Some Might Say
Encyclopedia
"Some Might Say" is a song by the English rock
band Oasis
. The song was written by the band's lead guitarist Noel Gallagher
. It was the first single
later included in their second album (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
in 1995, and provided the band with their first number one in the UK Singles Chart
(see 1995 in British music
).
The single release was also named an EP in the Stop the Clocks
booklet.
. It was the last Oasis track to feature original drummer Tony McCarroll
, who was asked to leave the band before the main recording sessions for (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
when tensions arose between McCarroll and the Gallagher brothers. The rest of the tracks on the album feature Alan White
on drums. Oasis performed the song on two episodes of Top of the Pops
, the first being McCarroll's last performance with the band and the second being White's first.
in Derbyshire
, England, features art director Brian Cannon
's father with wheelbarrow and his mother with mop. Also pictured are Matthew Sankey, Cannon's aide and Carla Knox, barmaid of his local pub. Liam Gallagher can be seen on the bridge whilst Noel can be viewed with a watering can. Cannon himself rates this piece amongst his greatest works.
", US "Supersonic" and UK "Whatever" videos. Noel Gallagher
gave the Les Paul
guitar he plays in the music video to Gerry Mckay, Gallagher's doppelgänger in the official Oasis tribute band, No Way Sis
.
, Noel stated that "Some Might Say" is the 'archetypical Oasis song' and 'defines what Oasis is'. Noel added later in the interview that along with "Some Might Say", its B-side, "Acquiesce", was also the song that defined Oasis.
It was the 31st biggest selling single of 1995 in the UK.
There is a banner at Etihad Stadium
that reads "Some might say we will find a brighter day" in reference the lyrics of the song.
The song also appears on Stop the Clocks, as do two of the B-sides. Surprisingly, this means that the "Some Might Say" single contains the fourth largest number of tracks to appear on Stop the Clocks of any Oasis release (after Definitely Maybe
, Morning Glory and The Masterplan
). Therefore, more songs from this single ended up on Stop the Clocks than Don't Believe the Truth
(2 songs), Standing on the Shoulder of Giants
, Heathen Chemistry
(1 song each) and Be Here Now (no songs from this album appear on Stop the Clocks).
were included in Masterplan
album. "Talk Tonight
", is one of many acoustic B-side tracks sung by Noel. It was inspired by the near-breakup of the band in Los Angeles
in autumn 1994, when Noel walked out without telling anyone and headed for San Francisco. Noel was inspired to write the song after he met a girl while in San Francisco and talked to her for hours about his troubles with the band and life.
The B-side "Acquiesce
" was released as part of the Stop the Clocks EP
in promotion of their compilation album, Stop the Clocks
.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
. The song was written by the band's lead guitarist Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher
Noel Thomas David Gallagher is an English musician and singer-songwriter, formerly the lead guitarist, backing vocalist and principal songwriter of the English rock band Oasis. He is currently fronting his solo project, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.Raised in Burnage, Manchester with his...
. It was the first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
later included in their second album (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
(What's the Story) Morning Glory?
Morning Glory? is the second studio album by the English rock band Oasis. It was released on 2 October 1995 through Creation Records. The album was Oasis' most enduring commercial success, charting at number one in the UK and number four in the U.S...
in 1995, and provided the band with their first number one in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
(see 1995 in British music
1995 in British music
This is a summary of 1995 in music in the United Kingdom, including the official charts from that year.-Summary:1995 saw a number of changes occur...
).
The single release was also named an EP in the Stop the Clocks
Stop the Clocks
Stop the Clocks is a compilation album by English rock band Oasis, released on 20 November 2006. The "retrospective collection" is an 18-track double album with the featured songs chosen by Noel Gallagher; however, it does not actually include their song "Stop the Clocks" after which the album is...
booklet.
Background
The track was apparently inspired by the Small Faces and/or T-RexT. Rex (band)
T. Rex were a British rock band, formed in 1967 by singer/songwriter and guitarist Marc Bolan. The band formed as Tyrannosaurus Rex, releasing four folk albums under the name...
. It was the last Oasis track to feature original drummer Tony McCarroll
Tony McCarroll
Anthony "Tony" McCarroll is an English drummer and one of the founding members of English rock group Oasis, as their drummer from 1991 to April 1995.-Biography:...
, who was asked to leave the band before the main recording sessions for (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
(What's the Story) Morning Glory?
Morning Glory? is the second studio album by the English rock band Oasis. It was released on 2 October 1995 through Creation Records. The album was Oasis' most enduring commercial success, charting at number one in the UK and number four in the U.S...
when tensions arose between McCarroll and the Gallagher brothers. The rest of the tracks on the album feature Alan White
Alan White (Oasis drummer)
Alan White is an English drummer, best known as being the drummer of the English rock group Oasis between 1995 and 2004, performing on four studio albums, two compilation albums and one live album. He joined the band in May 1995 after the band's original drummer Tony McCarroll was removed from...
on drums. Oasis performed the song on two episodes of Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
, the first being McCarroll's last performance with the band and the second being White's first.
Album artwork
The sleeve artwork, shot at Cromford railway stationCromford railway station
Cromford railway station is a railway station owned by Network Rail and managed by East Midlands Trains Train operating company . It is located in the village of Cromford in Derbyshire, England...
in Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
, England, features art director Brian Cannon
Brian Cannon
Brian Cannon is a British graphic designer, art director, photographer, band manager and music video director. He is best known for his Microdot graphic design company and its work in the 1990s, which created the album cover for Oasis' record breaking debut album, Definitely Maybe, in 1994.Two of...
's father with wheelbarrow and his mother with mop. Also pictured are Matthew Sankey, Cannon's aide and Carla Knox, barmaid of his local pub. Liam Gallagher can be seen on the bridge whilst Noel can be viewed with a watering can. Cannon himself rates this piece amongst his greatest works.
Promotional video
The planned promo video for the song was cancelled due to Liam not turning up for the shoot. Instead, a makeshift video was created using footage from the "Cigarettes & AlcoholCigarettes & Alcohol
"Cigarettes & Alcohol" is a song by English rock band Oasis, written by Noel Gallagher. It was released as the fourth single from their debut album Definitely Maybe, and their second to enter the UK top ten in the United Kingdom, peaking at #7 , eventually spending 35 weeks on the charts,...
", US "Supersonic" and UK "Whatever" videos. Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher
Noel Thomas David Gallagher is an English musician and singer-songwriter, formerly the lead guitarist, backing vocalist and principal songwriter of the English rock band Oasis. He is currently fronting his solo project, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.Raised in Burnage, Manchester with his...
gave the Les Paul
Les Paul
Lester William Polsfuss —known as Les Paul—was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which made the sound of rock and roll possible. He is credited with many recording innovations...
guitar he plays in the music video to Gerry Mckay, Gallagher's doppelgänger in the official Oasis tribute band, No Way Sis
No Way Sis
No Way Sis were the official Oasis tribute band originating from Glasgow, Scotland.The band had a Top 40 hit single in the UK in 1996 with their EP, I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing, the title track being a cover of the New Seekers song made famous from its use on Coca Cola advertisements in the...
.
Track information
In an interview promoting the compilation album, Stop the ClocksStop the Clocks
Stop the Clocks is a compilation album by English rock band Oasis, released on 20 November 2006. The "retrospective collection" is an 18-track double album with the featured songs chosen by Noel Gallagher; however, it does not actually include their song "Stop the Clocks" after which the album is...
, Noel stated that "Some Might Say" is the 'archetypical Oasis song' and 'defines what Oasis is'. Noel added later in the interview that along with "Some Might Say", its B-side, "Acquiesce", was also the song that defined Oasis.
It was the 31st biggest selling single of 1995 in the UK.
There is a banner at Etihad Stadium
City of Manchester Stadium
The City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, England – also known as the Etihad Stadium for sponsorship purposes– is the home ground of...
that reads "Some might say we will find a brighter day" in reference the lyrics of the song.
The song also appears on Stop the Clocks, as do two of the B-sides. Surprisingly, this means that the "Some Might Say" single contains the fourth largest number of tracks to appear on Stop the Clocks of any Oasis release (after Definitely Maybe
Definitely Maybe
Definitely Maybe is the debut album by English rock band Oasis, released in August 1994. It was an immediate commercial and critical success in the UK, having followed on the heels of singles "Supersonic", "Shakermaker" and "Live Forever"....
, Morning Glory and The Masterplan
The Masterplan
The Masterplan is a compilation album by English rock band Oasis, comprising B-sides which never made it onto an album. The album was originally intended for release only in areas such as the United States and Japan, where the tracks were only available on expensive European import singles. It was...
). Therefore, more songs from this single ended up on Stop the Clocks than Don't Believe the Truth
Don't Believe the Truth
Don't Believe the Truth is the sixth studio album by English rock band Oasis, released on 30 May 2005. It reached number 1 in the UK Albums Chart with first week sales of just under 238,000, and is the 32nd fastest selling album ever in the UK. The album entered the U.S...
(2 songs), Standing on the Shoulder of Giants
Standing on the Shoulder of Giants
Standing on the Shoulder of Giants is the fourth studio album by English rock band Oasis, released on 28 February 2000. The album is the 16th fastest selling album in UK chart history, selling over 310,000 copies in its first week...
, Heathen Chemistry
Heathen Chemistry
Heathen Chemistry is the fifth studio album by the English rock band Oasis, released in 2002.The album was written and recorded with a back-to-basics sound with a more rock feel to it; the more crude and simple sound differs from the musical grandiosity of their previous records, Be Here Now and...
(1 song each) and Be Here Now (no songs from this album appear on Stop the Clocks).
Appearances in other media
- "Some Might Say" is a playable track in both Guitar Hero World TourGuitar Hero World TourGuitar Hero World Tour is a music video game developed by Neversoft and published by RedOctane and Activision. It is the fourth main entry in the Guitar Hero series...
and the European version of Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades. The song, as it appears on Guitar Hero, is the full version, which isn't available on any other official or promotional Oasis release. - It is played in an episode of Jonathan CreekJonathan CreekJonathan Creek is a British mystery series produced by the BBC and written by David Renwick. Primarily a crime drama, the show is also peppered with broadly comic touches...
, the Reconstituted Corpse.
Personnel
- Liam GallagherLiam GallagherWilliam John Paul "Liam" Gallagher is an English musician and singer-songwriter, the former frontman of the English rock band Oasis and currently of the band Beady Eye. Gallagher's erratic behaviour, distinctive singing style, and abrasive attitude have been the subject of commentary in the press...
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
. - Noel GallagherNoel GallagherNoel Thomas David Gallagher is an English musician and singer-songwriter, formerly the lead guitarist, backing vocalist and principal songwriter of the English rock band Oasis. He is currently fronting his solo project, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.Raised in Burnage, Manchester with his...
– lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - Paul ArthursPaul ArthursPaul "Bonehead" Arthurs is an English musician and one of the founding members of the English rock band Oasis, best known as their rhythm guitar player from 1991-1999.-Early life:...
– rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together... - Paul McGuiganPaul McGuigan (musician)Paul McGuigan , better known by his nickname, Guigsy , is an English musician and one of the four founding members of the English rock band Oasis...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Tony McCarrollTony McCarrollAnthony "Tony" McCarroll is an English drummer and one of the founding members of English rock group Oasis, as their drummer from 1991 to April 1995.-Biography:...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
and percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
In the UK
- CD CRESCD 204
- "Some Might Say" - 5:28
- "Talk TonightTalk Tonight"Talk Tonight" is a song by English rock band Oasis, written by the band's lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. It was released as a B-Side on the UK #1 single "Some Might Say"along with "Acquiesce" and "Headshrinker" and appears on the B-side compilation album, The Masterplan, as well."Talk Tonight" is...
" - 4:21 - "AcquiesceAcquiesce"Acquiesce" is a song by the English rock band Oasis, written by Noel Gallagher. The song originally appeared as a B-side to Oasis' first UK #1 single, "Some Might Say", in April 1995...
" - 4:24 - "Headshrinker" - 4:38
- 7" CRE 204
- "Some Might Say" - 5:28
- "Talk TonightTalk Tonight"Talk Tonight" is a song by English rock band Oasis, written by the band's lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. It was released as a B-Side on the UK #1 single "Some Might Say"along with "Acquiesce" and "Headshrinker" and appears on the B-side compilation album, The Masterplan, as well."Talk Tonight" is...
" - 4:21
- 12" CRE 204T
- "Some Might Say" - 5:28
- "Talk TonightTalk Tonight"Talk Tonight" is a song by English rock band Oasis, written by the band's lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. It was released as a B-Side on the UK #1 single "Some Might Say"along with "Acquiesce" and "Headshrinker" and appears on the B-side compilation album, The Masterplan, as well."Talk Tonight" is...
" - 4:21 - "AcquiesceAcquiesce"Acquiesce" is a song by the English rock band Oasis, written by Noel Gallagher. The song originally appeared as a B-side to Oasis' first UK #1 single, "Some Might Say", in April 1995...
" - 4:24
- Cassette CRECS 204
- "Some Might Say" - 5:28
- "Talk TonightTalk Tonight"Talk Tonight" is a song by English rock band Oasis, written by the band's lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. It was released as a B-Side on the UK #1 single "Some Might Say"along with "Acquiesce" and "Headshrinker" and appears on the B-side compilation album, The Masterplan, as well."Talk Tonight" is...
" - 4:21
In Japan
- CD ESCA-6251
- "Some Might Say" - 5:27
- "Talk Tonight" - 4:21
- "Acquiesce" - 4:24
- "Headshrinker" - 4:39
- "Some Might Say" (demo) - 6:47
- "You've Got to Hide Your Love AwayYou've Got to Hide Your Love Away"You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" is a song by The Beatles. It was written and sung by John Lennon and released on the album Help! in August 1965.-Composition and recording:...
" (John LennonJohn LennonJohn Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
, Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneySir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
) - 2:16
In Australia
CD HES 664059-2- "Some Might Say"
- "Listen Up"
- "Bring It On Down" (live)
- To date, the "Some Might Say" demo and "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" have only been released in Japan.
B-sides
All of the single's B-sidesA-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
were included in Masterplan
The Masterplan
The Masterplan is a compilation album by English rock band Oasis, comprising B-sides which never made it onto an album. The album was originally intended for release only in areas such as the United States and Japan, where the tracks were only available on expensive European import singles. It was...
album. "Talk Tonight
Talk Tonight
"Talk Tonight" is a song by English rock band Oasis, written by the band's lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. It was released as a B-Side on the UK #1 single "Some Might Say"along with "Acquiesce" and "Headshrinker" and appears on the B-side compilation album, The Masterplan, as well."Talk Tonight" is...
", is one of many acoustic B-side tracks sung by Noel. It was inspired by the near-breakup of the band in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in autumn 1994, when Noel walked out without telling anyone and headed for San Francisco. Noel was inspired to write the song after he met a girl while in San Francisco and talked to her for hours about his troubles with the band and life.
The B-side "Acquiesce
Acquiesce
"Acquiesce" is a song by the English rock band Oasis, written by Noel Gallagher. The song originally appeared as a B-side to Oasis' first UK #1 single, "Some Might Say", in April 1995...
" was released as part of the Stop the Clocks EP
Stop the Clocks (EP)
Stop the Clocks is an EP by English rock band Oasis. The EP is a "preview" of the band's compilation collection, also called Stop the Clocks. The EP is led by "Acquiesce", and book-ended by "The Masterplan", one of the B-sides to the "Wonderwall" single released in October 1995...
in promotion of their compilation album, Stop the Clocks
Stop the Clocks
Stop the Clocks is a compilation album by English rock band Oasis, released on 20 November 2006. The "retrospective collection" is an 18-track double album with the featured songs chosen by Noel Gallagher; however, it does not actually include their song "Stop the Clocks" after which the album is...
.
Charts
| Chart (1995) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 1 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 3 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 7 |