Song Stories: Oasis: Supersonic

30 years ago, five lads from Manchester entered the charts with a debut single. Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs, Paul ‘Guigsy’ McGuigan and Tony McCarrol could not have possibly foreseen what was to come next.

That debut single was 'Supersonic' released on the 11th of April 1994. A single that would change British music, and the trajectory of those five lads from Manchester forever.

What followed was a meteoric rise that defined a generation. With their swagger, attitude, and anthemic sound, Oasis quickly became the voice of 90s Britain. Their debut album 'Definitely Maybe' stormed to number one and became the fastest-selling debut in UK chart history at the time. It wasn’t just music it was a movement. From the chaos of backstage bust-ups to sold-out stadiums, the world watched as Oasis rewrote the rules of rock and roll.

Three decades later, 'Supersonic' still roars with the same urgency and raw energy that first captured the nation. It’s more than just a song it’s a snapshot of a cultural revolution that began with five lads and a belief that they were destined for greatness.

After being signed by Alan McGee and Creation Records following a gig at Glasgow’s King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in May 1993, it took Oasis nearly a year to release their first single.

The story behind that song is quite something. Originally, 'Bring It On Down' was meant to be the band’s debut single. But for whatever reason, they just couldn’t seem to get it right.

With studio time booked at The Pink Museum in Liverpool in December 1993, the pressure was on to nail 'Bring It On Down'. However, after sessions that failed to capture the magic they were after, it became clear that releasing that track as their first single wouldn’t be possible.

They couldn’t exactly return to Creation Records empty-handed, so Noel Gallagher took matters into his own hands. Realizing the songs they already had weren’t working, he set about writing a completely new track, which would become 'Supersonic'.

Noel Gallagher and the band’s sound engineer, Mark Coyle, have both said the song was written in just half an hour, while the rest of the band ordered and ate a Chinese takeaway. When they finished eating, Noel returned and played the song to them, fully formed and complete with lyrics.

Written in Liverpool, the song contains subtle nods to the city’s musical heritage, including a Beatles reference to a yellow submarine. It also mentions a girl named Elsa, who was actually a Rottweiler belonging to one of the members of The Real People, a band helping Oasis during those Liverpool sessions. Most of the lyrics reflect those few intense days in the studio, capturing the raw energy and spontaneity of the moment.

Lyrically, the song doesn’t have a clear-cut meaning, especially in the verses, but it contains some of the most profound statements the band ever made. Take the opening line: “I need to be yourself, I can't be no one else.” It became the band’s mantra, a statement they lived by throughout their career, embodying the spirit of independence and authenticity that defined Oasis.

That spirit struck a chord with a generation craving honesty and defiance during a time when the British music scene was dominated by polished pop and fading rock legends. 'Supersonic' wasn’t just a song; it was a declaration of intent. It announced Oasis as a force to be reckoned with.

The song’s release sparked what would become one of the most influential careers in modern British music. It marked the beginning of a journey that would see Oasis shape the sound and attitude of the ’90s, inspire countless artists, and leave an indelible mark on music history.

After Noel introduced the song, the band immediately got to work recording. The take you hear on the record, both the single and on their debut album 'Definitely Maybe', is the exact same take recorded that night in Liverpool. Mixed by Dave Scott, the track is what the industry calls a "monitor mix," but the band felt no need to re-record it. It remains the only Oasis song ever written in the studio.

The song marked the start of a journey for one of Britain’s biggest and most influential bands. For many fans, it remains the pinnacle of their songwriting. Although it only reached number 31 on the UK singles chart, 'Supersonic' has never lost its place in the hearts of Oasis fans and stayed in the band’s live setlists right up until their split in 2009.

Noel Gallagher has often said 'Supersonic' is his favorite Oasis song, a statement that speaks volumes given their extensive catalogue.

Liam Gallagher has also acknowledged the song’s enduring legacy, continuing to play it live all these years later.

It didn’t reinvent the wheel, but 'Supersonic' ignited the spark that set Oasis on their path to taking on the world.

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