Little by Little
First recorded: 23 May 2002 — Oasis at Zepp Tokyo, Tokyo, JP
Most recent: 23 Nov 2025 — Oasis at MorumBIS, Sao Paulo, Brazil
By artist
| Artist | Plays | Gigs |
|---|---|---|
| Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds | 342 | 342 |
| Oasis | 156 | 156 |
Quick facts
- Artist
- Oasis
- Release
- Heathen Chemistry
- Release year
- 2002
- Lyrics
- Available
- Recorded live plays
- 498 across 498 gigs
Lyrics
We the people fight for our existence
We don't claim to be perfect but we're free
We dream our dreams alone with no resistance
Fading like the stars we wish to be
You know I didn't mean what I just said
But my God woke up on the wrong side of his bed
And it just don't matter now
As little by little we gave you everything you ever dreamed of
Little by little the wheels of your life have slowly fallen off
Little by little you have to give it all in all your life
And all the time I just ask myself why you're really here?
True perfection has to be imperfect
I know that that sounds foolish but it's true
Day has come, now you'll have to accept
Life inside your head we give to you
You know I didn't mean what I just said
But my God woke up on the wrong side of his bed
And it just don't matter now
As little by little we gave you everything you ever dreamed of
Little by little the wheels of your life have slowly fallen off
Little by little you have to give it all in all your life
And all the time I just ask myself why you're really here?
As little by little we gave you everything you ever dreamed of
Little by little the wheels of your life have slowly fallen off
Little by little you have to give it all in all your life
And all the time I just ask myself why you're really here?
Why am I really here?
Why am I really here?
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Notes
Little by Little is an uplifting rock ballad from Oasis, featured on their album Heathen Chemistry. Written by Noel Gallagher, the song is a reflection on life's imperfections and the resilience to carry on despite them. It was Issued as a Double A side Single with ‘She is Love, on September 23, 2002 in the UK and September 19th in Japan marking Oasis’s only double a side release. It remains one of the most enduring tracks from their 2000's era.
Noel began writing Little By Little during sessions for Oasis's fourth album, Standing on The Shoulder of Giants, but was shelved until Heathen Chemistry. The Track was recorded at Wheeler End Studios in Buckinghamshire and Olympic Studios in London produced entirely by the bands.
Originally, Liam Gallagher was slated to sing lead vocals. However Liam struggled in the studio, unable to capture the emotional depth Noel envisioned. Noel recounted the moment in interviews: “It's a shame ‘ cos that would have made it extra, extra special. When it cam to him (recording the vocals) you could see he was going, ’I'm not going to fucking get it, and we were willing him to get it. I went in and did a version and you could see he was sat at the desk going, ‘Fucking bastard. He’s got it.' but he doesn't want to do anything that's shit".
The song debuted live on May, 23rd 2002, at Zepp Tokyo during the bands Heathen Chemistry Tour, performances after 2005 tapered off amid shifting priorities, but was revived with Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds.