Noel Gallagher names his favorite albums
Noel Gallagher names his favorite albums. The British musician, songwriter, and the lead guitarist of the rock band Oasis talked about his favorite albums.
The 80s and 90s were the most vibrant times in rock music. Oasis, formed in 1991, was one of the most successful rock bands of the 90s. The band was formed by two brothers born and raised in Manchester: Noel Gallagher described as a complex and outspoken individual with a distinctive personality, and his little brother Liam Gallagher, the naughty boy of the family.
Noel Gallagher is the songwriter of some of the best songs of all time such as “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger“.
Which albums and songs does a musician like Noel Gallagher, who has written some of the greatest songs of all time, like?
Noel Gallagher’s favorite albums
Here are Noel Gallagher’s favorite albums:
- The Beatles’ “Revolver”
- Pink Floyd’s “The Wall”
- The Who’s “The Best of The Who”
- Sex Pistols “Nevermind The Bollocks”
- The Smiths’ “Queen Is Dead”
- The Rolling Stones’ “Let It Bleed”
- The La’s “The La’s”
- The Amorphous Androgynous’ “A Monstrous Psychedelic Bubble Vol. 1″
- The Soundtrack of Our Lives “Behind The Music”
- U2’s “Joshua Tree”
The Beatles – “Revolver”
In August 1966, The Beatles released “Revolver”, an album that would fundamentally reshape the world of music. After this album, all eyes in the music world were on The Beatles. It also managed to attract the attention of Noel Gallagher. This album is at the top of the list of Noel Gallagher’s favorite albums.
Songs such as “Eleanor Rigby” and “She Said She Said” were of great lyrical and melodic interest to the audience. Not to be overlooked, The Beatles ventured into uncharted psychedelic territory with “Tomorrow Never Knows“. This song, in particular, is considered one of the pioneering tracks of the then-newly emerging psychedelic rock genre.
“Revolver” is one of The Beatles’ most successful albums and has sold over 5 million copies in the United States alone. Globally, its sales are estimated to be in the tens of millions.
Noel Gallagher on Revolver:
“The Beatles’ Revolver was a milestone in the Fab Four’s career.”
Pink Floyd – “The Wall”
When you listen to Pink Floyd’s “The Wall“, you taste a mix of rock and opera. The album is definitely a concept album. A lyrical analysis of this double album, released in November 1979, reveals themes of alienation, isolation, and personal introspection with a philosophical underpinning.
Many professionals in the music world consider the album a masterpiece. Of course, it was not easy to realize such a masterpiece. “The Wall” took a year to record. The band was going through a difficult time, both financially and emotionally. The conflicts within the band grew to such an extent that one of the band members, Richard Wright, left the band in late 1979.
The album’s standout tracks “Comfortably Numb” and “Another Brick in the Wall” are remembered as iconic Pink Floyd songs. While “Comfortably Numb” is known for its soaring guitar solos and poignant lyrics, “Another Brick in the Wall” has become an anthem of rebellion, reflecting the frustration and disappointment of youth.
One of Noel Gallagher’s favorite songs on this album is “Nobody Home“. In an interview with Desert Island Discs, Noel said the following about Pink Floyd’s “Nobody Home”:
I’m gonna play a track by Pink Floyd, from the album, The Wall, I know every single word and I can sing it in sequence at the drop of a hat. Roger Waters, for me… I’d love to meet him. His songwriting is so simple yet the story is so grandiose and the whole thing is so epic—I wish I could write an album like that y’know. A concept album. I think I’d have to get extremely pretentious first but this track, called ‘Nobody Home’, it bends my head.”
“The Wall” sold a total of 24 million copies. It was at the top of the US charts for 15 weeks and went platinum 23 times by 1999.
The Who – “The Best of The Who”
The Who was formed in London in the early 1960s, The Who’s members are Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon, who are celebrated as some of the most influential figures in rock music.
Released in June 1988, “The Best of The Who” is a collection of the best songs of the legendary British rockers The Who.
This compilation album is a comprehensive journey through the Who’s career, including timeless classics such as “My Generation”, “Pinball Wizard” and “Baba O’Riley”.
“The Best of The Who” has seen multiple releases.
- “My Generation“: The band’s anthem of youthful rebellion and a classic of the mod movement.
- “Substitute“: A hit single.
- “I Can’t Explain“: One of The Who’s earliest hits.
- “Baba O’Riley“: The opening track from the iconic album “Who’s Next,” featuring a memorable violin part.
- “Pinball Wizard“: A rock opera classic from the album “Tommy” and a key part of the band’s live performances.
- “Behind Blue Eyes“: A soulful ballad that showcases Roger Daltrey’s ’emotive vocals.
- “Love, Reign O’er Me“: A powerful song from the rock opera “Quadrophenia,” known for its intense vocal performance by Daltrey.
- “Who Are You“: The title track of their 1978 album and a radio favorite.
Sex Pistols – “Never Mind the Bollocks”
In October 1977, the Sex Pistols unleashed “Never Mind the Bollocks”. This album became one of the Sex Pistols’ biggest hits.
In particular, the song “God Save the Queen” which caused so much controversy and was banned by the BBC is included on this album.
“Never Mind the Bollocks” revitalized the punk movement, gave disaffected youth a voice, and challenged the status quo. Often referred to as the “antichrists of music”, the Sex Pistols became a symbol of rebellion and nonconformity.
The album features some of the most iconic punk anthems ever recorded:
- “Holidays in the Sun”
- “Bodies”
- “Anarchy in the U.K.”
- “God Save the Queen”
- “Quite Empty”
The Smiths – “The Queen Is Dead”
The next song on our list of Noel Gallagher’s favorite albums is The Smiths, a band active in the 1980s, with Morrissey as lead singer, about whom we have heard a lot of news, both positive and negative.
The Smiths released “The Queen Is Dead” in 1986. The album’s title track, “The Queen Is Dead,” is a poignant and satirical commentary on British society, while “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” is an enduring anthem of yearning and teenage angst.
The Smiths released a total of four studio albums in their career: The Smiths (1984), Meat Is Murder (1985), The Queen Is Dead (1986), Strangeways, Here We Come (1987).
The Smiths are on our list of Noel Gallagher’s favorite albums, however, Oasis’ songs are not on the list of Morrissey’s favorite songs.
The Rolling Stones – “Let It Bleed”
In the album “Let It Bleed” we see the Rolling Stones moving more towards blues, country, and gospel. It is also clear that the spirit of the ’68s had a big influence on the album.
The album, released on November 29, 1969, is considered one of the British band’s masterpieces, reflecting the period of the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and university riots with bleak lyrics. Record company Universal released the anniversary edition of the album on vinyl.
From February to October 1969, the Stones had recorded their eighth studio album at London’s Olympic Studios. Brian Jones, the band’s co-founder, and guitarist, made only two contributions: a zither on “You Got the Silver” and a conga on “Midnight Rambler”.
“Let It Bleed” by The Rolling Stones has sold over 2 million copies in the United States. Globally, its sales are estimated to be well over 3 million copies.
The La’s – “The La’s”
Released in 1990, “The La’s” self-titled debut album is a hidden gem of British indie rock. Despite its relatively short tracklist, this album left an indelible mark on the alternative music scene and was able to catch the attention of Noel Gallagher.
The La’s were formed in Liverpool in the mid-1980s, and while they may not have achieved the same commercial success as some of their contemporaries, their impact on the indie rock scene is immeasurable.
The Amorphous Androgynous – “A Monstrous Psychedelic Bubble Vol. 1”
Released in 2008, “A Monstrous Psychedelic Bubble Vol. 1” by The Amorphous Androgynous is a sonic odyssey that defies conventional musical boundaries. This album invites listeners on a journey through kaleidoscopic soundscapes, making it a unique and entrancing experience.
The album’s tracks are a fusion of progressive rock, electronic elements, and world music influences.
The Soundtrack of Our Lives – “Behind The Music”
“Behind The Music” is an album by the Swedish rock band The Soundtrack of Our Lives. It was released in 2001.
The album features tracks like “Sister Surround” and “Instant Repeater ’99,” which are anthems of exuberance and liberation.
Noel Gallagher on ‘The Soundtrack Of Our Lives’ ‘Behind The Music‘ album:
“It changed the way I wrote music. Probably the biggest influence on my thing (whatever that is?!) since The Beatles”.
U2 – “The Joshua Tree”
Released in 1987, U2’s “The Joshua Tree” is a musical masterpiece that transcends time. This album takes listeners on a journey through the heartland of America, exploring themes of spirituality and personal redemption with every note and lyric.
With its anthemic rock sound, “The Joshua Tree” has been etched into the annals of rock history. The songs “With or Without You,” “Where the Streets Have No Name,” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” continue to have a profound impact on fans.
The album was not only a commercial triumph, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, but it also won multiple Grammy Awards.
What do you think of Noel Gallagher’s favorite albums? Let us know in the comments!
