The Top Ten Songs by Oasis

A top 10 list of the best Oasis songs is actually one of the more difficult lists I have made. For one, the band has a wicked discography. So many of their best songs were put as B-sides that, if they had put them on their albums instead, those albums would've easily been classic. Had songs like "Talk Tonight", "The Masterplan" and "Acquiesce" been on "(What's The Story) Morning Glory" there is simply no question about that.

However, Oasis has a relatively short discography of very good music. I feel only the first two albums were very good. After that the band got worse, and by moving towards more common 60s/70s rock, the band has unfortunately dropped what actually made them good: their melodies. However, there are gems hidden, and if you're an Oasis fan and have yet to hear some of the songs listed here, go get it!

10. Supersonic ~ Definitely Maybe
Oasis' first single and a song that introduces Oasis well. Noel has said the lyrics were written in a very short time and make no sense. It even mentions a random dog that was in the studio. He has also said that the song's lead guitar part was not a deliberate copy of George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord".

9. The Importance of Being Idle ~ Don't Believe The Truth
While I have yet to be convinced by the "new" Oasis, they manage to make a few songs that stick out. "The Importance of Being Idle" is perhaps one of those songs that are better than much of their first albums. It's different than what music tend to sound like, it's sung by Noel and it sounds good.

8. Gas Panic ~ Standing On The Shoulder of Giants
While "Standing on the shoulder of giants" stuck more to the roots of Oasis than their latter albums, most songs were secondary to their original music. "Gas Panic" is one of those songs that could fit well on "Morning Glory", however. It's one of Oasis' angry songs.

7. Acquiesce ~ B-side / The Masterplan / Single
A relatively heavy song with a very good chorus. Liam sings the verses while Noel sings the chorus. Noel claimed he had to sing the verses since Liam could not reach the high notes. Regardless, it worked out very good. The song is about friendship in general.

6. Stand By Me ~ Be Here Now
Noel Gallagher claims the song came about after he was suffering from food poisoning when he first moved to London. His mother had called him repeatedly to tell him to eat properly, and as a result, Noel made himself a proper English Sunday dinner. The result: "Made a meal and threw it up on Sunday/I've got a lot of things to learn"

5. Don't Look Back In Anger ~ (What's The Story) Morning Glory
A Beatles inspired song sung by Noel Gallagher. Noel Gallagher even took parts of John Lennon's recorded memoirs and put them in the song. Lennon was the one who was "trying to start a revolution from my bed". I guess that explains it.

4. Talk Tonight ~ B-side
"Talk Tonight" is a song Noel Gallagher wrote after the band's first failed stint in the US. He had left the band, and ended up in a bar somewhere where a girl had told him he looked like George Harrison. They talked about music, and how they both loved The Beatles. As a result, Noel changed his mind about leaving the band. The song goes "I wanna talk tonight / About how you saved my life". Could be accurate.

3. Wonderwall ~ (What's The Story) Morning Glory
A song Noel wanted to sing, but gave to his brother, Liam, instead. Noel has said the song is about an "imaginary friend who's gonna come and save you from yourself", but it's speculated that it's about his ex-wife.

2. The Masterplan ~ B-Side
"The Masterplan" might be one of the best b-sides ever. Noel Gallagher has said that he regrets putting it as a b-side. The song is also one of many highlighting the Beatles influence, with Noel singing the chorus from "Octopus's Garden" by The Beatles at the end of the song.

1. Live Forever ~ Definitely Maybe
A positive song and something of a response to the negative grunge music at the time. Noel Gallagher wanted to give a more positive message. The song is probably britpop at its best, and it's definitely among Oasis' finest moments.