Somewhere Only We Know#Lily Allen Version

The first demo was composed by Tim Rice-Oxley in about 2001. Rice-Oxley said that the song came from "hammering away on the piano" explaining

{{blockquote|I was thinking of something like David Bowie's "Heroes", which you drive along to a really rocking beat{{nbsp}}... It was one of the first things we recorded for the album.{{cite web|url=http://keaneshaped.co.uk/keane.at/articles/082.htm|title=Keane.at - Keane: The U.K.'s Next Great 'Hope' (Billboard.com)|first=Markus|last=Unger|website=Keaneshaped.co.uk|access-date=5 October 2018}}}}

It was first played on the guitar just before Dominic Scott left the band, and recorded as a demo the same year with a Yamaha CP-70 instead of the guitar. Keane recorded the final version in 2003 at the Helioscentric Studios, Rye, East Sussex for the album. Keane also played this song at the Live 8 concert in London, along with the single "Bedshaped".

A demo version of "Somewhere Only We Know" was leaked into the internet in 2004. This version features a different length (4:24) and an extra bridge. Chaplin's shouts near the coda of the final version do not feature in the demo.

"Somewhere Only We Know" is a traditional piano rock song. The piano is the most prominent instrument due to its harmonic and rhythmic role. It is played in quavers throughout the whole song, holding the tempo and the rhythmic pattern. The studio version is recorded in 87 bpm, and follows a {{music|time|4|4}} time signature – the most commonly-used in traditional rock songs. It is in the key of A major. The song form can be analysed as ABAB CBCB, a variation of the strophic form. The verse (A) chord progression is a plain (I-II-V), one of the most used chord progressions in music; the chorus (B) presents a (VI-III-IV-V) progression; the variation of the verse section (C) presents a (II-III-IV-V) progression.

The bassline was recorded by Rice-Oxley. When played live (up until 2007 with the arrival of bassist Jesse Quin), this song uses a pre-recorded bass, which is played in an Apple PowerBook G4. The 16-beat rhythm was made by Hughes.

The song was mixed by Mark "Spike" Stent. Three-inch pocket CDs were released as a limited edition of 1000, containing the B-side "Snowed Under" as well as links to receive a polyphonic ringtone via SMS. These copies are now{{when|date=June 2023}} valued at £20 due to their rarity.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}} This song was the first Keane item released on vinyl format. The records were numbered and limited to 5,000 copies, only sold in the United Kingdom. The B-side "Walnut Tree" was recorded during the James Sanger sessions at Les Essarts, Normandy, France.

The song's lyrics refer to Manser's Shaw, a place in Battle that Keane members used to visit in their childhood days and the site of the Battle of Hastings, fought on 14 October 1066. According to Rice-Oxley, they wrote the song after returning to Battle from London after failing to achieve musical success. The "pathway" referenced in the song refers to the trail between the house of Rice-Oxley's parents and the local pub.{{cite web |title=Keane - Somewhere only we know-Het verhaal achter het nummer | date=16 January 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NybW3Vy7tv8 |publisher=Top 2000 a gogo}}

Richard Hughes, Keane's drummer, offered the following explanation of the song on Chris Flynn's fansite:

{{cquote|We've been asked whether "Somewhere Only We Know" is about a specific place, and Tim has been saying that, for him, or us as individuals, it might be about a geographical space, or a feeling; it can mean something individual to each person, and they can interpret it to a memory of theirs...It's perhaps more of a theme rather than a specific message...Feelings that may be universal, without necessarily being totally specific to us, or a place, or a time...{{cite web|url=http://www.keaneshaped.co.uk/faq/#about|title=Keaneshaped - FAQ - What are the songs about? - Somewhere Only We Know|access-date=1 June 2006}}}}

; Snowed Under

The song talks about a place called "Manser's Shaw" in Battle, East Sussex where the band used to spend their childhood days. It was inspired by a poem.{{cite web|url=http://www.keaneshaped.co.uk/faq/#about|title=Keaneshaped - FAQ - What are the songs about? - Snowed Under|access-date=1 June 2006}}

"Snowed Under" was the only B-side played live during 2004, 2005, and early 2006, because of its appearance on the CD+DVD version of Hopes and Fears, as well as in the Japanese version{{cn|date=September 2024}} of it. Like "Walnut Tree", this song was mixed by Andy Green. "Snowed Under" also titles the band's debut album, with the line "someone who understands your hopes and fears".

; Walnut Tree

The lyrics talk about waiting for someone under a walnut tree, but Rice-Oxley has not given this meaning. It appeared on the Music from the OC: Mix 2 soundtrack. James Sanger is credited on this song for his contributions at his studios in France. This song was mixed by Andy Green.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

There are three music videos for this song:

; UK version

Keane appear coming out of a studio and taking a taxi. Then they come across a forest where the "simple thing" aliens live (called Roxleys by some fans).[http://217.154.142.24/keane/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3069] {{dead link|date=May 2014}}[http://217.154.142.24/keane/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27408] {{dead link|date=May 2014}} Each Roxley represents the spirit of a tree.

This international video was directed by Corin Hardy, produced by Kit Hawkins for White House Pictures, and shot between 22 and 23 November 2003. Hardy was influenced by the movie Princess Mononoke and created the "simple thing" aliens based on the "Kodama" appearing in that film.

The video saga starts with an image of a backstage door shortly before Keane walk through it with Tom holding a snare. They get into a British taxi cab. A little spirit (a "simple thing" alien) is inside the taxi. Then they arrive in a wooded area (in East Sussex, owned by Anthony Becvar, an acquaintance of Corin Hardy). The "simple thing" alien remains in the cab. They began walking through the forest, "an empty land", across a "fallen tree" and finally arrive at a stream. They are now playing the song in the stream. Near the end of the song, the little spirits, Roxleys, appear again and get closer to Keane. Finally, lights representing their hearts shine.

; United States version 1

The video is the same without the "simple thing" aliens.

; United States version 2 and other countries

This video was shot on 29 May 2004 in Hollywood, California, and directed by The Saline Project. The song kicks off and Keane are playing a gig on the stage with a photograph of a forest behind them. Soon, the photograph becomes real, and Keane are playing in the forest it represents. After the chorus, the forest becomes a city, and buildings start to grow. In the last chorus, it starts raining before converting into a forest again. The forest disappears, and then Keane are playing again on the stage.

The cover art, designed by Madefire and Alex Lake, represents maple leaves falling, as on the music video. It also relates to the themes of the B-sides, "Walnut Tree" and "Snowed Under". Although neither of these songs appear on the Hopes and Fears album, they are relatively well known due to live performances and soundtracks. The letters reading "KEANE" are also in the background, featuring the red leaves.{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}

Enhanced CD single

Catalogue number: CID849

The CD included two different wallpapers for the PC and the official UK release music video.

1. "Somewhere Only We Know" – 3:58
2. "Snowed Under" – 3:51
3. "Walnut Tree" – 3:40
4. "Somewhere Only We Know" (CD-ROM video) – 3:56

UK 7-inch vinyl

Catalogue number: IS849

1. "Somewhere Only We Know"
2. "Snowed Under"

UK 3-inch pocket CD

Released 19 July 2004. It included links for download polyphonic and real ringtones.

1. "Somewhere Only We Know"
2. "Snowed Under"

German enhanced CD single

Released 26 March 2004.

1. "Somewhere Only We Know"
2. "Snowed Under"

Spanish enhanced CD single

Released 16 April 2004.

1. "Somewhere Only We Know"
2. "Walnut Tree"
3. "Somewhere Only We Know" (video)

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Somewhere Only We Know"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2004|certyear=2015|access-date=2 October 2015}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|artist=Keane|title=Somewhere Only We Know|award=Platinum|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|access-date=29 June 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Keane|title=Somewhere Only We Know|id=13567|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|award=Platinum|access-date=29 June 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|artist=Keane|title=Somewhere Only We Know|award=Platinum|relyear=2004|certyear=2023|access-date=6 July 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|artist=Keane|title=Somewhere Only We Know|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|access-date=29 June 2024|id=12281}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|type=single|artist=Keane|title=Somewhere Only We Know|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2004|certyear=2025|id=file_2025-02-24-15-15-45.pdf|access-date=25 February 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2024|artist=Keane|title=Somewhere Only We Know|access-date=4 March 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Keane|title=Somewhere Only We Know|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|id=12530-131-1|access-date=17 May 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Keane|title=Somewhere Only We Know|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2004|certyear=2019}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Somewhere Only We Know

| cover = Lily Allen Somewhere Only We Know.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Lily Allen

| released = 10 November 2013

| album = Sheezus

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre = Pop

| length = 3:28

| label =

• Regal
• Parlophone

| writer =

• Tom Chaplin
• Richard Hughes
• Tim Rice-Oxley

| producer = Paul Beard

| prev_title = True Love

| prev_year = 2013

| next_title = Hard out Here

| next_year = 2013

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|mer6X7nOY_o|"Lily Allen {{!}} Somewhere Only We Know (John Lewis Christmas Advert)"}}}}

}}

In 2013, English singer Lily Allen released a cover version of the song. It was released on 10 November 2013 in the United Kingdom as a digital download through Parlophone and Regal Recordings. The song was selected as the soundtrack to the John Lewis 2013 Christmas advertisement. The song reached number one in the UK Singles Chart, becoming her third number-one single.{{cite web|url = http://www.nme.com/news/lily-allen/74031|title=Lily Allen tops Official UK Singles Chart with Keane cover|date=24 November 2013|work=NME.com|access-date=27 November 2013}} "Somewhere Only We Know" is included on Allen's third studio album, Sheezus.

A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the single were donated to Save the Children's Philippine Typhoon Appeal campaign.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153543371950191&set=a.419080615190.375445.117476785190&type=1 |title=Tijdlijnfoto's - Save the Children UK |publisher=Facebook |access-date=10 May 2014}}{{cite web|last=McCormack |first=Kirsty |url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbiz/442084/Will-Lily-Allen-be-heading-for-Christmas-number-one-with-John-Lewis-advert-cover |title=Will Lily Allen be heading for Christmas number one with John Lewis advert cover? | Showbiz | News | Daily Express |website=Express.co.uk |date=9 November 2013 |access-date=10 May 2014}}

Allen's version of the song was used for the trailer of The Little Prince (2015), which was shown in French.

Allen's version of the song was also used on an advertisement by Brazilian telecommunications company Vivo in 2015.

The Labour Party used this version in a campaign video for the 2017 general election.{{cite web|last=Shabi |first=Rachel |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/this-is-how-labour-nearly-won-in-the-uk/ |title=This Is How Labour Nearly Won in the UK |website=The Nation |date=17 June 2017}}

The video for the song is a composite made by editor Chris Morris of the John Lewis "The Bear and the Hare" Christmas advert, directed by Elliot Dear and Yves Geleyn, and its making-of video, directed by Jake & Josh (Jacob Hopewell & Josh Hine), allowing the song to run to its full length.{{Vimeo|86105789|Somewhere Only We Know}}{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a539432/lily-allen-unveils-somewhere-only-we-know-music-video-watch.html|website=Digital Spy|title=Lily Allen unveils 'Somewhere Only We Know' music video - watch|date=19 December 2013 |access-date=27 July 2014}}

On 24 November 2013, "Somewhere Only We Know" reached number one in the UK Singles Chart, thus becoming Allen's third number-one single following "Smile" (2006) and "The Fear" (2009). Although the song spent a total of three non-consecutive weeks at the top spot, it did not reach number one on the UK Singles Downloads Chart. It sold 46,279 copies during its second week at number one, the lowest number for a number-one single since Taio Cruz's "Break Your Heart" sold 42,746 copies in its third week at number one in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/businessanalysis/read/official-charts-analysis-one-direction-sell-another-124k-of-new-album/057001|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131209185051/http://www.musicweek.com/businessanalysis/read/official-charts-analysis-one-direction-sell-another-124k-of-new-album/057001|url-status=dead|title=Login or Register - Music Week|date=9 December 2013|archive-date=9 December 2013|website=Archive.today|access-date=5 October 2018}}

In total the single sold over 600,000 copies.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-ever-john-lewis-christmas-ads-2015-11|title=The best John Lewis ads from Christmas past|website=businessinsider.com|access-date=5 October 2018}} According to the BPI, the single was awarded a gold disc in January 2014, representing 400,000 sales. The song was included on the album Now 86! which sold more than 1.1 million copies to become the UK's best-selling album of 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27486952|title=What did Lily earn from John Lewis?|first=Mark|last=Savage|date=25 May 2014|access-date=5 October 2018|publisher=BBC}}

Credits adapted from CD single liner notes.{{cite AV media notes |title=Somewhere Only We Know |others=Lily Allen |date=2013 |type=liner notes |publisher=Parlophone, Regal Recordings |id=825646350261}}

• Tom Chaplin – songwriter
• Richard Hughes – songwriter
• Tim Rice-Oxley – songwriter
• Lily Allen – lead vocals
• Paul Beard – producer, arranger, mixer, piano, percussion, programming
• Paul Sayer – acoustic guitar
• James Banbury – string arrangement
• Joe Kearns – engineer and mixer
• Andy Cook – assistant
• Will Hicks – assistant
• Matt Dougthy – assistant
• Jason Elliot – additional programming
• Stuart Hawkes – mastering

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Somewhere Only We Know" by Lily Allen}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Lily Allen|title=Somewhere Only We Know|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2013|certyear=2021|date=1 January 2021|id=12530-724-1|access-date=8 January 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

"Somewhere Only We Know" appeared on Season 1 Episode 2 of ABC's medical drama Grey's Anatomy in 2005, and has since been associated with the show. The Keane recording was also included in the soundtrack of the 2009 film He's Just Not That Into You, and in the trailers of the Alejandro Agresti's 2006 film The Lake House{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ5lPbssHS8 |title=The Lake House (2006) Official Trailer - Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock Movie HD |date=2014-07-12 |last=Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers |access-date=2024-07-06 |via=YouTube}} as well as the 2011 Disney animated film Winnie the Pooh. The song also appears in the Netflix television series Beef.

Darren Criss performed a cover of the song as character Blaine Anderson in Season 2 Episode 18 of the TV series Glee. As of September 2024, the cover is the second most popular streamed song by the Glee cast on Spotify, with over 93 million monthly listeners.{{Cite web |title=Glee Cast - Spotify Top Songs |url=https://kworb.net/spotify/artist/0SCbttzoZTnLFebDYmAWCm_songs.html#google_vignette |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=kworb.net}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.keanemusic.com/ Official site]
• [http://www.keaneshaped.co.uk/disco/sowk.htm Keaneshaped - Information about record]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20061129022409/http://www.keane.fr/groupe.php?choix=disco%2Fsowk Keane.fr - Information about the record in French]

{{Keane songs}}

{{Lily Allen}}

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Category:2004 songs

Category:2004 singles

Category:Interscope Records singles

Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles

Category:Island Records singles

Category:Keane (band) songs

Category:Lily Allen songs

Category:Parlophone singles

Category:Rock ballads

Category:Songs written by Richard Hughes (musician)

Category:Songs written by Tim Rice-Oxley

Category:Songs written by Tom Chaplin

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles