For What It's Worth

Album: As You Were (2017)
Charted: 33
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Liam Gallagher met up with Simon Aldred of Cherry Ghost, who also helped pen Sam Smith's "Leave Your Lover" and Avicii's "Waiting for Love." Liam asked Aldred to write him a song of apology that was regretful but not desperate. Hearing the opening lines of Aldred's demo - "In my defence so my intentions were good. And heaven knows a place somewhere for the misunderstood" – the ex-Oasis frontman was instantly in.

    "I'm not really that good at apologizing," Liam pointed out to Q Magazine. "So I got someone else to do it for me."
  • Speaking to Noisey about the song, Gallagher said:

    "Obviously I've made a lot of mistakes. That's life. I guess [the track] is an apology to whoever. I've pissed a lot of people off. But I'm certainly not gonna write a song for each and every one of them. There's one there. F---in' deal with it and move on."
  • Liam Gallagher told The Sun about the song: "I can say sorry. I am not shy at saying sorry and I've said it on numerous occasions and we've all moved on, " he said. "It's nice to say it in a song in that kind of way. That is the most Oasis-y kinda of tune on the record. I love it."

    Gallagher added: "A lot of people are going, 'Oh, it's about Noel'. Like I said before, I haven't got anything to apologise for to Noel. I haven't done anything wrong. He split the band up. There you go."
  • Simon Aldred explained to Mojo magazine he's from a similar working class background to Gallagher. The songwriter was born in Bolton, not too far from where the singer grew up, and they are similar ages.

    Aldred added: "We met in London and he said he could do with an 'apology song – but not to worry.' I said, who are you apologizing to? He said: Everybody! That was all I needed. I spent two or three weeks writing "For What It's Worth.'"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine Band

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine BandSongwriter Interviews

Harry Wayne Casey tells the stories behind KC and The Sunshine Band hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," and "Give It Up."