top 10 songs by oasis The Gallagher brothers have been through a lot in the past decade: they’ve changed their line up about 15,000 times, they’ve been all over the tabloids, they’ve rubbed elbows with rock royalty as well as actual political figures, and they’ve insulted pretty much everyone under the sun. And yet somehow they’ve managed to record some really amazing songs. Here are ten of their best, in no particular order:
1. Live Forever” (available on Definitely Maybe): A quintessential rock ‘n’ roll song, period. Simple melody, lyrics about escaping all the nasty things weighing you down, and that wonderful, life affirming idea of living forever. Not to mention, it hasn’t been as over played as “Wonderwall.”
2. “Acquiesce” (available on The Masterplan): The closest thing to a Gallagher brother duet (though Noel claims the arrangement was done this way because Liam had been out drinking and couldn’t hit the high notes), this B-side could have been a single itself, and was an unfulfilling promise of where Oasis could have gone with their their record.
3. “Stand By Me” (available on Be Here Now): Perhaps the best anti-drug campaign in music is Oasis’ third album, Be Here Now. Written when Noel Gallagher was doing way too much coke for his own good, the trademark confidence the drug brings out proved to have negative effects on his work. Though the songs were pretty solid, the arrangments were pretty shoddy, there’s way too much feedback, and the title track could have been left off the album without detriment. But “Stand By Me” is that one, perfect song on the record – tight arrangement, catchy tune, and more of those feel good, brotherly love lyrics – and it’s saving grace.
4. “Talk Tonight” (available on The Masterplan): The “Some Might Say” single was truly great; it housed both “Acquiesce” and “Talk Tonight” as B-sides. This stripped down acoustic-with-keys number is one of Noel’s best vocal performances. And the lyrics actually make you think that he might have a soft side.
5. “Wonderwall” (available on (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?): Yes, it’s the one song by Oasis that everyone knows, but with good reason: it’s fantastic. Maybe the video doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, maybe no one really knows what exactly a wonderwall is, but this song builds up to a drama that few songs can accomplish.
6. “The Hindu Times” (available on Heathen Chemistry): After the fiasco that was Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants, Oasis fans needed a reason to have faith in the band again. And with that exceptionally funky guitar riff, “The Hindu Times” was a good reason to give Oasis another chance.
7. “Morning Glory” (available on (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?): It didn’t quite come through as a single, but the intensity of this song makes it a stand-out track on Oasis’ sophomore album. The furious guitar, pounding rhythm, and Liam’s snarling vocals make “Morning Glory” unforgettable.
8. “Lyla” (available on Don’t Believe The Truth): A return to Oasis’ former glory comes on their most recent album. Lyla put them back on the radio and found them a new place in Americans’ hearts (evidence: When Oasis played New York in 2002, they sold out the 2,800 capacity Beacon Theatre. When they played New York in 2005, they sold out 25,000 Madison Square Garden).
9. “Columbia” (available on Definitely Maybe): One of the few Oasis tracks you can really dance to, the pseudo-psychadelic guitars on this track make your hips shake and just generally make you feel bad-ass.
10. “Cast No Shadow” (available on (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?): Nearly bumped for “Don’t Look Back In Anger,” this song was chosen for it’s association with the Verve’s Richard Ashcroft, which makes it a much more heartfelt tune. Personally, I would recommend the version of it from the band’s 1996 Performance of MTV’s Unplugged with Noel providing the lead vocals (and changing the lyrics to “You can take my soul, but don’t take my pride”)
