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| "Wonderwall" | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single by Oasis | ||
| From the album (What's the Story) Morning Glory? | ||
| Single Released | 30 October 1995 | |
| Single Format | CD | |
| Recorded | Spring/Summer, 1995 | |
| Genre | Britpop | |
| Song Length | 4 min 18 s | |
| Record label | Creation Records | |
| Producer | Owen Morris | |
| Chart positions | 2 (UK) 8 (USA) | |
| Oasis single chronology | ||
| "Roll With It" (1995) | "Wonderwall" (1995) | "Don't Look Back in Anger" (1996) |
Released in October 1995, it peaked at #2 in the UK charts and proved to be their American breakthrough, giving Oasis their only US Top 10 hit thus far. "Wonderwall" is perhaps their most popular song, despite the fact that British TV stars Robson & Jerome's "I Believe"/"Up On The Roof" kept it out of the top slot. "Wonderwall" has had enduring popularity in Oasis' canon. As of 2005 it was number 99 in the UK's list of best-selling singles and frequently appears in "best-of" single polls.
The song takes its name from the 1968 album Wonderwall Music by George Harrison, at the time still a member of the Beatles. Harrison's album was in fact a soundtrack to the film Wonderwall, but the film has remained unknown by the general public.
It is often claimed that "Wonderwall" was written for Gallagher's then-girlfriend, Meg Mathews. Noel married Mathews, but they were divorced in 2001. Gallagher now claims that the song was not about Mathews at all, but he felt he had to go along with the rumour, saying "You write a number 1, your bird thinks it's about her, what can you say?" and "The meaning of that song was taken away from me by the media who jumped on it. And how do you tell your Mrs it's not about her once she's read it is? It's about an imaginary friend who's going to come and save you from yourself".Shaw, Harry, Oasis "Talking" (Omnibus Press, London; ISBN 0711992002) Initially Noel wanted to sing this song, but he gave his brother Liam Gallagher the choice, and Noel ended up singing "Don't Look Back In Anger".
The music video to the song is also notable as having been filmed in the relatively brief period when bassist Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan quit the band due to nervous exhaustion; Scott McLeod came in to replace him.
The sleeve artwork was inspired by the paintings of the Belgian surrealist René Magritte, and features the hand of art director Brian Cannon and a Creation Records employee. The famous frame was shot on Primrose Hill in north west London.
Covers and Influence
"Wonderwall" has been one of the most frequently covered songs of the last ten years. Covers include an easy listening arrangement by The Mike Flowers Pops, indie music songwriter Ryan Adams's 2004 version, American Indie Songstress Cat Power, Paul Anka's swing-jazz style arrangement, and the Beastie Boys punk rock cover that has been performed at concerts, but never released as a single. The Harvard Independent compiled a list of the five most ironic versions of "Wonderwall". The song was also covered by fellow British rock group, Radiohead.
Several songs use chords similar to Wonderwall's, including Travis's "Writing To Reach You" (which contains the lyric "what's a Wonderwall anyway?"), "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by Green Day, and Oasis' first single from Be Here Now, "D'You Know What I Mean". "Wonderwall" was later featured in the popular mash up "Boulevard of Broken Songs", which also contained parts of both "Writing to Reach You" and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams".
B-sides
One of the B-sides, "The Swamp Song", was originally a warm-up exercise for the recording sessions of (What's The Story) Morning Glory?. The harmonica is supplied by Paul Weller.
"The Masterplan" is considered by many to be Oasis' best B-side, and one of their greatest songs. Noel Gallagher feels it marks the highpoint of his creative output. It and "Round Are Way" were the first new material recorded after the release of (What's the Story) Morning Glory?. Allegedly, Liam was so impressed with the song that he became abusive with Noel for not having written it in time for the album and refused to sing on it. However, in the inlay to The Masterplan it is stated that this is the only song Liam wishes he had sung instead of Noel.
Miscellanea
The opening track of (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, "Hello", starts off with the opening riff of "Wonderwall" playing extremely quietly (you would have to turn up your speakers very high to hear it). However, it stops once the guitar noise comes in.
(This is similar to the tape printthrough that can be heard on such songs as the Talking Heads' "Road to Nowhere.")
Track listing
- "Wonderwall"
- "Round Are Way"
- "The Swamp Song"
- "The Masterplan"
Notes
"Wonderwall (song)"