Which Oasis songs did Liam Gallagher write?

25 August 2024, 18:00

Liam Gallagher at a book signing in 2009.

Image: Alamy

Noel is the Gallagher brother who composed most of the classic Oasis songs, but which ones were written by Liam?

Noel Gallagher is known as the songwriting genius behind oasis Classics like Wonderwall, Don’t Look Back In Anger, Live Forever and Champagne Supernova… but let’s not forget that brother Liam also wrote a few songs for Oasis at some point.

Let’s look at which Oasis songs Liam Gallagher wrote…

Little James (2000)

Oasis – Little James (album version)

Liam’s first songwriting credit was this sweet song on SStanding on the shoulders of giants in 2000. Noel explained that with Gem Archer and Andy Bell in the band, songwriting duties were shared: “I had slowed down as a songwriter and didn’t feel like I could write 20 songs every two years.”

Little James is about the son of his partner Patsy Kensit, whose father is Jim Kerr, the frontman of the Scottish band Simple Minds. James was six years old at the time: “You live for your toys, even if they make noise / Have you ever played with plasticine / Or even tried a trampoline?”
Songbird (2002)

With 2002’s Heathen Chemistry, Liam Gallagher stepped out of Noel’s shadow and brought no fewer than three songs to an Oasis album. Written for Nicole Appleton, his then fiancée, Songbird had the honour of being the fourth single from the album. Noel complimented Liam on his song at the time, telling the Sydney Morning Herald: “Songbird blew me away when I first heard it because it was so damn simple and direct.”

Oasis – Songbird (Official Video)

Heathen Chemistry ended with two more compositions by Liam (apart from a “secret” track written by Noel): Born On A Different Cloud and Better Man.
Love Like a Bomb (2005)

At the time Don’t believe the truth In 2005, Liam was in top form as a songwriter – he delivered two songs for Ban’s sixth album: The meaning of the soul And I guess God thinks I’m Abeland a third with guitarist Gem Archer, Love like a bomb.

Oasis – Love Like A Bomb (album version)
Pass me the wine (2005)

Let’s not forget Liam’s contribution to the single The importance of doing nothing (out of Don’t believe the truth), he wrote the B-side “Pass Me Down The Wine”. “What do you have tomorrow? / Only pain and sorrow,” it says.

Liam Gallagher – Pass me down the wine (B-side of Oasis)
I’ve Run Out of Time (2008)

Liam’s best composition for his old band? This wistful ballad appeared on the last oasis Album (to date! to date!), Dig out your soul. The album also contains the Liam songs I have nothing And Continue; the special edition of the LP also included the tracks I believe in everything And Boy with the Bluesboth written by Gallagher Jr.
Born on another cloud (2002)

Although Heathen Chemistry was Liam’s least popular Oasis album, he contributed three songs, including this one.

Born on another cloud
The Better Man (2002)

Liam gets the last song on Heathen Chemistry (apart from the “hidden” track The Cage, which appears after half an hour of silence).
The Meaning of the Soul (2005)

Noel described this song from Don’t Believe The Truth as “Like Elvis on crack”. Zak Starkey plays a box of Weetos with two wooden spoons.
I Guess God Thinks I’m Abel (2008)

From Don’t Believe The Truth. As Noel explained at the time: “Liam has gone totally religious. He wrote a new song called Guess God Thinks I’m Abel. And I thought, ‘Okay, so you think you’re Abel. Then I guess I’m Cain. Doesn’t Cain kill Abel?’ But the first line of the song is ‘You could be my lover’. I’m not so sure about that.”

I guess God thinks I’m Abel
I have nothing (2008)

Liam wrote this song for Dig Out Your Soul after he had an argument with two businessmen in Munich, in which the singer lost two front teeth. Gem Archer later said: “Liam wanted it to sound like The Who, with Ginger Baker on drums, playing during an argument.”
I believe in everything (2008)

This upbeat rocker appeared on the deluxe box set as well as on some international editions of Dig Out Your Soul.
I won’t let you down (2005)

This song by Liam was released in May 2005 as the B-side of the single Lyla.
Boy with the Blues (2005/08)

This song by Liam was recorded for Don’t Believe The Truth and almost became the title track of a one-off EP in the summer of 2006. After that EP was cancelled, the song later appeared as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of Oasis’ last album, Dig Out Your Soul, in 2008.

Oasis – The Boy with the Blues (2008, bonus CD)
The Soldier Is Gone (2008)

The last (official) track on Oasis’ last album, Dig Out Your Soul. Noel described this song as “a metaphor for everyday life”.