One of the finest tracks that Noel Gallagher has ever performed.
FYI, if you’ve any suggestions about a classic song that we should feature then feel free to get in touch with our music geek @ElChiefMoore
Artist, album and year: Oasis, The Masterplan, 1998.
Why is it a classic? : Noel Gallagher was always the leader of Oasis and despite Liam’s magnetic bravado, swagger and rebellious attitude it was Noel who provided the heart, soul and brains of the band and this song is arguably his finest moment.
Cue an inevitable backlash from fans of the band, who like me, find it almost impossible to choose between The Masterplan and Don’t Look Back in Anger because they’re such stellar tunes.
Much like Rock N’ Roll Star, Gallagher expresses a desire to leave a stagnant life in a boring city but unlike the opening track from Definitely Maybe, which felt like using music as a euphoric escape from the doldrums of everyday life, Half The World Away is the work of an artist that has taken life’s punches, seen it all but still remains quietly hopeful.
There’s a sense that time is running out on the Oasis leader especially in the lyrics, “so here I go still scratching around the same old hole, my body feels young but my mind is very old”.
The earlier dreams, hopes and adventures of a younger man have been replaced by a willing acceptance that there’s beauty, comfort and stability in what you know which is perfectly captured in the line, “I’ve been lost I’ve been found but I don’t feel down”.
In strictly musical terms, this is arguably the Oasis song that’s the closest to being Gallagher’s baby because he penned it and recorded the vocals, guitars, bass guitar and drums.
It’s stellar and can still give you goosebumps when he performs it live or when you’re winding down at home after a long day or night.
Did you know?: This is Paul Weller’s favourite Oasis tune and Noel has openly admitted that the tune is lifted from “This Guy’s in Love with You” by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Noel even played a version of it with the famous singer.
The lyrical hook: “So what do you say? You can’t give me the dreams that are mine anyway”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fWpuH6fysI
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