With the success of English rock bandOasisduringtheir first reunion shows in 16 years, it only seems right to look back at one of the most commercially successful albums of the band’smusiccareeras it celebrates its 30th anniversary. That LP is 1995’s(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, which elevated Oasis from independent notoriety to worldwide fame.
With songs that have aged so wellthey’re still being played three decades later,(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?continues todefine the legacy of Oasis and brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher. Despite infighting between the pairworthy of immortalization in film, their return to the stage serves as a reminder of how good they’ve been together, past and present.
11Untitled 1/Untitled 2
Two Sonic Song Preludes
These two connective instrumental snippets (“Untitled I” and “Untitled II”) link into the songs “Some Might Say” and “Champagne Supernova,” respectively. Each track waspart of a longer B-side to “Wonderwall” called “The Swamp Song,“but is presented here only in fragments.
Overall, the “Untitled” songsdon’t add anything overly essentialto the shape of(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?. The presentation doesn’t lose much without them, but it is still a nice part of the journey to experience along the way.
10Morning Glory
Rock’s Underbelly Beast
Technically the title track to this album, “Morning Glory,” is a grimy, gristly rock track with Liam Gallagher in fine, nasally, lead vocal form, adding a trademark sneer to the proceedings. The song feels right at homein the high swing of the ’90s Britpop era, though it continues to translate today.
With plenty of drug references and Noel Gallagher ripping up surges of lead guitar, “Morning Glory” ispure shades and swagger-branded rock and roll. When Oasis was at its best, the competition had to back up and simply watch them go.
9Hey Now!
Melody Dipped Rock And Roll
Compared to their harder-edged beginnings with debut albumDefinitely Maybe, many of the songs on(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?embrace a lighter andmore melody-focused sense of identity. Even though “Hey Now!” has an electric base of instrumentation, the lyrical balladry still shines through.
With a Beatles-esque, psychedelic process of thought, “Hey Now!” has an abstract sense of construction. But looking between the layers, it seems to be about getting to where the band was, and not backing down from continuing up that hill of progress.
8Cast No Shadow
An Homage To A Friend
Ranging on the quieter side (for a rock band anyway), “Cast No Shadow” was written by Noel Gallagherin dedication to his friend and lead singer of the band the Verve, Richard Ashcroft. Originally intended as a B-side before being shifted to the album due to its quality, “Cast No Shadow” is one of the better ballads written by Gallagher.
The song is a melancholic takeon the struggles of a creator like Ashcraftand overcoming the burdens in that type of life. Though lyrically, “Cast No Shadow” begins in such a general sense that it feels like the struggles of any soul on this Earth, just trying to overcome their hardships.
7Hello
A Hard Rocker Intro
Beginning witha false starting, low few notes of “Wonderwall"before rushing into the high-pulse rush of “Hello,” this track serves as an introduction that Oasis is, above all else, still a rock band that thrives with volume turned up. Though the words framed within don’t seem to be portraying the cocky rock star’s life.
Another track written by Noel Gallagher, this one seems to express uncertainty and quite possibly frustration at the band’s direction at this point. While Gallagher has said “Hello” isn’t about anything in particular, it feels as though there’s insecurity inside this role he’s living.
6She’s Electric
A Bit Of Bouncing, Lighter Fare
“She’s Electric” pulls another card out of the Beatles' playbook on this one, with a light, airy veneer and vocal interplay between Liam and Noelthat feels a little like Lennon and McCartney. The emotional stakes don’t feel quite as deep by comparison, either.
Instead of hard-set worried insecurities or constellation-dwelling ruminations, “She’s Electric” finds Liam’s lead man narrator trying to decidewhether to commit to a woman he deeply admires. There’s something so deeply British about the wordplay of the song, and that gives it such lasting charm.
5Roll With It
Some Loud Slicing Rocking
The second single from the album, “Roll With It” is like “Hello” in that it again shows Oasis thriving in the fun of being a loud rock band at their then-prime level. Liam and Noel’s vocals mix well, showing that even in this vacuumed form of chaos, the brothers never lack for chemistry together.
Lyrically, “Roll With It” doesn’t feel very consequential, but as rock and roll has often shown us,the words don’t always need to make an impact. Instead, the vibe of the track is simply the feeling of needing to press on, to roll with the punches, and not to be deterred by your obstacles.
4Some Might Say
Sunshine Through The Clouds
With a shiny surface area synonymous with the ’90s Britpop era, “Some Might Say"is much more glossy and structured than the ragged-edged rockOasis came onto the scene with in the early part of the decade. As a result, it’s easy to see why(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?initially rolled out with some divisive opinions.
This is a more radio-friendly style, to be sure, but Oasis does it very well with songs like these. “Some Might Say” matches that pop style with an uplifting bentabout finding the bright out of the darker gray tones of existence.
3Wonderwall
The Pop Song Of Pop Songs
The well-famed and arguablythe most well-known song in Oasis’s catalog, “Wonderwall” has become a bit of a musical stereotype in line with the likes of “Free Bird,” just for the acoustic guitar-wielding, coffeehouse crowd. Despite the song suffering from years of overplay, it’s still a solid participant in the Oasis discography.
Reportedly writtenabout Noel Gallagher’s then-girlfriend (or an imaginary friend), the lyrics are about someone saving you from yourself. A simple message, but a relevant one for those perhaps dealing with an emotional crisis or difficulty.
2Don’t Look Back In Anger
Moving Past The Difficulties
One of the handful ofOasissongswith Noel Gallagher on lead vocals, “Don’t Look Back In Anger” is another send-up with Beatles inspiration in mind, right down to the piano sampling part of John Lennon’s “Imagine.” The track finds the band in a wistful, mid-tempo state, showing off their rock balladry side once again.
For a band with a duo of two brothers known for their volatility, it almost seems strange to hear the maturity in a song like “Don’t Look Back In Anger.” But with lyrics that reference putting down the problems of your past in favor of moving forward, “Don’t Look Back In Anger” offersa wise perspective to consider.
