Liam Gallagher teams up with Adele producer: 'I can't write big songs'

The former Oasis frontman turns to Greg Kurstin, co-writer of mega-hit Hello, to provide some big tunes

Liam Gallagher might be going solo, but that doesn’t mean he’s, er, going solo. The former Oasis frontman has teamed up with Adele producer Greg Kurstin because, he says, he struggles writing big choruses.

Adele Adkins and Greg Kurstin, winners of song of the year for Hello at the 59th Grammy Awards, 12 February 2017.
Hello … Adele with Greg Kurstin at this year’s Grammy awards. Photograph: Michael Kovac/WireImage

“It is what it is, mate,” he told the Evening Standard. “I didn’t write Live Forever but as soon as I sang it, I made it my own. I class myself as a rock’n’roll singer who writes the odd tune now and again. And that is it. I’m not going out saying I’m Bob Dylan.”

Gallagher is due to release his debut solo album As You Were later this year, with a single preceding it called Not for Sale. But in a rare display of modesty, he admitted he was “limited” as a songwriter and needed help. “Ideally, you want to do it yourself,” he said. “But I can’t write those fucking big songs. I’m limited. My verses are up there, but I just can’t do that next bit.”

Kurstin shouldn’t have much problem with those next bits. He co-wrote Adele’s comeback single Hello, which sold more than 7m copies in the US alone and won three Grammy awards. He has also worked with Kelly Clarkson, the Shins, Sia, Lily Allen and Beck, and is reported to be working on the next Paul McCartney album.

Contributor

Guardian music

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
Liam Gallagher accuses Noel of legal threat over documentary
Liam has said his brother will sue if he uses any footage of himself singing Oasis songs in the forthcoming film As It Was

Ben Beaumont-Thomas

18, Feb, 2019 @12:53 PM

Article image
Liam and Noel Gallagher set up film production company
No plans revealed for Kosmic Kyte, formed after years of fractious comments between Oasis’s rock star brothers

Ben Beaumont-Thomas

17, Mar, 2021 @1:04 PM

Article image
Liam Gallagher: Down By the River Thames review – barging through his back catalogue
Aside from abuse hurled at the London Eye, this livestreamed boat gig is a sedate pootle through his solo work and the heavier end of Oasis

Alexis Petridis

06, Dec, 2020 @2:26 PM

Article image
Liam Gallagher review – the last great rock'n'roll star
Raw power and energy radiate from the former Oasis frontman as he draws on songs from his solo debut and era-defining classics in a dynamo performance

Dave Simpson

04, Dec, 2017 @12:50 PM

Article image
Liam Gallagher claims ‘angry squirt’ Noel ‘blocked’ use of Oasis songs
Singer tweets that brother is ‘a horrible little man’ for preventing the band’s music from appearing in Knebworth 22

Sammy Gecsoyler

19, Oct, 2022 @2:01 PM

Article image
Liam Gallagher review – haunted by his brother's ghost
His band are well-drilled and Liam’s sneering vocals are on point, but there is a gulf between his solid solo songs and the era-defining work of Oasis

Huw Baines

12, Nov, 2019 @1:37 PM

Article image
Liam Gallagher leads wave of free concerts for NHS staff
The Script, Rick Astley and others also announce benefit shows to thank workers fighting coronavirus

Ben Beaumont-Thomas

10, Apr, 2020 @4:22 PM

Article image
Liam Gallagher announces solo album
The former Oasis frontman has signed to Warner Brothers to release a record due in 2017 … just don’t call it a solo career

Guardian music

25, Aug, 2016 @11:39 AM

Article image
Liam Gallagher goes solo for defiant Manchester attack fundraiser
Former Oasis singer says ‘normal business has resumed’ in emotional concert in aid of We Love Manchester emergency fund

Josh Halliday North of England correspondent

30, May, 2017 @10:33 PM

Article image
Liam Gallagher starts singing Oasis songs again
Former Oasis frontman performs two songs written by his brother at Beady Eye warm-up gig for Stone Roses support slot

Guardian music

29, Jun, 2012 @10:49 AM