The album achieved rare critical acclaim, with many reviewers noting that it possessed greater cohesion, emotional depth, and sonic variety than their third studio album, Be Here Now . The Masterplan went on to achieve platinum status in the UK, proving that the band's discarded material carried more weight than most contemporary groups' primary catalogs. The Creative Cost
A mature, jazz-influenced ballad that showed Noel’s songwriting expanding beyond pure rock anthems. "The Masterplan" (1998) – A Definitive Collection
In 1998, after the mixed reception of Be Here Now , Noel compiled the best B-sides from 1994-1998 into a single album titled . The tracklist (14 songs) has since been re-evaluated as a de facto fourth studio album.
Most of the band's legendary B-sides from 1994–1997 were collected on the 1998 compilation album, . Every Oasis B-Side Ranked! - Mojo Magazine oasis b-sides
Sung by Noel, this song became famously known as the theme tune to the UK sitcom The Royle Family . It is a melancholy masterpiece about longing for home and escaping the ordinary.
In the mid-90s, the CD single was king, and Oasis treated them like mini-albums. While most Britpop contemporaries used B-sides for experimental filler or live tracks, Noel Gallagher viewed them as essential value for the fans. This era produced tracks that are now considered stone-cold classics:
Beyond the Wall of Sound: Why Oasis B-Sides Define Their Legacy The album achieved rare critical acclaim, with many
An underrated psychedelic pop track showcasing the band's appreciation for 1960s melodies. The Historical Impact on the "Third Album" Crisis
While The Masterplan offers a highlight reel, the true depth of Oasis's B-sides is best explored through the songs themselves. Here are some of the most essential tracks that define this incredible body of work.
| B-side | Album Single | Year | Notes | |--------|--------------|------|-------| | | Some Might Say | 1995 | The most famous Oasis B-side. Features a dual vocal between Liam (chorus) and Noel (verses). Lyrics: "Because we need each other / We believe in one another." Often played live as a set closer. | | "The Masterplan" | Wonderwall | 1995 | Noel's crown jewel. A philosophical, piano-led ballad. Noel later admitted it was a mistake not to put it on Morning Glory . Became the title track of the 1998 B-side compilation. | | "Talk Tonight" | Some Might Say | 1995 | An acoustic, introspective song about Noel's crisis during the 1994 US tour. One of his most vulnerable lyrics. | | "Rockin' Chair" | Roll With It | 1995 | A melancholic, mid-tempo track about aging and regret, sung by Noel. Fan favorite. | | "Half the World Away" | Whatever | 1994 | A haunting, organ-driven ballad. Gained a second life as the theme song for the BBC sitcom The Royle Family . | | "Fade Away" | Cigarettes & Alcohol | 1994 | Punk-inspired and urgent. Later re-recorded for a charity album with Johnny Depp on guitar. | | "Listen Up" | Cigarettes & Alcohol | 1994 | Anthemic and defiant. Lyrics: "Got to make it somehow / On the dreams we still believe." | | "Going Nowhere" | Stand by Me | 1997 | A late-era gem from the Be Here Now sessions. Wistful, loping melody about stagnation. | | "Stay Young" | D'You Know What I Mean? | 1997 | Upbeat, power-pop. Originally considered for Morning Glory . Features the line "Come on, brother, stay young." | "The Masterplan" (1998) – A Definitive Collection In
Start with The Masterplan (1998). If you only know "Wonderwall," tracks like "Acquiesce" and "Talk Tonight" will reframe your understanding of the band entirely.
Oasis is famously known for a catalog of B-sides that often surpassed the quality of most bands' lead singles, primarily concentrated in the mid-90s during the Definitely Maybe and Morning Glory eras. The definitive entry point for exploring these tracks is the 1998 compilation album The Masterplan , which collects 14 of their most essential "deep cuts".
Co-written with Chris Griffiths, this melancholic, driving rock track features one of Liam's finest vocal performances. It perfectly captures the yearning, working-class escapism that made Definitely Maybe and (What's the Story) Morning Glory? resonate with millions. The Masterplan Album: The B-Side as Art Form
While provided the era-defining anthems on Definitely Maybe and (What's the Story) Morning Glory? , his relentless songwriting pace meant that genuine masterpieces were frequently relegated to the flip side of singles. This article explores the cultural phenomenon of Oasis b-sides, culminating in the 1998 collection, The Masterplan , which solidified their status as the best band of the 90s. The Golden Era: 1994–1998
During their peak years, Oasis released a string of secondary tracks that rivaled, and occasionally surpassed, the anthems found on their studio albums. This practice turned their CD singles into sought-after treasures, ultimately cementing their legacy as one of the last great singles bands in rock history. The Philosophy of Generosity