The band consisted of Joe Carnall (lead vocals/bass), Louis Carnall (vocals/rhythm guitar), Tom Rowley (lead guitar) and Joe Green (drummer). They produced ear-grabbing riffs and essential Melodies, underpinned by the raw tones of the mod-punk era, which epitomises the youthfulness and abundant potential of the band. Milburn's sound has most recently been described as the aggressive riffs of the Jam, with a touch of ska mixed with the hooks and sound of modern contemporaries such as the Libertines and Razorlight.
The first vibrations of a buzz surfaced well back in 2002 when Milburn twice sold out the Boardwalk, a local venue respected nationwide, playing to a 350 capacity each time. 2002 also saw the band showcase for a band development programme at Sheffield's Red Tape Studio's. They were chosen to enter the programme from a selection of around 70 local acts and gathered essential recording and performance experience over that period. They went on to play successful gigs at the famous Cavern Club venue in Liverpool, The Garage in London and the Leadmill, Sheffield supporting Laika Dog (new band of Tony Wright (ex Terrorvision) and Cosmic Rough Riders.
July 2003 saw the recording and distribution of a demo which coincided with Milburn's biggest gig at the time; Over 600 people at the Nelson Mandela building at Sheffield Hallam, followed by a further appearance at The Music Box in Manchester. After a further sell out late 2003 at the boardwalk, the band were invited to perform as part of a youth development at In The City.
The band have used their gigging time to develop their performance and most importantly, their music and are not developing that essential sound. Their next demo, Lipstick Lickin', was regarded as their finest to date gaining rave reviews and earning radio time on Zane Lowe's show on Radio 1.
Milburn released their second album These Are The Facts on 24 September 2007 whilst releasing the first single from this album "What Will You Do (When the Money Goes)?" beforehand on 17 September.
Milburn promoted this new album with a UK tour running from 13 September to 28 September ending with a hugely anticipated home-coming gig at The Leadmill in Sheffield on the last night of the tour which sold out in just 3 days.
The latest gigs that Milburn played were at the Sheffield Octagon on 29 November 2007, which they headlined, and the Doncaster Dome on 30 November 2007 where they supported The Pigeon Detectives.
Milburn announced on 28th March 2008 that they have decided to call it a day with the band, however 'there’s been no malice or falling out between us and we still remain friends and supporters of each other as we move on and explore new musical horizons.'.
What You Could've Won
Milburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you fetch my coat?
'Cause I don't feel too great anymore
But I want to stay
Don't you want to stay as well?
I don't think that you do
I've got this funny feeling
This conversation's just passing you by
I know it, I can see it in your eyes
You've had one too many, low and behold
You're telling the secrets that can't be told
It feels so special, it feels so right
But then you knock me back and I fall
I fall to the floor
And all he wanted was a kiss
All he wanted was a chance tonight
I'm walking home, I'm pissed and I'm frozen
My minds being warmed up
By that little token of you
In your little way
But they're sleeping in your today
And now beeps the phone
I fumble round to answer
But I end up with it on hold
Late night taxis keep passing me by
I feel sick and look to the sky
I've had one too many, low and behold
The late night lovers stay out in the cold
I ring your number and feel so bold
You kick me into touch and I fall to the floor
And all he wanted was a kiss
All he wanted was a chance tonight
And yeah, your ignorance was bliss
Your ignorance was paradise
Just give him a chance
Just give him a sign or something
Tell him what you want
'Cause before too long he'll find somebody else
It's then that you'll know you want him more
You call his name and he doesn't respond
He knocks you back and you fall
You're not just a number upon a computer
Or a waiting list
You're not just a number upon a computer
Or a shopping list
The song "What You Could've Won" by Milburn is a melancholic reflection on a missed opportunity for connection with someone. The singer seems to be at a bar and wants to stay longer with the person in question. However, he senses that she is not interested in continuing the conversation and that she is too drunk to understand what is going on. The singer then leaves the bar and calls the woman, but she rejects him. The final verse is a plea from the singer to the woman to tell him what she wants before he moves on to someone else.
The lyrics express a sense of emptiness, longing, and regret. The singer wants more out of the situation, but it seems out of his control. He is left with a sense of “what if” and “what could have been.” The song captures a universal feeling of wanting something that is just out of reach.
The chorus, with its upbeat tempo and catchy melody, adds a layer of irony to the song. The lyrics mention that “all he wanted was a kiss” and “all he wanted was a chance tonight,” but it is clear that this chance will not happen. The chorus is a reminder of what could have been, and underscores the missed opportunity for connection.
Line by Line Meaning
It's closing time and it's getting late
The night is coming to an end and time is running out
Can you fetch my coat?
Could you please help me get my coat?
'Cause I don't feel too great anymore
I'm not feeling well anymore
But I want to stay
I don't want the night to end yet
Don't you want to stay as well?
Don't you feel the same way?
I don't think that you do
I don't believe that you share my feelings
I've got this funny feeling
I have a strange intuition
That you don't feel like I do
That you don't have the same emotions as me
This conversation's just passing you by
You're not really engaging in this conversation
I know it, I can see it in your eyes
I can tell by your expression
You've had one too many, low and behold
You've had too much to drink
You're telling the secrets that can't be told
You're sharing confidential information
It feels so special, it feels so right
There's a sense of excitement and intimacy
But then you knock me back and I fall
But then you reject me and I feel hurt
I fall to the floor
I feel defeated and overwhelmed
All he wanted was a kiss
He just wanted a simple gesture of affection
All he wanted was a chance tonight
He was hoping for an opportunity to connect
I'm walking home, I'm pissed and I'm frozen
I'm walking home drunk and cold
My mind's being warmed up
I'm reminiscing about our interaction
By that little token of you
By that small reminder of you
In your little way
In your own unique manner
But they're sleeping in your today
But you're busy with your current life
And now beeps the phone
And now the phone is ringing
I fumble round to answer
I struggle to answer the phone
But I end up with it on hold
But I accidentally put it on hold
Late night taxis keep passing me by
Taxis are passing me by and not stopping
I feel sick and look to the sky
I feel nauseous and gaze up at the sky
The late night lovers stay out in the cold
People are still out looking for love at night
I ring your number and feel so bold
I call you even though I feel nervous
You kick me into touch and I fall to the floor
You reject me again and I feel defeated
And yeah, your ignorance was bliss
Your ignorance of my feelings was easier for me to handle
Your ignorance was paradise
Not knowing how you felt was like paradise for me
Just give him a chance
Please consider giving him an opportunity
Just give him a sign or something
Let him know if you're interested or not
Tell him what you want
Communicate your desires and feelings
Before too long he'll find somebody else
If you wait too long, he will move on
It's then that you'll know you want him more
You'll realize how much you want him only after he's gone
You call his name and he doesn't respond
You reach out to him but he doesn't answer
You knock him back and you fall
You reject him and he feels hurt
You're not just a number upon a computer
You're a real person with emotions and desires
Or a waiting list
You're not just waiting for someone to choose you
Or a shopping list
You're not an object to be bought or traded
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH CARNALL, JOSEPH THOMAS GREEN, LOUIS IAN CARNALL, THOMAS LEE ROWLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tony Cal
Lads this will always be a massive tune.
One of the first tunes i learnt on guitar back in 07, or 08
Hamsun Frish
What a great band🫶
TheAstronomyFloyd
Do you have the version of the video on the floor of the nightclub?
Ian Boyle
@TheAstronomyFloyd I may have it somewhere...bear with me pal
TheAstronomyFloyd
@Robert Corby nah the one where he’s on the floor of a nightclub underneath a stampede and then a girl also falls to the floor later in the video along with the rest of the band members
Robert Corby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clSIb05dpn8
ittipol jarulukkana
why you just posted this, r u guys gonna comeback soon?
Dr.Kauffman
Yeah, Tom Rowley collaborated with Alex Turner for new AM7 :3
Chris Williamson
Clown reminds me of The Reverend! Is it Jon?
paulstreet86
Seriously, what is this?