Oasis’ Noel Gallagher Felt Harry Styles’ ‘Sign of the Times’ Couldn’t Live Up to Prince’s Songs
Oasis’ Noel Gallagher revealed his wife, Sara MacDonald, was a fan of Harry Styles‘ “Sign of the Times.” She even compared it to Prince‘s songs. Gallagher responded by saying a cat could have written Styles’ ‘Sign of the Times” in a few minutes.
Oasis’ Noel Gallagher said Harry Styles’ ‘Sign of the Times’ revealed an issue with his generation
During a 2017 interview with Absolute Radio, Gallagher criticized musicians from his generation. “People of my age have let themselves go, they’re fat, balding idiots with fading tattoos,” Gallagher opined. “They sit in their garage and write shite like ‘Sign of the Times’ for Harry Styles. Which, quite frankly, my cat could have written in about 10 minutes!”
For context, “Sign of the Times” was written by Styles, Jeff Bhasker, Mitch Rowland, Ryan Nasci, Alex Salibian, and Tyler Johnson. Perhaps the most famous writer of the song besides Styles is Bhasker. Bhasker is a professional songwriter from Gallagher’s generation. He has worked with Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Fun. When Gallagher criticized songwriters from his generation, he might have been referring to Bhasker.
Oasis’ Noel Gallagher said the song didn’t sound like Prince’s music before he heard it
Gallagher was upset when MacDonald enjoyed “Sign of the Times” a lot. “I don’t mind the song, my wife was falling over herself,” he said. “‘Have you heard Harry Styles’ new song? It’s like Prince.'”
Gallagher had a negative reaction to the song before he heard it. “I was like, ‘Without even hearing it, I can assure you it’s not like Prince!'” he recalled. Notably, Prince released a song called “Sign o’ the Times” on his album of the same name. That might be why MacDonald compared Styles’ “Sign of the Times” to Prince’s song.
The way the world reacted to Harry Styles’ ‘Sign of the Times’
“Sign of the Times” became a hit. It reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for 13 weeks. “Sign of the Times” is Styles’ highest-charting single in the United States besides his No. 1 hit “Watermelon Sugar.”
Styles released “Sign of the Times” on his self-titled album. Harry Styles lasted one week atop the Billboard 200. Harry Styles remained on the chart for 113 weeks.
“Sign of the Times” was even more popular in the United Kingdom. According to The Official Charts Company, the track was No. 1 in the U.K. for one week and spent 27 total weeks on the chart. Meanwhile, Harry Styles reached No. 1 for one week, staying on the chart for 96 weeks.
“Sign of the Times” has been covered by artists such as Ellie Goulding, Sabrina Carpenter, and Hanson. “Sign of the Times” appeared in the Riverdale episode “When a Stranger Calls.” The song became a success even if Gallagher wasn’t a fan.
