13
 
Clean Versions are Fine For 13+
I am 13 and I listen to Lily Allen songs but the only way my mom lets me listen is if they are the Clean version. I agree with Common Sense, 16+ if they listen to the explicit version but most songs like Littlest Things (which is perfectly clean), Smile, and The Fear are fine. I find Alfie very catchy but it mentions drugs and smoking a lot so that one is a bit iffy. But otherwise, if you listen to the clean versions of her songs it's fine for 13+!!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
ToujoursPurSang
teen, 18 years old
12
 
A clever and witty album.
I love this album, she is quite an interesting song writer. She forms a glamour and then shatters it in her music, it usually starts off light and almost calm and then it shatters and goes deep down to the bone.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
zacharysm148
teen, 14 years old
14
 
Great album if you're mature enough for it.
This album is awesome! It has great messages about dissing racists and drugs and Allen's a good role model. The only thing, though, is that she loves cussing, particularly the words f--k and sh-t (f--k siad for dramatic effect many times on the song "F--k You") and theres some strong sexual content on Not Fair ("You never made me come", "I spent ages giving head"). That's why I highly reccomend the clean version so that everyone can listen to this great album!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (1)
Yangy
teen, 15 years old
12
 
Fantastic album, better then the first. Obviously, language is an issue (eg. F--K YOU) and the content is also inappropriate, but she harnesses this to create a catchy tune that has you singing along to her outrageous lyrics. What drives me insane is where music stations change the lyrics to censor out the swear words (eg. F--K YOU). The whole song is inappropriate, so why bother?!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (2)
kossu
teen, 16 years old
12
 
lol i think its 13
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
dvdemille
teen, 15 years old
14
 
I absolutley love lily allen. she is my favorite artist. she writes her own songs, she speaks her mind, and isnt fake. she is amazing
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (1)
nazz4ever
teen, 16 years old
15
 
its average.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (1)
smallfry99
kid, 12 years old
10
 
Most amazing album this year!
Amazing album that is ruined by Lily's constant swearing. I love the song f--- you but it's not really acceptable to say it 27 times. I think her songs are amazing but the languge is sometimes too much
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
528Moviechick
teen, 14 years old
13
 
AWSOME
Lily Allen is by far my favorite singer!! This CD is my fav CD!! U should so ut this!! GREAT SONGS
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
SomebodysMe
teen, 17 years old
17
 
Really not appropriate
Okay, so I actually haven't listened to this cd, but I am basing my review on the one from Pluggedinonline*. (Thanks guys!) Honestly, I don't think hearing the f-word repeated obsessively is really appropriate for anyone! The fame is a good song, though it can be taken out of context and be considered bad too!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (1)
Doodelium
kid, 13 years old
10
 
(Clean version)
I love this CD! It is better than her first one and all the songs are amazing! I love it so much, I listen to it all the time. If you liked the first one I guaruntee that you will like this one even more.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (2) | read my mind

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you add It's Not Me, It's You to your playlist?

Absolutely
Maybe
No way

Already listened to it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more music
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines