ALTHOUGH often compared and contrasted with the likes of Amy Winehouse and Adele, there is perhaps more of a bond between Lily Allen and Lynsey De Paul.

Certainly given the opportunity that Cherry Red has released a four disc anthology of De Paul’s greatest moments, and Allen’s long-awaited album after a five year hiatus Sheezus has stormed to number one.

One singular cover apart, albeit an extremely high profile remake of Keane’s Somewhere Only We Know , Sheezus is a self-penned collection. As for De Paul, she wrote hits for the likes of Barry Blue, The Fortunes and Thunderthighs as well as all her own work.

Vocally and arrangements wise, there are very close similarities to the works of Allen and De Paul. Those ethereal overdubbed harmonies are very distinctive, and copied by very few others. On random select, many unfamiliar with the albums could easily confuse the performing act. With one major difference: lyrics.

Lily Allen is an incredible lyricist. Both fearless and uncompromising, and at times offensive, Allen can make the most ordinary and mundane of domestic activities a feast for fans and the learned. Indeed, the British Library showcased Allen’s work to trace the history of Cockney English. No domestic activity is off limits. Why even Prince would hesitate at using the menstrual cycle in his work.

Not that Lynsey De Paul was afraid to push the envelope. Getting A Drag was considered racy for featuring the subject of transvestism in 1972. But mostly De Paul towed the line with subservient old-fashioned lyrics personified by Won’t Somebody Dance With Me.

Such material would promise a guest star appearance on the prime time Les Dawson variety show, whereas Allen’s sometimes watered-down songs guarantee her spot on the likes of Ant & Dec’s Saturday Takeaway.

Interestingly it is fun to compare Allen’s Close Your Eyes with De Paul’s classic My Man and Me. Almost 40 years separate both songs. Musically and subject wise both are very similar, but lyrically the two are poles apart. But surely this should be the case. Both Lynsey De Paul and Lily Allen are praiseworthy artists of their time.