Harman Patil (Editor)

Songbird (Oasis song)

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Released
  
3 February 2003

Genre
  
Britpop

Recorded
  
2002

Length
  
2:08

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

Format
  
7" vinyl, 12" vinyl, CD, DVD

"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.

Contents

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. "Songbird" was composed in the key of G major using common time at 132 beats per minute.

Release and other versions

The song was released as the fourth single from the band's Heathen Chemistry album, on 3 February 2003 and peaked at number 3 in the UK charts. It is included on the band's compilation album Stop the Clocks. Being written by lead singer Liam Gallagher, 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, in October 2001. 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 also has an appearance by Appleton.

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.

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". Spin magazine's Chuck Klosterman said "Songbird" was one of the two "most compelling songs" on the album.

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

  • The Acoustic Album (2006, Virgin)

    • References

    Songbird (Oasis song) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA