"Lyla" is a song by the English rock bandOasis. It was released as the first single from their sixth studio albumDon't Believe the Truth, released in May 2005. "Lyla" was released to American radio on 12 April 2005. The song was written by Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher, who has varyingly described the track as "specifically designed for pogoing", "annoyingly catchy", and the "poppiest thing since "Roll with It". Noting the varied influences of the song, Gallagher says that it's "a bit like... The Soundtrack of Our Lives doing The Who on Skol in a psychedelic city in the sky, or something".
Composition
Gallagher says that the song existed in an early form as a song called "Sing" and dated from the Heathen Chemistry-era. He also says that the title for the final song should have been "Smiler", but was changed seeing as guitarist Gem Archer's previous band, Heavy Stereo, also had a song called "Smiler". Noel has also joked with the fact that the Lyla in the song is actually the sister of the Sally mentioned in the Oasis single "Don't Look Back in Anger". Also, he had said that the song is a "love song", being about Sally's sister. Originally claiming that he was not very fond of the song, Noel has said that "Lyla" "isn't even the fifth best track on the album". The song had existed as a demo since the early recording sessions for the album but was all but forgotten until practically the last minute. However, on the Lock the Box feature on the Stop the Clocks, Noel admitted that he "didn't realise how good it was until played it live," while Liam stated that he loved the "guitars, the drums, and the vocals" of the song.
Release
"Lyla" became the band's seventh UK number one, when it reached top spot in the UK Singles Chart in its first week of release. The song also debuted at number 31 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart, peaking at number 19. It also appeared on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart at number 8, which is roughly equivalent to number 108 on the main Hot 100 chart. It was the first Oasis song to appear on any US singles chart since 2000, when "Go Let It Out" hit number 14 on the Modern Rock chart. Sony's insistence that "Lyla" be released as the first single from the album helped to fuel the tension between the band and their record label, which led to Oasis not renewing their contract with the record label following the release of Don't Believe the Truth.
Music video
The video features a woman in a flat being harassed by two men, whom she eventually has leave. Shortly after, a hole in a wall in her flat opens and she walks through it and finds herself at a masquerade ball where Oasis are performing the song. The woman eventually leaves and returns to her flat, where she looks out her window and sees the words "Don't Believe The Truth" on a line of garages outside.
When performing on the UK music chart show Top of the Pops, Liam, who was forced to mime to the music, made no secret of the fact, walking away from the microphone with his mouth closed mid-way through lines that he was supposedly 'singing'. It would be Liam's last performance on the programme before its demise in late 2006. However, Noel and the rest of the band would return in August 2005 to perform "The Importance of Being Idle" and later in 2009 to perform their last ever released single "Falling Down". The song leaked on the internet during late March 2005, weeks before its May release date, after an unauthorised early airing on Polish radio station Radiowa Trójka. "Lyla" was covered by the Foo Fighters during a show/radio session on 23 August 2005 at the Maida Vale Studios in London for The Jo Whiley Show. The song is included on Oasis' compilation albumStop the Clocks. It is also included in FIFA 06 as a track. Liam performed the song for the first time as a solo artist at Hackney Round Chapel on 5 June 2019.
The DVD also contains a hidden piece about new drummer Zak Starkey. The video lasts for 1:16 and is accessed by highlighting the word 'Credits' on the main menu, then pressing right until you see the name Zak appear. Then press 'Play' or 'Enter' to view the video.
