The World's Not Set in Stone
| "The World's Not Set in Stone" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Beady Eye | ||||
| from the album BE (deluxe edition) | ||||
| A-side | "Shine a Light" | |||
| Released | 19 August 2013 | |||
| Recorded | 2012–2013 | |||
| Studio | State of the Ark Studios, Richmond, London | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 4:46 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriter | Liam Gallagher | |||
| Producer | David Sitek | |||
| Beady Eye singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"The World's Not Set in Stone" is a song by English rock band Beady Eye, written by Liam Gallagher. The song was first unveiled live in June 2012, before later appearing on the deluxe edition of the band's second album, BE (2013). In August 2013, it was issued as one half of the double A-side single "Shine a Light / The World's Not Set in Stone".[1][2][3][4]
Background and composition
Beady Eye first performed "The World's Not Set in Stone" at Parr Hall in Warrington on 28 June 2012. Contemporary reports described it as a new Liam-penned song and noted that it appeared in the same set as the band's first live performances of Oasis material since that group's split.[5]
The studio recording was subsequently included on the deluxe edition of BE, where Apple Music lists its running time as 4:46.[6][7] Reviews of the deluxe edition often described the song in stylistic terms connected to 1960s rock and psychedelic pop. Spectrum Culture called it "Beatles-ish",[8] while Isolation Records described it as "heavily 1960s" and praised its guitar outro.[9]
Release
Although absent from the standard edition of BE, "The World's Not Set in Stone" was issued on the deluxe edition released in June 2013.[10] It was later paired with "Shine a Light" for a double A-side single release in August 2013.[11] Press coverage of the "Shine a Light" video identified "The World's Not Set in Stone" as the other side of the release.[12]
Reception
Critical response to "The World's Not Set in Stone" was more positive than that received by some of the material on the standard edition of BE. In a syndicated review originally published by Blogcritics, the song was singled out, alongside "Evil Eye", as one of the deluxe edition tracks "worth the price of admission".[13] Isolation Records called it "the highlight of the four additional tracks", again emphasising its 1960s character and guitar work.[14] Writing later in 2013, Spectrum Culture also singled it out as one of the stronger songs from the wider BE sessions.[15]
A less enthusiastic review from Rocksucker praised the song's "ornate instrumentation" but criticised its lyrics.[16]
References
- ^ "Liam Gallagher sings Oasis songs for the first time since split with Noel Gallagher". NME. 29 June 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "The World's Not Set in Stone – Song by Beady Eye". Apple Music. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "BE (Deluxe) - Album by Beady Eye". Apple Music. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Beady Eye premiere video for 'Shine A Light' single". Gigwise. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Liam Gallagher sings Oasis songs for the first time since split with Noel Gallagher". NME. 29 June 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "BE (Deluxe) - Album by Beady Eye". Apple Music. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "The World's Not Set in Stone – Song by Beady Eye". Apple Music. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Beady Eye: BE". Spectrum Culture. 17 November 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: Text "Album Review" ignored (help) - ^ "Reviews - April-June 2013". Isolation Records. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "BE (Deluxe) - Album by Beady Eye". Apple Music. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Beady Eye premiere video for 'Shine A Light' single". Gigwise. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Beady Eye premiere video for 'Shine A Light' single". Gigwise. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Music Review: Beady Eye - 'BE'". Blogcritics. 14 July 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Reviews - April-June 2013". Isolation Records. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "Beady Eye: BE". Spectrum Culture. 17 November 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: Text "Album Review" ignored (help) - ^ "Review: Beady Eye - BE". Rocksucker. 18 June 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2026.