'The Dreams We Have As Children' is a collection of songs recorded by Noel at the London Royal Albert Hall on March 27, 2007, along with fellow Oasis member Gem Archer. The album's title stems from a lyric in the Oasis song, "Fade Away". The album also features Paul Weller on "All You Need Is Love" and "The Butterfly Collector".
Five of the songs were released over the course of 5 days as free downloads on iTunes, followed by a physical CD give-away with The Sunday Times, which contained an additional 11 recordings from the performance. The album then went on sale digitally in its entirety the following day.
The album was compiled and released in order to raise the profile of Teenage Cancer Trust gigs being held at the Royal Albert Hall in March 2009.
After a high-profile bust-up with his brother Liam in Oasis, Noel quit the band 2009 to pursue solo interests.
For months, Noel remained silent on his plans for his post-Oasis. Finally, on the 6th of July 2011, Noel held a press conference to reveal plans for solo releases, with his new band Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. Recorded in 2010 and 2011 and co-produced by David Sardy, their first album, titled Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, was released in 2011. In 2015, Chasing Yesterday was their second album. Their third album Who Built the Moon? was released in 2017. All three albums went to No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart. In 2023, the fourth album Council Skies was released and peaked at No. 2 in the UK.
Fade Away
Noel Gallagher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought I had my own key
I knew exactly what I wanted to be
Now I'm sure
You've boarded up every door
Lived in a bubble
Days were never ending
About what life was sending
Fantasy was real
Now I know much
About the way I feel
I'll paint you the picture
'Cause I don't think you live round here no more
I've never even seen
The key to the door
We only get what we will settle for
While we're living
The dreams we have as children
Fade away
While we're living
The dreams we have as children
Fade away
While we're living
The dreams we have as children
Fade away
While we're living
The dreams we have as children
Fade away, away, away
They fade away, away, away
Now my life has turned
Another corner
I think it's only best
That I should warn you
Dream it while you can
Maybe someday I'll make you understand
I'll paint you the picture
'Cause I don't think you live round here no more
I've never even seen
The key to the door
We only get what we will settle for
While we're living
The dreams we have as children
Fade away
While we're living
The dreams we have as children
Fade away
While we're living
The dreams we have as children
Fade away
While we're living
The dreams we have as children
Fade away, away, away
They fade away, away, away
They fade away, away, away
They fade away, away, away
Noel Gallagher's 1994 song "Fade Away" presents an introspective reflection on the dreams one has as a child and how they inevitably fade as one grows older. The first verse establishes a sense of confidence and certainty in the singer's aspirations in youth, but that optimism is now replaced with a realization that all of the doors to those aspirations have been closed off. The second verse portrays a nostalgic longing for a time when the days felt endless and full of possibility, but the singer now recognizes that their fantasies were not grounded in reality. The chorus repeats the phrase "while we're living, the dreams we have as children fade away," underlining the inevitability of this loss and suggesting that the singer has come to terms with it.
The lyrics' overall message is a common experience for many: the realization that the idealism of youth inevitably fades, and that one's dreams become more pragmatic and grounded as a result. Gallagher therefore emphasizes the idea that we should take full advantage of our dreams while they last, as they will eventually dissipate. The song's driving guitar riff and propulsive drumbeat serve as a fitting backdrop to the nostalgic, introspective tone of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was young
In the past, during my youth
I thought I had my own key
I believed I had the answers to my future
I knew exactly what I wanted to be
I had a clear vision of my aspirations
Now I'm sure
Currently, I am certain
You've boarded up every door
However, obstacles have been put in my path
Lived in a bubble
Previously, I lived sheltered from the outside world
Days were never ending
Time felt infinite
Was not concerned
I was not worried about anything
About what life was sending
I was carefree, not giving much thought to life's challenges
Fantasy was real
My imagination was vivid and present
Now I know much
Currently, I am more experienced and knowledgeable
About the way I feel
I have a deeper understanding of my emotions
I'll paint you the picture
Let me clearly express this to you
'Cause I don't think you live round here no more
As you may not understand anymore
I've never even seen
I have yet to encounter
The key to the door
The solution to my problems
We only get what we will settle for
We may only achieve the best we think we deserve, not what we truly yearn for
While we're living
The dreams we have as children
Fade away
As we grow and live through life, our childhood dreams gradually dissipate
They fade away, away, away
Slowly disappearing over time
Now my life has turned
Another corner
My life has taken a new direction
I think it's only best
That I should warn you
I feel it's necessary to advise you
Dream it while you can
Maybe someday I'll make you understand
Hold on to your dreams while they are still present, as one day, you too will comprehend
Contributed by Avery N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@eric336
This song brings me to tears. I bet everyone can relate the lyric to life in many ways.
@urryclarkfilm
"Dream here while you can,
Maybe someday I'll make you understand"
@pbuk
Whenever sings a song normally sung by Liam it sounds like a completely new song.Fantastic. :)
@melinalaforge4991
Probably my favorite song ever. love you Noel
@NSAHAI1
such simple lyrics yet so incredible only noel can do that
@NSAHAI1
i can listen to noel all day i love him so much
@mccumiskey87
my love for oasis will never fade away. :-)
@jorgedelgado7924
Although he was part of Oasis Noel Gallagher has now started to make a new generation of rock each time more interpret their new hits like much has changed him begin a new stage musical.
@blusk0
Took a great b-side and made it brilliant.
@iMertin
noel you will never fade away mate you are a genius! simple...