Noel Gallagher began writing “Live Forever” in 1991 before he officially joined Oasis. He found inspiration from The Rolling Stones’ song “Shine a Light” on their album Exile on Main St. One night, while playing around with his chord progressions, he noticed a melody that fit well with the vocal line from “Shine a Light.” Gallagher recalled, “It was the bit from ‘Shine a Light’ that goes, ‘May the good Lord shine a light on you.’” He adapted this melody into his track, changing the line to “Maybe I don’t really want to know.“
“Live Forever” was written during the grunge era, when darker themes were prevalent in rock music. Noel Gallagher desired to offer an opposite, more uplifting message. Four months after Kurt Cobain’s death, “Live Forever” became Oasis’s first UK Top Ten hit. It was this song that “got the world’s attention.” In 1995, the song charted in the United States, reaching number two and ten on Billboard‘s Modern Rock Tracks and Album Rock Tracks charts, respectively.
Continue reading our article to learn more about this Oasis song, including the meaning behind its lyrics.
“Live Forever” Lyrics
Maybe I don’t really want to know
How your garden grows
‘Cause I just want to fly
Lately, did you ever feel the pain
In the morning rain
As it soaks you to the bone?Maybe I just want to fly
Want to live, I don’t want to die
Maybe I just want to breathe
Maybe I just don’t believe
Maybe you’re the same as me
We see things they’ll never see
You and I are gonna live foreverI said, maybe I don’t really want to know
How your garden grows
‘Cause I just want to fly
Lately, did you ever feel the pain
In the morning rain
As it soaks you to the bone?Maybe I will never be
All the things that I want to be
Now is not the time to cry
Now’s the time to find out why
I think you’re the same as me
We see things they’ll never see
You and I are gonna live foreverMaybe I don’t really want to know
How your garden grows
‘Cause I just want to fly
Lately, did you ever feel the pain
In the morning rain
As it soaks you to the bone?Maybe I just want to fly
Want to live, I don’t want to die
Maybe I just want to breathe
Maybe I just don’t believe
Maybe you’re the same as me
We see things they’ll never see
You and I are gonna live foreverGonna live forever
Oasis – “Live Forever“
Gonna live forever
We’re gonna live forever
Gonna live forever
Gonna live forever
We’re gonna live forever
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Noel Gallagher
Live Forever lyrics © Oasis Music
Oasis “Live Forever” Meaning
Noel Gallagher wrote “Live Forever” to respond to the bleakness he saw in the music scene, especially from grunge. He famously rejected the negativity of Nirvana’s song “I Hate Myself and I Wanto to Die” and wanted to convey a sense of hope and positivity.
The song is interpreted as an ode to Noel and Liam Gallagher’s mother, Peggy. The lyrics reflect a universal yearning to transcend mortality and experience something more significant than the mundane aspects of life. As Noel once shared in an interview, the song is about “the spirit of youth and immortality,” a timeless concept, as people always want to feel invincible and free.
“Maybe I don’t really want to know / How your garden grows / ‘Cause I just want to fly“
This part of the song is often seen as a nod to Noel and Liam’s mother, Peggy. She was a gardener, so “garden” could symbolize a simple, stable life. Noel hints at a desire to break free from everyday concerns. By saying, “I just want to fly,” he wants to escape and experience more than the usual routine.
“Maybe I just want to fly / Want to live, I don’t want to die“
Noel wrote this as a direct contrast to the darker themes of the grunge era. He was particularly struck by Nirvana’s song “I Hate Myself and I Want to Die” and wanted to offer a different message. Rather than focusing on despair, Noel chose to celebrate life. This line reflects a desire to embrace life fully and seek out its joys, rejecting the negativity that was common in some rock music at the time.
“Lately, did you ever feel the pain / In the morning rain / As it soaks you to the bone?”
This line portrays feeling worn down by life’s struggles. The “morning rain” can represent the problematic moments that everyone faces. Still, instead of giving in to these feelings, the song moves toward the idea of rising above them and continuing on.
“Maybe you’re the same as me / We see things they’ll never see”
Here, Noel speaks to a shared understanding with others who feel the same way. It’s about connecting with people who look at the world differently, focusing on the positives despite the challenges. Some believe this line is also a subtle reference to his idol, John Lennon, who often wrote about feeling out of place or misunderstood.
“Maybe I will never be / All the things that I want to be / Now is not the time to cry / Now’s the time to find out why”
This part acknowledges doubt and the fear of not achieving everything one hopes for. But instead of giving up, it encourages looking deeper and finding reasons to keep going. It’s about understanding oneself and pushing through those moments of uncertainty.
“We’re gonna live forever”
This phrase is more about the spirit of living life to its fullest than actual immortality. It’s the idea of making the most of life, leaving behind something that lasts. It captures the youthful belief that life can be significant, bold, and unforgettable.
“Live Forever” Video
The Rolling Stones – Shine a Light
