About the song
“No Milk Today” is a classic song by the British pop band Herman’s Hermits, written by the talented Graham Gouldman. Released as a single in the UK in October 1966, this track quickly captured the hearts of listeners with its catchy melody and poignant lyrics. The song was a commercial success, peaking at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart, and was paired with the B-side “My Reservation’s Been Confirmed.”
Herman’s Hermits, hailing from Manchester, became a prominent part of the British Invasion of the 1960s. Led by Peter Noone, their clean-cut image and upbeat pop tunes resonated with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. “No Milk Today” stands out in their discography for its unique blend of melancholy and pop sensibility.
The song’s lyrics tell a story of a broken relationship, using the metaphor of an empty milk bottle to symbolize the absence and void left behind. The line “no milk today, it seems a common sight, but people passing by don’t know the reason why” captures the sense of personal loss masked by everyday life. Gouldman’s songwriting shines through in the way he intertwines simple imagery with deeper emotional undertones.
Although “No Milk Today” was not released as a single in the United States, it gained popularity when it was included as the B-side to “There’s a Kind of Hush,” another hit by Herman’s Hermits. This double-sided release helped the song reach number 35 on the US charts in 1967, with the A-side climbing to number 4. Its success in Europe further solidified its status as one of the band’s most beloved tracks.
The song’s appeal lies in its relatability and the way it captures the universal experience of loss and moving on. Herman’s Hermits’ rendition, with Peter Noone’s distinctive vocals and the band’s polished instrumental arrangement, ensures that “No Milk Today” remains a timeless piece of pop history.
For older and educated audiences, “No Milk Today” serves as a nostalgic reminder of the 1960s pop era, when music was not only a form of entertainment but also a means of storytelling and emotional expression. The song’s enduring charm continues to resonate with listeners, proving that the themes of love and loss are timeless.
In revisiting “No Milk Today,” one can appreciate the craftsmanship of Graham Gouldman’s songwriting and the heartfelt performance by Herman’s Hermits. It stands as a testament to the band’s impact on pop music and their ability to touch the hearts of fans across generations.
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Lyrics
No milk today, my love has gone away
The bottle stands for lorn, 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 my hopes, the end of all my dreams
How could they know the 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’d turn 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’d turn 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 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 has gone away
The bottle stands for love, 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 has gone away
The bottle stands for love, 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 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’d turn night into day
But all that’s left is a place dark and lonely
A terraced house in a mean street back of town
Oh, all that’s left is a place dark and lonely
A terraced house in a mean street back of town
Oh, all that’s left is a place dark and lonely
A terraced house in a mean street back of town