Songbird (Oasis song)

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
"Songbird"
File:Songbird sleeve.jpg
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 2002
Genre Britpop
Length 2:08
Label Big Brother
Writer(s) Liam Gallagher
Producer(s) Oasis
Oasis singles chronology
"Little by Little/She Is Love"
(2002)		 "Songbird"
(2003)		 "Lyla"
(2005)

"Songbird" is a song by English rock band Oasis, from their fifth studio album Heathen Chemistry, and is the first single by Oasis written by vocalist Liam Gallagher.

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]

<templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />

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

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 Heart 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 also has 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)
  1. "Songbird" - 2:08
  2. "(You've Got) The Heart of a Star" - 5:22
  • 12" (RKID 27T)
  1. "Songbird" - 2:08
  2. "(You've Got) The Heart of a Star" - 5:22
  3. "Columbia" (Live) - 4:48
  • CD (RKIDSCD 27)
  1. "Songbird" - 2:08
  2. "(You've Got) The Heart of a Star" - 5:22
  3. "Columbia" (Live) - 4:48
  • DVD (RKIDSDVD 27)
  1. "Songbird" - 2:07
  2. "Songbird" (Demo) - 2:48
  3. Exclusive interview and live performance footage - 13:48
  • Japanese CD edition
  1. "Songbird"
  2. "Songbird" (Demo)
  3. "Columbia" (Live)

Other appearances

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Songbird_(Oasis_song)&oldid=4619374"