Songbird (Oasis song)
| "Songbird" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Oasis | ||||
| from the album Heathen Chemistry | ||||
| B-side |
"(You've Got) The Heart of a Star" "Columbia" (Live) | |||
| Released | 3 February 2003 | |||
| Format | 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl, CD, DVD | |||
| Recorded | 2001–2002 | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Length | 2:08 | |||
| Label | Big Brother | |||
| Writer(s) | Liam Gallagher | |||
| Producer(s) | Oasis | |||
| Oasis singles chronology | ||||
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"Songbird" is a song by English rock band Oasis, from their fifth studio album Heathen Chemistry.
Composition
Liam has said of the song: "I like beautiful things...It's not all dark in Liam World. I take me shades off every now and again and have a look at the world and see some nice things." Noel Gallagher stated jokingly in an interview with Patrick Kielty that Liam decided to "write a song about his bird", and states the title "Song... bird" in a cave man like manner. The song was written as a tribute to then-fiancée Nicole Appleton.[1] "Songbird" was composed in the key of G major using common time at 132 beats per minute.[2]
| “ | Songbird blew my head off when I first heard it because it was that f--king simple and that direct. But when Liam plays you a song he wants you to instantly f--king drop dead on the spot and then, when you come around, stab yourself in the heart and be in awe of the f--king sonic ability of the man.[3] | ” |
| —Noel Gallagher | ||
Lyrics:
Talking to the songbird yesterday Flew me to a past now far away She's a little pilot in my mind Singing songs of love to pass the time
Gonna write a song so she can see Give her all the love she gives to me Talk of better days that have yet to come Never felt this love from anyone
She's not anyone She's not anyone She's not anyone
A man can never dream these kind of things Especially when she came and spread her wings Whispered in my ear the things I'd like Then she flew away into the night
Gonna write a song so she can see Give her all the love she gives to me Talk of better days that have yet to come Never felt this love from anyone
She's not anyone She's not anyone She's not anyone
Release and other versions
The song was released as the fourth single from the band's Heathen Chemistry album, on 3 February 2003[4] and peaked at number 3 in the UK charts.[5] It is included on the band's compilation album Stop the Clocks.[6] Being written by lead singer Liam Gallagher,[7] it was the first time the band had released a single not written by his brother Noel. "(You've Got) The Hear of the Star" and "Columbia" are B-sides, the latter of which was recorded live at the Glasgow, in October 2001.[4] The music video was filmed in Hyde Park in London, and featured Liam playing an acoustic guitar under a tree, and alternately chasing and being chased by a dog. The video has also an appearance by Appleton.[1]
The demo of the song is a typical Oasis approach to the song, featuring overdriven guitar and a stronger beat, as well as a guitar solo. Courtney Love has said that she and Liam played a version with her whistling and Gallagher playing guitar and singing, this was noted in the book Kurt and Courtney: Talking. Gallagher played the song for UK Radio Aid in January 2005.[8]
Reception
Doug Levy for CMJ New Music Report said that Gallagher had a "surprising talent for songwriting", referring to "Songbird" and album tracks "Better Man" and "Born a Different Cloud".[9] Spin magazine's Chuck Klosterman said "Songbird" was one of the two "most compelling songs" on the album.[7]
Track listing
- 7" (RKID 27)
- "Songbird" - 2:08
- "(You've Got) The Heart of a Star" - 5:22
- 12" (RKID 27T)
- "Songbird" - 2:08
- "(You've Got) The Heart of a Star" - 5:22
- "Columbia" (Live) - 4:48
- CD (RKIDSCD 27)
- "Songbird" - 2:08
- "(You've Got) The Heart of a Star" - 5:22
- "Columbia" (Live) - 4:48
- DVD (RKIDSDVD 27)
- "Songbird" - 2:07
- "Songbird" (demo) - 2:48
- Exclusive interview and live performance footage - 13:48
- Japanese CD edition
- "Songbird"
- "Songbird" (demo)
- "Columbia" (Live)
Other appearances
- The Acoustic Album (2006, Virgin)
Covers
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Agencies (6 February 2003). "Showbiz bytes 06/02/03". theage.com.au. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- ↑ "Digital Sheet Music, Oasis 'Songbird'". Musicnotes.com. Peer International Music Publishing. 2002.
- ↑ "Long road to find the magic - Music - Entertainment". smh.com.au. 13 June 2005. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Oasis regrava Wonderwall". Cifra Club News. 22 January 2003. Retrieved 25 July 2013. (Portuguese)
- ↑ "OASIS | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Stop the Clocks - Oasis | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Klosterman, Chuck (August 2002). "Reviews". SPIN 18 (8): 113.
- ↑ "Entertainment | Radio Aid marathon day raises £3m". BBC News. 18 January 2005. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- ↑ Levy, Doug (12 August 2002). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Report 72 (8): 6.
- ↑ "Playlist". SPIN 18 (11). November 2002.
External links
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