On This Day In Oasis History...
By
Stop Crying Your Heart Out
on
May 16, 2015
Lyla is a song by the English rock band Oasis. The song was released on May 16th 2005 as the first single from the band's sixth album Don't Believe the Truth.
The song was written by Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher, who has varyingly described the track as "specifically designed for pogoing", "annoyingly catchy", and the "poppiest thing since Roll with It".
Gallagher says that the song existed in an early form as a song called Sing and dated from the Heathen Chemistry-era. He also says that the title for the final song should have been Smiler, but was changed seeing as guitarist Gem Archer's previous band, Heavy Stereo, also had a song called "Smiler".
Sony's insistence that it should be released as the first single from the album has helped to fuel the tension between the band and their record label, which has led to Oasis not renewing their contract with the record label following the release of Don't Believe the Truth.
Lyla became the band's seventh UK number one when it reached top spot in its first week of release. The song also debuted at #31 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart and has reached #19 since then. It is the first Oasis song to appear on any US singles chart since 2000 when Go Let It Out hit number 14 on the Modern Rock chart.
Noel has also joked with the fact that the Lyla in the song is actually the sister of the Sally mentioned in the Oasis single Don't Look Back in Anger. Also, he had said that the song is a "love song", being about Sally Cinnamon's sister.
Originally claiming that he wasn't very fond of the song, Noel has said that Lyla "isn't even the fifth best track on the album". The song had existed as a demo since the early recording sessions for the album but was all but forgotten until practically the last minute. However, on the Lock the Box feature on the Stop the Clocks, Noel admitted that he "didn't realise how good it was until [we] played it live," and admitted he loved the "guitars, the drums, and the vocals" of the song.
Live performances
When performing on the UK music chart show Top of the Pops, Liam, who was forced to mime to the music, made no secret of the fact, walking away from the microphone with his mouth closed mid-way through lines that he was supposedly 'singing'. It would be Liam's last performance on the programme before its demise in late 2006. However, Noel and the rest of the band would return in August 2005 to perform The Importance of Being Idle and later in 2009 to perform their last ever released single Falling Down.
Lyla was covered by the Foo Fighters during a performance at BBC Studios.
The song is included on Oasis' compilation album Stop the Clocks. It is also included in FIFA 06 as a track.
Track listing
CD RKIDSCD 29
"Lyla" (Noel Gallagher) - 5:12
"Eyeball Tickler" (Gem Archer) - 2:47
"Won't Let You Down" (Liam Gallagher) - 2:48
7" RKID 29
"Lyla" (Noel Gallagher) - 5:12
"Eyeball Tickler" (Gem Archer) - 2:47
DVD RKIDSDVD 29
"Lyla" - 5:14
"Lyla" (demo) - 5:29
"Can You See It Now?" (Documentary) - 9:22
The DVD also contains a hidden piece about new drummer Zak Starkey. The video lasts for 1:16 and is accessed by highlighting the word 'Credits' on the main menu, then pressing right until you see the name Zak appear. Then press 'Play' or 'Enter' to view the video.
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