Song 141 - Definitely Maybe by Oasis

For a bank holiday weekend, you need a good Britpop album to get yourself through the traffic and although there were plenty to choose from Definitely Maybe by Oasis stood out ahead of the crowd in my head.  Released at the end of August 1994, it went straight to number one in the UK album chart gaining commercial and critical success from the music industry. It was the fastest selling album at the point of release; outstripping the success of Suede! and held onto that record until 2006, when the Arctic Monkey released their album. On the point of the 20th year anniversary of its release, the album has sold about 15 million copies.

Containing their four hit singles; Shakemaker, Live forever, Cigarattes & Alcohol and Supersonic, for me it is the last track of the album that has stayed in my head for the last 22 years which is Married with Children. Whether it is gritty guitar solo at the beginning, the straight forward lyrics or whether it reminded me of someone, it somehow became one of my favourite Oasis songs. I think I rebelled a bit when I moved to university!

Together with Blur's Parklife, Definitely Maybe helped spur a revitalisation in British pop music in the 1990s. Praised by critics for its optimistic themes and supposed rebuttal of the downtrodden fatalism that could be heard in grunge music; it is fair to say the success of the album was down to Liam's delivery of his brother Noel's fantastic lyrics.

Originally called Rain, Oasis started on the music scene in 1991 and signed a record deal in 1993. It is fair to say that their first two singles off the album didn't really spark much interest with the British public; however when their third single  Live Forever, was released at  the start of August just before the album; the world woke up to the music of Oasis and they received their first top ten single in the UK and the USA. The inspiration for the song, Noel claimed, was a stance against some of the lyrics Kurt Cobain was producing.

Perhaps my appreciation for Oasis come from them drawing influence from groups like the Beatles and the Stone Roses. You don't have to look any further than the cover for Live Forever to see the influence of John Lennon as they used his childhood home as the cover for the single.   Whilst some may say about Oasis that their music is shite and keeps them up all night, their music and influence during the Britpop era will Live forever.

To hear the album:
Oasis' Definitely Maybe

Performed by Oasis
Written by Noel Gallagher
Released: 1994.

Song 139 - Wonderwall by Oasis

It would be a sin to have a section on Britpop and not mention Oasis. The repudiation and headlines surrounding the Gallagher Brothers maybe bigger than their back catalogue but don't let that cloud the memories of how big Oasis was and how influential their music was (and still is) for a generation. When thinking about what should be the first song by Oasis into the jukebox and, for me,  it has to be Wonderwall.

Released at the end of October 1995, it reached number 2 in the UK chart and remains one of their best known songs. Written by Noel Gallagher, the song is said to be about an imaginary friend who comes and save you from yourself; although at the time of release everyone thought it was about Meg Matthews, his first wife. 

Taken from their second album, (What's the story) Morning Glory, Liam sang lead vocal on this, their third single from the album, the song went on to be the 10th best selling single of  1995 and one of the most covered songs by other bands. It would be wrong not to mention the The Mike Flowers Pops version that was released two months after the original version. Also reaching number two in the charts, it sparks some doubt in the uneducated minds to who had actually written the track, much to the amusement of Oasis.  

Another version of the song I discovered a couple of years ago is Marrick Sabre's Version. Bringing a reggae beat to the song; it had me dancing around the flat although could be better than the the original.

To be taken back to 1995; listen here:
Wonderwall by Oasis

The covers -

Wonderwall, performed by The Mike Flowers Pops
Wonderwall (BBC Live Version), performed by Maverick Sabre

Written by: Noel Gallagher
Released: October 1995
Album: (What's the story) Morning Glory.