The Importance of Being Idle
Oasis, 2005. Solo by Noel Gallagher.
A later-era Oasis solo, drily melodic and influenced by the Kinks, that fits the song's lazy swagger.
The Importance of Being Idle comes from later-era Oasis, and its solo shows a drier, more understated Noel Gallagher. The lead is melodic and economical, full of neat, clipped phrases that suit the song's lazy swagger and its clear debt to the Kinks. Rather than building toward a big climax, it stays relaxed and slightly wry, sitting comfortably on the song's shuffling beat. It is a reminder that Gallagher could still write a lead that serves a song rather than overpowers it. Listen for how the solo stays in the middle register and keeps the rhythm of the verse, so it feels like part of the arrangement rather than a showcase.
The Importance of Being Idle by Oasis is ranked #333 in our consensus of 79 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by Noel Gallagher and the song was released in 2005. It appears on 1 lists, placing as high as #83 (Magazyn Gitarzysta).
In our lists
- The 25 Greatest Britpop Guitar Solos — #19
- The 2000s — #24
Sources
Who played the guitar solo on The Importance of Being Idle?
Noel Gallagher played the solo on Oasis's The Importance of Being Idle (2005).
Where does The Importance of Being Idle rank among the greatest guitar solos?
#333 in the GreatestSolos consensus of 79 published lists; it appears on 1 of them.