About the song
Herman’s Hermits’ “No Milk Today” is a poignant and nostalgic song that captures the essence of melancholy and lost love. Released in 1966 as a single from their album “There’s a Kind of Hush All Over the World,” the song quickly became one of the band’s signature hits.
Written by Graham Gouldman, who is renowned for his songwriting talents with hits like “Bus Stop” by The Hollies and “For Your Love” by The Yardbirds, “No Milk Today” stands out with its introspective lyrics and catchy melody. The song tells the story of a man who returns home to find that his romantic interest has moved away (“No milk today, my love has gone away”). This theme of longing and solitude resonated deeply with listeners, contributing to the song’s widespread popularity.
On the charts, “No Milk Today” reached significant success, particularly in the UK where it peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart. In the US, the song also made a notable impact, reaching the Billboard Hot 100’s top 40. Its enduring appeal has led to its inclusion in various compilations and retrospectives highlighting the best of 1960s pop music.
Herman’s Hermits, fronted by lead singer Peter Noone, became known for their upbeat and catchy tunes that appealed to a wide audience during the British Invasion era. “No Milk Today” showcased their ability to blend folk-rock elements with pop sensibilities, creating a sound that was both distinctive and timeless.
Beyond its commercial success, “No Milk Today” remains a beloved classic, evoking feelings of nostalgia and wistfulness for listeners of all generations. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the band’s musical craftsmanship and Graham Gouldman’s songwriting prowess, making it a cherished piece of music history that continues to resonate with fans of 1960s pop and beyond.
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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