Songbird (Oasis song)
"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.
"Songbird" | ||||
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Single by Oasis | ||||
from the album Heathen Chemistry | ||||
B-side |
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Released | 3 February 2003 | |||
Recorded | 2002 | |||
Genre | Britpop | |||
Length | 2:08 2:47 (music video) | |||
Label | Big Brother | |||
Songwriter(s) | Liam Gallagher | |||
Producer(s) | Oasis | |||
Oasis singles chronology | ||||
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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
Credits
Music video
The video features Liam performing the song in Hyde Park in London, whilst 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]
It currently has over 9.2 million views on Youtube.[4]
Release and other versions
The song was released as the fourth single from the band's Heathen Chemistry album, on 3 February 2003[5] and peaked at number 3 in the UK charts.[6] It is included on the band's compilation album Stop the Clocks.[7] Being written by lead singer Liam Gallagher,[8] 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 Barrowlands, in October 2001.[5]
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.[9]
In December 2017, Irish music school The Music Yard used the song's melody for their Christmas song "Talking to a Snowman".[10]
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 on a Different Cloud".[11] Spin magazine's Chuck Klosterman said "Songbird" was one of the two "most compelling songs" on the album.[8]
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)
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Certifications
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Other appearances
- The Acoustic Album (2006, Virgin)
References
- 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.
- Oasis (15 February 2008). "Oasis - Songbird (Official Video)" – via YouTube.
- "Oasis regrava Wonderwall" (in Portuguese). Cifra Club News. 22 January 2003. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- "OASIS | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Stop the Clocks - Oasis | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- 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.
- Staff (8 December 2017). "Watch: Liam Gallagher's special surprise for ambitious kids of Co Antrim music school".
- Levy, Doug (12 August 2002). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Report. 72 (8): 6.
- "Oasis Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 21 no. 9. 22 February 2003. p. 7. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- "Offiziellecharts.de – Oasis – Songbird". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Songbird". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- "Italiancharts.com – Oasis – Songbird". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- "Swedishcharts.com – Oasis – Songbird". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- "Swisscharts.com – Oasis – Songbird". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- "The Official UK Singles Chart 2003" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- "British single certifications – Oasis – Songbird". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 9 June 2017. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Songbird in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.