Lynch had many UK hit singles in the early 1960s, including the two top-tens "Up on the Roof" in December 1962 and "You Can Never Stop Me Loving You" in June 1963. In addition, he has written songs for others — notably Small Faces' #3 hit "Sha-La-La-La-Lee" with legendary American songwriter Mort Shuman.
His numerous TV appearances include roles in Celebrity Squares, Room at the Bottom and Curry and Chips as well as minor parts in Z-Cars, The Sweeney, Til Death Us Do Part and Treasure Hunt.
Known for charity work, Lynch has often played in charity football matches and Michael Parkinson's 'Celebrity Cricket' fundraisers.
Whilst on a coach with the Beatles (on tour with Helen Shapiro), Lynch reportedly offered to help them write a song, but quickly became frustrated and criticised their ability to compose music - see From Me to You. Years later he appeared on the cover of Wings 1973 album Band on the Run, along with other celebrities. He attended the funeral of Alan Ball on May 3rd , 2007.
In 2018, Lynch had a concert tour with Jimmy Tarbuck and Anita Harris, as well as appearing in ITV's Last Laugh in Vegas.
Puff
Kenny Lynch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And then when we came home I turned the lights down low
Just when I held you tight I felt my poor heart sink
Cause you had jumped up and left me quick as a wink
Was it a trick?
Was it a joke?
Your love went up, right up in smoke
Your love went up, up, up and my heart broke
Baby I held my breath it lasted shaking then
Cause when you left my arms love vanished in the air
I heard the front door slam and though I cried your name
Our love went up in smoke my dreams went down the drain
Was it a trick?
Was it a joke?
Your love went up, right up in smoke
Your love went up, up, up and my heart broke
What made you act so strange, was it that magic show?
Why did you disappear where did you really go
Perhaps a crystal ball will help me understand
Or was it witchcraft baby or a sleight of hand
Was it a trick?
Was it a joke?
Your love went up, right up in smoke
Your love went up, up, up and my heart broke
Your love went up, up, up right up in smoke
Your love went up, up, up and my heart broke
Your love went up, up, up
Kenny Lynch's song "Puff (Up In Smoke)" is a tale of heartbreak and confusion at a sudden break-up. The song begins by recounting a night out to see a magic show, followed by a romantic evening at home with the singer's love interest. However, the mood suddenly turns as the chorus repeats the lament that "your love went up, right up in smoke" and left the singer heartbroken. The song continues with the singer struggling to understand what caused the break-up, wondering if it was related to the magic show they had seen or perhaps "witchcraft baby or a sleight of hand."
The song's lyrics play with the idea of magic and illusion and ultimately suggest that the singer's love interest disappeared as if by magic, leaving the singer feeling deceived and confused. The repetition of the phrase "up in smoke" emphasizes the suddenness and finality of the break-up, as if the love had simply vanished into the air like smoke from a fire. The use of theatrical imagery and the theme of magic also lends a sense of drama and mystery to the song, suggesting that the break-up was not merely a simple matter of falling out of love.
Overall, "Puff (Up In Smoke)" is a poignant and emotionally resonant song that captures the feeling of heartbreak and confusion that can arise when a relationship ends suddenly and unexpectedly.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night I took you out to see a magic show
I took you out for a fun time last night to see an entertaining magic show.
And then when we came home I turned the lights down low
When we came back to my place, I set a romantic mood by dimming the lights.
Just when I held you tight I felt my poor heart sink
While embracing you tightly, I suddenly felt sadness in my heart.
Cause you had jumped up and left me quick as a wink
But before I knew it, you had jumped up and abruptly left.
Was it a trick?
I wondered if this sudden exit was a trick, an illusion or a deception.
Was it a joke?
Or maybe it was all just a joke, a prank or a humorous act.
Your love went up, right up in smoke
In any case, your love for me disappeared into thin air, vanished or evaporated.
Baby I held my breath it lasted shaking then
I couldn't believe what happened and held my breath, with my body trembling in disbelief.
Cause when you left my arms love vanished in the air
The moment you left my embrace, all the love and affection we had for each other dissipated into nothingness.
I heard the front door slam and though I cried your name
As you ran away and slammed the front door, I called out your name but you didn't respond.
Our love went up in smoke my dreams went down the drain
Our relationship suddenly ended and all my dreams, hopes or aspirations for us disappeared also.
What made you act so strange, was it that magic show?
I pondered on what caused your odd behavior, maybe it was something you saw at the magic show?
Why did you disappear where did you really go
I wondered why you vanished like that, and where you went to afterwards.
Perhaps a crystal ball will help me understand
Maybe I need to use divination or clairvoyance to have a clearer insight into what happened.
Or was it witchcraft baby or a sleight of hand
It's possible that some kind of sorcery, magic or deception was at play.
Your love went up, up, up right up in smoke
In any case, your love disappeared quickly and completely, like smoke rising up.
Your love went up, up, up and my heart broke
This sudden loss of love hurt me a lot, it caused my heart to break or shatter.
Your love went up, up, up
I emphasize again how completely and rapidly your love disappeared into nothing.
Writer(s): Florence Kaye, Bernie Baum
Contributed by Charlotte F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jeffk2053
Puff
Kenny Lynch Lyrics
Last night I took you out to see a magic show
And then when we came home I turned the lights down low
Just when I held you tight I felt my poor heart sink
Cause you had jumped up and left me quick as a wink
Was it a trick?
Was it a joke?
Your love went up, right up in smoke
Your love went up, up, up and my heart broke
Baby I held my breath it lasted shaking then
Cause when you left my arms love vanished in the air
I heard the front door slam and though I cried your name
Our love went up in smoke my dreams went down the drain
Was it a trick?
Was it a joke?
Your love went up, right up in smoke
Your love went up, up, up and my heart broke
What made you act so strange, was it that magic show?
Why did you disappear where did you really go
Perhaps a crystal ball will help me understand
Or was it witchcraft baby or a sleight of hand
Was it a trick?
Was it a joke?
Your love went up, right up in smoke
Your love went up, up, up and my heart broke
Your love went up, up, up right up in smoke
Your love went up, up, up and my heart broke
Your love went up, up, up
@darrenburnfan
2 minutes and 45 seconds of pure magic...which is what singles were all about fifty or more years ago. I loved the fantastic sound of this record when I first heard it as a 15 years old young man in 1962 and it still sounds just as good today. What a brilliant arrangement and backing and a great vocal by Kenny Lynch. One of the best! But amazing that it never got higher in the charts at the time.
@johnnewton3335
we love Kenny lynch yet this is the first time ive ever heard this, how different is that?
wonderful, thanks.
@racine09
A work of genius!
@1962Rebel
I had this 45 single back in 1962. I still can't understand why Kenny Lynch wasn't more successful than getting to the lower reaches of the top thirty charts of the time. His biggest hit was You Can Never Stop Me Loving You which got into the top twenty in the summer of 1963. Thanks for the posting.
@chrismaton01
I bought this in 1962 and have just listened to it on the day he died. Still brilliant!
@John-lf7vs
Christopher- its my fave too. And I am listening to it on the day Kenny’s passed. I am requesting Gary Jackson to play it on his Big L show next Sunday. He does a feature ‘3 Before the Beatles’ - This is a classic!!!
@sovebrooker382
I bought this 7" from a charity shop in Peckham in the early 90s. We ran a club for ten years in Brixton - soul/funk/jazz/hip-hop - this record was always the final tune of the evening and it always sounded amazing. Not just crazy strings and great singing but top flight mastering and press. RIP Kenny
@racine09
Love that bizarre backing!
@andyconnell1741
Great atmospheric song classily rendered.
@caronmurphy6491
Such an atmospheric song. Feels almost like I should be at the fair having my fortune told.....