10 Of The Best Oasis Acoustic Songs

Some of my favourite Oasis tracks are acoustic.


Luckily as fans of Manchester's greatest band ever we've been treated to a range of simple and striped back songs over the years in the form of album numbers, B-sides and even rare soundtrack inclusions. 


For this list I define 'acoustic' as songs that are generally recorded using an acoustic guitar as the foundations of the tune. Each entry can have elements of larger scale production (like orchestral instruments for example) but mustn't rely on electric guitars or synthesised special effects throughout.


Oh and there's no Wonderwall or The Masterplan as a result! Sorry.


So which acoustic songs have made my list?


Here are a list of 10 great Oasis acoustic songs:



Below I breakdown the backstory to each song, explain why it is a fine choice as one of Oasis's greatest acoustic efforts and even pick a favourite line.


There's also a YouTube link that you can click on to hear all ten tracks in full.



10. It's Better People (B-side - Roll With It - 1995)


Backstory


Track number two on the 'Roll With It' single is' It's Better People' and was released at the height of a Britpop battle with Blur in August 1995.


The song can get lost amongst the strong selection of B-sides that appear on Oasis' second release from (What's The Story?) Morning Glory; including Rockin Chair and a live performance of Live Forever from Glastonbury 95.


Why it’s one of their best?


'It's Better People' is a little gem. The layers of warm acoustic strumming are uplifting and positive. The melody is pop-like and charming. 


Best Line


“If everybody came alive and stayed alive and lived their lives instead.”


This lyric is typical of Noel's early output with the band in its positivity. The songwriter rarely produced songs that went to darker places and opted for a brighter tone instead.


Listen to the song here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksgLSghiPx8 



9. Angel Child (B-side - D’ya Know What I Mean? - 1997)


Backstory


Angel Child was only ever released as a demo as part of Oasis’s first offering from Be Here Now. There were three B-sides attached to the UK  ‘D’ya Know What I Mean?’ single including the relentless rocker ‘Stay Young’ and a cover of David Bowie’s Heroes. 


Why It Was One Of Their Best


The tune is simple one but is filled with sweet lyrics and a ridiculously catchy chorus - even leaving room for a hand clapping instrumental.


Best Line


“No eyes that see such beauty could lose their sight.”


A poetic moment from Noel. The older Gallagher brother’s words border on philosophical, filled with a mysterious meaning and are even a touch romantic.


Listen to the song here 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjiicBIJHgA 



8. Who Put The Weight Of The World On My Shoulders? (Goal! Soundtrack - 2005)


Backstory


‘Who Put The Weight Of The World On My Shoulders’ is less well known by some Oasis fans because it can’t be found in their regular discography. Instead like me you would have needed to stumble across the song on a soundtrack to 2005 film Goal! And later on YouTube.


Why It Was One Of Their Best


The track starts beautifully with a soulful strum and gentle plucking of a delicate lead guitar riff. It contains grand, almost dream-like lyrics and eventually builds into an epic ballad.


Best Line


“I'm just trying to fix up my bed in the doldrums.”


The line shows Noel’s talent in composing interesting words into his music beyond the directness of some of his earlier work.


Listen to the song here 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzI_YTmkmwY 



7. Married With Children (Definitely Maybe - 1994) 


Backstory


Unlike any other Oasis album Definitely Maybe ends on a lighter acoustic note and Married With Children is an unbelievable way to finish.


Apparently recorded on a bed in Oasis sound engineer Owen Coyle’s bedroom, the song feels unfinished in some way and off the cuff but that only adds to its brilliance.


Why It Was One Of Their Best


The track itself stands out for its simple performance and straight forward recording after an album of rip-roaring rock numbers. The songwriting feels as if it were penned by someone older and wiser than a 24-year old Noel Gallagher.


Best Line


“You think that everything you've done's fantastic.”


This line has a certain menace to it - a negative swipe at someone who’s full of themselves and needs bringing back down to Earth perhaps?


Listen to the song here 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOoidN2s5qY 



6. D'Yer Wanna Be A Spaceman 94 (B-side - Shakermaker - 1994)


Backstory


This Oasis acoustic staple can be found on their second single Shakermaker and is only Noel Gallagher’s second attempt at lead vocal duties following the B-side ‘Take Me Away’ on the Supersonic single release.


Why It Was One Of Their Best


The tune has a very classic feel to it. The strumming pattern is continuous and rolls along in a cheerful way. Although some of the words have a more reflective tone - the mix of the two vibes is really interesting.


Best Line


“You're hanging round and climbing trees. Pretending to fly.”


These words really highlight how Noel is able to dig into the past and stir up childhood atmospheres. It is both beautiful and creates sadness all at the same time.


Listen to the song here 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGkId-PMEwE 



5. Sad Song (Bonus Release - Definitely Maybe - 1994)


Backstory


Sad Song is a rarity amongst Oasis songs in that it is somewhat of a hidden track. The recording can only be heard as an addition to the vinyl version of Definitely Maybe or in Japan where it oddly made an appearance on a one-off single release of ‘Don't Go Away’ in 1997.


Why It Was One Of Their Best


The track is a fairly complex acoustic offering from Oasis because it has three different sections within the song itself. The verses are somber as the title would suggest, launching into a type of chorus with Noel beginning “where we’re living in this town.” 


Finally there is a mini ‘flag waver’ section starting with the words “Throwing it all away.”


Best Line


“What we don't see. Well it can't be real. What we don't touch we cannot feel.”


The line is mature and cryptic for such an early Oasis track. The words themselves sound almost Beatles-esque and have a slightly dreamy quality.


Listen to the song here 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84MlCMahlWY 



4. Rockin Chair (B-side - Roll With It - 1995)


Backstory


Having already produced a great acoustic B-side on this list, the Roll With It Single keeps on giving with the inclusion of Rockin Chair. It has rarely been performed live - sang briefly during the 1995 Morning Glory tour.


Why It Was One Of Their Best


It could be argued that this is one of Liam Gallagher’s most challenging yet strongest vocal recordings. The track itself is effortless and is often underrated. There is a quirky moment at the beginning when its introduction fades - much like The Beatles ‘Eight Days A Week.’


Best Line


“I’m older than I wish to be. This town holds no more for me.”


This gives the feeling that most people have. The sense of never having enough time or having not used their time wisely. I always find this simple line stirs up real emotion as the song begins.


Listen to the song here 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRxhU176QyI 



3. Talk Tonight (B-side - Some Might Say - 1995)


Backstory


In 1994 Noel Gallagher briefly left Oasis following a disastrous gig at Whisky A-Go Go in California and fled to Las Vegas. Reportedly, Talk Tonight was written during his days away from the band, and documents his conversations with a mysterious woman who convinced him to rejoin the American tour.


Why It Was One Of Their Best


One of the slowest and somber Oasis songs is filled with brilliant moments. The rhymes in this tune are simple but excellent. The chorus in particular is well written, is catchy and memorable. 


Best Line


“All your dreams are made of Strawberry lemonade and you make sure I eat today.”


This lyric feels very personal and a real insight into the story of how the song was written. It seems to confirm the role of the woman who helped Noel during this moment in time. We get a feeling of the strangest of those lost days Noel must have experienced.


Listen to the song here 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb6e2Brz9Nw 



2. Cast No Shadow (What’s The Story Morning Glory - 1995)


Backstory


Cast No Shadow is widely loved by most Oasis fans. It's inclusion on the band's most successful album is important because it shows the faith that Noel Gallagher had in the track. It sits in between Some Might Say and She's Electric and provides an acoustic break in amongst a fairly epic lineup of tracks.


Why It Was One Of Their Best


The song is beautifully simple. The verses follow a two-chord pattern that has some wonderful lyrics over the top. My favourite part of the track has to be the bridge section which contains some of the best lines on the album.


Best Line


"Bound with all the weight of all the words he tried to say."


This lyric is one of my favourites in Noel Gallagher's work. The singer songwriter is equally impressed with his effort. During the Return to Rockfield - 25th Anniversary track by track featurette - he calls the line ‘profound’ and that he was ‘writing on instinct.’


Listen to the song here 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQISVjDAw7w 




1. Half The World Away (B-side - Whatever - 1994)


Backstory


Top of my list is a track that found further fame outside of the Oasis discography all together. ‘Half The World Away’ became the title track for cult classic British sitcom The Royale Family and perfectly connected with its story - a working class family living in 1990's Manchester, England.


Why It Was One Of Their Best


Line for line and chord for chord this song is Noel Gallagher's most masterful acoustic creation. From the thoughtful lyrical content to the melody - this thing has it all. There isn't one moment wasted as Noel delivers a beautiful tune about leaving a hometown and dreaming of better things.


Best Line


"Here I go. Still scratching around in the same old hole."


This line rings true to most people and that’s what gives it a universal charm. The idea of being trapped somewhere and feeling frustrated about escaping can be truly relatable to everyone.