Wonderwall (song)

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Wonderwall"
Single by Oasis
from the album (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
B-side
Released30 October 1995 (1995-10-30)
RecordedMay 1995
StudioRockfield (Rockfield, Wales)
Genre
Length
  • 4:19 (album version)
  • 3:48 (radio edit)
LabelCreation
Songwriter(s)Noel Gallagher
Producer(s)
Oasis singles chronology
"Morning Glory"
(1995) 		"Wonderwall"
(1995) 		"Don't Look Back in Anger"
(1996)
Music video
"Wonderwall" at YouTube
(What's the Story) Morning Glory? track listing
12 tracks
  1. "Hello"
  2. "Roll with It"
  3. "Wonderwall"
  4. "Don't Look Back in Anger"
  5. "Hey Now!"
  6. Untitled
  7. "Some Might Say"
  8. "Cast No Shadow"
  9. "She's Electric"
  10. "Morning Glory"
  11. Untitled
  12. "Champagne Supernova"

Wonderwall is a single by the rock band Oasis. It was written by Noel Gallagher. Wonderwall comes from (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, Oasis's second album. The song also appears on Stop the Clocks and Time Flies... 1994-2009. It was the only song that reached the top 10 in America on the Hot 100 for Oasis. It also reached number 1 in four countries and reached the top 10 in 10 countries.

Background[change | change source]

Noel Gallagher says the song was written about a girl he met at a concert when he was touring with Oasis. It is said that "Wonderwall" was written for Gallagher's then-girlfriend, Meg Mathews. Gallagher now says the song was not about her, but he did say "The meaning of that song was taken away from me by the media who jumped on it. How do you tell your Mrs it's not about her once she's read it is? It's a song about an imaginary friend who's gonna come and save you from yourself."[5]

In 2008 Liam Gallagher said this about the song: "I can't fucking stand that fucking song! Every time I have to sing it I want to gag. Problem is, it was a big, big tune for us."[6] Noel said that Liam, "...thought we had gone too dance when I wrote 'Wonderwall' because the drums didn't go boom-boom bap, boom-boom bap." [7]

Recording[change | change source]

The song was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales in May of 1995. According to producer Owen Morris, the song was done in 6 to 8 hours.

In the beginning, Noel wanted to sing this song, but he gave his brother Liam Gallagher the choice, and Noel ended up singing "Don't Look Back in Anger". He later said he had only ever wanted to sing "Don't Look Back in Anger", and had used "Wonderwall" as a bargaining tool.[8]

Music video[change | change source]

The music video to the song was filmed in the short period when bassist Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan quit the band due to nervous exhaustion; Scott McLeod came in to replace him.[9]

The song won Best British Video at the 1996 BRIT Awards.

Awards and recognition[change | change source]

  • In January 1996, the song was voted #1 in the Australian Triple J Hottest 100 1995, the world's largest music poll.
  • In the Grammy Awards of 1997 "Wonderwall" and Oasis were nominated for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Rock Song. They did not win either.[10]
  • In May 2005, "Wonderwall" was voted the best British song of all time in a poll conducted by Virgin Radio.[11]
  • In August 2006, "Wonderwall" was named the second-greatest song of all time in a poll conducted by Q Magazine, finishing behind another Oasis song, "Live Forever".[12]
  • In 2006, U2's guitarist The Edge named "Wonderwall" one of the songs he wishes he had written.[13]
  • In May 2007, NME magazine placed "Wonderwall" at number 27 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever.[14]
  • In 20 December 2007, VH1 placed "Wonderwall" at number 35 in its list of the 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s.[15]
  • In July 2009, "Wonderwall" was voted at number #12 in the Hottest 100 of all time countdown poll, conducted by Triple J. More than half a million votes were cast.[16]


Track listings[change | change source]

All songs written and composed by Noel Gallagher, except where noted. 

UK single
No. Title Length
1. "Wonderwall"   4:18
2. "Round Are Way"   5:42
3. "The Swamp Song"   4:19
4. "The Masterplan"   5:23
Total length:
 19:52
US single
No. Title Length
1. "Wonderwall"   4:14
2. "Round Are Way"   5:41
3. "Talk Tonight"   4:11
4. "Rockin' Chair"   4:33
5. "I Am the Walrus (Live Glasgow Cathouse June 1994)" (Written by Lennon–McCartney) 8:14
Total length:
 26:53

Personnel[change | change source]

Charts[change | change source]

Certifications[change | change source]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[74] 11× Platinum 770,000double-dagger
Germany (BVMI)[75] 3× Gold 750,000double-dagger
Italy (FIMI)[76]
sales since 2009 		4× Platinum 280,000double-dagger
Mexico (AMPROFON)[77] Gold 30,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[78] Gold 5,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[79] Gold  
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[80] 2× Platinum 120,000double-dagger
United Kingdom (BPI)[81] 7× Platinum 4,200,000double-dagger
United States (RIAA)[82] Gold 500,000*

*sales figures based on certification alone
double-daggersales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history[change | change source]

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United Kingdom 30 October 1995
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Creation [83][84]
6 November 1995 12-inch vinyl [85]
United States 14 November 1995 Contemporary hit radio Epic [86]
Japan 23 November 1995 CD [87]

References[change | change source]

  1. ↑ "The Ultimate Nineties Alt-Rock Playlist". The Atlantic. 2007-05-21.
  2. ↑ Daw, Robbie (15 August 2012). "One Direction Cover Oasis' "Wonderwall": Did They Do The Song Justice?". Idolator. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  3. ↑ Bennett, Andy (2010). Britpop and the English Music Tradition. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 148. ISBN 978-0-7546-6805-3.
  4. ↑ Billboard Staff (October 19, 2023). "The 500 Best Pop Songs: Staff List". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2024. The pop-rock ballad is anchored by a relatively simple capo'd guitar hook...
  5. ↑ "BBC Radio 2 interview, October 2002". BBC News. 2002-10-17. Retrieved 8 August 2006.
  6. ↑ "Liam Gallagher Hates 'Wonderwall'". Starpulse.com. 2008-08-31. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
  7. ↑ "Opinion | Black Sky Thinking | Oasis Split: What Next For Noel Gallagher?". The Quietus. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
  8. ↑ "Soccer AM Interview 2004". Soccer AM. Retrieved 3 June 2006.
  9. ↑ Robinson, John (19 June 2004). "Not Here Now". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 25 January 2006.
  10. ↑ "39th Annual Grammy Awards - 1997". Rock On The Net. 1997-02-26. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
  11. ↑ "Oasis hit is named 'best UK song'". BBC News. 2005-05-30. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
  12. ↑ "The greatest song in the history of the world. Maybe". News.independent.co.uk. 2006-08-27. Archived from the original on 2007-12-23. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
  13. ↑ "10 Questions for The Edge - TIME". time.com. 2011. Archived from the original on 23 May 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
  14. ↑ "50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever". Web.nme.com. 2007-05-02. Archived from the original on 2009-05-03. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
  15. ↑ "100 Greatest Songs Of The 90 s:VH1 100 Greatest Songs Of The Nineties List". spreadit.org. Archived from the original on 4 September 2009. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  16. ↑ "Countdown | Hottest 100 - Of All Time | triple j". Abc.net.au. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
  17. ↑ Browne, David (24 September 2020). "'Wonderwall' at 25: How Oasis' Unlikely Ballad Became One of the Last Rock Standards". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  18. ↑ Paul Arthurs [@BoneheadsPage] (27 June 2021). "Wonderwall – Bonehead's Long Lost Chords & Buried Rhythm Guitar Track" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 July 2021 – via Twitter.
  19. ↑ "Oasis – Wonderwall". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  20. ↑ "Oasis – Wonderwall" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  21. ↑ "Oasis – Wonderwall" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  22. ↑ "Oasis – Wonderwall" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  23. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2906." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  24. ↑ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 2856." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  25. ↑ "Hits of the World – Denmark". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 11. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 16 March 1996. p. 67. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  26. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 9. 2 March 1996. p. 16. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  27. ↑ "Oasis: Wonderwall" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  28. ↑ "Oasis – Wonderwall" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  29. ↑ "Oasis – Wonderwall" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  30. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 13. 30 March 1996. p. 21. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  31. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (18.11. '95 – 24.11. '95)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 18 November 1995. p. 50. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  32. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Wonderwall". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  33. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 7, 1996" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  34. ↑ "Oasis – Wonderwall" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  35. ↑ "Oasis – Wonderwall". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  36. ↑ "Oasis – Wonderwall". VG-lista. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  37. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  38. ↑ "Oasis – Wonderwall". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  39. ↑ "Oasis – Wonderwall". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  40. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  41. ↑ "Oasis Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  42. ↑ "Oasis Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  43. ↑ "Oasis Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  44. ↑ "Oasis Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  45. ↑ "Oasis Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  46. ↑ "Oasis Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  47. ↑ "Oasis Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  48. ↑ "Oasis Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  49. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. LIX, no. 27. 16 March 1996. p. 6. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  50. ↑ * Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  51. ↑ "Árslistinn 1995". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 January 1996. p. 16. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  52. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 1995" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  53. ↑ "Top 100 Singles 1995". Music Week. 13 January 1996. p. 9.
  54. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1996". ARIA. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  55. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1996" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  56. ↑ "Rapports annuels 1996" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  57. ↑ "RPM Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 16 December 1996. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  58. ↑ "RPM Year End Alternative Top 50". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 16 December 1996. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  59. ↑ "Music & Media 1996 in Review – Year End Sales Charts" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 51/52. 21 December 1996. p. 12. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  60. ↑ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1996" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  61. ↑ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1996". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  62. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1996" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  63. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1996". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  64. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 1996" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  65. ↑ "Top 100 Singles 1996". Music Week. 18 January 1997. p. 25.
  66. ↑ "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40–1996 wg sprzedaży" (in Polish). Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  67. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1996". Archived from the original on 1 March 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  68. ↑ "Top AFP – Audiogest – Top 200 Singles 2018" (in Portuguese). AFP. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  69. ↑ "Top AFP – Audiogest – Top 3000 Singles + EPs Digitais" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  70. ↑ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2021". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  71. ↑ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2022". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  72. ↑ "End of Year Singles Chart – 2023". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  73. ↑ Copsey, Rob (11 December 2019). "The UK's Official Top 100 biggest songs of the decade". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  74. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  75. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Oasis; 'Wonderwall')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  76. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Oasis – Wonderwall" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  77. ↑ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Type Oasis in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Wonderwall in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  78. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Oasis – Wonderwall". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  79. ↑ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
  80. ↑ "Spanish single certifications". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  81. ↑ "British single certifications – Oasis – Wonderwall". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  82. ↑ "American single certifications – Oasis – Wonderwall". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  83. ↑ "Wonderwall". oasisinet.com. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  84. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 28 October 1995. p. 43. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  85. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 4 November 1995. p. 43.
  86. ↑ "Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1120. 10 November 1995. p. 26. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  87. ↑ "Oasis | Artist Information". Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Archived from the original on 7 April 2006. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
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