Songbird (Oasis song)

Single infobox
Name = Songbird


Artist = Oasis
from Album = Heathen Chemistry
Released = February 3 2003
Format = CD, 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl, DVD
Recorded = 2001 - 2002
Genre = Rock
Writer = Liam Gallagher
Length = 2:07
Label = Big Brother
Producer = Oasis
Chart position =

• #3 (UK Singles Chart)

• #2 (Canadian Singles Chart)

• #10 (Irish Singles Chart)

• | Reviews =
  Last single = "Little By Little / She Is Love"
  (2002)
  This single = "Songbird"
  (2003)
  Next single = "Lyla"
  (2005) |"Songbird" is a song by British rock band Oasis, from their fifth studio album "Heathen Chemistry". It is included on Oasis' 2006 compilation album "Stop the Clocks". The song was released as the fourth single from that album on 3 February 2003 and peaked at #3 in the UK charts. Being written by lead singer Liam Gallagher, it was the first time the band had released a single not written by his brother Noel.

  Upon joining Oasis in the early nineties, Noel Gallagher claimed sole-songwriting responsibilities, and allowing little-to-no leeway from the rest of the band. Fact|date=May 2007 He openly mocked the songwriting output of Liam and Bonehead, Fact|date=May 2007 who had been in charge of Oasis' songwriting prior to his joining and had written a handful of tracks such as "Take Me" and an acoustic number titled "Life In Vain". Liam elaborated on the situation in 1994, after the release of "Definitely Maybe" saying "Noel won't let me (write), but I can't really write anyway... In the future if I started writing top tunes, I still don't think he'd be up for it... I know for a fact, even if he was going dry, he wouldn't play my songs... I'm not happy with that, but that's the way it is innit?".Fact|date=May 2007

  However, after Oasis' third album "Be Here Now", Noel began to loosen his control and allowed Liam to contribute songs. Though his first effort, "Little James" which appeared on "Standing on the Shoulder of Giants", was criticised for being too simple and childlike Fact|date=May 2007 Songbird was fairly well received, despite only being based around two simple chords (G and Em7). It is the shortest running Oasis single, at 2:07.

  The song, written for Liam's long term girlfriend Nicole Appleton, was seen as a surprising break away from Liam's "Hard-Man" image. Fact|date=May 2007 He explained this away saying "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 simplistic video was filmed in Regent's Park in London, and featured Liam playing an acoustic guitar under a tree, and also being chased by a dog.

  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, Glasgow, on October 13, 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)

  External Links

  * [http://thishereboogie.com/songbird-oasis-2002/ 'Songbird' song of the day on thishereboogie.com 18 September 2008]