Noel Gallagher
Today is gonna be the day that they’re gonna throw it back to you
And by now, you should’ve somehow realized what you gotta do
I don’t believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now
And backbeat, the word is on the street that the fire in your heart is out
I’m sure you’ve heard it all before, but you never really had a doubt
I don’t believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now
And all the roads we have to walk are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I would like to say to you, but I don’t know how
Chorus
Because maybe
You’re gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You’re my wonderwall
Today was gonna be the day, but they’ll never throw it back to you
And by now, you should’ve somehow realised what you’re not to do
I don’t believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now
And all the roads that lead you there were winding
And all the lights that light the way are blinding
There are many things that I would like to say to you, but I don’t know how
Chorus
I said maybe
You’re gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You’re my wonderwall
I said maybe (I said maybe)
You’re gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You’re my wonderwall
I said maybe (I said maybe)
You’re gonna be the one that saves me (saves me)
You’re gonna be the one that saves me (saves me)
You’re gonna be the one that saves me (saves me)
Story
Noel Gallagher wrote this 1995 hit anthem for “Oasis”…sung by his brother, Liam. He was asked to explain what the lyrics meant. He said the meaning of the song was taken away by the media, assuming it was written for his then-girlfriend and future ex-wife. He said, “How do you tell your missus it’s not about her once she’s read it is? It’s a song about an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself.”
He later added, “There’s quite a vulnerable statement to it. Anybody can say, ‘I love you’; try telling the one who means the most to you, ‘You’re my wonderwall’ instead. It may not make much sense, but it somehow says it all.”
I can stare at a beautiful painting, seeing things that no one else can see and vice versa. That is the beauty in art. I will have to apply the same to song lyrics…especially lyrics like these.
In 2010, one of my favorite pianists, Andrew Lienhard, asked me to learn this song. We recorded it at Thinking Dog Studios, just piano and voice. My state of mind that day and the condition of my heart was poured into it. Although, I wasn’t exactly sure what the lyrics meant, I felt a vulnerability and there was healing in singing the words. I felt hope.
I’ve always loved this recording and was honored that Andrew encouraged me to record it with him. Like all my other recordings, it was set aside. When I shared it with Duke, my producer, the decision was made to include it on the “No More Excuses” album. With approval from Andrew, we made the decision to add Patrick Moore, on cello. He did an exceptional job, taking it to another level.
The vocal on this track is the original, from 2010…we felt I couldn’t say it any better. One day, driving to the recording studio with Duke, we started talking about the meaning of the lyrics. Duke said, “It’s about love.”
After listening to the rough tracks over and over, I resolved the meaning for me. “All the roads we have to walk are winding. All the lights that lead the way are blinding.” Like many of you, my journey has presented plenty of twists and turns. I’ve had to face things I really didn’t want to look at. The truth can sometimes be quite painful to accept, even blinding.
“There are many things that I would like to say to you. And maybe, you’re gonna be the one that saves me. And, after all…you’re my Wonderwall.” I believe we are blessed when we have someone in our life who can help us see what we might be running from…that something we need to face or what is making us feel imprisoned (so often, by our own thinking) or when we may feel the need for protection. A ‘wonderwall’ can serve different purposes at different times. Sometimes, you might just want to lean against the ‘wonderwall’ and rest awhile. It’s just a good thing! Yes…it’s about love!
So there! This is what I take away from the lyrics…you get to have your own interpretation!