Songbird (Oasis song)
Encyclopedia
"Songbird" is a song by English rock
band Oasis
, from their fifth studio album Heathen Chemistry
. The song was released as the fourth single from that album on 3 February 2003 and peaked at #3 in the UK
charts. It is included on Oasis' 2006
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
. It is the shortest running Oasis single, at 2:08.
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." 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.
Noel Gallagher stated jokingly in an interview with Russell Brand
that Liam decided to "write a song about his bird", and states the title "Song... bird" in a cave man like manner.
The music video was filmed in Hyde Park
in London, and featured Liam playing an acoustic guitar under a tree wearing his trademark Parka, and alternately chasing and being chased by a rather large dog. The video has also reference to Nicole Appleton
.
Courtney Love
(former wife of Kurt Cobain
) has said that she and Liam played a version with her whistling and Liam playing guitar and singing, this was noted in the book Kurt and Courtney: Talking.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
, from their fifth studio album Heathen Chemistry
Heathen Chemistry
Heathen Chemistry is the fifth studio album by the English rock band Oasis, released in 2002.The album was written and recorded with a back-to-basics sound with a more rock feel to it; the more crude and simple sound differs from the musical grandiosity of their previous records, Be Here Now and...
. The song was released as the fourth single from that album on 3 February 2003 and peaked at #3 in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
charts. It is included on Oasis' 2006
2006 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band....
compilation
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
album Stop the Clocks
Stop the Clocks
Stop the Clocks is a compilation album by English rock band Oasis, released on 20 November 2006. The "retrospective collection" is an 18-track double album with the featured songs chosen by Noel Gallagher; however, it does not actually include their song "Stop the Clocks" after which the album is...
. Being written by lead singer Liam Gallagher
Liam Gallagher
William John Paul "Liam" Gallagher is an English musician and singer-songwriter, the former frontman of the English rock band Oasis and currently of the band Beady Eye. Gallagher's erratic behaviour, distinctive singing style, and abrasive attitude have been the subject of commentary in the press...
, it was the first time the band had released a single not written by his brother Noel
Noel Gallagher
Noel Thomas David Gallagher is an English musician and singer-songwriter, formerly the lead guitarist, backing vocalist and principal songwriter of the English rock band Oasis. He is currently fronting his solo project, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.Raised in Burnage, Manchester with his...
. It is the shortest running Oasis single, at 2:08.
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." 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.
Noel Gallagher stated jokingly in an interview with Russell Brand
Russell Brand
Russell Edward Brand is an English comedian, actor, columnist, singer, author and radio/television presenter.Brand achieved mainstream fame in the UK in 2004 for his role as host of Big Brother spin-off, Big Brother's Big Mouth. His first major film role was in the 2007 film St Trinians...
that Liam decided to "write a song about his bird", and states the title "Song... bird" in a cave man like manner.
The music video was filmed in Hyde Park
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
in London, and featured Liam playing an acoustic guitar under a tree wearing his trademark Parka, and alternately chasing and being chased by a rather large dog. The video has also reference to Nicole Appleton
Nicole Appleton
Nicole Marie Appleton-Gallagher is a Canadian pop singer and actress who rose to fame as a member of All Saints. She was formerly a member of Appleton along with her older sister Natalie.-Early life:...
.
Courtney Love
Courtney Love
Courtney Michelle Love is an American rock musician. Love is the lead vocalist, lyricist, and rhythm guitarist for alternative rock band Hole, which she formed in 1989, and is an actress who has moved from bit parts in Alex Cox films to significant and acclaimed roles in The People vs...
(former wife of Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Donald Cobain was an American singer-songwriter, musician and artist, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the grunge band Nirvana...
) has said that she and Liam played a version with her whistling and Liam playing guitar and singing, this was noted in the book Kurt and Courtney: Talking.
Track listing
- CD RKIDSCD 27
- "Songbird" - 2:08
- "(You've Got) The Heart of a Star" - 5:22
- "Columbia" (Live) - 4:48
- 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
- Columbia was recorded at the Barrowlands, GlasgowGlasgowGlasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, on 13 October 2001.
- 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)
Other appearances
- The Acoustic AlbumThe Acoustic Album (compilation)The Acoustic Album is a 2-disc compilation album released by EMI/Virgin Records in July 2006 to showcase songs heard on Virgin Radio.-Track listing:Disc 1:#Jack Johnson - "Breakdown"#Corinne Bailey Rae - "Put Your Records On"...
(2006, VirginVirgin RecordsVirgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
)