Oasis: The Greatest Band in the World (According to the Gallaghers)

Ah, Oasis. If you’ve never heard of them, then you’ve probably spent the last 30 years living under a rock, and not the good kind, like the ones the Gallaghers have been rolling since the ’90s. Whether you love them for their massive anthems or just enjoy the constant sibling warfare, Oasis is a band that left an indelible mark on music and tabloid headlines alike. In this post, we’re going to dive deep into their albums, songs, and why they might be more famous for throwing punches than playing guitars. Grab a pint, put on your best parka, and let’s get into it.

The Brothers Gallagher: Bickering Geniuses

Before we get into the music, let’s meet the stars of the Oasis circus: Liam and Noel Gallagher. One’s a mouthy frontman with an iconic snarl, and the other’s a moody genius who wrote all the tunes (spoiler: Noel). Liam Gallagher’s whole vibe is like a humanized version of that time you stubbed your toe and tried to act tough about it. Meanwhile, Noel, the elder brother, is both the brains and the broomstick - constantly cleaning up the mess that is Liam.

Oasis also had a few revolving-door members (looking at you, drummers and bassists), but let’s be honest: It’s all about the Gallaghers.

Album 1: "Definitely Maybe" (1994) – Britpop’s Rowdy Baby

This was the moment the world realized two things: (1) guitars were cool again, and (2) Liam Gallagher had a gob on him. "Definitely Maybe" is all attitude, swagger, and that famous Mancunian confidence (read: arrogance). From the opening strum of “Rock 'n' Roll Star,” you know exactly what you’re getting - a lot of guitars, a lot of swagger, and absolutely no humility.

Key Tracks:

• “Rock 'n' Roll Star”: Liam’s declaration that he’s made for stardom, and it’s your problem if you don’t agree.
• “Live Forever”: A huge anthem about… well, living forever. Noel wrote it as a counterpoint to the gloom of grunge, telling everyone that, actually, life’s alright if you’ve got a guitar.
• “Cigarettes & Alcohol”: A hymn to two of Liam’s favourite things, with a dash of working-class rebellion. The message? Forget your job, have a pint, and live your best life.

"Definitely Maybe" is, in essence, what Oasis is all about: huge choruses, sing-along melodies, and enough attitude to start a bar fight at a wedding.

Album 2: (*What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995) – The One That Made Them Legends

Here’s where things really took off. "Morning Glory" made Oasis superstars, and it’s also probably the reason you can’t get “Wonderwall” out of your head, even if you wish you could. It sold millions, annoyed Blur, and catapulted the Gallaghers from “that band from Manchester” to “global icons and professional feuders.”

Key Tracks:

• “Wonderwall”: The acoustic guitar strumming that launched a thousand drunken sing-alongs. Nobody knows exactly what a Wonderwall is, but you’re definitely someone’s Wonderwall after a couple of drinks.
• “Don’t Look Back in Anger”: Noel sings this one, and it’s basically him telling you to let go of your bitterness - an ironic message given that he can hold a grudge like a pro.
• “Champagne Supernova”: It’s long, it’s epic, and the lyrics make absolutely no sense. But you’ll sing them anyway because they sound deep.

This album made Oasis the kings of Britpop, and naturally, Liam and Noel celebrated by fighting constantly. But hey, all in the name of rock ‘n’ roll, right?

Album 3: "Be Here Now" (1997) – Excess All Areas

If "Morning Glory" was peak Oasis, "Be Here Now" is the hangover. It’s bloated, overproduced, and unapologetically excessive—just like the band at the time. The album is basically an hour-long guitar solo wrapped in cocaine and bravado. If you were looking for subtlety, you’ve come to the wrong place.

Key Tracks:

• “D’You Know What I Mean?”: An opener that’s over seven minutes long. It’s loud, it’s confusing, and it’s amazing in the most ridiculous way.
• “Stand By Me”: One of the more listenable tracks. It’s about sticking by your mates, which is ironic, considering Oasis’ band members didn’t even like each other.
• “All Around the World”: Clocking in at almost ten minutes, this is a track for those with the patience of a saint. Or someone who’s accidentally left it on repeat and forgotten how long it is.

"Be Here Now" was massively hyped, sold a ton of copies, and then everyone kind of realized, “Wait, is this any good?” It’s still classic Oasis, but you might need to lie down after listening to it.

The Later Albums: A Steady Decline (But With Moments of Glory)

After "Be Here Now", Oasis kept releasing albums, but the cracks were beginning to show. Let’s blitz through these like Liam blitzing through the bar:

• "Standing on the Shoulder of Giants (2000)": A slightly more experimental (read: weird) album. Best track? Probably “Go Let It Out”, which feels like classic Oasis before things got too weird.
• "Heathen Chemistry (2002)": This one had “Stop Crying Your Heart Out”, a track that sounds like it was written for movie montages where someone’s really sad. It’s a solid album but not ground-breaking.
• "Don’t Believe the Truth (2005)": Now we’re talking! This had “Lyla” and “The Importance of Being Idle,” proving that even when they were on the brink of self-destruction, Oasis could still churn out a banger.
• "Dig Out Your Soul (2008)": Their final album. Not their best, but “The Shock of the Lightning” is a track that reminds you why you fell in love with Oasis in the first place.

Headline News: Fights, Feuds, and F-bombs

If there’s one thing Oasis was known for (besides the music), it’s the headlines. Here are a few of the classics:

• The Blur Rivalry: Oasis vs. Blur was like Britpop’s version of the Cold War. Noel said he hoped Damon Albarn would “catch AIDS and die” (he later apologized, but still, wow).
• Liam Hits Noel with a Tambourine: During a heated argument (there were a lot), Liam once threw a tambourine at Noel’s head. Noel probably didn’t even flinch; he’s that used to it.
• The Breakup: The final nail in the Oasis coffin came in 2009, when Noel finally had enough and quit after another blow-up with Liam. 

The (long awaited) Reunion

In August 2024, Oasis announced a reunion.  Cue (or more appropriately "queue") absolute carnage and scrambles for tickets.  Those lucky enough to secure tickets will see the band back together during 2025 for a series of gigs.  Those of us who didn't get itcket are sitting back waiting for the madness to unfold.

Conclusion: Oasis, The Legend

Despite the chaos, the Gallaghers gave us some of the greatest tunes of the ‘90s and beyond. Their music, like their egos, was big, bold, and unapologetically loud.

So whether you’re still shouting “Wonderwall” at karaoke or you’ve moved on to the latest Britpop revival, just remember: Oasis may have burned out, but they’ll never fade away.

Striped Circle have a huge range of Oasis prints available - be sure to check out the collection here and add a couple to your (wonder)wall... Oasis prints, posters, album covers & lyrics including Liam Gallagher – Striped Circle

Also, check out the Wiki page for more Oasis info Oasis (band) - Wikipedia