Songbird (Oasis song)

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"Songbird"
Song
B-side"(You've Got) The Heart of a Star"
"Columbia" (Live)

"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

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)
  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

Covers

References

  1. ^ a b Agencies (6 February 2003). "Showbiz bytes 06/02/03". theage.com.au. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  2. ^ "Digital Sheet Music, Oasis 'Songbird'". Musicnotes.com. Peer International Music Publishing. 2002. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  3. ^ "Long road to find the magic - Music - Entertainment". smh.com.au. 13 June 2005. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Oasis regrava Wonderwall". Cifra Club News. 22 January 2003. Retrieved 25 July 2013. Template:Pt icon
  5. ^ "OASIS | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  6. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Stop the Clocks - Oasis | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  7. ^ a b Klosterman, Chuck (August 2002). "Reviews". SPIN. 18 (8): 113.
  8. ^ "Entertainment | Radio Aid marathon day raises £3m". BBC News. 18 January 2005. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  9. ^ Levy, Doug (12 August 2002). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Report. 72 (8): 6.
  10. ^ "Playlist". SPIN. 18 (11). November 2002.

External links

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