Noel recognises Liam's only great song

Liam Gallagher’s solo career might not have single-handedly upended the music scene, nor did Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds — but together, their brotherly chemistry has managed to churn out some of the most inspiring and compelling rock and roll of recent times, proving that sibling rivalry can sometimes be more productive than sibling silence.

Even those who think Oasis is just a glorified pub band can’t deny Noel Gallagher’s songwriting talent. It’s been there since their humble beginnings at Manchester’s Boardwalk. During Britpop’s golden era, Gallagher crafted a bunch of tracks that continue to unite rock fans across generations and borders, as if music needed a passport to be cool. Liam’s vocals, meanwhile, added that essential, irreplaceable energy — like a caffeine boost for the ears.

Liam’s solo efforts have delivered some solid performances, even if the songwriting sometimes felt like it was written on a napkin during a rush of inspiration. But every so often, Liam manages to surprise us with moments of songwriting brilliance — like in 2002’s Heathen Chemistry, which is often overshadowed by other Oasis albums but still managed to give us his first songwriting credit with the heartfelt ‘Songbird.’ Even his brother Noel admitted it was pretty good — proof that even Noel can be gracious when Liam writes something worth listening to.

Heathen Chemistry, featuring Gem Archer and Andy Bell for the first time, marked a transitional phase for Oasis — the band’s way of saying, "We’re growing up, kind of," even if the album didn’t age as gracefully as their early hits. Still, ‘Songbird’ stood out like a shining beacon of Liam’s softer side. Noel noticed in 2018: “It’s noteworthy because it was Liam’s first, maybe only great song, and it pushed us in a new direction.” Written under a French tree during a peaceful moment, ‘Songbird’ oozes tenderness — a stark contrast to Liam’s usual bravado, crafted with love for his then-partner Nicole Appleton of All Saints, proving that even rock stars can be hopeless romantics—not just headbangers.

Liam kept contributing songs over the years, but few had the raw emotion of ‘Songbird.’ It might not be as iconic as ‘Live Forever’ or ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger,’ but it’s still a treasured gem among Oasis fans — a hopeful glimpse into a Liam often mistaken for just a fiery personality, but secretly capable of penning a love song that hits everyone right in the feels.

Ellis Douglas
Editor, BritRock Heaven