Our favorite British pop scamp, whose 2006 hit “Smile” took the ex-baiting revenge song to impossibly cheery new heights, is apparently all grown up. On her second album, It’s Not Me, It’s You, she denounces drugs (“Everyone’s at It”) and consumerism (“The Fear”) and even addresses God (“Him”). But if she’s a bit more serious in song, Lily Allen remains as tart as ever when discussing drinking, the gossip columns, and a certain man who flopped in the bedroom.
You’ve been leading a healthier lifestyle lately. What do you miss about partying?
I don’t actually miss anything about it. I suppose when I used to go out and get drunk, it was out of boredom, really. I’ve taken the decision not to drink anymore because I don’t like giving people ammunition to use against me. So I stopped, and I haven’t found it in the least difficult, because I’m not an alcoholic.
Obviously you get written about a lot in gossip columns. Do you like to read about other celebrities?
I don’t like to read about them—I like to look at the pictures. I know from being featured in them that most of the stuff there is pure speculation. So I don’t believe what I read.
Is it true you plan on moving into acting once this album is released?
Uh, no. Absolutely not true.
Your father is a comedian and actor. Did you learn from him as a performer?
No, we don’t have family meetings about performing. I wanted to do things on my own.
“Not Fair” is about a man who can’t give a woman an orgasm. is there some guy out there who’s about to feel embarrassed?
The person in question has already heard the song, and he didn’t think it was about him. He’s got too much of an ego.
