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Songbird (Oasis song)

"Songbird" is a song by English rock band Oasis from their fifth studio album, Heathen Chemistry (2002), and is the first single by Oasis written by vocalist Liam Gallagher. Released on 3 February 2003, the song reached number three on the UK Singles Chart, number two on the Canadian Singles Chart, and the top 10 in Ireland and Italy. During an interview with The Matt Morgan Podcast, Liam's brother and bandmate Noel Gallagher called the track a "perfect" song.[3]

"Songbird"
Single by Oasis
from the album Heathen Chemistry
B-side
  • "(You've Got) The Heart of a Star"
  • "Columbia" (live)
Released3 February 2003 (2003-02-03)
Genre
Length
  • 2:08
  • 2:47 (music video)
LabelBig Brother
Songwriter(s)Liam Gallagher
Producer(s)Oasis
Oasis singles chronology
"Little by Little" / "She Is Love"
(2002) 		"Songbird"
(2003) 		"Lyla"
(2005)
Music video
"Oasis - Songbird (Official Video)" on YouTube

Composition

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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.[4] "Songbird" was composed in the key of G major using common time at 132 beats per minute.[5]

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.[6]

— Noel Gallagher

Release and other versions

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The song was released as the fourth single from the band's Heathen Chemistry album, on 3 February 2003 and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart.[7][8] It is the only track from Heathen Chemistry included on the band's first greatest hits album Stop the Clocks, as well as the only track written by Liam included on it.[9] Being written by lead singer Liam Gallagher,[10] 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.[11]

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.[12]

In December 2017, Irish music school The Music Yard used the song's melody for their Christmas song "Talking to a Snowman".[13]

Critical reception

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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".[14] Spin magazine's Chuck Klosterman said "Songbird" was one of the two "most compelling songs" on the album.[10]

Music video

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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.[4][15]

Track listings

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Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[30] Gold 400,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom 3 February 2003
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
 Big Brother [7]
10 February 2003 12-inch vinyl [31]
Japan 19 February 2003 CD Epic [32]

References

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  1. ^ "CLUAS | Album Reviews | Oasis 'Heathen Chemistry'".
  2. ^ "Heathen Chemistry – Oasis | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  3. ^ Lavin, Will (30 January 2021). "Noel Gallagher says brother Liam's 'Songbird' is a "perfect" record". NME. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  4. ^ a b Agencies (6 February 2003). "Showbiz bytes 06/02/03". The Age. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  5. ^ "Digital Sheet Music, Oasis 'Songbird'". Musicnotes.com. Peer International Music Publishing. 2002.
  6. ^ "Long road to find the magic – Music – Entertainment". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 June 2005. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  7. ^ a b "New Releases – For Week Starting 3 February 2003: Singles". Music Week. 1 February 2003. p. 20.
  8. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  9. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Stop the Clocks – Oasis | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  10. ^ a b Klosterman, Chuck (August 2002). "Reviews". Spin. 18 (8): 113.
  11. ^ "Oasis regrava Wonderwall" (in Portuguese). Cifra Club News. 22 January 2003. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  12. ^ "Entertainment | Radio Aid marathon day raises £3m". BBC News. 18 January 2005. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  13. ^ Staff (8 December 2017). "Watch: Liam Gallagher's special surprise for ambitious kids of Co Antrim music school".
  14. ^ Levy, Doug (12 August 2002). "Reviews". CMJ New Music Report. 72 (8): 6.
  15. ^ Oasis (15 February 2008). "Oasis – Songbird (Official Video)". Archived from the original on 13 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ Songbird (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Oasis. Big Brother Recordings. 2003. RKID 27.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ Songbird (UK CD single liner notes). Oasis. Big Brother Recordings. 2003. RKIDSCD 27.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ Songbird (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Oasis. Big Brother Recordings. 2003. RKID 27T.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ Songbird (UK DVD single liner notes). Oasis. Big Brother Recordings. 2003. RKIDSDVD 27.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ^ Songbird (Japanese maxi-CD single liner notes). Oasis. Epic Records. 2003. EICP 194.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ^ "Oasis Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  22. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 21, no. 9. 22 February 2003. p. 7. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  23. ^ "Oasis – Songbird" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  24. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Songbird". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  25. ^ "Oasis – Songbird". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  26. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  27. ^ "Oasis – Songbird". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  28. ^ "Oasis – Songbird". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  29. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2003" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  30. ^ "British single certifications – Oasis – Songbird". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  31. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 10 February 2003: Singles". Music Week. 8 February 2003. p. 23.
  32. ^ "Oasis | Artist Information". Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Archived from the original on 7 April 2006. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
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