From album
Definitely Maybe
Oasis · 1994 · Track 3
Details
TonalidadAm
Compás4/4
Tempo92 BPM
Duración4:37
CompositorNoel Gallagher
ÁlbumDefinitely Maybe
Año1994
Credits
Music Noel Gallagher
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The story behind
The story of *Live Forever* dates back to 1991, when Noel Gallagher, working in a construction company in Manchester, had an accident that crushed his foot. This incident allowed him to move to a less demanding position in the warehouse, giving him more time to compose. One night, while listening to The Rolling Stones' album *Exile on Main St.*, he found that one of his own chord progressions fit perfectly with a vocal melody from the record, specifically from the song *Shine a Light*. He adapted the line to "Maybe I don't really want to know," and that was the initial seed of *Live Forever*.
When Noel Gallagher presented the complete song to the band in early 1993, it made a big impression. Drummer Tony McCarroll recalls they were astonished. The song was key to Oasis securing their contract with Creation Records; Alan McGee, the label's head, has said it was one of the most significant moments he experienced with them. For the recording of the debut album, *Definitely Maybe*, it was recorded at Clear studios in Manchester. Producer Owen Morris decided to remove the acoustic guitar intro that appeared on the demo and replaced it with a drum beat. He also cut a part of the guitar solo, something that Gallagher found curious. The song's musical structure, with its G–D–Am–C–D chord progression and an unresolved ending, gives the feeling that it could continue indefinitely, as guitarist Paul Arthurs commented. The song was released as a single on August 8, 1994, just before the album's release. It was Oasis's first single to reach the top ten in the UK. In 2017, Liam Gallagher declared it his favorite by the band. In July 2024, the BPI certified it triple platinum, and following Oasis's reunion in August 2024, the song climbed the charts again, reaching number eight on the UK Singles Chart.
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