I’m embarrassed by my Oasis career accolades – I’m just a kid from a council estate, says Noel Gallagher
NOEL GALLAGHER is “embarrassed” when told his career accolades, as he thinks he’s “just a chancer from a council estate who dropped out of school”.
The Oasis legend has eight No1 singles, has sold more than 70million records worldwide and is widely credited as being one of the most successful British songwriters of all time.
On top of that, he has been one of my go-to artists for years.
But during an appearance on Radio 2’s First And Last, which is out today via the BBC Sounds app, Noel told Cerys Matthews:
“I am a chancer from a council estate . . . I haven’t got a clue what I’m doing.
“It is all by feel and ear and that’s it. I have never had a single music lesson in my life.
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“It’s not that I don’t believe in them but I think if someone teaches you then you are putting their teachings into practice.
"But if you teach yourself, it is coming from a place that is unifiable.
“It is you. Chords are nothing in what I do. It’s meaningless. It’s all about the melody, that’s what sticks.
“The guy going to work is whistling the melody, not the chords.
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"I don’t know where they come from and I don’t want to know. I’m not interested, it is all magic to me.”
Noel joined brother Liam in Oasis in 1991 before spending the next 18 years at the forefront of the Britpop scene and spear- heading British music.
But he thought the pinnacle for him would be very different.
He said: “I often thought when I was younger that my future lay in music somewhere and honestly, when I met Inspiral Carpet and became their roadie, I thought, ‘I knew it. This is it. This is my thing’.
“I was on tour with them and I called home and said, ‘How is the other fella (Liam)?’ and Mum said he was in a band.
“They were called Oasis and they were all right. Initially they asked me to be their manager, then they asked me to join.”
From then on, Noel was catapulted into music history, with LP Definitely Maybe topping the charts and be- coming the country’s fastest-selling debut album.
But Noel admitted the success of singles including Live Forever, Cigarettes And Alcohol and Don’t Look Back In Anger meant he suffered from writer’s block as he tried to constantly outdo what Oasis had already achieved.
He said: “Back in those days I never used to second-guess myself. I was always like, ‘Get down and get on with it’.
“It’s only when you sell 40million records you think, ‘Oh, I should behave like a songwriter who has sold 40million albums’.
“But then you over- think things. It took ages to get out of that rut and to where I am now.
“Now I don’t care if they don’t make sense. They make sense to me. I have two albums’ worth of music just waiting for those final lyrics to tie it all together.”
Noel is now gearing up to release an as-yet untitled album as part of his band Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds in 2023.
Last month he dropped lead single Pretty Boy.
But he explained: “It doesn’t sound like anything else on the album. The record is quite eclectic in its styles.
"Hopefully people will have nice things to say about it because, as thick-skinned as I am, it is nice to read nice things about what you do.
"But if the record bombs, there is another one on the way already.”
The dad-of-three added: “I’m not one for flowery political statements. I’m just a normal guy from a council estate.
"I barely went to school. I quit. But the usual truth will always be there, which is the sunshine and the rain.
“When you get to our age it is all about acceptance, anyway, and accepting what you have become and how you’ve got there.
“What I’ve learnt is that life is just about keeping the plates spinning.
"So you have your family and they need a bit of attention from time to time.
"And then you have your band, your business, your friends. I do tend to work backwards from this thing that I do, as then that makes everything else brilliant for everyone else.
“So if I take my songwriting for granted and just start knocking them off, that isn’t going to last very long.
“Songwriters will literally sacrifice anything for the tune. I would give up . . . well definitely the cat, as it’s annoying.
“I was going to say one of the kids but they have grown into fantastic children.
"But you would sacrifice anything for the tune.
“Paul Weller is one of my best, oldest friends and he gave me the best advice ever.
"He said, ‘Don’t chase it’. If it’s not meant to happen, it’s not meant to happen.”
Last night Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds announced a special homecoming show in Manchester.
The group will play Wythenshawe Park on Saturday, August 26, next year, their first full headline performance in the city since 2019.
STONES ARE GOING GAGA
THE ROLLING STONES are to release a live hits album featuring Lady Gaga and Bruce Springsteen.
GRRR Live! was recorded in December 2012 during a performance at New Jersey’s Prudential Center in the US.
The gig was originally only aired as a pay-per-view event, so this is the first time some fans will have got to hear it.
The album, which is out on February 10, features Gaga on Gimme Shelter and The Black Keys on Who Do You Love?.
John Mayer and Gary Clark Jr joined them for Going Down while Bruce lends his vocals on Tumbling Dice.
FLO JUST LOVE A BRANDY
HOTLY tipped girl group Flo were the biggest attraction at last night’s MOBO Awards, performing and spilling the beans on their debut album.
The girls, Stella Quaresma, Jorja Douglas And Renee Downer – also shortlisted this week for the Rising Star award for next year’s Brits – promised their record will be out in 2023.
And they are angling for an extra-special guest to be a part of it. In an exclusive chat on the red carpet, Stella said: “Brandy . . . we FaceTimed her, it is going to happen.”
The 25th annual MOBOs, celebrating music of black origin, were held at the OVO Wembley Arena and also featured performances from Cat Burns, Fireboy Dml and Kojey Radical.
Emeli Sande sang a tribute to the late music mogul Jamal Edwards, who was honoured with the Paving The Way award following his death in February.
Central Cee won Best Male Act and Best Female Act was Pinkpantheress.
But all eyes were on special guest presenter, boxing champ Anthony Joshua, on the red carpet, with acts including singer Caity Baser hoping for an introduction.
Other guests included ex-Strictly pro dancer Oti Mabuse, singer Raye and models Jourdan Dunn and Leomie Anderson.
MOBO Winners
Best Male Act: Central Cee
Best Female Act: Pinkpantheress
Album Of The Year (Joint Winners): Knucks - Alpha Place Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
Song Of The Year: Dreya Mac, Felixthe1St & Finch Fetti - Own Brand (Baddie)
Video Of The Year: Central Cee - Doja
Lifetime Achievement Award: Nile Rodgers
Outstanding Contribution Award: Craig David
Paving The Way Award: Jamal Edwards Mbe
JESY FOSTERS NEW FEELINGS
JESY NELSON may have sung about loving bad lads, on her debut solo track Boyz last year, but hopefully her new man treats her better.
I can reveal the former Little Mix singer has grown close to rapper Zion Foster, with the pair recently enjoying a romantic trip to Jamaica.
But keen to keep things as low- profile as possible, they have kept each other out of their sparse social media posts.
The luxury break saw them check into the stunning five-star Sandals resort in Montego Bay, on the north of the island.
The all-inclusive resort prides itself on romantic breaks and honeymoons – and even boasts expansive Love Nest Suites overlooking the ocean, with bathtubs on the balcony.
A source said: “It’s early days, and there is definitely no label on things, but Jesy and Zion have grown close in recent weeks.
“They are taking things at their own pace and playing it all by ear but are really enjoying each other’s company.
“Jamaica was the perfect chance to really get to know each other, away from where they could be recognised.
“Jesy is in a really great place right now and excited for what’s in store for next year.”
She has spent 2022 working on her debut solo album after parting from her label Polydor in July, nine months after releasing single Boyz.
The track, featuring superstar rapper Nicki Minaj, peaked at No4 in the singles chart.
The singer is now gearing up to release her second solo single via an independent label in the New Year.
She is a good way down the line. The track has been completed and rehearsals for the music video have taken place.
An insider added: “It’s been a long time coming and there have been countless days in the studio finding her feet. But Jesy feels like she’s finally found her sound.”
ELLIE SHOCK DYES DOWN
ELLIE GOULDING’s latest single is called Let It Die, but the singer’s fans were more interested in her hair dye yesterday.
The blonde had new brunette locks when she sang at a Christmas carol concert in London.
But the Love Me Like You Do hitmaker revealed the change isn’t permanent, tweeting yesterday: “Calm down . . . it washes out.”
Ellie has been getting flak for more than just her hair colour this week.
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She announced she will play an intimate show at London’s Koko to celebrate the release of her upcoming fifth album Higher Than Heaven, prompting fans around the world to moan that she hasn’t toured internationally for years.
And hinting that it won’t happen in 2023 either, she replied to one fan on Twitter: “I’m so sorry, if I had it my way I would be doing a tour to come and see you all.”