While The Song Remains The Same

Album: Chasing Yesterday (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Noel Gallagher wrote this song after going back to his hometown of Manchester. He was dismayed to find that a lot of the landmarks from his favorite two-hour walk starting and ending at his old apartment in the city center had disappeared.
  • The Chasing Yesterday album title is taken from a line in this song. The disc's name has lead to wrongful assumptions that its referencing a desire for an Oasis reunion. "If I hadn't had a f--king raging hangover I would have had the foresight to think, 'That might look a bit nostalgic on its own,'" Gallagher told Jam! Music. "The title's awful. What happened was I put it off and put it off and then my management called me and said, 'This album's going up for pre-order on iTunes today so we need a title by 3 o'clock.' And I said, 'Alright what time is it?' (They said), 'It's ten past one.' And I went, 'f--king hell.' I was going to call it Wheat is Murder or Dark Side of the Room, but Bono talked me out of that one."

    Gallagher added: "The line is saying, 'Look, let's stop chasing yesterday and think about tomorrow.' Now, clearly when chasing yesterday is taken out of context it looks like something else. I mean I still play some of the (Oasis) songs because I love some of the songs, and I know my audience particularly f---ing adore that part of my musical life. And I wouldn't really ever close the door on the music. But if you're asking about reforming the band, no, that's not even on. If I look now to the horizon and close my eyes, I don't see it."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."