Oasis B-sides Updated

Oasis is famous for having B-sides that were often better than other bands' biggest hits. During their 1990s peak, Noel Gallagher was so prolific that he "threw away" future classics as extra tracks on CD singles. The Heavy Hitters (The Masterplan Era)

Most of the band's legendary B-sides from 1994–1997 were collected on the 1998 compilation album, The Masterplan. Every Oasis B-Side Ranked! - Mojo Magazine

In the mid-90s, Oasis was so prolific that their "discarded" tracks often outshone other bands' greatest hits. This era of songwriting is largely defined by the belief that the B-side (secondary recording on a single [35]) should be as strong as the A-side, a philosophy Noel Gallagher applied by writing new songs specifically for singles rather than saving them for future albums [12, 33]. The Masterplan: The "Hidden" Studio Album Released in November 1998 The Masterplan

is a compilation of B-sides from the band's first three albums ( Definitely Maybe (What's the Story) Morning Glory? Be Here Now

) [9, 12]. It is widely regarded as one of the best B-side collections ever released, with many fans arguing it is superior to several of the band's proper studio albums [3, 12, 13].

Originally intended only for markets like the US and Japan where import singles were expensive, its high quality led to a global release that has since sold over 5 million copies [3, 12]. Essential Oasis B-Sides "Acquiesce" (B-side to Some Might Say

Often cited as the quintessential Oasis track, it features a rare vocal duet between Liam (verses) and Noel (chorus) [1, 2]. "The Masterplan" (B-side to Wonderwall

An orchestral epic that Noel has frequently called the best song he ever wrote [2, 12]. He later admitted it was "mental" to release it as a B-side instead of saving it for an album [33]. "Half the World Away" (B-side to

A wistful acoustic ballad that became a cultural staple in the UK as the theme tune for the sitcom The Royle Family "Talk Tonight" (B-side to Some Might Say

Written by Noel after he briefly quit the band during a disastrous 1994 US tour; it credits a woman he met in San Francisco for "saving his life" and convincing him to return [7, 33]. "Rockin' Chair" (B-side to Roll With It oasis b-sides

A fan-favourite that showcases Liam's peak-era vocal grit and Noel's gift for melancholic melodies [4, 12]. "Stay Young" (B-side to D'You Know What I Mean?

A high-energy anthem that captures the band's "swaggering" confidence during the height of Britpop [4, 12]. Later Era Gems (Post-1998)

While the early B-sides are the most famous, the 2000s produced several "hidden" highlights: "Let's All Make Believe" (B-side to Go Let It Out

Frequently called one of the most honest songs about the Gallaghers' turbulent relationship [7]. "Idler's Dream" (B-side to The Hindu Times

A rare piano-only ballad that stands out for its unique production style [2]. "Shout It Out Loud" (B-side to Stop Crying Your Heart Out An anthemic track often mentioned as a highlight of the Heathen Chemistry era [10, 11].

of the most recommended B-sides for a "complete" Oasis playlist?

The "story" of Oasis B-sides is arguably more central to their legend than the albums themselves. During the mid-90s, Noel Gallagher was writing songs at such a prolific rate that tracks now considered all-time classics were "hidden" as secondary tracks on CD singles The Peak of the "Hidden" Era (1994–1996)

In this period, Oasis released B-sides that most bands would have built entire careers around. This gave the band an aura of being "unstoppable". Key moments from this era include:

: Originally a B-side to "Some Might Say," it became a definitive anthem because it features both brothers sharing lead vocals—a rarity that fans saw as a symbol of their bond. Talk Tonight Oasis is famous for having B-sides that were

: Written by Noel after he briefly quit the band in San Francisco following a disastrous 1994 gig. It is a raw, acoustic track about a woman who talked him out of walking away for good. The Masterplan

: Often cited as Noel’s greatest songwriting achievement, he famously lamented later that he should have saved it for an album instead of "wasting" it as a B-side to "Wonderwall". The "Lost" Third Album

Many fans and critics argue that if Oasis had held back their best B-sides from the Definitely Maybe (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?

eras, they could have created a third album superior to the bloated, cocaine-fueled Be Here Now . Common "lost album" playlists often include:

For most bands, B-sides are the songs that weren't good enough for the album. For Oasis in the mid-90s, they were often the best songs they ever wrote.

Noel Gallagher was so prolific during the Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? era that tracks relegated to the back of CD singles could have topped the charts on their own. This "quality and quantity" mentality—inspired by bands like The Smiths—meant that even secondary cuts were "biblical".

Here’s why Oasis B-sides are essentially a "secret" greatest hits collection: The Heavy Hitters

"Acquiesce": Originally the B-side to "Cigarettes & Alcohol," this track features both Liam and Noel on vocals. It’s widely considered one of their most powerful anthems and is a staple of their live sets.

"The Masterplan": This orchestral masterpiece was tucked away as a B-side to "Wonderwall". Noel has famously admitted he was "too young" to realize it should have been on an album or even a lead single. The Philosophy of the B-Side Why were the B-sides so vital

"Talk Tonight": A raw, unvarnished acoustic track recorded during a period of band turmoil. It showcases Noel’s vulnerability and remains a fan favorite for its intimacy. Essential Listening

If you want to dive deeper than the radio hits, look for these tracks (most of which were compiled on the 1998 album The Masterplan):

"Half The World Away": The B-side to "Whatever" and the iconic theme for The Royle Family.

"Listen Up": A sprawling rock track that many fans argue is superior to most of the songs on their debut album.

"Rockin' Chair": Another example of Noel’s peak songwriting that somehow missed the cut for Morning Glory.

Whether it's the raw energy of "Acquiesce" or the acoustic beauty of "Half The World Away," these songs prove that at their peak, Oasis didn't just have hits—they had a bottomless well of anthems. In Defense of Oasis | Yale Daily News

The Philosophy of the B-Side

Why were the B-sides so vital? Necessity. In the early 90s, before streaming, the single was the lifeblood of a band. To chart high, you needed multiple formats (CD1, CD2, 7” vinyl, 12” vinyl), each requiring exclusive tracks. Noel Gallagher, a man who claimed he wrote songs while watching Stars in Their Eyes, took this as a personal challenge.

"I had a backlog of songs," Noel once said. "So while other bands were putting crap on their B-sides, I thought, 'Let’s put album tracks on the flip side.'" The result was a shadow discography that rivals the studio LPs in quality. While Definitely Maybe was about the hunger to escape, the B-sides were about the chaos of the escape itself.

"Talk Tonight" (1995)

Noel wrote this in a hotel room in Los Angeles during the infamous 1994 tour meltdown (when he briefly quit the band). Recorded on a four-track, it is just an acoustic guitar and a weary, vulnerable vocal. It’s a love song to a stranger who talked him off the ledge. It proves that behind the "Rock 'n' Roll Star" bravado was a deeply sensitive, anxious songwriter. The live versions, where Noel plays it solo, are enough to make a grown man weep.

1. Context: The CD Single Boom

Oasis rose to fame during the mid-1990s "Britpop" era, which coincided with the dominance of the CD single. Unlike 7-inch vinyl singles that typically held 1-2 B-sides, CD singles could hold 3-4 extra tracks. This format encouraged bands to release non-album material prolifically. Oasis, led by songwriter Noel Gallagher, treated B-sides as a creative playground, often recording songs that were "too good" or stylistically different for their albums.