No milk today my love is gone away
The bottle stands forlorn a symbol of the dawn
No milk today it seems a common sight
But people passing by don't know the reason why

How could they know just what this message means
The end of all my hopes the end of all my dreams
How could they know a palace there had been
Behind the door where my love reigned as queen
No milk today it wasn't always so
The company was gay we turn'd night into day

But all that's left is a place dark and lonely
A terraced house in a mean street back of town
Becomes a shrine when I think of you only
Just two-up, two-down

No milk today it wasn't always so
The company was gay we turn'd night into day
As music played the faster did we dance
We felt it both at once the start of our romance

How could they know just what this message means
The end of all my hopes the end of all my dreams
How could they know a palace there had been
Behind the door where my love reigned as queen
No milk today my love is gone away
The bottle stands forlorn a symbol of the dawn

But all that's left is a place dark and lonely
A terraced house in a mean street back of town
Becomes a shrine when I think of you only
Just two-up, two-down

No milk today my love is gone away
The bottle stands forlorn a symbol of the dawn
No milk today it seems a common sight
But people passing by don't know the reason why

How could they know just what this message means
The end of all my hopes the end of all my dreams
How could they know a palace there had been
Behind the door where my love reigned as queen
No milk today it wasn't always so
The company was gay we turn'd night into day

But all that's left is a place dark and lonely
A terraced house in a mean street back of town
All that's left is a place dark and lonely
A terraced house in a mean street back of town

But all that's left is a place dark and lonely
A terraced house in a mean street back of town


Lyrics submitted by shut

No Milk Today Lyrics as written by Graham Gouldman

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION

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No Milk Today song meanings
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23 Comments

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  • +12
    Song Meaning

    "No Milk Today", In England, milk was delivered to the door in glass bottles and there was usually a regular order (Two pints please). The empty bottles were rinsed and left on the doorstep for the milkman to pick up with the next delivery. It wasn't unusual to leave a note in the top of a bottle for any variation ("one extra pint, please, we have company" or "No milk for the next week, we are away") "no milk today" was the most common, usually because for some reason the previous day's hadn't been used. Of course this matches in with the general thrust of the song. Only one person is living there now, the other has left, so not so much milk is being used, hence "No milk today, it seems a common sight But people passing by don't know the reason why" And in case you're wondering, "just two up, two down" describes a small english terraced house with two main rooms on the ground floor and two bedrooms above. I was brought up in a 'three up, two down' terraced house. So, the final meaning is that a couple were living together in a small, very working-class house, but their love made it a palace. But now she has left him and he is alone with only his memories.

    AlanOldieon August 06, 2009   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    Don't mean to sound condescending, but there's really only one meaning for this (I think). Back in the day, you had milk delivered in bottles to your front doorstep... and the girl moved out, so milk is no longer delivered where she used to live. The guy reminisces about all the fun they had at her place, but now it's just deserted, and he misses her. I really like this song, it's a more mature side to the band.

    glamorous*sunriseon January 15, 2005   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    I think the song is about a guy who lived together with a girl. Now she abandoned him. He is still adapting to the bachelor live. He doesn't cook nor takes care of himself. When he sees the abandoned milk bottle at his porch he is suddenly confronted with how things have changed and he starts to appreciate how things were before. At the same time he is struck with the solitude of how, to outsiders, everything about his life seems pretty much the same. All they see is an empty bottle and they don't understand what that stands for. He must cope with his loss on his own.

    stevedhondton March 07, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    beautiful song :)

    zellon December 05, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Two options: A. His girl has dumped him and eloped with the milkman. B. The singer and the milkman were lovers, and the milkman has left town.

    krakraon May 14, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Wow. i was born in 1990 and i have much appreciation for oldies music. this song stands out more than anyother song from that time and genera. way better than any Beatles song. The chorus is just so beautiful. Great song!

    EHoff14on January 14, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I don't know for sure, that's why I came here. Maybe there was no milk because the girl (or man, or boy or whatever) left his house early and drank the milk that was at the door...

    Oiramon April 08, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I have been wondering what it means thanks glamorous*sunrise

    travelerbird123on January 22, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Can I just say, this is a gerat, beautiful song. I hate it when you try to tell someone about a great oldie and all they can say is "OMG, THAT SONG IS SOOOOOOOOOOO OLD!"

    Its sickening "THAT SONG IS SO LAST YEAR" when it had only been released last week.

    Peace to you people who commented; Oiram, glamorous*sunrise, travelerbird123, zell and peace to shut for putting the lyrics up.

    lil rocker99on May 26, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think the song is about a man who has just been dumpt by his big breasted girlfriend. She dumpt him, decause she realised that she's a lesbian.

    terton August 13, 2006   Link

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