Just In:Travis’ Fran Healy shares Noel Gallagher’s reaction to “absolutely lifting” chords from Oasis’ ‘Wonderwall’ for ‘Writing To Reach You’.

In an unexpected yet revealing moment, Fran Healy, the lead vocalist and songwriter of the Scottish rock band Travis, recently opened up about a peculiar interaction he had with Noel Gallagher, the iconic guitarist and lyricist of Oasis. Healy recounted how Gallagher had commented on the striking similarities between the chords of Travis’ hit “Writing to Reach You” and Oasis’ legendary anthem “Wonderwall.” Healy’s candid revelation has shed light on the creative influences that often go unnoticed, further emphasizing the sometimes blurry lines between inspiration, imitation, and coincidence in the world of music.

The Backstory: Two Songs, One Era

“Writing to Reach You,” released in 1999 as the lead single from Travis’ breakthrough album The Man Who, marked a pivotal moment in the band’s career. The song’s gentle yet driving rhythm, combined with Healy’s heartfelt lyrics, resonated with a generation that was still riding high on the wave of Britpop, a musical movement that had dominated the 1990s. Travis, alongside bands like Oasis, Blur, and Pulp, was at the forefront of this cultural shift, which blended British guitar rock with a new wave of emotional and introspective lyrics.

Meanwhile, Oasis’ “Wonderwall,” released in 1995 as part of their second album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, had already cemented itself as a classic. The song became one of the defining tracks of the 1990s, encapsulating the angst, hope, and vulnerability that seemed to encapsulate the spirit of the time. “Wonderwall” became synonymous with Oasis’ frontman, Liam Gallagher’s, voice and Noel Gallagher’s distinctive songwriting style. Yet, as Healy admitted in a recent interview, the connection between the two songs goes deeper than just thematic similarities or similar lyrical content.

The Chord Controversy: An Honest Admission

Healy made waves when he revealed that the iconic guitar progression in Writing to Reach You was, in his words, “absolutely lifted” from Oasis’ Wonderwall. While this may sound like a bold admission, Healy wasn’t shy about owning up to the influence. The chord progression in both songs shares a remarkable resemblance, particularly the descending guitar line that acts as the backbone of each track.

Healy acknowledged that the similarity was neither accidental nor a case of conscious copying. Rather, it stemmed from his subconscious absorption of the musical landscape he was part of. He confessed that he had been listening to Oasis’ (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? on repeat during the writing process of The Man Who. The familiarity and accessibility of Noel Gallagher’s songwriting undoubtedly had an effect on Healy, as is often the case when a song becomes as deeply embedded in the cultural zeitgeist as Wonderwall had by the late ’90s.

Yet, this isn’t the first time that musicians have been caught “lifting” chords, melodies, or progressions. In fact, many of the most iconic songs in rock history owe their success to subtle (and not-so-subtle) borrowings from earlier works. What makes this situation particularly interesting, however, is Gallagher’s reaction when Healy revealed the truth.

Noel Gallagher’s Response: From Amusement to Acknowledgment

When Fran Healy shared this story with the public, many were eager to know how Noel Gallagher would react. After all, he is no stranger to having his work scrutinized, imitated, or outright appropriated by other artists. In a remarkable show of humor and humility, Gallagher’s response to Healy’s confession was less about anger or resentment and more about acknowledging the shared language of music.

Gallagher, who has always been known for his witty, self-assured public persona, didn’t seem upset about the chord progression’s similarity. Instead, he found it amusing. In an interview, Gallagher remarked, “If someone is going to steal your chords, they may as well do it in a way that makes a good song.” The fact that Travis’ song went on to become a beloved anthem in its own right likely added to Gallagher’s sense of satisfaction with the situation. For him, the idea that his music could inspire another generation of songwriters and musicians was a compliment, not a slight.

“I’ve always said that the best form of flattery is when people take your work and make something of their own with it,” Gallagher said. “I’m not precious about these things. If Wonderwall helped someone write a great song, then all the better for it.”

This attitude towards musical influence speaks to the nature of creativity itself. Music, at its core, is often a conversation between artists. While some may choose to directly reference or imitate others’ work, others may simply absorb those influences, consciously or unconsciously, and transform them into something unique.