We all know “Wonderwall.” But what’s the best Oasis song after that?
With Noel and Liam Gallagher reuniting on stage Aug. 24 and 25 at the new, 50,000-seat Rogers Stadium, we asked nine local musicians — spanning hip hop to hardcore — to name their favourite Oasis track, with just one rule: no “Wonderwall.”
The picks varied, but a few fan favourites came up more than once — including “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” “Champagne Supernova,” and “She’s Electric.”
Here’s what they had to say.
“Don’t Look Back In Anger”
Zochi, Canada’s “Queen of Afropop”
“I like the song ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ because it’s a reminder to not take to heart what other people say about you but rather look within and find a better place in your heart to respond from. Half the time you have to walk away from certain situations or people that don’t treat you well, but it will do you no good to reflect and remain angry at the person or situation.”
Aysanabee, Indigenous rock artist and Juno Award winner
“It’s a core memory for me. There are elementary school dances where you’re just kind of awkward and weird and trying to figure out how to navigate crushes. But I remember getting to slow dance with a school crush to the song for almost five minutes. It’s also interesting for the relationship of that band — the brothers — having a song about letting go and not holding onto resentment. And then you look at their history.
“I wonder if they ever play this song and reflect on the meaning. versus the reality of that relationship and their dynamic. Maybe it’s one of those things where you don’t follow your own advice.”
Aphrose, R&B singer-songwriter
“The first opening line, ‘Slip inside the eye of your mind,’ hooks you right away, and I think the Beatlesque way of writing is also brilliant. I’m a sucker for a really punchy chorus, and this tune has all the ingredients for an amazing pop song.”
“Champagne Supernova”
Charlotte Cornfield, Toronto-born singer-songwriter
“I can point to hearing that song for the first time at the age of seven and it being a formative experience.
“I was at my older cousins’ place and they were all singing along to it. I remember being totally struck by how powerful the chorus was and what the imagery evoked. It left so much up to the imagination, and as a child, it made me feel like there was so much ahead to be excited about and so many mysteries to uncover.
“As a songwriter, that was the first moment that I registered a first-chorus tension release hitting me in that way — and that this feeling that I’m having is really big for me.”
François Klark, Juno nominee and adult contemporary artist
“I first heard it in South Africa on a compilation disc called ‘Now That’s What I Call Music.’ I loved the vibe right off the top of the track — the sound of the waves and the strumming — and how that calm strum took you to a big guitar lick that opened up further in the chorus. I think that song and Oasis paved the way for me to fall in love with Brit pop and learn about The Verve, Snow Patrol (who are actually Scottish) and Keane.”
“She’s Electric”
Devon Richardson of Toronto indie rock band Jane’s Party
“We distinctly remember that song as an early bonding point for the four of us in the band. We all loved that bouncy Brit pop sound. We ended up writing a song very early on, one of our first as a band, that is such a clear rip off of ‘She’s Electric’ that we just laugh about it now.
“Oasis definitely seeped into our DNA early on as a band, so it’s great to see them back together playing those songs.”
Gina Kennedy of Toronto alt rock band Altered by Mom
“I feel like ‘She’s Electric’ is a classy song. During the time of Oasis’ reign, there were a lot of kind of cringey songs about women. This one, I felt, was less cringey and talks about the power of a woman. It resonated with me.
‘Let There Be Love’ is personal. When I auditioned to go to Acadia Music School in Nova Scotia, I actually played, ‘Let There Be Love,’ because I thought it was a really great contemporary song. It’s a softer side of Oasis that we don’t always see.
“Stand By Me”
Armando Bablanian of Toronto progressive rockers Derev
“The chord progression captured me from the first listen. For me, what the song means is being lost in life and being stuck and being tired about feeling that way and not really having direction, which even today, in my early ‘30s, I can definitely relate to. That part really spoke to me.”
“D’You Know What I Mean”
Chris Dimas, drummer of “Hey, Man” rockers Bleeker
“I know it’s kind of a bizarre one to pick, but I think it was more of the attitude of that song. This is a record I can listen to over and over again and not get tired of it. The production is super gritty.
“It was Oasis’ songwriting that drew me to the band. Discovering some of the B-Sides on ‘The Masterplan’ made me more of a fan of Noel’s songwriting and appreciating the diversity present throughout their records.”
“Let There Be Love”
Returning with a second pick, Gina Kennedy of Altered by Mom
“‘Let There Be Love’ is personal. When I auditioned to go to Acadia Music School in Nova Scotia, I actually played, ‘Let There Be Love,’ because I thought it was a really great contemporary song. It’s a softer side of Oasis that we don’t always see.
