Released 29 August 1994 Genre Britpop Label Creation | Recorded Spring 1994 Length 6:32 Writer(s) Noel Gallagher | |
"Slide Away" is a song by the English rock band Oasis, taken from their debut studio album Definitely Maybe (1994). It was written by lead guitarist Noel Gallagher and serves as the tenth track on the album.
Contents
Composition and recording
Noel Gallagher claims he wrote it on a Les Paul guitar that Johnny Marr sent to him, since he had few guitars available to him at the time. On the Definitely Maybe DVD, he also notes that he took Marr's guitar out of the case, sat down, and "the song wrote itself". Gallagher wrote it about his girlfriend at the time - Louise Jones and the song was written about their stormy relationship. He described them as "soulmates" and when they finally split up in June 1994, Noel said 'I don't think I'll ever get over it.'
During the recording of Definitely Maybe, there was an argument between Gallagher and rhythm guitarist Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs. Gallagher was taken to the pub by bassist Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan where he calmed down, had a few drinks, went back to the studios and recorded "Slide Away".
In an interview on the bonus DVD of Stop the Clocks, Gallagher comments that the track contains his brother Liam's best ever singing.
Release
It is featured on their debut album Definitely Maybe, on the "Whatever" single, and on the "Champagne Supernova" US single. Also in the Stop the Clocks interview, Noel claimed that he was told to release it as a fifth single from Definitely Maybe, but Gallagher refused, arguing, "You can't have five [singles] off a debut album." Furthermore it is claimed to be Paul McCartney's favourite song by Oasis in the same interview. A limited edition UK promotional CD was pressed to celebrate the band's success at the 1995 Brit Awards. The song is included on Oasis' best-of album Stop the Clocks in a slightly different mix; Noel's backing vocals during the bridge have been removed.
Live performances
Both of the Gallagher brothers claimed that the song should have been played more often at concerts, and although it was rarely played, it remains a fan favourite. However, it was included on the set list of the band's Dig Out Your Soul Tour. Described by guitarist Gem Archer as, "the one for the fans", the song is considered by many to be the epitome of Oasis as a brash, flowing song that contains some of Noel's finest penned lyrics.
A live version recorded on 17 April 1995 at the Southend Cliffs Pavilion was included on the video album, Live by the Sea.
Reception
While reviewing the Definitely Maybe album, NME writer Keith Cameron called "Slide Away" "a completely heart-rending love song" that shows the band possessing "both the sweetness and tenderness to complement their well-proven hooligan qualities." Gibson Guitar.com listed the song as one of a ten of Noel's best guitar tracks. In the 11 May 2013 edition of NME, the song was listed at number 57 in the magazine's "The 100 Greatest Britpop Songs" list.
Covers
Singer-songwriter Jake Bugg performed a cover of the song for Radio 1's Live Lounge in February 2013.