Song Stories: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds: AKA.. What a Life!

After the split of Oasis in 2009, it did not take Noel Gallagher to embark on a solo career, under a new outfit. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. In the later days of Oasis he and the band had become confined to a stadium rock sound, once he went solo Noel had free reign again and began to explore new musical territories whilst also keeping the same brilliant songwriting that fans had become accustomed to.

'AKA What a Life' released as the second single from his self titled solo album immediately stuck out to fans. This was a departure from the later day Oasis songs, blending rock, psychedelia, and dance influences. To create a euphoric, introspective anthem.

From the very first notes of 'AKA… What a Life!', listeners are greeted with an infectious, driving beat that sets the tone for the entire track. Unlike the more guitar-heavy anthems of Oasis, this song leans into a more groove-oriented, rhythmic approach. The bassline pulses with an almost hypnotic quality, giving the song an underlying sense of movement and urgency. Gallagher’s signature layered guitars are still present, but they play a supporting role, allowing the rhythm section to take center stage.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the song is its danceable nature. While Oasis was known for its stadium-filling rock anthems, 'AKA… What a Life!' introduces elements of electronic music and psychedelia that weren’t as prominent in Gallagher’s previous work. The beat is reminiscent of classic 90s dance tracks, infused with a rolling, almost trance-like energy that feels designed for a festival crowd. 

Upon the release Noel talked about the song, stating that it originally started as “acoustic shuffle” inspired by the Kinks, but evolved into something altogether different. “One afternoon I was listening to not on purpose I might add, but completely by accident — ‘Strings of Life’ by a band called Rhythim is Rhythim. I stopped at the piano bit at the song’s beginning and thought, ‘Wow. How can something like that bit fit in my song?’ So I got the guitar out and played the song again and thought, ‘Yeah. This is going to work.’ I recorded a demo in the studio with a bass drum and piano, and thought, ‘This is fucking disco! How am I gonna dance to this?’ But I’m a big fan of dance music, like the acid house movement. Between the years of ’87 and 1990, I was completely into running around Manchester high on ecstasy, just being a fucking nutcase. Those were happy days.”

Despite the electronic elements, Gallagher's unmistakable songwriting remains at the core of the track. His ability to craft soaring, melodic choruses is on full display here. The hook is simple yet incredibly effective, drawing listeners in with a sense of euphoria and release. It’s a track that feels both introspective and celebratory, balancing Gallagher’s knack for emotional depth with an undeniable sense of motion and excitement.

Lyrically, 'AKA… What a Life!' is both ambiguous and deeply personal. Unlike some of Gallagher’s more direct storytelling efforts in Oasis, this song takes a more impressionistic approach, leaving room for interpretation.

When 'AKA… What a Life!' was released, it marked a significant departure from Gallagher’s past work. His decision to go solo after Oasis’s dramatic split was met with both excitement and skepticism. Would he be able to carry the weight of his legacy on his own? Could he still craft anthems that resonated with a wide audience?

The album Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds was, in many ways, a proving ground for Gallagher. Free from the tensions that had plagued Oasis—particularly his famously turbulent relationship with his brother, Liam—Noel was able to create music entirely on his own terms. This newfound creative freedom is evident in 'AKA… What a Life!', which feels more experimental and open-ended than much of his previous work.

The song’s place within the album is also significant. While tracks like 'If I Had a Gun…' and 'The Death of You and Me' leaned into Gallagher’s more traditional songwriting strengths, 'AKA… What a Life!' pushed the boundaries, blending rock and electronic elements in a way that felt both fresh and natural. It was a bold statement one that signaled Gallagher wasn’t content with merely rehashing the past but was eager to explore new sonic landscapes.

Noel's solo career has taken numerous turns throughout the near fifteen years since the release of this record. None of those turns would have been possible without this song. 'Ballad of the Mighty I' fir example followed a similar vein to 'AKA... What a Life' with its pulsating bassline and propulsive beat, as well as the addition of signature guitar work played by Johnny Marr. 

If 'AKA… What a Life!' and 'Ballad of the Mighty I' were gradual steps toward a more adventurous sound, 'Holy Mountain' was a full-blown leap into uncharted territory. Released as the lead single from Who Built the Moon?, 'Holy Mountain' is a brash, bombastic, and unapologetically fun track that shocked many fans upon its debut.

With its driving brass section, glam-rock swagger, and almost absurdly joyous energy, 'Holy Mountain' is arguably the most unexpected song of Gallagher’s solo career. It carries echoes of 70s glam-rock acts like T. Rex and David Bowie. It was a far cry from the later day Oasis ballads. The song samples  'Chewing Gum Kid' the 1960s track by Ice Cream. 

When describing the song in interviews Gallagher said  "Holy Mountain is about your nearest and dearest, yeah. How it came about was, one of the first sessions we did, the hook line, the tin whistle thing that is like one of the most catchiest things in the world. Fans were divided though some loved it some hated it. 

However, Noel did not seem to care, his whole solo career he had been asking questions of his fan base, and that started with 'AKA... What a Life' and continued all the way through his records, even with his most recent solo album 'Council Skies' which for many was a return to the Noel of old has it's moments. 'Dead to the World' is unlike anything he had done before. Noel's solo career is littered with these ambitious moments. 

Thank you for reading 

Jack