Allo Darlin' are many things. They can turn a room in a famous punk venue i… Read Full Bio ↴Allo Darlin' are many things. They can turn a room in a famous punk venue into a joyous, jumping, sweaty, pop-mosh pit. Or bring a room of 500 to hushed silence with the few strums of a ukulele and a love song about cooking. They're close friends that found each other and the music they make in London. Elizabeth Morris and Bill Botting are from Australia, Mikey Collins and Paul Rains are from Kent. They've only been playing seriously as a band since January 2009, although Elizabeth has been releasing music under various guises since 2007.

In that time, they've been signed to one of the great indie labels, played sold-out shows in Germany and Sweden, wowed the crowds at the Indietracks and Swn festivals, toured the UK and recorded an album. They've received airplay on BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 music and XFM, and had glowing reviews in places such as the Metro, The Fly and The Guardian, the latter calling their Henry Rollins Don't Dance single on WeePOP! Records "the best indiepop song for years".

Their first single for Fortuna Pop!, The Polaroid Song, was released in December 2009. That song made it into the Drowned in Sound Top 50 Singles of the Year, and garnered them further great reviews. "I'm sort of scared at how brilliant Allo Darlin' are, and could be. Disarming and self-effacing they might be, but when they smack you square on the nose with a pop song so instantly loveable as The Polaroid Song it makes my jaw drop in awe." (A Layer of Chips blog)

Their debut album Allo Darlin' was released in June 2010, and another single Dreaming was preceded this in March. The album was recorded at Soup with producer Simon Trought, underneath the Duke of Uke shop in Brick Lane.

The band amicably disbanded in 2016.

If Loneliness Was Art
Allo Darlin' Lyrics

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You've been on your own as long as I recall
If loneliness was art, I could hang you from the wall
In some Berlin hall
It doesn't matter where you've been or who you have been with
It's like the Just Joans said: "you're oh so sensitive!"
In that jumper, in that t-shirt

This situation has to change

Can you feel the pulse
My heavy heart race?
Some day I'm going to be your girl
One fine day: I'm going to be your girl

Shalalalala...

When I'm all alone I find a map of the world
Zoom in on your island 'til the pixels form
Have some booze 'til I can't see you

This situation has to change
Can you feel the pulse
My heavy heart race?
Some day, I'm going to be your girl
One fine day, you're going to make me your girl

Shalalalala...

We make believe that our hearts are never shot
And somehow you've convinced me that I'm pretty when I'm not
Everybody I know wants to be your friend
But I just want to hold you when the music ends
That's all, all I ask
Is that too crass?

This situation has to change
Can you feel the pulse
My heavy heart race?
Some day I'm going to be your girl
One fine day, you're going to make me your girl

Shalalalala...

Overall Meaning

The song "If Loneliness Was Art" by Allo Darlin' is a melancholic yet hopeful tune that speaks to the feelings of isolation and longing for connection that many people experience. The song begins by describing the loneliness of the person the singer is addressing, saying that they have been alone for a long time. The singer then compares this person to a piece of art that they could hang on the wall in a Berlin gallery if loneliness were considered art. This line suggests that the person's isolation is so striking that it is almost impressive in its intensity.

The next few lines reference a song by The Just Joans, another indie pop band known for their pithy and witty lyrics. The line "you're oh so sensitive" comes from The Just Joans' song "Some Boys Are Bigger Than Others," which is itself a reference to a song by The Smiths. The singer seems to be suggesting that the person they are addressing is particularly sensitive or emotional, and perhaps this is part of why they have trouble connecting with others.

The chorus of the song is a declaration of the singer's desire to be with this person, and the hope that someday they will be together. The "shalalalala" that follows the chorus is a classic pop hook that is both catchy and bittersweet. The bridge of the song finds the singer alone with a map of the world, zooming in on the island where the person they long for is located. They drink to forget their loneliness, but they can't forget the person they love.

Overall, "If Loneliness Was Art" is a poignant and relatable song that speaks to the deep human desire for connection and intimacy. It captures the feeling of being alone in a crowded room, and the longing for someone who understands you and makes you feel less lonely.

Line by Line Meaning

You've been on your own as long as I recall
I remember you being alone for a long time

If loneliness was art, I could hang you from the wall In some Berlin hall
You seem to be an expert in loneliness, if it were a category, you would be the best artist in the field

It doesn't matter where you've been or who you have been with
Your past doesn't matter to me, I accept you for who you are

It's like the Just Joans said: "you're oh so sensitive!"
Just like the quote, you are extremely sensitive

In that jumper, in that t-shirt
You look adorable in your outfit

This situation has to change Can you feel the pulse My heavy heart race?
I want our situation to change and to be with you so badly, it makes my heart race

Some day I'm going to be your girl One fine day: I'm going to be your girl
Eventually, I want to be your girlfriend

When I'm all alone I find a map of the world Zoom in on your island 'til the pixels form Have some booze 'til I can't see you
When I'm alone, I imagine finding you on a map and zooming in until I can see you clearly. Then I drink until you disappear

We make believe that our hearts are never shot And somehow you've convinced me that I'm pretty when I'm not Everybody I know wants to be your friend But I just want to hold you when the music ends That's all, all I ask Is that too crass?
We pretend like our hearts have never been broken and you make me feel pretty even when I don't feel that way. While everyone else wants to be your friend, I just want to be close to you when the night ends. Is it too much to ask?

Shalalalala...
This is the chorus that repeats throughout the song

Contributed by Sebastian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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