When discussing the artists who shaped his songwriting and musical identity, Noel Gallagher has often shown deep admiration for the bands that influenced him. Among them, one group stands above the rest in his eyes: The Smiths.
In a candid reflection on his influences, Gallagher openly admitted that he never saw himself as a musical innovator in the same way as some of the bands he grew up listening to. Instead, he described himself as a product of the music he loved during his youth in Manchester.
“All the music I listened to was the Sex Pistols, The Jam, The Smiths, The Buzzcocks, Joy Division, New Order. It was all big guitar music, and I’m a sum of my influences. I didn’t invent anything.”
A Unique Band That Changed Everything
Among those influences, Gallagher has repeatedly singled out The Smiths as a band that completely redefined British guitar music in the 1980s. Formed in Manchester and led by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, the group became known for Marr’s shimmering guitar style and Morrissey’s poetic, often melancholic lyrics.
For Gallagher, their sound and identity were unlike anything else in England at the time.
“I never invented anything like The Smiths, who were the most unique band ever to come out of England.”
He explained that hearing their music gave him a blueprint for what guitar-based songwriting could achieve. The band’s mixture of emotional storytelling, jangling guitar melodies, and cultural commentary left a lasting impression on the future Oasis songwriter.
The Impact on a Young Music Fan
Before becoming one of the defining figures of Britpop in the 1990s with Oasis, Gallagher was simply a teenager fascinated by music. He spent countless hours playing along to records by his favorite bands and absorbing their sound.
He later recalled how those influences helped shape his own approach to songwriting.
“I was just a lad who listened to music a lot and then eventually ended up being a songwriter.”
While Oasis would go on to achieve enormous global success with albums like Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, Gallagher never forgot the bands that inspired him to pick up a guitar in the first place.
A Lifelong Admiration
Gallagher’s respect for The Smiths goes beyond simple influence. Over the years he has expressed a desire to see the legendary band reunite, even joking that he would happily join them as a guitarist if the opportunity ever arose.
He once said that in a “parallel universe,” if The Smiths reunited, he would approach Johnny Marr and offer his services, humorously suggesting he could step in as a touring guitarist.
His admiration has also been expressed through performances. Gallagher has covered the Smiths classic “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” during live shows, including a notable performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall, further demonstrating the emotional connection he has with their music.
The Lasting Influence
Even decades after their breakup, The Smiths remain one of the most influential bands in British music history. Their brief career from 1982 to 1987 produced timeless songs that continue to inspire generations of musicians.
For Noel Gallagher, their importance is undeniable. Despite his own reputation as one of Britain’s most successful songwriters, he still credits them as a band whose originality set a standard that few could match.
In Gallagher’s own words, they weren’t just influential—they were simply unlike anyone else.
“When the songs came, it was just unbelievable.”
For a musician who helped define the sound of the 1990s, that kind of praise says everything about the enduring power of The Smiths.
