Bruce riffs on the second studio album from Oasis “(What's the Story) Morning Glory?” on the charts in November 1995 (Champagne Supernova / Wonderwall / Morning Glory / Don't Look Back in Anger). STAFF PICKS: "Name” by Goo Goo Dolls — Wayne. “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette— Lynch. "See You On the Other Side” by Ozzy Osbourne — Rob. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “The Memory of Trees” by Enya. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Oasis, one of the biggest bands to come out of the 90’s, got its start in 1991 with Liam Gallagher on lead vocals, Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs on guitar, Paul “Guigsy” McGuigan on bass, and Tony McCarroll on drums. Liam asked his brother Noel to join a few months later on vocals and guitars, and Noel became the unofficial leader of the band as well as its primary songwriter for the first four studio albums. The band had the fastest selling debut album in British history when they released "Definitely Maybe" in 1994. Then they came to this album.
(What’s the Story) Morning Glory? is their second studio album, released in October 1995. Alan “Whitey White replaced Tony McCarroll on percussion for all but one song on this album. This album was HUGE, taking Oasis from an indie rock band to an international sensation. It topped the UK albums chart for 10 weeks, and went to number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart in the US.
Owen Morris produced the album alongside Noel Gallagher, and said, “The sessions were the best, easiest, least fraught, most happily creative time I’ve ever had in a recording studio" - which is saying something for those of you who are familiar with the nature of the Gallagher brothers. He also said that the album was recorded in 15 days, which means they were recording one song per day.
Noel Gallagher said that the first album is about dreaming of being a pop star in a band, and Morning Glory is about actually being a pop star in a band.
Oasis split up in mid-2009, but reformed in 2024 and performed their first show in many years on July 4, 2025. There have been some rumors about a new Oasis album, but as of 2025 nothing has been confirmed.
Bruce presents this album as his debut on our Next Gen format podcast.
Champagne Supernova
This is the closing song on the album, and the sixth and final single released. Noel Gallagher wrote this one, and he either wrote or co-wrote every song on the album. Gallagher calls this track "Probably as psychedelic as I'll ever get," but he has algo stated that he doesn't really know what the song is about. It means something different to everyone. Paul Weller of The Jam is a guest guitarist and provides backing vocals on the track.
Wonderwall
The fourth single from the album is one of the bands most popular and recognizable songs. The original title for this track was "Wishing Stone," but the final title is inspired by George Harrison's sol album "Wonderwall Music." Gallagher originally claimed that Wonderwall was written for his then-girlfriend and later wife Meg Matthews, but when they divorced in 2001 he said that it was not about her after all, but about an imaginary friend who saves you from yourself.
Morning Glory
The title track was not released as a single in the United States, but it was a radio single in the US and Canada. It was the first song from the album to get a good amount of airplay on modern rock radio stations.
Don't Look Back in Anger
A very "Beatles-esque" song, this was the first single with Noel Gallagher providing lead vocals. Gallagher has said that it reminds him of a cross between "All the Young Dudes" and something the Beatles might have done. The lyrics are about not being upset about what has happened in the past, but about looking forward. The name is inspired by David Bowie's 1979 song "Look Back in Anger."
STAFF PICKS:
Name by Goo Goo Dolls
Wayne brings us the first major hit from the Goo Goo Dolls, a single off their fifth studio album, "A Boy Named Goo." Songwriter, guitarist and front man Johnny Rzeznik wrote the lyrics about his complicated relationship with former MTV VJ Kennedy, alluding to her use of a single name in her public persona, and perhaps concerns about the publicity of being in a relationship with a rock star.
You Oughta Know by Alanis Morissette
The lead single from Alanis Morissette's third studio album demonstrate a clear turn away from the bubblegum pop of her previous albums and towards a gritty alternative rock sound. Lynch's staff pick also features Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea playing on this track. The lyrics are often speculated to be about comedian and "Full House" actor Dave Coulier, but Morissette has denied this.
See You On the Other Side by Ozzy Osbourne
Osbourne's death happened days before this episode was recorded, so Rob featured this poignant track which was on the charts in November 1995. Osbourne co-wrote this song with guitarist Zakk Wylde and Motorhead's Lemmy - another rock legend we have lost in recent years.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
The Memory of Trees by Enya
We close out this week's podcast with the lead-off and title track from Enya's fourth studio album.