In the pantheon of British rock, few bands have inspired as much ferocious devotion—or as much critical re-evaluation—as Oasis. For a glorious, chaotic decade spanning the mid-90s to the early 2000s, Liam and Noel Gallagher didn’t just write songs; they penned anthems for a generation. We all know the hits. “Wonderwall” is inescapable. “Don’t Look Back in Anger” closes every pub singalong. “Champagne Supernova” is the defining comedown of the Britpop era.
In the mid-90s, the CD single was king, and Oasis treated them like mini-albums. While most Britpop contemporaries used B-sides for experimental filler or live tracks, Noel Gallagher viewed them as essential value for the fans. This era produced tracks that are now considered stone-cold classics:
The Masterplan: Why Oasis B-Sides Formed the Greatest Alternative Album That Never Was oasis b-sides
Other notable deep cuts include the Lennon-esque , the reflective and weary Rockin' Chair , the lyrically sharp Going Nowhere , and the anthemic call to arms Stay Young (originally from the Be Here Now sessions). The instrumental The Swamp Song , featuring Paul Weller on harmonica, was another unique flavor from the Morning Glory sessions. Legal issues even played a part in the B-side story: Step Out was relegated to a B-side when its chorus was found to sound too similar to Stevie Wonder’s "Uptight (Everything’s Alright)".
: Another example of Noel’s peak songwriting that somehow missed the cut for Morning Glory . In the pantheon of British rock, few bands
For most bands, B-sides are an afterthought—filler tracks, instrumental loops, or live versions thrown together to fill out a CD single. For Oasis, B-sides were a fundamental part of their mythology. During their mid-1990s peak, songwriter Noel Gallagher was in such a prolific creative purple patch that he routinely relegated tracks that could have been career-defining singles for other bands to the flip side of his UK singles.
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later. “Wonderwall” is inescapable
: A gentle, acoustic departure that proved Noel could write fragile, tender melodies just as effectively as loud stadium stompers. It famously became the theme tune to the BBC sitcom The Royle Family . The Morning Glory Era (1995–1996)
While the 90s B-sides get the most attention, Oasis continued to hide excellent tracks on singles throughout the 2000s.
Released on the "Go Let It Out" single, this dark, moody masterpiece was ranked by Q Magazine as one of the greatest tracks the band ever recorded.