Supersonic- Oasis first single, and a sign of things to come. The band not long been signed to Creation Records and after a few unsuccessful attempts at recording other songs. Noel sat and wrote Supersonic in the time it took other band members to eat a takeaway. The first taste the world got of Noel Gallagher and his band Oasis.
Live Forever- The third single from Oasis. A sense of hope. After the depressing and morbid sound of grunge. Oasis went to the other end of the spectrum and wrote an uplifting song about living forever. A firm fan favourite, and some might say one of the greatest songs of all time.
Talk Tonight- The B side to Oasis first number one single in the U.K. an ode to a lost few days in San Francisco, where Noel had met a girl. These few days took place in one of the bands famous break ups. Wonder how that ended...
This also happens to be one of my favourite Oasis songs, a perfect piece of melancholy.
Half the World Away- Another B side this time to Whatever, and later found use as the theme tune to ‘The Royle Family’ another piece of acoustic genius from Noel about escapism and trying to find a place that may or may not exist. A firm fan favourite and live staple.
The Masterplan- I’m going to say this straight away in terms of lyrics this is Noels best work. It’s a poignant song, and it may have been the end of Noels best batch of work. A song about life, and an ode to optimism. We’re all part of the masterplan.
Don’t Look Back in Anger- I said The Masterplan was Noels best work in terms of lyrics. This is Noels best work period. Some songs are brilliant pieces of art, some songs tackle issues, some tell stories. Don’t Look Back in Anger has ingrained itself onto British Society, it’s an anthem of defiance in the face of the most shocking evil, one woman broke silence and began to sing this song in remembrance of 22 innocent people who lost their lives in Manchester. The song is also sung on football terraces, at birthday parties, indie discos, weddings, pubs all over the world. It’s an anthem, and I defy anyone who does not sing along to the chorus. We still don’t know who Sally is though. I wonder if Noel knows?
Setting Sun- Away from Oasis and it’s Noels first collaboration with The Chemical Brothers. A 90s attempt at a 60s classic (Tomorrow Never Knows) with menacing lyrics and a wall of psychedelic noise as an instrumental accompaniment. Another number one for Noel however.
Gas Panic- By this time Noel had given up illegal substances and wrote this song one night, after not being able to get to sleep. Noel has said the song was inspired by the agony attacks he faced. The lyrics about a figure watching over him, make for an interesting concept and this song is a highlight of Standing on the Shoulder of Giants.
Little By Little- Another acoustic composition with some brilliant lyrics. ‘True perfection has to be imperfect.’ A brilliant lyric. In a song filled with brilliant lyrics, the song has found a resurgence recently with Noel playing it live more however with an electric guitar a version I prefer. A criminally underrated Oasis song.
Stop Crying Your Heart Out- A brilliant ballad written by a more mature Noel, about how hope can conquer all, many saw this as a return to form for the band, and compared it with Don’t Look Back in Anger and even Slide Away.
Lyla- The year is 2005, 11 years on from Oasis debut release and Noel Gallagher had written this rock stomper. At that point it was just another song, however it became the first single from there album Don’t Believe the Truth and another number one for the band and then came the tour, where fans all over the world went mad, this song became a live staple, and a fan favourite. Noel himself has said Lyla is almost like Sally’s (from Don’t Look Back in Anger) younger sister
Falling Down- Released in 2008 from Dig Out Your Soul a slightly more psychedelic song with a mellotron used, and an iconic music video. Lyrically the song is about, how sometimes the world can feel like it’s collapsing around you. It is quite poignant that this song is the final single from Oasis. The band fell down in 2009 with Noel walking away after that fateful night in Paris.
If I Had A Gun- Noels second single as a solo artist with his new band. The High Flying Birds, a beautiful love song about his wife Sara, with heartfelt lyrics and a simple acoustic guitar melody. He was back, and he was here to say.
Ballad of the Mighty I- The second single from his second solo album, featuring another Manchester Icon. Johnny Marr, more grooved based than anything Oasis had done and a nod to what we could expect in the future from him.
Holy Mountain- Is this Noel Gallaghers most polarising song, some love it a lot of people hate it. Many couldn’t believe he’d written it. It’s a glam rock masterpiece, with a groove and pounding drum beat, and it was one giant leap for Noel. I love the album this single is from and I loved the fact Noel had experimented.
Dead in the Water- Hidden at the end of Who Built the Moon, was this little gem. Taken from a live session in Dublin, Noel on his own with an acoustic guitar, playing a song he’d written, many have said it’s one of his best and I’d be inclined to agree. He may have gone all experimental and psychedelic but give the man an acoustic guitar, he can still write a masterpiece.
Dead to The World- The third single from Noel’s forthcoming, fourth album. A slow paced ballad, written in Argentina and complete with beautiful strings. The song is very melancholic, and in places very personal. It’s one of his very best songs ever, and a true showcase of what he can do, and that he’s going nowhere. Excuse the pun.
From 1994 to 2023 Noel Gallagher has soundtracked the lives of many generations with his brilliant albums, and songs. Having seen him live 4 times, I can say he’s an icon. Although he’s changed throughout the years for better or for worse. One thing has remained the same. It was never about the fame, money, drugs, parties, or drink.
He put it best in the 2016 documentary, “Can we talk about the songs.”
He first and foremost is a song writer, but he can definitely play up to the Rock n Roll Star figure.