"Supersonic" is the debut single released by British rock band Oasis, written by Noel Gallagher. It also appears on their debut album, Definitely Maybe. It was released on the 11 April 1994 and peaked at #31 on the official UK charts. It was the song performed by the band on their debut national TV performance on Channel 4's The Word, which aired on 18 March 1994. It remains to this day a favourite song of both the band and their fans (on the Definitely Maybe DVD, Noel cites it as his favourite Oasis song). The single went silver in the UK on June 30, 2006, 12 years and 3 months after its original release.
In spite of its popularity, Gallagher claims the song is basically a collection of nonsense lyrics written in a matter of minutes, just before the band entered the recording studios to record the track. The identity of the character "Elsa" caused some confusion — according to the song She done it with a doctor/On a helicopter/she sniffin' in a tissue/Sellin' the Big Issue. Noel claims, "Someone told me "Supersonic" was about teenage prostitution. Shit!". It has since been revealed that Elsa was a nine-stone rottweiler with a flatulence problem who was in the studio on the day the song was written, hence the line "she's into Alka Seltzer". It was written and recorded at The Pink Museum in Liverpool. The plan was for Oasis to record "Bring It On Down" for their debut single and another bunch of demos. However, "Supersonic" was written and it impressed everyone so much, it was chosen to be the band's first single. Gallagher has revealed in interviews that "Supersonic"'s distinctive lead guitar part wasn't a deliberate copy of the intro to George Harrison's 1971 single "My Sweet Lord". The band recorded two videos for the song, for UK and US release. The UK version of the video features the band playing on a roof, similar to The Beatles' rooftop concert.
It is included on the official music album for Euro 2004, Vive O 2004!
UK MUSIC VIDEO
US MUSIC VIDEO
In March 2005, Q magazine placed "Supersonic" at number 20 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.
In May 2007, NME magazine placed "Supersonic" at number 25 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever.
The song is included on Oasis' compilation album Stop the Clocks.
Track listings
CD CRESCD 176
"Supersonic" - 4:44
"Take Me Away" - 4:30
"I Will Believe" (Live) - 3:46
"Columbia" (White Label Demo) - 5:25
7" CRE 176
"Supersonic" - 4:44
"Take Me Away" - 4:30
12" CRE 176T
"Supersonic" - 4:44
"Take Me Away" - 4:30
"I Will Believe" (Live) - 3:46
Cassette CRECS 176
"Supersonic" - 4:44
"Take Me Away" - 4:30
Japanese EP ESCA 602
"Supersonic"
"Shakermaker"
"Columbia" (white label demo)
"Alive" (8 track demo)
"D'Yer Wanna Be A Spaceman?"
"I Will Believe" (Live)
"I Will Believe" is believed to have been recorded for a 1993 radio session for the BBC.
The demo of "Columbia" is the same version as was released on a limited edition white label promo in December 1993, which itself was an edited version of the original demo recorded in Liverpool in the spring of 1993.
