Half the World Away

Oasis

About Half the World Away

"Half the World Away" is a song by English rock band Oasis. It is well known as the theme tune to the popular BBC sitcom The Royle Family. The song was written by Oasis' lead guitarist Noel Gallagher, who also provides lead vocals. The song is a slow acoustic tune with plodding keyboards, and the lyrics – much like "Rock 'n' Roll Star" – expresses a desire to leave a stagnant life in a boring city. The song is primarily in C Major. Recorded at The Congress House Studio, Austin, Texas, USA in October 1994, "Half the World Away" was first released as a B-side to "Whatever" on 18 December 1994, reaching number 3 in the UK charts. In 1998 the song was included in The Masterplan, a collection of Oasis' best B-sides. The collection was a success, peaking at number 2 in the UK charts. The track is also included on Oasis' compilation album Stop the Clocks, which also reached number 2. The song reached number 56 in the UK charts in 2015 following the release of Aurora's cover version, marking their first top 100 song since the release of "Falling Down" in 2009. 


Year:
1998
4:21
100 

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I would like to leave this city
This old town don't smell too pretty and
I can feel the warning signs running around my mind
And when I leave this island I'll book myself into a soul asylum
'Cause I can feel the warning signs running around my mind

So here I go, I'm still scratching around in the same old hole
My body feels young but my mind is very old
So what do you say?
You can't give me the dreams that are mine anyway
Half the world away, half the world away
Half the world away
I've been lost, I've been found but I don't feel down

And when I leave this planet
You know I'd stay but I just can't stand it and
I can feel the warning signs running around my mind
And if I could leave this spirit
I'll find me a hole and I will live in it and
I can feel the warning signs running around my mind

Here I go, I'm still scratching around in the same old hole
My body feels young but my mind is very old
So what do you say?
You can't give me the dreams that are mine anyway
Half the world away, half the world away
Half the world away
I've been lost, I've been found but I don't feel down

No, I don't feel down
No, I don't feel down

I don't feel down
I don't feel down
Don't feel down
I don't feel down

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Oasis

Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Developed from an earlier group, the Rain, the band originally consisted of Liam Gallagher (lead vocals, tambourine), Paul Arthurs (guitar), Paul McGuigan (bass guitar), and Tony McCarroll (drums). Upon returning to Manchester, Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher (lead guitar, vocals) joined as a fifth member, which formed the band's core and settled line-up. During the course of their existence, they had various line-up changes, though the Gallagher brothers remained as the staple members. more »

4 fans

Written by: Noel Gallagher

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


7 facts about this song

Release Facts
"Half the World Away" was released on 6 November 1994 by the English rock band Oasis. - The song is the B-side to their hit single "Whatever," which charted in many countries worldwide.
Song Fascination Facts
Noel Gallagher, the lead guitarist, admits in various interviews that this song remains one of his all-time favorite Oasis tracks. - This song is renowned for its lyric "My body feels young but my mind is very old," putting forth the band's feeling of displacement even at the height of success.
Soundtrack and Cover Facts
"Half the World Away" was used as the theme song to the popular BBC sitcom "The Royle Family." The show's creator, Caroline Aherne, personally contacted the Gallagher brothers for permission to use it. - In 2015, the song was covered by Norwegian singer Aurora for a Christmas advertising campaign for British department store John Lewis.
Writing and Composition Facts
"Half the World Away" was exclusively written by Oasis member Noel Gallagher who is known for writing most of the band's songs. - The song has a low-fi acoustic sound, notable for its use of a Hammond organ which gives the melody a haunting charm. Noel Gallagher has said that his dependence on drugs at the time of writing was responsible for the song's melancholic sound.
Live Performance and Fan Facts
Despite not being one of their mainstream hits, "Half the World Away" became a staple of Oasis's live performances. The song has often served as an anthem for Oasis's fanbase, who enjoy its introspective lyrics and anthemic melody.
Cultural Impact Facts
The song's lyrics "I would like to leave this city/This old town don't smell too pretty" have been etched into a footbridge in Manchester as a tribute to Oasis. The bridge is known by locals as the "Oasis Bridge."
Album Appearance Facts
Oasis placed "Half the World Away" on "The Masterplan" album, a compilation of B-sides which was released in 1998. Despite it not being included in the band's original studio albums, the song has gained immense popularity over the years.

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