10 Best Oasis Songs

Liam Gallagher was lead singer for a band that included Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs (rhythm guitar), Paul McGuigan (bass), and Tony McCaroll (drums). Meanwhile, older brother Noel was seeing the world as the guitar technician for The Inspiral Carpets. 

Figuring there was a limited and frustrating future in that position Noel offered his services as guitarist, arranger and songwriter to his brother’s band. Oh, there was one other thing – a small matter really. He wanted total artistic control. The band said “yes” and Oasis were on their way. 

10. Lyla

It was the band’s first single following the departure of their long-time drummer Alan White – replaced by Zak Starkey.

The song was written by Noel Gallagher who described the track as “annoyingly catchy.”

9. Rock “N’ Roll Star

Off their debut album, “Definitely Maybe” (1994), the song was written by Noel who said, “I’ve pretty much summed up everything I wanted to say in “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star,” “Live Forever” and “Cigarettes & Alcohol,” after that I’m repeating myself, but in a different way.”

8. Supersonic

He (Noel) said, ‘Look, I’ve just written another song’,” recalled rhythm guitarist Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs. “He started singing it and we nailed it and mixed it that night, rapid, because that’s what we’d been doing every night in the Boardwalk (a Manchester club), you know, and it sounded massive, absolutely massive.”

7. Cigarettes & Alcohol

The song references the apparent dead-end of English working-class life. Alan McGee, who discovered the band, said the song was “one of the greatest social statements of the past 25 years.”

In 2020, nearly 26 years after its release, “Cigarettes & Alcohol” was certified platinum, indicating 600,000 sales.

6. Hey Now

The track appeared on the band’s sophomore set, (“What’s The Story) Morning Glory” (1995).

“This is about looking back and going, ‘Well, we’ve got where we wanted to be, but it’s been f—in’ hard work’,” related Noel. “So, it’s not been as big a laugh as we thought it would be. This song is basically saying, ‘There’s no time for running away now’.”

5. Some Might Say

It was the band’s first #1 on the U.K. Singles Chart but the last to feature all five original members. Drummer Tony McCarroll was fired shortly after its release.

Noel recorded a demo of the song which the band re-worked. Noel has stated that he preferred the demo version to the final, describing the demo as “dirtier and sleazier” than the Oasis version which was “more Britpop.”

4. Don’t Look Back In Anger

The band’s second single to reach #1 on the U.K. Singles Chart earned a quintuple-platinum sales certification in the UK. It was the first Oasis single with lead vocals by Noel, rather than his brother Liam. Noel had previously only sung lead on B-sides.

3. Morning Glory

The song and parent album (“What’s The Story) Morning Glory” became embroiled in the media created rivalry between Oasis with their Classic Rock, working-class focus versus the more eclectic middle-class Blur. Oasis won but by the time it was over there were hard feelings all around.

In North America, “Morning Glory” was the first song from the album to receive significant radio airplay (“Some Might Say” and “Roll With It” had failed), although primarily at Alternative Rock stations.

2. Champagne Supernova

With layered guitars and lush strings, Noel has said the song was “probably as psychedelic as I’ll ever get.” It is considered a defining piece of the Britpop era.

Paul Weller (The Jam/Style Council) was a guest guitarist and backing vocalist on the track.

1. Wonderwall

Noel explained the song was about “an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself.” The song reached #2 on the U.K. Singles chart and #8 in the U.S. becoming the band’s only Top 40 song on the Billboard Hot 100.

In ’20, “Wonderwall” became the first song from the 1990s to reach one billion streams on Spotify. Four years later, it garnered over 2-billion streams, second only to Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” 

Oasis

Liam Gallagher– Vocals

Noel Gallagher – Lead Guitar/Vocals

Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs – Rhythm Guitar (1991–1999)

Gem Archer – Rhythm/Lead Guitar (1999–2009)

Paul “Guigsy” McGuigan – Bass (1991–1999)

Andy Bell – Bass/Rhythm Guitar (1999–2009)

Tony McCarroll – Drums (1991–1995)

Alan “Whitey” White – Drums/Percussion (1995–2004)

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