The one song that will always make Noel Gallagher feel good: “That’ll do me”
There is a reason why many artists don’t continue to work in music after getting signed or making it big off a couple of songs. It’s not as simple as writing some hits and then becoming as big as The Beatles. A lot of work needs to be done in the interim, and that severs many people’s relationship with music.
Nobody begins making music with the intention of being rich and famous. Sure, the allure of being a rockstar is nice, but it’s a strong connection with music that initially sparks the desire to do it for a living. People are passionate about music and can make it with their friends, following in the footsteps of those who have inspired them. Then, when they have a big break, it stops being that fun thing and starts being a job.
People are no longer just making music with their friends; instead, they have interviews to do, have to be able to go to meetings and sell their creative vision, have strict deadlines, and have to run their work by a lot of higher-ups. It’s not a life for everyone, but the secret to making it big as a musician is always keeping the love of your work at the heart of everything you do.
Noel Gallagher has been working in music from a young age, and it’s no secret that it’s been a bumpy ride. Despite the unbelievable success of Oasis, they had a lot of trouble as a band, which led to a famous split and a rift between the brothers that took a while to mend. “It’s not a decision I took lightly,” said Noel, “And I’d written every meaningful song that was ever recorded by Oasis. And it was my life, I directed it and creatively it was my thing. With the benefit of hindsight it was the best thing for me and for the band.”
After the band split, Noel and Liam pursued separate solo careers, which were successful but also tough to keep up with. Fans would turn up to the gigs for the old hits, and it was a struggle for both musicians to have their solo work treated with the same level of respect.
Throughout it all, though, Noel has always kept his music close to his heart, and it has been easy to stay connected with his career throughout the tribulations because of how much he loves music. He has admitted on multiple occasions he feels lucky to do what he does for a living.
“I think that music has dragged me into this hole that now, at 35, I will refuse to get out of,” he said, “I’ve been in situations where, you know, you meet people, and they can’t come between me and that guitar; it’s as simple as that. Not because I prefer it over them or I prefer it over whatever, it’s just that’s my thing.”
There is one song above all others that Noel can turn to in times of crisis, and it’s a classic by The Beatles. “What I have left in the world, if I lose all my money and if I lose all my friends and if I become ill, as long as I can pick up that guitar and sing fucking ‘Hey Jude’ once a day, that’ll do me.”
