As music hall comedians, they would often feature a mixture of comedy and music in their act; this led to a successful recording career as a duo and roles in film and television. Flanagan and Allen were both also members of The Crazy Gang and worked with that team for many years concurrently with their double-act career.
Flanagan and Allen's songs featured the same, usually gentle, humour for which the duo were known in their live performances, and during the Second World War they reflected the experiences of ordinary people during wartime. Songs like 'We're Gonna Hang out the Washing on the Siegfried Line' mocked the German defences (Siegfried Line), while others like 'Miss You' sang of missing one's sweetheart during enforced absences. Other songs, such as their most famous, 'Underneath the Arches' (which Flanagan co-wrote with Reg Connelly), had universal themes such as friendship. The music was usually melodic, following a binary verse, verse chorus structure, with a small dance band or orchestra providing the accompaniment. The vocals were distinctive because while Flanagan was at least a competent singer and sang the melody lines, Allen used an almost spoken delivery to provide the harmonies.
Miss You
Flanagan & Allen Lyrics
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(Come on, talk to 'em, boys, hey)
I've been holding out so long
I've been sleeping all alone
Lord, I miss you (yeah)
I've been hanging on the phone
I've been sleeping all alone
Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Well, I've been haunted in my sleep
You've been starring in my dreams
Lord, I miss you, child
I've been waiting in the hall
Been waiting on your call
And when the phone rings
It's just some friends of mine that say
"Hey, what's the matter, man?
We're gonna come around at twelve
With some Puerto Rican girls that's just trying to meet you
We're gonna bring a case of wine
Let's go mess and fool around
You know, like we used to"
Ah, ah, ah-ah-ah
Ah, ah, ah-ah-ah
And oh, everybody waits so long, mm
And oh, baby, why you waitin' so long?
Won't you come on, come on? (Yeah)
I've been walkin' Central Park, singing after dark
And people think I'm crazy (yeah)
Stumbling on my feet and shuffling through the streets
Asking people, "What's the matter with you, boy?"
And sometimes, I want to say to myself, mm (yeah)
Sometimes I say
Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh (hey)
Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh (hey, let it ride, woo)
I guess I'm lying to myself
It's just you and no one else
But I won't miss you, child, no
You've been blotting out my mind
And fooling on my time
Hell, I won't miss you, baby
No, I won't miss you
Ah, ah, ah-ah-ah
No, I won't miss you, girl, no, woo)
Ah, ah, ah-ah-ah (ah, yeah)
'Cause this how it feels, y'all
Ah (I won't miss you)
Ah (I won't miss you, girl)
Ah-ah-ah (I won't miss you, no, I won't miss you, girl)
Ah (I won't miss you)
Ah (I won't miss you, girl)
Ah-ah-ah (no, no, no, no)
No, no, yeah yeah
No, I won't miss you, hey
No, no, no, no, no, woo
No, I won't miss you, baby
Nah, nah, sing it with me, y'all
Hey, I won't miss you
The lyrics of Flanagan and Allen's "Miss You" express the feelings of a heartbroken person who is drunk and missing their former lover. The singer describes their night at a bar, where they consume multiple drinks in an attempt to numb their pain. They hear a cover singer perform a song they used to enjoy, but it only reminds them of their lost love. The memory of their former partner is so strong that it consumes their mind, and they cannot stop thinking about them.
The singer admits they are lonely and too intoxicated to resist the urge to call their former partner. They see their ex's name on their phone screen, and it brings back all of their emotions. They apologize for reaching out like this but cannot stop themselves from trying to reconnect. They promise to hang up first because they do not want to hear their ex say goodbye again. Despite their attempts to move on, they still have unresolved feelings for their former lover.
"Miss You" is a song about heartbreak and the desire to reconnect with a former partner. It explores the impact that alcohol can have on someone's decision-making and emotions. The singer's loneliness and pain are palpable throughout the song, and the lyrics paint a picture of someone struggling to move on after a breakup.
Line by Line Meaning
Had a couple of Shiner Bocks
I drank a few bottles of Shiner Bock beer.
A couple tequila shots
I took two shots of tequila.
At the bar down the block
I went to the bar that is located nearby.
Earlier tonight
I did this earlier in the evening.
Some cover singer sang
A performer played a cover song.
The Ray Lamontagne
The performer sang a song by Ray Lamontagne.
"You Are The Best Thing"
The performer sang the song called "You Are The Best Thing."
That song I used to like
I used to enjoy that song.
And it puts you on my mind
Hearing that song makes me think of you.
And I can't get you off of it
I can't stop thinking about you.
I know it's been a while
I realize it's been some time since we last spoke or saw each other.
But
However,
I'm a little drunk and I miss you
I drank too much and now I am feeling lonely and think of you.
I'm a little lonely, that's all
I feel isolated and wish I had someone to talk to or spend time with.
I'm a little too gone to not to
I am too drunk to resist the urge of contacting you.
And I'm sorry to call
I apologize for contacting you.
But your name on my screen is
I see your name showing up on my phone screen.
Starin' back at me
Your name seems to be looking back at me.
And most nights it ain't an issue
Normally this isn't a problem for me.
But baby tonight
But tonight,
I'm a little drunk and I miss you
I feel lonely and wish you were here with me.
And I keep playin' back
I keep recalling,
When I saw you last
The last time I saw you,
Hands down your back
I remember placing my hands on your back.
Like a movie in my head
This memory plays out like a movie in my mind.
I swear it's always like
It feels like,
Things are goin' fine
Everything is going well.
'Til tequila lime
Until I drank tequila with lime.
Brings you up again
That memory of you comes up again.
And just like that you're on my mind
Suddenly, you are on my thoughts again.
I can't get you off of it
I can't stop thinking about you.
I promise I'll hang up first
I assure you I will end the call first.
'Cause I don't wanna hear you say goodbye again
Because I don't want to hear you say goodbye to me once more.
I know it'll probably hurt
I understand how this will likely affect you emotionally.
But I'm
But still,
Whoa
An expression used to convey astonishment.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind