OASIS: 'Fever' - The Most Honest & Personal Lyrics Noel Gallagher Ever Wrote?
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- čas přidán 4. 02. 2021
- James Hargreaves breaks down and analyses the Oasis song (I Got) The Fever, a little known B-Side from the 'Stand By Me' single.
I'm tired of my life, but my head's alright
I got the fever off a man I know
I can feel it coming in the air tonight
And I know I'm not alone
Sweating on the song on the radio
My heart is laughing back at me
I can see it coming and I just don't know
If it's gonna let me be
As I soar on the breeze
I can see the sons of those who came before me
And it's got me on my knees
What you say: "Anyway,
It won't last, it'll pass, it'll flash right there before me"
And it's got me on my knees
'Cause I got the fever.
NOTE: Since making this video I have been able to track down the original lyrics sheet for the song, used in the studio, and the owner was kind enough to send me a scan containing the accurate lyrics. I was out on one or two words, but the difference shouldn't affect the interpretation of the song too much. The above is my transcription, not the original.
Many images and videos in my CZcams content have been found online without any attribution or credit available. In many cases I have therefore not been able to add a credit in the videos themselves due to lack of information. If your image or video has been used and a credit is required, please email me with your details and evidence of authorship and a credit will be added into the video description.
Many thanks, JH.
People underestimate Be Here Now. It’s definitely not their best album but it’s still a great album
I agree, it gets a massively unfair reputation. It's not as good as WTSMG, but it's still excellent
@@JamesHargreavesGuitar Never liked the album, first 2 albums are mint though.
@@badgasaurus4211 The
@@badgasaurus4211 The Masterplan is my all time top Oasis song and that was a b side!
It it just me as an oasis fan? but whenever I hear a helicopter fly over me, I automatically here the echoes bends of the morning glory intro?
Either that or i think of Noel with a Flying V in front of orange Amps
@@BillyF752
Yeah!!
Lol yep
walking to the sound of me favorite chuneeeee
I think of dyou know what I mean
From the title, I was sure the song would be Talk Tonight...
James, your content is different level mate!!
Cheers Wayne! Talk tonight's another top tune...will have to look at that some time too
I thought it was gonna be married with children
@@PositiveRate_
That's MY most personal and honest lyrics!! 😂
@@WayneCatlin 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Thought it'd be Let's all make believe
"I can see the sons of those who came before me" - he literally did when Zak Starkey joined the band a few years later 🤣
Very true - good point
Also works as a double wordplay on sons/suns.
I've long thought this song has one of the best choruses Noel has ever written, but I'd never really paid attention to the lyrics. I'm so glad you brought this up or else I may have never noticed what he was saying! Really gives the song a deeper meaning
Cheers James, I agree it's a belter!
Liam's soaring vocals on this song are legendary.
Let’s all make believe/gas panic are some of Noel’s most personal lyrics for me. Particularly let’s all make believe it was the first song he wrote in 2 years after he here now and all the bsides and stated in interviews that it was based on his outlook at the band at the time, has panic also about him coming of drugs, he’s a great lyricist at time ole Noel
Agreed, they are top tunes.
I personally love nearly everything released around the Be Here Now era and I think its some of Noels most introspective and vulnerable lyric writing even if he tried to act as if it wasn't, I think people overlooked the lyrics because they didn't like the album.
very much agree
Great effort again James!
Cheers Lewis
Amazing video and so true! 🤟🎶🎶
Great video James! Only just discovered your channel, and as the huge Oasis fan I am - I’ve been binge watching your videos all evening. Never even thought about the meaning of the lyrics to (I Got) The Fever - when hearing the lyrics “What you say, anyway it won’t last, it’ll pass, it’ll flash right there before me” I now get goosebumps after understanding the meaning.
Cheers Tom, and welcome! Thanks for your comments
Hey Man thank you for this! You just made me love Noel Gallagher even more !
More than welcome, glad you enjoyed 👍👍🎸🎸
i just discovered your account today and now I'm binging all of your videos!!!! they're so fascinating and well-researched :)
Glad you like them! Thanks Ingrid and welcome
Stand By Me The Single Is Amazing!
My Sister Lover
I Got The Fever
Going Nowhere
I also Highly Rate IGTF with Quality Melodie, lyrics, Guitars etc! Thanks Again James
Very much agree
Iv been a Oasis fan from there birth, still getting High with my magic pie,
I absolutely love ur channel bro I didn’t think there were other people in the world who just obssessed over oasis and literally just studied them but ur videos are amazing
Cheers Max and welcome
I always heard “I can see the signs of those who came before me”.
Great song. One of their best
Thats right " and its got me on maaa knneeeeees "
amazing video once again
Cheers Will, glad you enjoyed
Really in-depth great video
Cheers, glad you liked it!
Good vid.
Many tunes from the SOTSOG era were also very personal - Just Getting Older in particular. Also Gas Panic, Where did it All go Wrong?, Lets all Make Believe, Cigarettes in Hell, and others really capture Noel's come-down after the 90s.
Fantastic videos mate 👍
Thanks 👍
That's a good way of describing Noel's lyric work. I always found it a bit upset when he publicly disavowed any hidden meanings in his lyrics but describing it as a "collage" makes me have hope again
Yeah, I agree. I don't think he ever seems comfortable talking about personal stuff in his interviews, I think he prefers to just let the songs do the talking. Which is fair enough I suppose, who wants to open up about their personal life to some random journalist haha
I've never noticed that oasis has some personal lyrics on their songs. I guess when you're younger you don't really think about it that much.
"As I soar, through the breeze, I can see the lives of those who came before me!" Brilliant. Currently got the single CD on rotation in my car 😅 Never really clicked with the Sister Lover lyrics but the melody is criminally good.
Yeah it's cracking
Great post 👌
Thanks 👍
Great tune, main riff is definitely a nod to 'Kinky Afro' by the Mondays. The drumming on this song and the majority of Be Here Now doesn't get talked about enough, got a really menacing sound to it.
agreed
Great analysis again, James, really interesting to hear your interpretation of the lyrics, not heard this song myself so will check it out. I always thought the lyrics to Hey Now were really personal to Noel as that line "and as it fell from the sky, I asked myself why, I can never let anyone in". One of my favourite Oasis lyrics but I digress lol. Great video again, James, look forward to your next one.
Cheers Kenny, much appreciated
@@JamesHargreavesGuitar Your welcome. :-) Btw I just gave the song a listen, it sure is a great little hidden gem as so many Oasis b-sides were.
I got the fever is criminally underated
Oasis fan donating a comment for the algorithm
Cheers Sammy haha
Super interesting observation - but I'm wondering if this song came too early to match that interpretation. There was definitely a growing backlash against Oasis, but (as far as I remember) that didn't start happening until a year later, roughly. This song would have come out shortly after Be Here Now was released.
Happy to be corrected on the timeline, though. Another great video.
Class mate
Cheers!
Going Nowhere it's my favorite b-side track of Stand By Me, beautiful song
I love I got the fever so much sometimes i play it on repeat .I got the fever and cloudburst have always been my 2 favorite B sides .
Cloudburst is a bloody tune. If they hadn't just literally nicked the melody and chords from 'Standing Here' by the Stone Roses it could have been a single hahaha
Finally some love for 'I Got The Fever'! I don't think it's his most personal, that may very well be 'Talk Tonight' or 'Gas Panic', but 'I Got The Fever' is easily one of their best songs, hands down.
I saw an interview with Noel where he said that In the Air Tonight was his "favorite song by an artist he despises"
Any chance of a guitar tutorial on I got the fever??Just like the lyrics,All the tutorials I’ve seen for it aren’t right,Or not shown well,Even the tab for it in music books is wrong,As Noel never uses any of the chords shown in them,Great vid again m8👍👍👍
Yeah ok, I'll do that one next
It's up bud 👍👍
Where Did it All Go Wrong is pretty personal
Very true. Talk Tonight also
It's a great song ... Always was a good deep cut.
Would love to see a video like this about Gas Panic. Some really interesting lyrics in that tune
Yeah it is an interesting tune
@@JamesHargreavesGuitar would you consider having a look at it?
@@JamesHargreavesGuitar Isn't it about quitting drugs?
Great dissection. I personally think the lyrics are a juxtaposition of what you said but also relate to having a comedown from the ol' marching powder - 'heart laughing back at me' and 'the sons of those came before me' 'it won't last..' etc..Plus the song just has that kinda paranoid next day vibe to it.Just my humble opinion.
I think some of his most personal lyrics are on the early demos.- Comin' On Strong, See The Sun etc. I really like that almost slightly gothic, industrial sounding Oasis. It's like listening to a different band. Be interested to see what you think of them at some point.
Interesting, I've not heard either of those early songs
@@JamesHargreavesGuitar Comin' On Strong is the lyrics and melody of Setting Sun it's awesome - has some of Noel's best playing I think czcams.com/video/VKZpYSm-dhM/video.html
Great analysis James. It makes a lot of sense. It would be so Noel to have never shone a spotlight on this song either through words or playing it live, yet being so meaningful to him. Love your channel.
Thanks so much :)
You should do idlers dream and just getting older next great b-sides
I'll admit I don't know their 2000-2009 B-sides as well as I know the 90's output... may check them out
I saw an article on Live4Ever forum (old sound engineer notes) saying he wrote Fever in a rush because he needed a b-side. He felt like he was ripping people off because it was a fairly straightforward forward 2 chord progression. Yet it's one of their greatest.
Ah, interesting. Do you have a link for it?
Hi James, here's the link: live4ever.proboards.com/thread/82013/sides
About half way down the details are posted by 'asimarx' with info on the All Around The World and Stand By Me sessions. The bit regarding Fever is apparently from a promotional piece about The Masterplan but he doesn't share the source.
Lyrically it looks forward to Standing On The Shoulder of Giants - several songs on that seem very personal, and very much about the themes you discussed here and getting off coke and getting away from London and the people he'd been hanging out with (e.g. Where Did It All Go Wrong, Gas Panic, Roll It Over, the excellent b-side Let's All Make Believe).
I don't think that he usually wrote lyrics at the last minute, at least up until Heathen Chemistry - was that interview from a later time? There are bound to be exceptions, like Supersonic (and this one may well be another example) but a lot of their songs were demoed and played live before being recorded, and the lyrics are pretty much as on the final versions.
Yeah its hard to know with Noel because he makes up so much stuff in his interviews!
@@JamesHargreavesGuitar He's certainly not one to let the truth get in the way of a good story. Anyway, I'm really enjoying your videos and the new light you're shining on these songs. Thanks!
3:18 Noel sounds so young wow
sounds so high
I'm pretty certain the lyric goes "I can see the signs of those that came before me". I always thought it was sons but I'm sure I read years later official lyrics that said it was signs. Just listened to it again and it sounds like signs. Great tune though. One of my favourites. All of those Be here now B-Sides were great. Flashbax, The Fame, My Sister Lover, Angel Child, Stay Young.
I think you are right “saw” and “see” make sense for a “sign” and at 3:51 it def sounds like sign.
I agree,SBM is the strongest single,And the b-sides are awesome,Going nowhere for me is right up there though,
Going Nowhere is ace
Could you put the isolated vocals out as a separate video? I've always wanted to hear them.
Hi Yonas, unfortunately you can't get a clean cut of the vocals as the demix process is still really rudimentary. It sounds like Liam is underwater if you have just the vocals. What you can do is push the guitars, bass and drums lower, and that helps a ton with deciphering lyrics... but you can't get a 100% clean, listenable vocal take without the studio actually releasing the stems, which sadly they have not for this track
@@JamesHargreavesGuitar Ah I see, that is a shame. I remember listening to an Oasis podcast episode ages ago and there was a debate as to what the lyrics were to this track. Thanks for the video and finally settling the debate! Interesting analysis as well, it's been a passion of mine to examine Noel's lyrics from this time. He has far more depth as a person than he lets on, which you hear in his music (lyrics, but also melodies and even guitar solos).
@@doctornov7hello, i just uploaded the isolated vocals to my channel after seeing your comment, i know its 3 years later lol
It still has the echoe and other effects they gave his voice, but its pretty clear. I didnt even realise noel sung on this song lol
@@Instrumentalll Cheers man! I’ll check it out.
Nice work, but I think Revolution Song (from the SOTSOG sessions) is probably the most vulnerable, heartfelt, and self-aware lyrics that Noel had written to that point.
There's a case to be made for the demo to The Hindu Times which is surely about the end of his relationship with Meg.
Interesting, may check it out
Coincidentally I was listening to this the other day! I've always likened it to a cross between Talk Tonigh (because it's minor-keyish) and the songs on SOTSOG, because it's more introspective than his usual stuff. But I don't think it was written after Mustique...I think it dates way back, perhaps pre-Definitely Maybe.
Still, I think The Fame is the one where Noel admitted the wheels fell off
Yeah there's a 'rocked up talk tonight' vibe about IGTF definitely
Great video. I think it's an overstatement to say the lyrics were meaningless though. They're just not literal, and certainly abstract more often than not. But Noel uses some really strong visual imagery and has written some really poetic stuff at times, along with some not so good stuff! Aside from the obvious gibberish ones like Some Might Say and Supersonic, which I personally love lyrically, I think the lyrics on the early albums are really great, and convey lots of meaning to me!
Cheers - yeah some of his lyrics are full of meaning, but I think he himself describes alot of it as meaningless in a recent 'fan questions to noel' vid on the Oasis channel.
While I don't think he often set out with the plan to paint the pictures he did, I agree that it doesn't change the fact that so many of those songs have so much meaning for so many people, simply because of the feelings they convey.
And yeah, Some Might Say and Supersonic are ace!
@@JamesHargreavesGuitar Indeed. That's the thing with abstract expression, it's not always conscious or intentional! Anyway, thanks for the content, keep it coming.
@@JamesHargreavesGuitar But at the same time I think he contradicts himself when he says stuff like "Those were my songs and is different when I sing them cause I know what they mean even though they're meaningless" so in a way he's admitting that the meaningless still has a meaning
@@mitchellfuentes03 I think often he just makes stuff up in his interviews - I know I've read at least 3 different contradictory stories from him about how he joined Oasis!
Honestly, I think a lot of his songs do have meanings, but he chooses not to open up about them in interviews and often chooses to make something up, or deny they have any meaning rather than talk about his personal life to a journalist.
Hi mate. Im fairly sure that this was originally written with the chorus from Lock All The Doors, a future track on noels second hfb album.
That was My Sister Lover
Noel's Be Here Now-era B-sides could've fixed up Be Here Now quite nice! Angel Child comes to mind. Personally, I think D'you Know What I Mean? was the best single from that album. Easily.
Good analysis mate but I have 4 words for you, “Let’s All Make Believe”
Cheers Tony. Yeah there’s also Talk Tonight that’s up in the top 3 too
You seem to be onto something here. Ive thought a lot about Noel/Liams lyrics on their soli records after their breakup, im pretty sure they are writing about eachother. Sometimes its hate, sometimes its love. How do you feel about this?
Yeah you could be right. 'For What It's Worth' from Liams debut album sounded a bit like a peace offering to me.
The i got the fever of a man I know could be a reference to the pink Floyd track comfortably numb?
Interesting idea! Not sure if there is much crossover between Floyd and NG?
Yeah you wouldn’t think so but when looking I found that nowhere man is one of NG’s favourite tracks so could be?
Nobody home** 🤣🤣
Personally, I think this song is, in part, about Noel's cocaine addiction - which was rife during 1997. (Cocaine on his cornflakes, etc.)
First time watching this channel...Love Oasis songs.
Personally, I always thought that "Half the World away" or "Shout it out loud" sound personal too.
Greetings from Argentina.
Hi Carmen and welcome. Half the World Away - definitely, I love that one
@@JamesHargreavesGuitar thanks for answering!!
😊😊
Cast No Shadow or Where Did It All Go Wrong? Were my guesses.
Both cracking tunes
I thought the lyric was, "I can sing the songs of those who came before me.."
Really interesting analysis all though I do think the writing of the song was a little too early to tell. Be here now was initially given all positive reviews (more so than wtsmg) and the album set records for sales. Criticism didn't arise until a bit later.
The media hype certainly brought it to ridiculous pedestal. I'm from half a world away in south east Asia. Even here back then the anticipation was mind boogling. Never happened since.
Yeah I admit much of this is speculative as there is just nothing out there info-wise on the song. Let me know if you do find anything though...
This is strange because I remember Noel saying he dident realise he hadent write enuf b sides so he literally went to the studio and wrote I (got the fever) and my sister lover and that it was the first time it was just a fuck it that will do attitude towards them , wich always made me feel a bit disappointed because I love them songs in particular I (got the fever) , plus I don't think he's name dropping Phil Collins I think it's just the same line,. All around the world has some ace b sides ,flashbax and to me a personal tune the rocker the fame the lyrical theme all being about rock n roll excess with the great rhyming couplet of Champaign with cocain but its perfect for the b here now era as befor it was all getting high and sunshine this one is a bit less positive I'm that respect almost like he's getting fed up but he ain't thinkin of quittin quite yet that all happens around 1999/2000 reflected in the song gas panic , Sunday morning call, where did it all go wrong , loving your channel mate even if I have to agree to disagree sometimes, there's not many books or interviews I haven't read from magazine in this country and I've kept them all , peace ✌️👊
I got the fever off a man I know,I personally think that man is Liam,By that time he was more or less done with oasis,And Liam was just getting on his nerves,That’s my interpretation of it👍👍
yeah could be, interesting idea
in which song he reference something from bob dylan
in D’you Know What I Mean he references ‘blood on the tracks’
How did I miss that Phil Collins line 🤣🤣
I know! I missed it too until I properly sat down and looked at it
@@JamesHargreavesGuitar that's actually blown my mind 🤣
Quality channel mate 👌
A lot of the Be Here Now b-sides like Stay Young, Going Nowhere and Fever are better than the album material
I massively agree. I also far far far prefer their version of 'Heroes' to Bowie's version.
@@JamesHargreavesGuitar sacrilege! Nah it’s dope. It’s funny how on the D’Ya Know What I Mean single the weakest track is the single itself (amongst Heroes, Angel Child and Stay Young) imo
Here’s the song in question:
czcams.com/video/NMCAs_r23Mg/video.html
thinking about it, it must be terrible going from being the 5 coolest guys in the country to being a group of 5 hasbeens
The pre chorus kind of sounds like smells like teen spirit
We should do this stuff in English class instead of studying poetry
Hahahaha definitely 👍👍👍
This song was about Noel’s use of cocaine and his imminent withdrawal from it
Post be here now best B-side, hands down, let's all make believe and as long as they got cigarettes in hell.
Yeah in all honesty I think 'Lets all make believe' was one of their best songs post 2000 altogether
What about the all the young dudes Rip Off
My problem with post WTSMG B sides is because they FEEL like b-sides rather than hidden classics. They're just a bit rubbish IMO, and the whole BHN production style makes them sound absolutely terrible. The lead guitar tones on Sister Lover and I got the fever sound like Owen Morris grabbed a bunch of wasps, chucked them in a bottle, whacked a mic on it and said "play a blues solo in G Minor/E Minor, watch bonehead for the changes" and hit record.
you look a bit like bonehead imo