![Noel Gallagher's recent suggestion that reading fiction is a "fucking waste of time" and readers and reviewers are "putting themselves a tiny little bit above the rest of us" – is a valuable contribution to the debate around books and literature's role in modern society. His remarks raise three important questions; about the value of fiction, the relationship between song and book, and the challenge of access to reading. This is a man who has sold millions of records worldwide – sales that most authors and publishers could only dream of – in part because of his imaginative lyrics that inspire and transport the listener, just as a work of fiction does for the reader. He may have conceded that the words to his songs, for him, mean nothing more substantial than people queuing up to hear him play and shelling out for the records. But listening to Oasis songs, it doesn't take long before you stumble upon a truly beautiful lyric ("Wake up the dawn and ask her why/ A dreamer dreams she never dies"). Just because words are put to music, it doesn't mean they stop telling a story. Any art form that offers a respite from the daily grind, be it song, novel, or film, should be valued. Pop music and literature should not compete for attention, but complement one another in conjuring a sense of wonder about the written word. The list of treasured wordsmiths who embody this synergy is endless – Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Nick Cave, Bob Dylan, PJ Harvey … At Booktrust, we promote reading for pleasure – often through fiction – because, simply put, it improves life chances. The studies that link reading and social mobility are endless; recent research from the Institute of Education tells us that reading for pleasure throughout childhood leads to significantly higher results in maths, vocabulary and spelling. But novels also feed the imagination, bring solace, and extend understanding – altering and illuminating the world around us. Noel Gallagher is right to have challenged the literary world to focus on access and the problem of elitism; reading should never be a closed book for anyone. Which is why Booktrust's Bookstart programme gives free books to every child accross the country, and uses songs and rhymes to introduce children to the world of words. The role of music in encouraging a love of words is an important one, and as a lyricist, Noel Gallagher has played his part in inspiring a generation to cherish them. But let's also recognise the immeasurable contribution of authors of fiction. Viv Bird is the chief executive of Booktrust You've read 10 articles in the last year Article count on This is what we're up against Bad actors spreading disinformation online to fuel intolerance. 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It takes less than a minute to set up, and you can rest assured that you’re making a big impact every single month in support of open, independent journalism. Thank you. Contribution frequency One-time Monthly Annual Contribution amount €4 per month €12 per month Other Continue Remind me in October Accepted payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, American Express and PayPal Explore more on these topics Fiction Books blog Noel Gallagher blogposts Share Reuse this content Most viewed Met officer from same unit as David Carrick and Wayne Couzens charged with rape LiveStarmer rejects Badenoch’s claim Labour is ‘clueless’ and urges Tories to apologise for the ‘mess they made’ – UK politics live Pregnant women and older people in England offered RSV vaccine on NHS ‘I didn’t expect to win’: Labour’s new MPs adjusting to Commons life ‘The new digital flex’: the airport tray trend stirring outrage and delight Books blog Good Omens is going beyond the book? 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WSobchak WSobchak 23 Oct 2013 16.40 0 But what about H from Steps? Does he prefer fiction or factual? Does Sporty Spice prefer art-house or mainstream movies? Timmy Mallet - documentaries or drama? View more comments Most viewed Most viewedAcross the Guardian Most viewedin Books Most viewed Across the Guardian Live ‘A dark day for Germany is a dark day for Europe’: liberals react to far right success in German state election – Europe live Man accused of enlisting strangers to rape drugged wife goes on trial in France Live Israel-Gaza war live: Israel’s labour court orders general strike to end earlier than planned ‘The new digital flex’: the airport tray trend stirring outrage and delight If China wants Taiwan it should also reclaim land from Russia, says president Live Russia-Ukraine war live: Ukrainian foreign minister urges its partners for permission for long-range strikes into Russia The right’s obsession with childless women isn’t just about ideology: it’s essential to the capitalist machine Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action Strongman’s ‘guy rope’ muscles show greatest growth, study finds North Korean table tennis players may be punished for Olympic podium selfie with rivals from South](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e3141f_ce5ec60b046e48488affe4ed5564d63c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/e3141f_ce5ec60b046e48488affe4ed5564d63c~mv2.jpg)
(Sources : Actualitté / The Guardian, publié le Mardi 22 Octobre 2013)
Selon la définition que le Larousse rattache au mot fiction, on constate que le terme désigne « tout ce qui est considéré comme création de l'imagination, ce qui est du domaine de l'imaginaire comme de l'irréel ».
Wonderwall ou pas, il semblerait que des chansons du méchant garçon de Manchester soient donc à classer dans le registre fictionnel.
La récente déclaration de Noel Gallagher selon laquelle lire de la fiction est une « p**ain de perte de temps » et que les lecteurs et les critiques « se mettent un tout petit peu au-dessus du reste d’entre nous » – est une contribution précieuse au débat sur le rôle des livres et de la littérature dans la société moderne.
Ses remarques soulèvent trois questions importantes : Tout d'abord sur la valeur de la fiction, la relation entre la chanson et le livre et le défi de l'accès à la lecture.
C’est un homme qui a vendu des millions de disques dans le monde – des ventes dont la plupart des auteurs et éditeurs ne pourraient que rêver – en partie grâce à ses paroles imaginatives qui inspirent et transportent l’auditeur, tout comme une œuvre de fiction le ferait pour un lecteur lambda.
Il a peut-être admis que les paroles de ses chansons, pour lui, ne signifiaient rien de plus substantiel que ces gens faisant la queue pour l'entendre jouer sur scène ou débourser de l'argent durement gagné pour acheter ses disques.
Mais en écoutant les chansons d'Oasis, il ne faut pas longtemps avant de tomber sur des paroles vraiment magnifiques :
« Réveillez l'aube et demandez-lui pourquoi
Une rêveuse rêve qu'elle ne meurt jamais »
Ce n’est pas parce que les mots sont mis en musique qu’ils cessent de raconter une histoire. Toute forme d’art qui offre un répit dans le quotidien, qu’il s’agisse d’une chanson, d’un roman ou d’un film, doit être valorisée.
La musique pop et la littérature ne doivent pas rivaliser pour attirer l’attention, mais se compléter en suscitant un sentiment d’émerveillement à l’égard de l’écrit.
La liste des créateurs de mots précieux qui incarnent cette synergie est infinie – Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Nick Cave, Bob Dylan, PJ Harvey…
Noel Gallagher a raison d'avoir mis le monde littéraire au défi de se concentrer sur l'accès et le problème de l'élitisme ; la lecture ne devrait jamais être un livre fermé pour quiconque.
C'est pourquoi un programme appelé Bookstart de Booktrust offre des livres gratuits à tous les enfants du pays et utilise des chansons et des comptines pour initier les enfants au monde des mots.
Le rôle de la musique pour encourager l’amour des mots est important et, en tant que parolier, Noel Gallagher a joué son rôle en inspirant une génération à les chérir.
Mais reconnaissons également la contribution incommensurable des auteurs de fiction.
Les fans du groupe de rock anglais, qui s'est formé à Manchester en 1991, après une brouille de quinze ans a décidé de reprendre la route en juillet 2025 pour une série de concerts que l'on imagine déjà gigantesques dans les plus grands stades du Royaume-Uni.
A ce jour (le 2 septembre 2024 au moment où je rédige cet article) aucun autre pays n'est annoncé. Laissons faire le temps.
Pour rendre hommage à ce groupe, un de mes groupes préférés, j'avais envie depuis longtemps de faire une vidéo dans laquelle je lirai (et non, vous ne m'entendrez pas chanter, je vous épargne cela, ne me remerciez pas), des textes de chansons d'Oasis traduits en français.
J'ai été moi-même surpris par la mélancolie, la douceur, la nostalgie et pour tout dire la poésie, qui se dégagent des textes de Noel Gallagher. J'ai essayé de les transcrire au mieux et j'espère que cela vous plaira.
N'hésitez pas à me faire vos retours, vos suggestions, vos remarques et critiques (constructives) et bien sûr, si vous avez des propositions à me faire pour la lecture et la traduction en français de textes d'autres artistes ou groupes, je suis à votre disposition.
Je vous souhaite une agréable écoute,
Philippe Hardy Prioton
Votre Écrit Vainc
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