Oasis chart with “Wonderwall”

Wonderwall Oasis

Writer(s): Noel Gallagher (see lyrics here) Released: October 30, 1995 First Charted: November 11, 1995 Peak: 8 US, 6 CB, 9 RR, 33 AC, 30 A40, 5 AA, 9 AR, 110 MR, 2 UK, 5 CN, 11 AU, 8 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, 3.0 UK, 4.2 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 955.0 video, 1732.78 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: The English rock band “Oasis had a lot of shining moments, but ‘Wonderwall’ was their brightest.” CT They burst out of the gate with their 1994 debut album Definitely Maybe, racking up four top-40 hits in the UK. While they charted a few songs on the Billboard alternative chart, they didn’t make the Hot 100 until “Wonderwall,” the third single from sophomore album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? The song reached the top 10 in the U.S. and ten other charts. The band’s guitarist and songwriter Noel Gallagher wrote the song, but his brother Liam sang it. The song’s worldwide success made him “to many the frontman of the decade.” CT Originally titled “Wishing Stone,” the final title was inspired by George Harrison’s solo album Wonderwall Music. WK “Wonderwall” refers to “a schoolboy’s wall to which posters of footballers and pop stars are attached,” SF but also creepily references a ‘60s movie called Wonderwall: From Psychedia to Surrealism in which a voyeur makes holes in his wall to watch his neighbor. SF Noel initially said he wrote it for his then-girlfriend and later wife Meg Mathews but later claimed it was about “an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself.” WK All Music Guide’s Chris True called it “one of the best love songs ever written” CT and Shawn M. Haney called it “a British rock anthem resonating with hope.” SH British fans agreed, naming it the best British song of all time in Virgin Radio poll in 2005 and again in 2016 in a Radio X poll. WK U2’s The Edge and Blur’s Alex James have both said they wish they’d written the song. WK Two different videos were made for the song. The first won the British Video of the Year at the 1996 Brit Awards. The song was also nominated for Grammys for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Vocal Performance. Resources: SH All Music Guide review by Shawn M. Haney CT All Music Guide review by Chris True SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 1/27/2021; last updated 8/24/2023.