OASIS: Who Did Noel Gallagher Write 'Live Forever' For… And What Does It Mean?

[@daymobrown]

I always wondered myself until recently. From Liam's song "One of Us", "Act like you don't remember, You said we'd live forever" I don't think he would have used that line if it was about anyone else.

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Excellent point - I hadn't made that connection. Here's an excerpt from the lyrics to that song, in case anyone fancies a little 'further reading'! ONE OF US (Liam Gallagher) Hey kid, did you know? Today 16 years ago It was you and I for the last time You angrily said With a smoke-ring around your heads You would see me on the otherside C'mon, I know you want more C'mon and open your door After it all you'll find out You were always one of us Act like you don't remember You said we'd live forever Who do you think you're kidding? You were only one of us

[@istisel]

Liam believes all Noel’s songs are about for him😂

[@Crumblesoftruth]

He used it because it scanned with 'Don't Remember' Suppose the lyric 'Open The Door' is because Noel had a song with NGHFB 'Lock All The Doors' Yeah and Smoke Ring is because Noel called himself Chief and its how Native Indians communicated 😂😂😂 I could write this baloney all day

[@biblical1982]

​@@JamesHargreavesGuitar👍

[@Zadlo14]

@@Crumblesoftruth Lock All The Doors is a song from DM sessions

[@Damianoss1000]

What is great about Noel's songs, is that most of them can be about many things - they have that universal thing about them

[@kevinmc3252]

"Hugh and I are gonna live together" , big clue.

[@Jesus420.69]

Huw*

[@thecommission6662]

Nearly worked.

[@RS-pp7ng]

😂

[@rhys_parsons3292]

Noel a big fan of four weddings?

[@ln8300]

I believe that black and White sunshine is about Liam as well

[@GergelAni]

Noel actually sang "Live Forever" regularly in the 90's and onwards. Exactly when Liam didn't turn up, or at radio shows or whatever.

[@simonrichards6739]

I used to work in an Irish pub in south Manchester, Peggy would come in for half a Guinness and a Jamesons after doing her shopping. We’d chat, she was absolutely delightful, a good laugh and so down to earth.

[@BigBug6530]

I've always felt its about a couple of mates who've grown up together. Dreams and aspirations for the future when you're young and dumb and happy. Totally captures how it felt to be young in 1993. What an amazing moment to capture in a song.

[@neverenoughguitars8276]

It probably isn't about a particular person but more an idea or a feeling. Like the idea of feeling so connected and bonded with someone. "We see things they'll never see." From the interviews I've seen with Noel, most of his lyrics don't have a lot of personal meaning but are just bits of nice sounding words to complement the tune.

[@kperez83]

I agree. Noel has even stated in the past that he doesn’t put much thought into his lyrics. People just want to believe there’s some hidden meaning behind his songs.

[@samharryful]

Well I think all of them have an specific meaning, he used to never say nothing about the meaning of his songs until recently, just some general ideas of some of them. But he said once that all his song are about his life and have a meaning to him but people can find their own meaning

[@jamboz]

In an interview you link to here, Noel says he wrote it as a 23-year-old. Which would place this in 1990. In another interview you link to, he says he wrote it when he was 21, placing it in 1988. Although he clearly didn't bring it to the band until '93, the lyrics likely predate that by some years. That's how songwriting works, ideas and "words that sound good together" get jotted down, and slowly over time they come together to form a song. So the lyrics likely reflect Noel's state of mind before he had any serious inclination that he was gonna be a megastar.

[@jonathan-livingstone-acoustic]

Noel sang the song many time before the Oasis breakup and long before his THFB days. I recall one acoustic version he sang something like "you take 2 sugars in your tea" instead of "we see things they'll never see". The Lemonheads did an interesting acoustic guitar cover in the 90's.

[@FortValance]

The Lemonheads done a great cover of Mrs Robinson too !!

[@coalitionperformance5901]

The 2 sugars in your tea was from a live creation gig in London around mid 94 and is on the undrugged album so to be fair that’s right around the time it came out so not really since

[@jonathan-livingstone-acoustic]

@@coalitionperformance5901 sorry but your incorrect. Heard Noel sing it on at least 3 versions and I'd bet there are more. Even Liam has sang those words! If you KZbin search "Raised on Radio Noel Gallagher" that recent interview includes a particular interview chat acoustic version of the song played by Noel + Bonehead. And the interview is before Definitely Maybe even came out. Also KZbin search Oasis Noel Gallagher Dublin 1997 Live Forever, guess what lyrics he sang. Not that it matters... Strangely reminds that Blur later did the "he drinks herbal tea" (Country House) and of course Coffee & TV.

[@5hillings]

Noel has definitely sung Live Forever on numerous occasions.. accousticly..Oasis unplugged another famous one...

[@Polygonal_Sprite]

It was written in response to Kurt Cobain’s “I hate myself and want to die” Noel said in an interview I saw years ago “I’m not having kids listening to that shit”. As far as I know he was a huge Nirvana fan but really hated the idea of Kurt putting that in kids heads. Oasis and Nirvana are my personal two favourite bands so it was really interesting to hear. True or not lol. Love the channel mate. Keep up the good work!! Oops that’s what I get for commenting before watching haha. I shall keep my post of shame 😊

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Lol no worries! Yeah I thought for years it was about Kurt / Lennon / other stars of the past. Researching it all changed my mind tho

[@Polygonal_Sprite]

@@JamesHargreavesGuitar Cheers!

[@clm3888]

I did see or read Noel talk about Kurt Cobain's song. He could have written the song before Kurt released that song.

[@jamesm.3829]

That’s literally impossible. The first live forever demo came out before in utero b-sides. I think he said that cause he rode the wave of Britpop nationalism and mentally associated his music as contrasting the moodier American grunge. But that particular story can’t occur.

[@LIONLIONmusic]

You treat Noel Gallagher songs like poems - analyzing heaven & hell out of it. Those songs have been a great influence for me and my brothers songwriting - thanks for sharing your thoughts about it! I truly appreciate that - especially because we're not from Manchester & therefore don't have that cultural background knowledge! Thanks James!

[@Tsa-SONGS-ABOUT-BEING-a-DAD]

This song is absolutely genius. Its also virtually a nursery rhyme lyric wise - makes it easy to sing along and the clever composition+ brilliant singing makes you really feel it. The lyrics being so vague mean anyone can put any meaning to it - but I think it that feeling of being in a gang and out together having a great time that feels like it will never end

[@charliebrogan1141]

This is a well thought out and presented in depth analysis of what is another masterpiece from the master Noel Gallagher. I have always believed that Noel wrote this song with Liam very much in mind. This belief was majorly reinforced lately while listening to some of Liam's post Oasis stuff on KZbin. I can't remember the tune, but Liam's lyrics were, "you said we were gonna live forever". To me this clearly confirms that Live Forever is a tune Noel wrote with them both in mind as close brothers who had been through the mill together growing up. Absolutely concur with James' conclusions in this vid.

[@SallieB196]

Saw him perform it live at a gig just a week ago. You can tell it’s a special song to him….maybe even more so now he’s making a new start in this phase of his life and heading back to where it all started with Council Skies

[@Bob-hq5lj]

I saw Noel twice in the last two weeks at both Indianapolis and Detroit. At the Indy show I sang along with Live Forever reveling in the majesty of this epic song, however it hit me totally differently a week later at Pine Knob. As the song began I unexpectedly began to weep uncontrollably and reflecting on my life and the journey that lead to me being there at that very moment. It was a very rewarding experience

[@SallieB196]

@@Bob-hq5lj this tour was one to get excited about! I feel the songs in this set list are reminiscent or a nod to where his early creativity was and I think the best songs or stories people write come from life experience. The last gig here in the states 4 years ago I just remember a lot of dance music and it wasn’t until the oasis songs came on did people start to sing along.

[@SallieB196]

Plus I think it’s more poignant when Noel vs Liam songs it. I never really cared to listen to it when it was overplayed on the radio but when it was played acoustic by Noel or when Liam sang it on the early days acoustic do you really feel the emotion.

[@Bob-hq5lj]

@@SallieB196 Yeah funny thing about his dance music from a couple years ago was that even though I didn't really care for it at the time.... I rolled into both concert area parking lots blasting "This Is the Place" and then after the show the car system was blasting "Black Star Dancing" on the way out 😁

[@SallieB196]

@@Bob-hq5lj lol, that’s funny! I remember when Black Star Dancing came out how people on twitter were outraged how NG went “disco”lol. I mean it wasn’t the worst and I would put it in the category of “acquired” taste in my opinion. What’s funny was after that gig 4 years ago I got home Liam was tweeting “Biblical” on twitter and I said “I just got back from your brothers gig” and he responded “did u have fun” lol!

[@CupidStunt72]

James, all i know is that when it was played at Knebworth '96 it gave me goosebumps ! Combined with the pictures of rock legends on the screens behing them. Qith Lennon last,.and Noel & Liam payimg tespect to his pic. Phenomenal

[@neildrife1988]

I remember him saying somewhere he was listening Exile of Main Street and the chord progression is nicked from "Shine A Light"...

[@thecommission6662]

He did say that.

[@thecommission6662]

As other people have pointed out. Noel did sing Live Forever while in Oasis, l have 3 different versions in my collection & there's probably more than that. I'm far from convinced Live Forever is about Liam. Noel said of Wonderwall once.That it's about an imaginary friend who's gonna save you from yourself. It could be a similar thing with Live Forever. Who knows. I think the 1993 demo is my favourite version with Liam on vocals. I also have that in my collection.

[@jonathan-livingstone-acoustic]

MTV unplugged with the orchestral strings and what not was great, but the MTV show hosted by Davina McCall in the 90s I have been fond off, Liam sang awesomely with Noel usual guitar and backing vocals, and Bonehead played a digital piano in organ mode. Hardly an acclaimed pianist Bonehead, and he bashes away on piano much like myself, but it really works. They also did Whatever with "you always sing the blues" on same session which was equally superb. On Live Forever Noel did the treble downstrum at start of each bar, rather than the usual double downstrum, his guitar sounds nice. Anyway I am sure you and most here will know about this recording :) EDIT: now I think about it was "all the young blues, carry the news".

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

Young men don’t write songs about their brothers. Or mothers.

[@axlrio]

He did sing Live Forever on the Late show in Ireland. It’s a very touching performance. Very personal.

[@BessieBopOrBach]

Re: the identity of the "best mate": Liam is as good a guess as any, but Noel was writing a lot about a hypothetical best mate who never got away from Manchester during this time -- see "D'yer Wanna Be a Spaceman" and "Flashbax." So my guess is, it's a poetic composite figure.

[@WhereGoesTheNight]

Perfect interpretation

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Very interesting take! I like it

[@bodg2093]

I remember a couple of interviews - in one he said the song was written in India House, Manchester where he lived at the time. The other he said the melody “Maybe, I don’t really wanna know…” was based on the Stones song ‘Shine a light’ melody from the part “May the good lord, shine a light on you…”

[@mrkershaw]

I wonder if he even thought about it at all to be honest. A lot of Noel's best songs as he has put it many times in the past just ' fall from the sky' and I imagine this was just another example of that....albeit in his early song writing days. I really wouldn't be surprised if it's a bit about his mum, Liam, someone imaginary, anyone he knew back then really.........but if anyone has a knack about writing songs that sometimes don't mean very much yet sound great lyrically and melodically strong together then NG is the master at that. Cheers for making this one though James. Keep up the great work

[@CraigABuchanan]

The demo is also on a cd that I think NME released… I still have the CD a with it on

[@jayemel]

When i've graduated two years ago, our group could choose a few songs to play on our graduation ceremony, i've chose Live Forever to play, and when it was my time to get my straw, this song played🥰 IT WAS MAGICAL! I won't forget this moment.

[@aidanthemusicmaker]

Noel did sing an acoustic version of Live Forever on 2fm with Dave Fanning in Ireland once. He also did a slide Away. I think. Bonehead was there too. No Liam that day. Must have been around 1994 or 1995 ish

[@RobertHutchinson398]

This makes me love this song even more!

[@SallieB196]

Will you ever do a video on Slide Away?

[@albev75]

Best synopsis of a song I've watched/ listened to James ...superb fella 🙌 loved this mate 🎼🎙🎸🎼✌️👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@albev75]

@@Steaminlidz Sorry Sir , I'll change it ( fukn auto correct ) & bring you an apple in tomorrow you complete & utter fud .

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Cheers! Much appreciated :)

[@albev75]

@@JamesHargreavesGuitar appreciate you & the time it takes to research, record & edit James....well worth it . Can I ask what's next ? Is there another song 🎙being done at present ? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙

[@favioescalon528]

With this kind of content theres never been a better time to be an oasis nerd

[@rogermccartney8720]

A simply brilliant video. You had me riveted all the way through and you told the story brilliantly. I was in tears thinking about what happened to that boy. You have got a brilliant way of presenting these videos. I always thought it was about Liam and I'm pleased that you have confirmed it. Thank you for this x

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Thanks I’m glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@geoffbray6996]

​@@JamesHargreavesGuitaras a longtime Oasis fan I have watched all of your videos & I am now a James Hargreaves fan, your dedication is honourable mate. Ps.. if Bonehead can't do the reunion I vote you do it lol

[@RawPower7]

Brilliant channel you got, i love learning more about this band🙂👍

[@_PeaceLover]

You make some great analytical videos on oasis man good work 🙏🙏

[@pbrecipe2443]

a deep dive into my favorite oasis song….NICE!

[@StraffordMusic]

I love watching your videos thank you for doing the digging to present these amazing eye opening mini documentary’s. There is so much to discover and you always seem to find something extremely meaningful and something I would never have discovered if you hadn’t shown me. So thank you. I also feel like we have some things in common. I was also raised in a Pentecostal church. I still wrestle with issues around that to this day. I also love Oasis and the songs they have brought to the world. I am a southerner but I did get to live up north for around 12 years and ten of them was in Manchester. I’m a singer songwriter (whatever that means) what I’m trying to say is I love the life long pursuit of trying to write the perfect song knowing I will never be truly satisfied. However it gives me purpose. I’m now rambling but thanks again

[@timbo749]

I think it is for John Lennon, an addendum to Elton John's " Empty Garden- hey hey Johnny", Noel makes a reference to a garden, and in live shows they play it to a slide show of famous musician's who have died, with the final slide being John Lennon. Maybe I don't really wanna know How your garden grows 'Cause I just wanna fly Lately, did you ever feel the pain In the morning rain As it soaks you to the bone? Maybe I just wanna fly Wanna live, I don't wanna die Maybe I just wanna breathe Maybe I just don't believe Maybe you're the same as me We see things they'll never see You and I are gonna live forever

[@jamescookmedia]

He performed it on a number of occasions. 1996 Late Show being one of them

[@OSW]

Worth noting! In the 2018 YT video "Liam Gallagher vs Cute Kids" at 2:40 he says he thinks Live Forever is about *his mam, and it's a nice song to sing for his mother.*

[@harrysingh2960]

he said in a interview regarding the line “we see things they’ll never see” that it was about a childhood friend who gets things no one else does .. like an inside joke type situation.Its on the definitely maybe 10 year anniversary DVD documentary (2004) The Liam theory is very plausible of course . Always thought the song had a huge deeper meaning ..

[@IanSmith-ww4bz]

I reckon it’s definitely got at least some link to John Lennon - the cover art for the single is literally John’s childhood home, while living forever may refer to John’s legacy and Noel’s wish to recreate it/follow in John’s footsteps

[@richardpblaikie]

Great video thanks. I always thought this song was about Liam/the brothers relationship since I was a kid. It seemed pretty obvious to me, but I'm not boasting about that lol.

[@SteveyW0nder]

Love the videos! As an aside, my favorite whimsical Oasis theory is that Sad Song is the sequel to Digsy's Dinner, where the lasagna needs to be thrown away - "We're throwing it alllll away, at the end of the day!"

[@lefthandlee]

No

[@soledesertion]

he sang Live Forever at the concert in Cincinnati I went to this year, it was acoustic and very stripped down, kinda sad sounding honestly. whether or not it was for Liam, it definitely is Liam’s song.

[@inazumaajax9939]

I've always thought it sounded like it was towards Liam. The lyrics of the chorus especially. I think the lyrics are kinda like Aquiesce, they are about the band itself almost. Not wanting to fade away and have your music last forever, which he would back up in interviews that their records will stand the test of time. If we know that Aquiesce is about Liam, read these lyrics and tell me that they don't have similar themes. Live Forever: Maybe I just want to fly, wanna live, don't wanna die. Maybe I just wanna breathe, maybe I just don't believe. Maybe you're the same as me, we'll see things they'll never see. You and I are gonna live forever. Maybe I will never be all the things I wanna be. Now is not the time to cry, now's the time to find out why. Aquiesce: There are many things that I would like to know, there are many places that I wish to go. Because we need eachother, we believe in one another, I know we're going to uncover, what's sleeping in our soul.

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Nice. Good point well made

[@anderslai]

Love this analysis ❤

[@michaelmcdonald5175]

Noel sang Live Forever on The Late Late Show with Gay Byrne in 1996, it's on KZbin.

[@martinmcgrath1985]

These songs are about no one and everyone at the same time..not all songs are about someone. I’m glad songwriters make stories up about there songs..why does it really matter? It’s personal to the writer.

[@jacobrobison9402]

This made me emotional ngl

[@TedGrubersky]

Just like many of the earlier songs and songs later, it’s likely to assume it’s about Liam. Live Forever, D’Yer Wanna Be A Spaceman, Sad Song, Let’s All Make Believe, Acquiesce. Wonderwall and Talk Tonight being obvious exceptions It annoys me when anti-Oasis people say ‘their lyrics are nonsense and don’t mean anything’. Crikey! Good work again James 👍

[@Sleepy_I]

Very much enjoyed this. I'm not sure I 100% agree with the conclusion but it's a fascinating and well researched/presented theory. For me it's always been about escape, escaping from and rising above a shitty beginning or surroundings with someoone important to you - whether that is a friend, family or lover I don't think is important. It's about no matter where you are in life if you have the dream you can get to that better place. It's an absolute belter of a song. My favourite Oasis song and one I'll probably have played at my funeral.

[@JohnBrute]

Excellent video and analysis, as always! I have to admit, without having gone too in depth with analysing the lyrics, I always assumed it was about drugs and how people turn to them as an escape, with the words "live forever" referencing the addiction that comes along with them.

Ah hell yes new JHG upload let's goooooo

[@michaelpaul3481]

He absolutely sang it in a sound check, it’s on KZbin and it’s a fantastic version, he also sang it acoustically in Dublin many years ago on a talk show, also on KZbin I also remember an interview from years ago where he stated that it’s not about anyone in particular it was up to the listener to decide, and doesn’t have to be a boyfriend or girlfriend it can be your best friend, sister, brother whatever you want it to be

[@JamesHargreavesGuitar]

Ahhh man its such a minefield figure out when he's telling the truth hahahahahaha Yeah you're right he did do it live. Ah well, hopefully that doesn't really impact on my lyrical interpretation too much lol

[@michaelpaul3481]

@@JamesHargreavesGuitar I don’t think it does, and i think it being about Liam is probably bang on, definitely sits better with me than most of the other options anyway. As always I really enjoyed the video, I personally don’t believe that Noel actually ever thinks too deeply about what he writes and that a lot of it is just blind luck haha I hope I’m wrong though and I always find your interpretations very thought provoking, interesting and enjoyable

[@D.L91]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4OcZXemYreNiJY Noel singing live forever on irish tv😅

[@javierromerovillavazo8116]

He even played it for the MTV Unplugged.

[@matthewrider5906]

Noel's different stories as to where his songs were written, whom they were written for, when they were written, why, etc... I think that's just a bit of a nod to Bob Dylan, myself. I think it's kinda cool, actually. If I were famous, & particularly a famous rock n roll songsmith... I'd have probably done the same. Yeah, man. Absolutely.💯

[@AProperPaddyORourke]

That point on the road coming home from school, where you would see if he was in or not. I remember that point.

[@damianrf6309]

He and his music will live forever. His music is his best friend.

[@boxingjerapah]

Always thought it was about Liam. Nothing in here has me change my mind.

[@MRynbout]

Yep and it’s Liams favourite song. He knows

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

This is a dorkfest.

[@majorthestbernard5831]

And I love it!

[@Flukey_1970]

Great video and very interesting I also agree i think it’s about Liam, but also I guess thats what makes a song great though that it can fit into anything you want it to be. This is how people relate to songs

[@5732noel]

One of the best songs ever written.

[@jbird4627]

I seen a rare interview from early 2000 with Noel talking about King Tuts and Alan McGee shouting ka-ching when they played Live Forever. This also could be Noel just spinning yarn to one of the hundreds of interviews he did looking bored.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Its about Huw Edwards. Huw and I are gonna Live Forever.

[@steviemac8075]

Great thought process you are clearly a deep thinker. Superb channel (needs more Beatles) I think your life has allowed you to see, all that is said is not what is meant. Ian Brown reason behind magic pie 🥧 again seeing things people never see. Well done James love the content also the tutorials.

[@fabbb81]

Noel sang it live several times (MTV unplugged, Dublin 97)

[@damotheman4196]

On the late late show with Gay Byrne afterwards then too? He's wearing a kinda green shirt.. Can see and hear it clearly.

[@le-berry]

I agree with you !!! Noal does Lie quite a bit and I fully understand his tactics. He always was busy to confuse and plant seeds to become 'special'.

[@SimonJamesStories]

This was fun. I loved listening to your reading. Reminded me of English Lit - you just know not all of it is the artist's intent, but great to explore possible stories regardless and see if they can track. Noel is a (talented) charlatan (proven by the fact that he claims here he never played Live Forever live but he of course did, on the Late Show). Everything he says has to be taken with a pinch of salt, including what he says about LF, their greatest song. In my opinion, like all his tunes, its a mishmash of notions, and not about one person or idea. He probably doesn't know the specifics himself. But as with all his classics, what it DOES do, is connote a 'feeling'. And it does it so so well.

[@albev75]

Don't think it's about 1 any specific person or situation ...think this godlike genius is channeling some freaky hoodoo voodoo shit from the universe & coming out with complete & utter belters ..Immortality fella 🎼🎸🎙🎼✌️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@gothgurlfriend]

Great video, really great. And not to nitpick but Noel did Live Forever without Liam LOADS of times including MTV Unplugged in 1996!

[@jaxson360]

This is fantastic

[@1dorz]

"You get the jokes that nobody else gets" - Noel Of course it was for, and about, Liam. Same with Acquiesce and Rock and Roll Star

[@BearIslandComics]

Pretty sure the deep meaning behind this song is finding phrases that rhyme and sound cool

[@conormccolgan4758]

I’m gonna say it…best song of all time.

[@guesttheband]

Hi James, great analysis. Noël sang 'live forever' for MTV unplugged in 1996. There's Always contradiction with noël. Have a nice day Bruno

[@michaelmulhall5007]

He sang it loads times in 94 acoustic with bonehead he talks so much shit

[@mrkershaw]

He didn't have a choice that night 😆

[@guesttheband]

@@mrkershaw true ! Or skip that one

[@mrkershaw]

@@guesttheband Maybeeeeee

[@thomaskilroy4573]

I always just imagined it to be subconsciously written to Liam and for it to be a pseudo-letter between the brother’s. That the both of them can actually do this. They can achieve everything they dream of if they rely on each other, because from this point on, there’s no going back. There’s no other future from this day forward. They are gonna live forever or die trying.

[@thecrankedamps]

A blur video would be nice for a change James

[@allandudson9684]

I agree with your analysis. I have three elder brothers. I would like to ask you if Noel is so normal, why do I recollect him advocating the "pin in the arm" when us awaken lot think that was a bad idea?

[@craignightingale8022]

c.9:30 he did sing Live Forever. 96? On the Late Late Show.

[@asap..now.]

Incredibly done ! Cheers

[@David-Toth-Media]

I love your videos about Oasis.

[@clouseaux]

@13:00 , what's an allotment? In British context?

[@bughsoftheworld]

A small section of land in your garden which you use to grow food.

[@jonathan-livingstone-acoustic]

It's not in your garden, as that would just be the garden area attached to your home. An allotment is more typically a community focused large patch of land segmented into say 50 or 60 small rectangular spaces And each space is owned or rented by someone. It's a legacy thing of past really.

[@williamsohor4067]

Also, in the VH1 Behind the Music:Oasis episode. He wrote it as a response to Nirvana’s I Hate Myself and I Was ant To Die.

[@itsthafuss]

If possible I think u should do a track by track of Live Forever. Like the ones you did for Some might say and Wonderwall etc. I think it would be really interesting because Live Forever is actually a pretty complex song and has a lot of parts to it that people may not hear or not realise are there. Keep up the good work James!

[@BlackCountrySoul1]

Even in that Jo Whiley interview from last year he says he wrote it as a 23 year old which would make it 1990. And given his drug use at the time, I'm guessing he has no recollection about performing it on the Late Late Show in 1995.

[@allanspence1347]

The nursery rhyme is about Mary, Elizabeth the First's Catholic sister.

[@ESlasher2007_Ethio]

This is a big song, and especially if Noel gets upset when singing it, he must really love Liam.

[@johnnyhanel]

disregard my last comment. i was thinking of a time he performed Slide Away that i loved. hahahaha. but still i believe he did it during mtv unplugged? and another in the 90s he performed it on a late night show. and also he did it on some BBC radio show as well in 2021. they were all acoustically. so maybe he meant he never performed it as a full band? or maybe he just truly forgot idk either way its not true at all. i’m sure theres many many more occasions he performed it.

[@supershedseven]

I don't think it's about or inspired by one single thing or person. I think Noel just shoots out lyrics from whatever suited the melody of the song, but maybe with a number of small passing thoughts. The Nirvana thing is interesting, however I dont think it's got anything to do with the song I Hate Myself, I Want To Die because from what i understand, Live Forever was written before IHMIWTD. I do think there is an element of the anti-grunge "i dont want to tidy my bedroom" music.

[@michaeljames87]

Flawless video … again

[@glOOmyART]

i think the line "we see things they'll never see" in this context is not some prophecy about going around the world in a band and literally see things most of us will never see, i think it's more a critic of that whole "holy family" concept, not beeing allowed to divorce an abusive husband when they don't see or even deny the harsh reality they were facing on a daily basis behind closed doors

[@swallergr1msby]

We still ain’t found out how he came up with the solo ,….

[@kula81]

Listen to These Are The Days Of Our Lives by Queen

[@swallergr1msby]

I have just listened and am afraid I can’t hear a resemblance to the LV solo, Made of Stone is more of a resemblance than anything else I have heard …

[@mug489t5]

The interview clip you play around 9:15 might be another Noel smokescreen because he says he never sang it after the first time he played it for the band but I'm pretty sure he plays it in the Supersonic documentary

[@mug489t5]

Just the one stick in the mud throws the whole clip into question for me

[@abraxas511]

He isnt talking about it being about his best friend, but a type of song written about a best friend where you can celebrate and fist pump. Thats the kind of song it is, but that doesnt mean he wrote it about a literal best friend. Its like "we are the champions" is a celebration about winning something or other. It doesnt mean queen won anything, but its the type of song you write or sing when you do.

[@silverlining7298]

Had anyone ever interviewed Louise Jones?

[@JelleKramerSongs]

Noel sang Live Forever with Bonehead and himself on acoustic guitars for Much Music in Canada and (obviously) for MTV unplugged… he also states in the supersonic documentary that he never wrote a song about his abusive dad or rough childhood.

[@shhtha]

It's about being timeless

[@lowellsewell1005]

This is good I'm sorry they've had their problems but I'm proud of both their accomplishments in music...

[@Alex-tx6by]

damn. . . well done.

[@jesterr7133]

I don't think it is about a specific person. I think this song is about his desire to live forever, and the feeling he is destined for greatness. He is wondering if those that came before him felt the same way that he did. He is trying to figure out what made them tick, because he wants to reach immortality just like they did. That is why photos of people like Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain are shown in the music video. He is saying that he is just like them, and that he will be immortal just like they were. The phrase "how your garden grows" is not meant to be interpreted literally. Like a lot of Noel's lyrics, it is a metaphor. It refers to his desire to know what made them tick, and what made them different from everyone else. He is kinda saying "What do you have to be depressed about? We're gonna live forever." "I think you're the same as me, We see things they'll never see" refers to his belief that he is special, just like they were, and he knows he will live forever, just like they did. He is also saying that while a lot of bad stuff happens in life, he doesn't worry about it because he will live forever.

[@nickyjones7048]

I think the line “Maybe I will never be, all the things that I want to be” - is Noel saying to Liam that he will never be the front man of the band and have that same charisma and voice as Liam does. Even though he wanted it. Come on it’s Noel and his ambition we are talking about here! He wanted it ALL! He even said that after receiving an award and saying he has £80 million quid in the bank that he wanted MORE! But he only just missed out on that role of Lead Singer because of how one of a kind Liam is up front.

[@MA-yu2ss]

He did sing live forever at the MTV unplugged show though

[@troubledjoe4022]

I read a Noel interview where he said he wrote the song in a hotel (I think in Manchester) when it was absolutely pissing it down, the heaviest rain he'd seen. Its a very Northern thing to moan about the weather and someone else to say to you "still, it's good for the garden" That's what he's talking about when he says "I don't want to know how your garden grows" and reinforces this view with the pain of being soaked to the bone. A very Manchester thing as it's always raining. Absolutely nothing to do with being Catholic or religion.

[@Tsa-SONGS-ABOUT-BEING-a-DAD]

Yep probably that and also grow was the first word he thought of rhming with know

[@dave-si1vq]

Nah its about drugs... trippin raving coming home early morning coming down walking miles in the rain. We see things they'll never see definitely trippin. Love oasis love your channel mate x

[@denniszielstra8047]

Its weird you take an interview where noel says he never played live forever live without liam so serious