Oasis » Tracks » Half The World Away

Oasis – Half The World Away (4:15)

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About This Track

“Half the World Away” is a song by British 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, taking over from Oasis’ regular lead singer, Liam Gallagher. The song is a slow acoustic tune with plodding keyboards, and the lyric - much like “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star”, one of Oasis’ most famous songs - expresses a desire to leave a stagnant life in a boring city.

Recorded at The Congress House Studio, Austin, Texas in October 1994, “Half the World Away” was first released as a B-side to “Whatever” on 18 December 1994, reaching #3 in the UK charts.[1]
However, the song gained mass public exposure when it was selected by Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash to be the theme tune to their sitcom The Royle Family.
In 1998 the song was included in The Masterplan; a collection of Oasis’ best b-sides. The collection was a success, peaking at #2 in the UK charts. The track is also included on Oasis’ compilation album Stop the Clocks, which also reached #2.
In interviews, Gallagher - who is famous for “borrowing” from other musicians - has admitted the tune to “Half the World Away” was adapted from “This Guy’s In Love With You” by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. He commented “It sounds exactly the same. I’m surprised he hasn’t sued me yet!”[3]
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Albums featuring this track

  • The Masterplan
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  • Stop The Clocks
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  • Whatever
    Oasis Play
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  • Greatest Hits
    Oasis Play
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See all 14 albums

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  • Turnersmemo

    I paid two quid for these underpants and a quids worth is stuck up my arse - Jim Royle

    19 days ago

  • yosh2008

    Just started watching The Royle Family again because it's been like 6/7 years since I watched any apart from the Christmas 2010, oh man this song is so good for the show and such an amazing tune by itself.

    February 2012

  • durhamcitymakem

    brilliant............my arse.

    February 2012

  • OasiStyle

    hats off..

    January 2012

  • Nataliaa1

    my body feels young but my mind is very ooooold

    December 2011

  • NoddyGallagher

    Oooh, love it!

    December 2011

  • tomrud73

    based on this song and 'Don't Look Back In Anger' at least, it seems that Noel was the stronger vocalist in Oasis!

    November 2011

  • NitaD1

    Great song

    October 2011

  • mrpaul01

    beautiful!

    October 2011

  • Krmgtsm7

    Perfect

    September 2011

  • ilfastidio

    My new anthem!

    July 2011

  • LaraLullaby

    bored? fill out this survey, it includes watching fun youtube videos :D http://t.co/1ExAwJW thankyouu :) < sorry to be a pain guys, i'm advertising for a friend :')

    July 2011

  • BoyWitDaBluez

    Go and look for the performance @ Fuji Rock 2009! The best version ever!!!!

    April 2011

  • PinguinBen

    Royle Family!!!!

    January 2011

  • BMDef

    touches a part of yer soul this track.

    December 2010

  • breathers_crimp

    This song is based on the last part of 'Shoot You Down' by the Stone Roses.Yeah.Nice tune nevertheless.

    November 2010

  • SantiagoBures

    perfect song

    November 2010

  • californiawait

    noelly give me a hug lol this is so great ugh

    October 2010

  • sergio_quintero

    perfect.

    October 2010

  • kallekk

    A shame this was wasted as a b-side

    August 2010
See all 96 shouts

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