Top 20 Best Oasis Songs

Top 20 Oasis Songs

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the Oasis songs that made millions believe they, too, could be rock stars even if they werent from Manchester.

Be Here Now (1997)

One of Noel Gallaghers earliest compositions, the infamously outspoken musician once shared that the reason it took years to record was purely financial. Said the elder Gallagher brother, It was a matter of being able to afford to record it. But now we can get away with the 36-piece orchestra. And the longer the better as far as I'm concerned. Clocking in at nearly 10 minutes in length, the song is one of Oasis most bombastic epics. The massive, kitchen-sink sound of All Around the World is the band at its most untethered, which emphasizes its life-affirming message as only Oasis could.

(What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)

Seemingly written and arranged as an homage to John Lennons Oh Yoko, Noel Gallagher wrote Shes Electric about a fictional (but, at the same time, possibly not) romantic entanglement. Gallagher compared the song to the Small Faces and the Kinks, and while those influences are definitely there, Shes Electric arguably showcases Oasis at their most Beatlesque. Thats down to the songs closing melody, which appears to be jacked straight from With a Little Help From My Friends. As such, Shes Electric is a defining piece of Britpop, building on the sounds of the past while injecting them with the irreverence and uniquely biting wit that weve come to expect of the boys from Manchester.

Featuring a driving string arrangement straight out of Strawberry Fields Forever, Whatever is yet another triumphant, live-out-loud anthem courtesy of Oasis. On the song, Liam Gallagher regales listeners with an all-too-relatable tale of wanting to break free from expectations and forge ones own path in life. Whatever, which doesnt belong to any of their studio albums, was released as a single to tide fans over between the albums Definitely Maybe and (Whats the Story?) Morning Glory. Its fitting, then, that Noel Gallagher viewed the song as the end of an era for Oasis, saying It started to get very serious after that, we were kind of a big rock band although we didnt feel it at the time.

Be Here Now (1997)

Its no secret that Noel Gallagher is no great fan of Be Here Now in its entirety, having long written off the highly anticipated Morning Glory follow-up as a bloated disappointment. We hope that, at least, he could reserve some faint praise for Stand by Me, widely regarded by fans as one of the bands best ballads. An impassioned plea by its protagonist for their lover to stick by them in uncertain times, the song represents Oasis at their most soul-baring and open-hearted. Stand by Me contemplates the notion that, no matter what age we are when we listen to it, we always have more growing to do. Maybe the Gallaghers could take a page from their own song

(What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)

Noel Gallaghers biggest fan is, perhaps unsurprisingly, Noel Gallagher. That self-admiration extends to Oasis deep cuts, like this fan-favorite off of their second album. Written for Gallaghers friend, Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft, the singer-guitarist praised Cast No Shadow as some of the best words I ever wrote, and that he had no recollection of writing it, but when I heard it today, I was like [...] well done! We have to agree with Noel on this one! Cast No Shadow exposes a rare moment of dark vulnerability for Oasis, a crack in their ever-sunny and optimistic lyrical output. And, as you mightve predicted, they pull it off with aplomb.

Despite Oasis reputation for throwing in all (and we mean all) of the bells and whistles, just two band members play on this sparse, intimate acoustic single that never found its way onto an album. Becoming revered by fans anyway, Talk Tonight was inspired by the aftermath of a particularly disastrous Los Angeles concert in 1994. Noel Gallagher, who sings and plays guitar alongside Paul Bonehead Arthurs, impulsively traveled to San Francisco to stay with Melissa Lim, a friend who reportedly convinced him not to break up the band. Noel later said that he couldnt remember her name or her appearance, before Lim confirmed her identity as the songs subject to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Dig Out Your Soul (2008)

This mesmerizing cut off of Dig Out Your Soul has the unique distinction of being the final single Oasis released before going their separate ways in August of 2009. Recalling the Middle Eastern-inspired string sections of Led Zeppelin and the heavy psychedelics of the Beatles Revolver, Falling Down appears to allude to the bands imminent break-up. Evoking deeply poetic, even biblical imagery, the song describes an apocalyptic vision of the end times, and a feeling of being inevitably resigned to it. Now that the Gallagher brothers have made amends and are on the verge of a once-unthinkable world tour, Falling Down now serves as a hard-rocking time capsule of a more precarious era.

Definitely Maybe (1994)

The first song on Oasis debut album, Rock n Roll Star was the perfect introduction to a band that knew they were about to change everything. A tune about wanting more from life than what your sleepy suburb has to offer, it isnt maybe, but definitely one of the bands early defining hits. Rock n Roll Star gives you only a few seconds to prepare before it smashes your head in with its pounding drums and droning, distortion-drenched guitars. The song encourages listeners to follow their dreams without giving the naysayers an inch, and in that way, it beautifully encapsulates Oasis signature screw-you attitude.

(What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)

Doesnt that chunky opening guitar riff just give you chills? When Tony McCarrolls drum fill kicks in, you just know youre in for something legendary. As the first single off of Morning Glory, Some Might Say let listeners know that something truly extraordinary was on the way. Despite its polished sound, you may be surprised to learn that recording Some Might Say was hardly a labor of love. While intoxicated, Noel Gallagher and producer Owen Morris attempted to re-record the song an effort that required Morris to remix it several times to cover up any errors that remained. Some Might Say persevered to become a #1 hit in Britain.

Be Here Now (1997)

As we mentioned a little earlier, Noel Gallagher has all but disowned Be Here Now. As such, Gallagher has publicly expressed a distaste for DYou Know What I Mean?, the first track on Be Here Now. Said Gallagher, he was going to make up some profound statement in the chorus but I couldn't come up with anything that fitted [...] Very vague, very ambiguous, that'll do. At one point, he even disparaged the songs intro as being too long. However, all of these critiques dont negate the fact that DYou Know What I Mean? simply slaps, vagueness be damned. The song finds Oasis experimenting with new, previously unheard sounds and textures in a way that showed ample evidence of an artistic evolution.

The B-side to the Some Might Say single, Acquiesce features a notable rarity within Oasis vast back catalogue. That would be the fact that the deep cut is a duet between Gallaghers Noel and Liam. Liam takes care of the verses, while Noel handles the songs choruses. A staple among the bands fanbase, Acquiesce proved so popular that it was voted onto the 1998 compilation album The Masterplan. Noel Gallagher has since taken responsibility for declining to add it to (Whats the Story?) Morning Glory, even after Creation Records co-founder Alan McGee encouraged him to release it as a single instead of Some Might Say. However, even Noel has since admitted that Acquiesce is more than album-worthy.

Definitely Maybe (1994)

Oasis has always been unfairly accused of cribbing everything they know from the Beatles. And thats just untrue: theyve cribbed from pretty much every iconic British rock act of the mid 20th century. And just to be clear, we say this with love: Cigarettes & Alcohol is an absolutely stellar take on 1970s glam rock, particularly the headbanging shenanigans of T. Rex and Marc Bolan. The final single from Definitely Maybe, this boozy stomper serves as a rowdy, rousing rallying cry against lifes day-to-day disenchantments. Altogether, Cigarettes & Alcohol cemented Oasis appeal as unabashed fans of the music they loved and as Britains finest messengers of pitch-perfect escapism.

(What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)

Who can resist a title track? In all seriousness, Morning Glory sits in an interesting position within the bands discography. Its classic Oasis, an impressive realization of the sound they had been cultivating. But its painfully underrated, possibly owing to its limited commercial release in a handful of countries, only garnering radio play in North America, particularly the United States and Canada. It represents a turning point for Oasis: it showed that they were no slouches when it came to stirring, high-octane rock, and could compete with the best of them. Whether other rock bands liked it or not, there were some new lads on the block.

Definitely Maybe (1994)

Possibly Oasis fans best-kept secret, Slide Away was another casualty of Noel Gallaghers artistic ruthlessness. Gallagher proclaimed that You can't have five [singles] off a debut album, while simultaneously touting the fact that none other than Sir Paul McCartney has said that its his favorite song by the band. Furthermore, Noel has declared that his favorite vocals of Liam Gallaghers are on Slide Away. So, with all that in mind, we cant quite understand the efforts to bury it but maybe thats for the best. Given their massive resurgence in popularity, maybe diehard fans can hold on to this one.

Definitely Maybe (1994)

Noel Gallagher may not be the easiest musician to work with. But his work speaks for itself. Just ask Paul Bonehead Arthurs, who described observing Gallaghers creative process while crafting Supersonic. Said Arthurs, Noel's just sat there with the guitar and he just wrote the music [...] and then he wrote the words, any old [...] words and he came back in the room with us [...] and he said, Look, I've just written another song. It feels like it should be mentioned that this was reportedly in just half an hour, if you believe Noel himself. That precision and intensity just about sums Supersonic up, its defiant attitude seeping through its cryptic lyrics.

This song, which accompanied the Wonderwall single release, became so popular with the bands fans that it was eventually made the namesake for the bands 1998 B-side album. Another unmistakably Beatlesque track, The Masterplan blends Sgt. Pepper era string arrangements with George Harrisons White Album guitar theatrics. A lesser-known tune that was given a richly deserved second chance, The Masterplan is an exemplary distillation of the themes and motifs that Noel Gallagher has historically been fond of. Simply put, this song is debatably Oasis at their most Oasis even if it is the odd number from the band that doesnt feature any contributions whatsoever from Liam Gallagher.

(What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)

One of Oasis most affecting songs, Champagne Supernova means something a little bit different to everyone. Thats not just our assessment, by the way: thats Noel Gallagher himself talking. Speaking to NME in 1995, Gallagher mused over its evocative lyrics, saying that It means different things when I'm in different moods. [...] It's about when you're young and you see people in groups and you think about what they did for you and they did nothing. Later, Gallagher backtracked slightly, speculating that its a statement on youth. Whatever it may be, now or five years from now when Noel Gallagher changes his mind again, he was right on the money when he described Champagne Supernova as an epic.

(What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)

Anyway, hereswell, do we even need to say it? If youve been within earshot of an acoustic guitar in the last 30 years, you already know. Because after all, its the second-most streamed song of the 1990s on Spotify, with a staggering 2.3 billion plays. Wonderwall was Oasis biggest hit in the United States, and their only track to crack the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. Like Champagne Supernova, Noel Gallagher has waffled on its meaning, initially saying it was about then-girlfriend Meg Matthews, only to later claim it was about an imaginary friend who's gonna come and save you from yourself. Largely thought of as the bands signature song, Wonderwall didnt just define Oasis it defined a decade.

Definitely Maybe (1994)

The first Oasis song to make an impact on the UK top 10, the timeless rock ballad Live Forever saw a resurgence in 2024 following the bands surprise reunion tour announcement. Inspired by the Rolling Stones blues-gospel classic Shine a Light, Noel Gallaghers composition had a rare effect: it left his bandmates in stunned silence probably the last time Liam Gallagher was ever lost for words. An ode to living in the moment, Live Forever embodies the bands early defiance and heart. And when Alan McGee called it probably the single greatest moment Ive ever experienced with [Oasis], its not hard to intrinsically believe him.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Be Here Now (1997)

Standing on the Shoulder of Giants (1998)

(What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)

Dig Out Your Soul (2008)

Heathen Chemistry (2002)

(What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)

It might have taken a backseat to Wonderwall in the States, but in the UK, Dont Look Back in Anger became something bigger: a generational anthem. It was the bands second number-one single in Britain, and the first Oasis track sung by Noel Gallagher instead of Liam. This shift allowed Oasis to play with the formula, giving the song its meditative quality, and elevating it from a Britpop ballad to a timeless, even healing hymn. Said Noel on its meaning, It's about not being upset about the things you might have said or done yesterday, which is quite appropriate at the moment. It's about looking forward rather than looking back. And all we can say to that is cheers to that, lads.

Which Oasis song on our list is your favorite? Are there any we missed? Most importantly of all, did we get it right? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!