On This Day In Oasis History...

On June 24th 2005 Oasis played at the Tweeter Center in Boston USA, below is a video of the concert.

On This Day In Oasis History...

'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' is a song by Oasis. It was released as the second single from Heathen Chemistry on 17 June 2002, peaking at number two in the UK charts. It went silver in the UK.

The song is an "epic weepy" anthem in the spirit of "Don't Look Back in Anger", reassuringly advising that in times of hardship, simply get over it and get on with your life. Noel Gallagher explained the song saying "A friend of mine was going through a pretty bad time and I sort of wrote it with him in mind."

Noel Gallagher had great expectations for the song, saying "I hope it does for us what 'Don't Look Back In Anger' did... I didn't want it as a single because I thought we'd done all that before, but everyone's going, 'You're fucking mad.'". NME said, 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' [is where] you really start rolling out the red carpet. A return to the long lost humanism of 'Don't Look Back In Anger', it's a reminder of Noel's knack of cheering up his audience just when they need it most." Q magazine held up the song as proof that "genius never completely left Oasis".

"Stop Crying Your Heart Out" was one of the songs played during the end credits of the movie, The Butterfly Effect, starring Ashton Kutcher and Amy Smart. It has been on the TV show Smallville too. The song also appeared after England's defeats in the 2002 Football World Cup and the 2006-07 Ashes. Noel Gallagher dedicated it to the English football team before playing it at the 2004 Glastonbury Festival. The song is also featured in the film Made of Honor, Starring Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan and appears towards the end of the film.

This blog and my Oasis site is named after the song.

Another On This Day In Oasis History...

The video below is from June 15th 2000, when Oasis played the Hultsfred Festival in Sweden. At the time Noel Gallagher had decided to quit overseas touring with Oasis.

Yet Another On This Day In Oasis History...

On June 11th 2000, Oasis played at the Rock Im Park in Nuremberg, Germany. At the time Noel Gallagher had decided to quit overseas touring with Oasis.

Guitarist Matt Deighton was bought in, he had performed with Paul Weller and Mother Earth in the past.

Another On This Day In Oasis History...

Below are a number of videos from June 11th 2005, when Oasis played at the Southside Festival in Neuhausen ob Eck, Germany.

On This Day In Oasis History...

On June 11th 2001 Oasis played at the Tweeter Theatre in Boston USA, with Alan White's brother Steve on drumming duties.

Another On This Day In Oasis History...

The video below is from June 10th 2000, when Oasis played the Pink Pop Festival in Langraaf, Holland. At the time Noel Gallagher had decided to quit overseas touring with Oasis. Guitarist Matt Deighton was bought in.

He had performed with Paul Weller and Mother Earth in the past.

On This Day In Oasis History...

The video below is from June 10th 2005, when Oasis played at the Hurricane Festival in Scheessel, Germany.

On This Day In Oasis History...

The videos below are from the 3rd June 2005, when Oasis appeared on Bearing & Van Dorp in Holland and performed 'Lyla' and 'Don't Look Back In Anger'.

On This Day In Oasis History...

Don't Believe The Truth is the sixth studio album by Oasis, released on 30 May 2005. It reached #1 in the UK Albums Chart with first week sales of just under 238,000, and is the 32nd fastest selling album ever in the UK. The album entered the U.S. charts at #12, with 65,000 copies sold in the first week, the highest any Oasis album has reached there since 1997's Be Here Now, although its chart stay was brief. Don't Believe the Truth went triple platinum in the U.K. in the first week of 2006 (900,000+ sales), and in the U.S. has sold more than 200,000 copies. As of November 2008, Don't Believe the Truth has sold around 5 million copies worldwide.

Every member of the band contributed to the writing of tracks for the album, and the album is the first where all duties were divided between the band members. On some of the tracks regular bass player Andy Bell handled guitar, while Gem Archer and Noel Gallagher contributed bass to other songs. Don't Believe the Truth is the first Oasis record to feature the drumming of Zak Starkey, who replaced Oasis' longtime drummer Alan White.

Liam Gallagher also had a larger impact on the album by his developing songwriting. Noel has said that this album is his favourite of Oasis' last four, because all members have contributed to it. This, he claims, has given it a different feel to a typically Noel-written Oasis album.

The band embarked on a massive worldwide tour that started off at the London Astoria for their Don't Believe the Truth Tour, visiting 26 countries and playing to 2 million people at a total of 113 concerts. This resulted in the making of Lord Don't Slow Me Down, a film later released on DVD.

Recording

The recording process for Don't Believe the Truth was prolonged. The album was originally supposed to be released around summer/autumn 2004, with an initial 3-4 week session produced by Death in Vegas. The recording finally began after Alan White's departure in January 2004 at Sawmills Studios in Cornwall, though the group wasn't satisfied with the results, as Noel said "Unfortunately, after the recording process we decided we didn't like anything we had played/recorded during those three weeks, and because of commitments with Death In Vegas, Richard Fearless and Tim Holmes couldn't find any more time to give to the project."

Noel has commented since on numerous occasions that there was no problem with the work done by Death In Vegas, but he felt the songs they were working on were simply not good enough to form a record, and felt a break was needed in which new material would have to be written. In Noel's words: "We were trying to polish a turd". Around 10 songs were worked on with Death In Vegas of which, according to Noel, 6 were "not even good enough to make the b-sides". Four of the tracks which eventually appeared on the album were worked on with Death In Vegas, those songs being: "Turn Up the Sun", "Mucky Fingers", "A Bell Will Ring" and "The Meaning of Soul", although all of these had extra work done to them or were re-recorded before being released.

After a short break in which many new songs, including "Let There Be Love", "Lyla" and "Part of The Queue" were written, the band reconvened at their Wheeler End Studios with Noel as producer. The band were joined on these sessions by The Who's drummer Zak Starkey. In June 2004, Oasis debuted two new songs from these sessions, the Liam-written "The Meaning of Soul" and the Gem-written "A Bell Will Ring" at two live shows in Poole and at the Glastonbury Festival.

After hearing of the band's production problems from Oasis manager Marcus Russell, American producer Dave Sardy expressed interest in taking over production duties. Sardy was given tapes of existing recording sessions to mix, and after his work was praised by the band, he arrived in the UK to oversee new recording sessions at Olympic Studios in London. These sessions did not last long before he asked the band to travel to Los Angeles and re-record most of the album there, as he felt more comfortable working in a studio closer to home. With the band eventually agreeing to this, recording sessions began at Capitol Studios in October 2004 with the band spending around 9 weeks there.

Release

The decision to have the lead-off single, "Lyla", on the album was a controversial one, prompted by the label's feeling that there wasn't a suitable lead single among the tracks originally presented. As a result, the decision was taken to record "Lyla", a song which Noel had written and demoed a year previously, but which wasn't recorded by the band during the previous recording sessions. It was decided that Dave Sardy would remix Noel's original demo with Liam recording a set of lead vocals and Zak adding a fresh drum track. "Lyla" reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and number nineteen on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks chart. After having initial reservations about the choice of the first single being taken out of the hands of the band, Noel, who initially wanted "Mucky Fingers" to be the first single, has now reluctantly conceded that the song has indeed "done the business".

In April 2005, four tracks from a promo disc leaked: "The Meaning of Soul", "Mucky Fingers", "Keep the Dream Alive", and "Let There Be Love". The full album found its way onto the Internet on 3 May 2005, when Apple Inc. accidentally put the album up early for sale on their iTunes Music Store service in Germany. While there was no official comment by Apple or by Oasis management, it was speculated that Apple simply got "May 30" confused with "May 03" or "May 3".

Reception

Considered a rebirth for the band, Don't Believe The Truth received extremely positive reviews. The album won two Q Awards: a special People's Choice Award and Best Album. Critics praised the new sound and the straightforwardness of the drumming of Zak Starkey after a decade of the drumming presence of Alan White.

During interviews, the band has commented very positively on the album about the creation of it, have complimented Archer and Bell on their creativity and contribution of their multiple tracks making the record sound, described by Noel as "Fresh and a Breath Of New Life for Us all." Noel Gallagher said to NME: "The finished album is my favourite one of the last four. Because we're all contributing to the songwriting there's a different feel to it. In fact, the only songs that sound like Oasis are Andy Bell's funnily enough." On 'Rock Profiles' Interviews, both Gallagher and Bell had commented that during their hiatus in 2004, that they had to make a record for their fans and to inspire the people who had become interested in them in the first place. Stating that they had nothing to lose since most of their fans and critics had been displeased since the release of Be Here Now, they could make a new and defining record.

In 2008, Don't Believe the Truth was voted the 14th best British album of the last 50 years by a poll conducted by Q Magazine and HMV.

Track listing

"Turn Up the Sun" (Andy Bell) – 3:59
"Mucky Fingers" (Noel Gallagher) – 3:56
"Lyla" (N. Gallagher) – 5:10
"Love Like a Bomb" (Liam Gallagher, Gem Archer) – 2:53
"The Importance of Being Idle" (N. Gallagher) – 3:40
"The Meaning of Soul" (L. Gallagher) – 1:43
"Guess God Thinks I'm Abel" (L. Gallagher) – 3:25
"Part of the Queue" (N. Gallagher) – 3:48
"Keep the Dream Alive" (Bell) – 5:46
"A Bell Will Ring" (Archer) – 3:08
"Let There Be Love" (N. Gallagher) – 5:29

Bonus tracks

"Can Y'see It Now? (I Can See It Now!!)" – 4:19 (Japanese CD release)
"Sittin' Here in Silence (On My Own)" – 2:00 (N. Gallagher) (Japanese CD release, and available as a b-side on the "Let There Be Love" single)
"Pass Me Down the Wine" – 3:50 (L. Gallagher) (U.S. iTunes release, and available as a b-side on the "The Importance of Being Idle" single)
"Eyeball Tickler" – 2:47 (Archer) (UK and Canadian iTunes release, and available as a b-side on the "Lyla" single)

Special editions

A limited edition version of the album was released in the UK which included a 30 minute DVD featuring interviews with the band and other staff who worked on the album, the promo video for "Lyla" and additional cover artwork. These features were released in the U.S. on the DualDisc edition of the album.

As part of a promotional spot for Oasis' latest lp "Dont Believe The Truth" Best Buy stores released an exclusive, limited edition, free live 5-song cd enclosed in copies of D.B.T.T. This features music from their 1994 Metro Club Show in Chicago Il. USA. Track listing includes: 1. Rock and Roll Star 2. Columbia 3. Live Forever 4. Cigarettes and Alcohol 5. Supersonic.

Music Videos

On This Day In Oasis History...

'Lyla' was the first single from British rock band Oasis' sixth album Don't Believe the Truth, released on May 16th 2005.

The song was written by Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher, who has varyingly described the track as "specifically designed for pogoing", "annoyingly catchy", and the “poppiest thing since "Roll With It". Noting the varied influences of the song, Gallagher says that it's "a bit like... The Soundtrack of Our Lives doing The Who on Skol in a psychedelic city in the sky, or something".

Similarities

However critics have argued that "Lyla" is perhaps more than simply influenced by other bands, noting the striking similarities between the song and "Confrontation Camp" by The Soundtrack of Our Lives and to a lesser extent "Street Fighting Man" by the Rolling Stones. The first line of the song reinforces the notion that the song was also partially inspired by The La's.

Noel has also joked with the fact that the Lyla in the song is actually the sister of the Sally mentioned in the Oasis single "Don't Look Back in Anger". Also, he had said that the song is a "love song", being about Sally Cinnamon's sister.

Originally claiming that he wasn't very fond of the song, Noel has said that "Lyla" isn’t "even the fifth best track on the album". The song had existed as a demo since the early recording sessions for the album but was all but forgotten until practically the last minute. However, on the Lock the Box feature on the Stop the Clocks, Noel admitted that he "didn't realise how good it was until [we] played it live," and admitted he loved the "guitars, the drums, and the vocals" of the song.

Origins

Noel says that the song existed in an early form as a song called "Sing" and dated from the Heathen Chemistry-era. He also says that the title for the final song should have been "Smiler", but was changed seeing as guitarist Gem Archer's previous band, Heavy Stereo, also had a song called "Smiler".

Sony's insistence that it should be released as the first single from the album has helped to fuel the tension between the band and their record label, which has led to Oasis not renewing their contract with the record label following the release of Don't Believe the Truth.

"Lyla" became the band's seventh UK number one when it reached top spot in its first week of release. The song also debuted at #31 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart and has reached #19 since then. It is the first Oasis song to appear on any US singles chart since 2000 when "Go Let It Out" hit No.14 on the Modern Rock chart.

Live Performance

When performing on the UK music chart show Top of the Pops, Liam, who was forced to mime to the music, made no secret of the fact, walking away from the microphone with his mouth closed mid-way through lines that he was supposedly 'singing'. It would be Liam's last performance on the programme before its demise in late 2006. However, Noel and the rest of the band would return in August 2005 to perform "The Importance of Being Idle."

The song leaked on the internet during late March 2005, weeks before its May release date, after an unauthorised early airing on Polish radio station Radiowa Trójka.

'Lyla' was covered by Foo Fighters during a performance at BBC Studios.

The song is included on Oasis' compilation album Stop the Clocks. It is also included in FIFA 06 as a track.
Track listing

CD RKIDSCD 29
"Lyla" (Noel Gallagher) - 5:12
"Eyeball Tickler" (Gem Archer) - 2:47
"Won't Let You Down" (Liam Gallagher) - 2:48

7" RKID 29
"Lyla" (Noel Gallagher) - 5:12
"Eyeball Tickler" (Gem Archer) - 2:47

DVD RKIDSDVD 29
"Lyla" - 5:14
"Lyla" (demo) - 5:29
"Can You See It Now?" (Documentary) - 9:22
The DVD also contains a hidden piece about new drummer Zak Starkey. The video lasts for 1:16 and is accessed by highlighting the word 'Credits' on the main menu, then pressing right until you see the name Zak appear. Then press 'Play' or 'Enter' to view the video.

On This Day In Oasis History...

The video below is from May 15th 2001 when Oasis played at The Greek Theater in Los Angeles, USA.

On This Day In Oasis History...

Below is a video from May 12th 2005, when Oasis played at the Alcatraz in Milan, Italy.

On This Day In Oasis History...

Below is an interview from May 5th 2009, when Oasis played at the Movistar Arena in Santiago, Chile.

Click here to watch an interview with Noel Gallagher that includes footage from the gig.

On This Day In Oasis History...

Below is a video from May 3rd 2009 when Oasis played at the River Plate Stadium in Argentina.

On This Day In Oasis History...

On May 1st 2002, Oasis played at the Piazza San Giovanni in Rome, Italy.

On This Day In Oasis History...

"Who Feels Love?" is a song by British rock band Oasis, written by the band's lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. It became the second single to be released from the album Standing on the Shoulder of Giants, peaking at number 4 in the UK charts when released on 17th of April 2000.















The album was noted for its psychedelic feel, and "Who Feels Love?" was held up as the most extreme example of this. Mark Stent was praised for his production on the song, creating a "trippy" feel like that found on Beatles songs such as "Rain". With the psychedelic and Eastern sound, the song also reminds of George Harrison achievements like "Within You Without You" and also some of his solo work.

However, despite the high-quality production, the song was not well received by the critics, NME said that the production "triumphs over any real sort of feeling... pure mock Maharishi spirituality that not even Liam can salvage from the realm of self-parody".

One of the B-sides is a cover of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter". It was played live during the Shoulders tour of 2000. Paul Weller recorded a version of b-side "One Way Road" for his covers-album Studio 150 in 2004. The Weller version was subsequently used as the theme tune to Jack Dee's sitcom Lead Balloon.



Track listing

CD RKIDSCD 003
"Who Feels Love?" - 5:45
"One Way Road" - 4:03
"Helter Skelter" - 5:51 (Lennon/McCartney)

7" RKID 003
"Who Feels Love?" - 5:45
"One Way Road" - 4:03

12" RKID 003T
"Who Feels Love?" - 5:45
"One Way Road" - 4:03
"Helter Skelter" - 5:51

Cassette RKIDCS 003
"Who Feels Love?" - 5:45
"One Way Road" - 4:03

The UK CD also contains the promo video to Who Feels Love?

Helter Skelter was recorded during the sessions for Be Here Now.

Japanese CD edition ESCA 8133
"Who Feels Love?" - 5:44
"One Way Road" - 4:03
"Gas Panic!" (demo) - 6:39

The demo for "Gas Panic!" was only ever officially released in Japan before being included on a free Oasis CD issued with the Sunday Times on June 23, 2002.

Irish musician Rob Smith said in an interview on Irish national television in December 2006 that this was the most under-rated song of all time and should be "praised for its genius".

On This Day In Oasis History...

'The Hindu Times' is a song by English rock group Oasis, and was the first single to be released from their fifth album Heathen Chemistry on 15 April 2002. It was written by Noel Gallagher. Noel got the name "The Hindu Times" from a t-shirt he saw in a charity shop. The song was the band's sixth UK #1 single, staying on top for one week before being dislodged by the Sugababes' "Freak Like Me".

The title has little to do with the lyrics of the song, which are more in the vein of Definitely Maybe's "Rock 'n' Roll Star". It has been speculated that the title refers to the main riffs' similarity to Indian music in sound, sounding as if they were played on a sitar. Gallagher himself says that it is because he had already named the song before any lyrics were written for it.

The song, which combines the powerful fast rock of their earlier work with the psychedelic feel of their later work, was one of the first Oasis singles since (What's the Story) Morning Glory to receive almost unanimously positive reviews from the critics. However, some fans have criticised the song, stating that the main guitar riff was lifted from the Stereophonics song, "Same Size Feet", which was released in 1997 on their Word Gets Around album and uses the exact same, or at least very similar, guitar riff.

The song was unveiled during Oasis' Autumn 2001 Noise and Confusion Tour. The song was due to be released commercially at the same time but Noel decided the track needed more work done on it to be suitable for release.

The B-side, "Just Getting Older", was written at the time of the release of Standing on the Shoulder of Giants.
Track listing

CD RKIDSCD 23
01: "The Hindu Times" - 3:53
02: "Just Getting Older" - 3:17
03: "Idler's Dream" - 2:57

7" RKID 23
01: "The Hindu Times" - 3:53
02: "Just Getting Older" - 3:17

12" RKID 23T
01: "The Hindu Times" - 3:53
02: "Just Getting Older" - 3:17
03:"Idler's Dream" - 2:57

DVD RKIDSDVD 23
"The Hindu Times" - 3:53
"The Hindu Times" (demo) - 4:32
10 Minutes Of Noise And Confusion - Pt One - 9:26

The demo version of The Hindu Times is radically different from the finished album version. Most of the lyrics (sung by Noel) are different, and the slower sound of the song is much more "grungy", with a heavy drum loop running throughout the song. It is also a semitone higher in the demo.

The "10 Minutes..." documentary is the first part of a unique feature covering 48 hours on the road with Oasis during the Tour of Brotherly Love which took place in the USA with the Black Crowes during May and June 2001.

On This Day In Oasis History...

The videos below are from March 23rd 2000, when Oasis played at the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels, Belgium.

Another On This Day In Oasis History...

The video below is from March 13th 2009 when Oasis played at Comic Relief 'Top Of The Pops Special' in London.