Rock 'n' Roll Star

Album: Definitely Maybe (1994)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Noel Gallagher told Q magazine October 2008 that this is his favorite Oasis track. He explained: "The words and the sentiment to that song, that's what it's all about. I remember bringing it down to the lads in the rehearsal studio and rehearsing it until the first time we played it live. There was a hush after it, and it wasn't the hush of people going (bewildered) 'What was that all about?' It was (silenced awe). No one had ever said it in a song before. Tonight, I'm a rock 'n' roll star. There's six people watching you, right? You're anything but a rock 'n' roll star. But in your brain you are a rock 'n' roll star. When I hear that song by chance, on the radio or whatever, I just think, D'you know what, man? It's still got it for me. It's wide-eyed and wonderful."
  • The lyrics, as seen in a number of Noel Gallagher's songs, refer to his dreams and aspirations to become a rock star, and his hopes to move away from Manchester, the place of his upbringing. Gallagher said that "Rock 'n' Roll Star" was one of only three songs of which he wanted to say something: "I've pretty much summed up everything I wanted to say in 'Rock 'n' Roll Star,' 'Live Forever' and 'Cigarettes & Alcohol,' after that I'm repeating myself, but in a different way," said Gallagher. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Blake - Manchester, TN
  • Noel expressed his bafflement in the documentary Upside Down, which tells the Creation Records story, that the label's owner Alan McGee only made one comment as to how the final mix of this song could be improved. It was, "turn the hi-hat up in the second verse."
  • Noel Gallagher said during a 2015 Reddit AMA that he considers this to be his greatest musical achievement, "because it sums up everything about bein' young, and bein' in a band, and the hopes and dreams of, you know, a young land from Manchester."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.