Wonderwall (song)
Encyclopedia
"Wonderwall" is a song by English rock
band Oasis
, written by the band's guitarist and main songwriter Noel Gallagher
. The song was produced by Owen Morris
and Gallagher for their second album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
. According to Gallagher, "Wonderwall" describes "an imaginary friend who's gonna come and save you from yourself."
The song was released as the third single from the album in October 1995. "Wonderwall" reached the top ten on 13 charts, including topping charts in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. The single was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry
and certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America
.
in 1996, "It's about my girlfriend, Meg Matthews." However, after Gallagher divorced Matthews in 2001, he said the song was not about Mathews: "[the song was] about an imaginary friend who's gonna come and save you from yourself."
The song's title was appropriated from Wonderwall
, a 1968
film whose soundtrack (Wonderwall Music
) was provided by George Harrison
.
in Wales
, during a two-week recording of the Morning Glory album in May 1995. Owen Morris produced the song in a half-day along with Noel Gallagher using a technique known as "brickwalling" to intensify the sound of the song.
Liam served as lead singer on "Wonderwall" after Noel had given him a choice between "Wonderwall" or another single from the album, "Don't Look Back in Anger
". Noel sang on backup vocals, with Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan
on bass
, and Alan White
on drums.
According to the digital music sheet published at Musicnotes.com, "Wonderwall" is written in the key
of A major
and is set in common time
with a moderate dance groove
. Liam Gallagher's voice ranges from the note of E4 to the note of F#5. However, most sheet music from Musicnotes.com that is originally sung by a male is transposed up an octave, so in fact his voice actually ranges from an E3 to an F#4
and broadcast on Channel 4
on 24 June 1995. The song wasn't performed by the band during their headline performance the night before.
In August 2002, Noel changed the arrangement of his live performances of the song to a style he admitted was heavily influenced by Ryan Adams
's cover of the song. That arrangement has persisted through his most recent live performances of the song, but when the full band performs the song live with vocals by Liam Gallagher
and electric guitars, it is done in the original style as presented on the record. During the 2008-9 tour, the band returned to performing the song in a semi-acoustic form, in an arrangement closely resembling the album version.
quit the band due to nervous exhaustion; Scott McLeod came in to replace him.
An alternative version, possibly a bootleg recording, exists and is viewable online. It features a single fixed camera shot, the same as is seen in the more common video, of the five band members miming to the song.
The song won Best British Video at the 1996 Brit Awards
.
, and was shot on Primrose Hill
in north London. The hand holding the frame is that of art director Brian Cannon
. The original idea was to have Liam in the frame before Noel vetoed that idea whilst the shoot was taking place. Instead a female figure was deemed necessary and Anita Heryet, a Creation Records
employee, was asked to stand in as cover star for the shot.
. It proved to be a major hit in Australia, New Zealand and Spain by claiming the #1 spot in all three countries. It finished at #10 in the end of year charts for 1995 and #26 in the end of decade charts for the 1990s in the UK.
arrangement by The Mike Flowers Pops
, which reached #2 in the UK Singles Chart, just as the Oasis original had done two months earlier. Gallagher mentioned that when BBC Radio 1
premiered the song, they jokingly claimed that they had found "the original version of Wonderwall". Gallagher, who had been in America at the time, was surprised to be asked by one of his record company's executives if he had actually written the song. The Mike Flowers Pops cover was used in the 1997 film The Jackal, and also in the 1999 film Superstar
.
Ryan Adams
' version, first performed in 2001, and later released in 2003 on Love Is Hell pt. 1
, was well-received by Noel Gallagher. Adams's version was also featured in episodes of Smallville
, Cold Case, The O.C.
, and more recently on Brothers & Sisters and Lie to Me
. On 3 October 2009, his version was used in Hollyoaks Later when Zoe was arrested after being framed for Sarah's murder. On 6 October appeared on Holby City on BBC1 just before the end credits. On 17 November 2009, his version appeared on 90210
. His version also appears on the 2006 compilation album
The Acoustic Album
and the 2008 video game Guitar Hero World Tour
as a downloadable extra.
Other artists who have covered the song include American indie singer Cat Power
, Richard Cheese, Great Big Sea
, Paul Anka
's swing-jazz style arrangement, the Brad Mehldau
Trio, the Beastie Boys
punk rock
cover that has been performed at concerts, but never released as a single, and a cover on the compilation Punk Goes 90's
by the pop-punk band Cartel
. The Harvard Independent compiled a list of the five most ironic versions of "Wonderwall".
In 2003, the song was covered by independent Canadian singer-songwriter Melissa Rebronja, released on her debut album Embrace Yourself. Her version became a popular digital download, reaching the top 50 of the most downloaded songs on CD Baby
in 2005.
The song was also covered by fellow British rock group Radiohead
as a joke in the late 1990s; Thom Yorke sings many incorrect lyrics and cuts out mid-chorus when a background voice says: "Is this abysmal or what? It's always good to make fun of Oasis, they don't care".
The song was also covered on BBC Radio 1
's Live Lounge
by Neighbours
star Alan Fletcher
on 30 November 2007.
During a heated rivalry between Oasis and Robbie Williams
, which came about due to Noel and Liam's constantly referring to Robbie as "the fat dancer from Take That
", he performed "Wonderwall" at his Slane Castle
concert live on pay-per-view
TV.
The verse to "Wonderwall" is built on a i-III-VII-IV minor progression which several other songs have used. These include "Boulevard of Broken Dreams
" by Green Day
, U2
's "Electrical Storm
", Justin Timberlake
's "What Goes Around.../...Comes Around
" and Oasis's first single from Be Here Now, "D'You Know What I Mean?
". "Wonderwall" was later featured in the popular mashup
"Boulevard of Broken Songs
", which also contained parts of both Travis
's "Writing to Reach You" and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams". In late 2006, Gallagher accused Green Day of 'ripping off' "Wonderwall", saying "If you listen, you'll find it is exactly the same arrangement as Wonderwall. They should have the decency to wait until I am dead [before stealing my songs]. I, at least, pay the people I steal from that courtesy." .
The 2003 Girls Aloud
single "Life Got Cold" was slated by critics, claiming that the chorus melody ripped off "Wonderwall". The similarities were noticeable, even though Girls Aloud dismissed the claims. Noel Gallagher also reacted indifferently to the suggestion, commenting instead that; "We've been compared to The Beatles
pretty often. Progression is going forwards. Going backwards is regression. Going sideways is just 'gression'." When Girls Aloud performed "Life Got Cold" at a university gig in 2007, the crowd started to chant the lyrics to "Wonderwall". The girl group
simply laughed.
The Australian comedy group Tripod
covered "Wonderwall" for a segment on Triple J
with Andrew Denton
. The band began by singing the first verse with the following lyrics: "today is going to be the day that we're gonna throw it back to you. We just noticed that all the chords in your songs are the same, did you? I don't believe that anyone could get away with this but you have. And all the catchy melodies are winding. Around the same progression and we're finding. That you released three singles but you could have managed one, good luck to you." They then proceeded to sing 2 other Oasis singles (Don't Look Back in Anger
and Whatever) to the same chord progression used in "Wonderwall".
The song was covered by The Nat Sanderson Sound in the second short film, A Soft Touch, within the movie The Acid House
written by Irvine Welsh
and directed by Paul McGuigan
.
At the beginning of his set at Glastonbury 2008
, Jay-Z
performed a cover of "Wonderwall". Noel Gallagher had previously been critical of Jay-Z's booking as a star performer at the festival, so it is probable that his cover was intended to be ironic. Jay-Z's mock performance boosted the song's sales, making it a challenger for the top 100. The original album had a 200% increase in sales and the compilation album had a 140% increase. Jay-Z references the above event and sings part of "Wonderwall" on his song "Jockin Jay-Z", which was cut from his 2009 album The Blueprint 3.
Paul Anka
performed a swing cover of the song on his Rock Swings
covers album.
Death metal
group Ten Masked Men
, known for covering pop songs in a heavy style, covered the song on their self-titled debut album
.
Jason Mraz
sings the first verse of "Wonderwall" in the middle of his song "The Remedy
" when he performs it live.
Gary Lightbody
of Snow Patrol
, performed "Wonderwall" at V-Festival 2009, after Oasis had pulled out of performing at the festival.
Rihanna
covered a medley version of "Wonderwall" in 2010 during her Last Girl on Earth Tour
.
Straight No Chaser recorded an a capella cover of "Wonderwall" in their album, With a Twist.
Electronic
artist Renard sampled the vocals to this song heavily for his track "Sinisterrrrrrrr" and named the album "Because Maybe" after lyrics from "Wonderwall" as well.
Cat Power
recorded a version of "Wonderwall" in a cover session broadcast by BBC Radio 1
.
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...
, written by the band's guitarist and main songwriter 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...
. The song was produced by Owen Morris
Owen Morris
Owen Morris is a music producer who has worked with rock bands such as Oasis, The Fratellis, The View and The Verve.He started working in the music industry as a sound engineer at Spaceward Studio in Cambridge when he was 16. He continued as an engineer until 1994 when he started producing some...
and Gallagher for 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...
. According to Gallagher, "Wonderwall" describes "an imaginary friend who's gonna come and save you from yourself."
The song was released as the third single from the album in October 1995. "Wonderwall" reached the top ten on 13 charts, including topping charts in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. The single was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
and certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
.
Background
"Wonderwall" was written for Gallagher's then-girlfriend, Meg Mathews, as Gallagher told NMENME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
in 1996, "It's about my girlfriend, Meg Matthews." However, after Gallagher divorced Matthews in 2001, he said the song was not about Mathews: "[the song was] about an imaginary friend who's gonna come and save you from yourself."
The song's title was appropriated from Wonderwall
Wonderwall (film)
Wonderwall is the title of a 1968 film by first-time director Joe Massot that starred Jack MacGowran, Jane Birkin, Richard Wattis, Irene Handl, and Iain Quarrier, and featured cameos by Anita Pallenberg and Dutch designers The Fool...
, a 1968
1968 in film
The year 1968 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 30 - The film The Lion in Winter, starring Katharine Hepburn, debuts.* November 1 - The MPAA's film rating system is introduced.-Top grossing films :- Awards :...
film whose soundtrack (Wonderwall Music
Wonderwall Music
Wonderwall Music is George Harrison's first solo album and the soundtrack to the film Wonderwall. The songs are virtually all instrumental, except for some non-English vocals and a slowed-down spoken word track. The songs were recorded in December 1967 in England, and January 1968 in Bombay, India...
) was provided by George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
.
Recording and composition
The song was recorded at Rockfield StudiosRockfield Studios
Rockfield Studios, near Monmouth in Wales and just outside the village of Rockfield, Monmouthshire are where many of British rock music’s most successful recordings have been made.-History:...
in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, during a two-week recording of the Morning Glory album in May 1995. Owen Morris produced the song in a half-day along with Noel Gallagher using a technique known as "brickwalling" to intensify the sound of the song.
Liam served as lead singer on "Wonderwall" after Noel had given him a choice between "Wonderwall" or another single from the album, "Don't Look Back in Anger
Don't Look Back in Anger
"Don't Look Back in Anger" is a song by English rock band Oasis, released in 1996 as the fourth single from their hit second album Morning Glory?. The song was written by the band's guitarist and main songwriter, Noel Gallagher. The song became the band's second single to reach #1 in the UK...
". Noel sang on backup vocals, with Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan
Paul 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...
on bass
Bass (instrument)
Bass describes musical instruments that produce tones in the low-pitched range. They belong to different families of instruments and can cover a wide range of musical roles...
, and 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.
According to the digital music sheet published at Musicnotes.com, "Wonderwall" is written in the key
Key (music)
In music theory, the term key is used in many different and sometimes contradictory ways. A common use is to speak of music as being "in" a specific key, such as in the key of C major or in the key of F-sharp. Sometimes the terms "major" or "minor" are appended, as in the key of A minor or in the...
of A major
A major
A major is a major scale based on A, with the pitches A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Its key signature has three sharps.Its relative minor is F-sharp minor and its parallel minor is A minor...
and is set in common time
Common Time
"Common Time" is a science fiction short story written by James Blish. It first appeared in the August 1953 issue of Science Fiction Quarterly and has been reprinted several times: in the 1959 short-story collection Galactic Cluster; in The Testament of Andros ; in The Penguin Science Fiction...
with a moderate dance groove
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
. Liam Gallagher's voice ranges from the note of E4 to the note of F#5. However, most sheet music from Musicnotes.com that is originally sung by a male is transposed up an octave, so in fact his voice actually ranges from an E3 to an F#4
Live performances
Noel debuted the song on UK TV, backstage at GlastonburyGlastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
and broadcast on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
on 24 June 1995. The song wasn't performed by the band during their headline performance the night before.
In August 2002, Noel changed the arrangement of his live performances of the song to a style he admitted was heavily influenced by Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams
David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
's cover of the song. That arrangement has persisted through his most recent live performances of the song, but when the full band performs the song live with vocals by Liam Gallagher
Liam Gallagher
William 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...
and electric guitars, it is done in the original style as presented on the record. During the 2008-9 tour, the band returned to performing the song in a semi-acoustic form, in an arrangement closely resembling the album version.
Music video
The music video to the song was filmed in the relatively brief period when bassist Paul "Guigsy" 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...
quit the band due to nervous exhaustion; Scott McLeod came in to replace him.
An alternative version, possibly a bootleg recording, exists and is viewable online. It features a single fixed camera shot, the same as is seen in the more common video, of the five band members miming to the song.
The song won Best British Video at the 1996 Brit Awards
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
.
Cover art
The sleeve artwork was inspired by the paintings of the Belgian surrealist René MagritteRené Magritte
René François Ghislain Magritte[p] was a Belgian surrealist artist. He became well known for a number of witty and thought-provoking images...
, and was shot on Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill is a hill of located on the north side of Regent's Park in London, England, and also the name for the surrounding district. The hill has a clear view of central London to the south-east, as well as Belsize Park and Hampstead to the north...
in north London. The hand holding the frame is that of 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...
. The original idea was to have Liam in the frame before Noel vetoed that idea whilst the shoot was taking place. Instead a female figure was deemed necessary and Anita Heryet, a Creation Records
Creation Records
Creation Records was a British independent record label headed by Alan McGee. Along with Dick Green and Joe Foster, McGee founded Creation in 1983. The label lasted until its demise in 1999. The name came from the 1960s band The Creation , whom McGee greatly admired. McGee, Green and Foster were...
employee, was asked to stand in as cover star for the shot.
Chart history
Wonderwall reached number two in the UK Singles Chart. In the U.S., it peaked at number one on the Modern Rock Tracks chart for an unprecedented ten weeks, and reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. It proved to be a major hit in Australia, New Zealand and Spain by claiming the #1 spot in all three countries. It finished at #10 in the end of year charts for 1995 and #26 in the end of decade charts for the 1990s in the UK.
Awards and accolades
- In January 1996, the song was voted #1 in the Australian Triple J Hottest 100 1995, the world's largest music poll.
- In the Grammy Awards of 1997Grammy Awards of 1997The 39th Grammy Awards were held on February 26, 1997. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year.- Award winners :*Record of the Year**Babyface & Eric Clapton for "Change the World"*Album of the Year...
the band received a nomination for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or GroupGrammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with VocalThe Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal was awarded between 1980 and 2011.The award was discontinued after the 2011 award season in a major overhaul of Grammy categories...
and 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...
picked another nomination for Best Rock SongGrammy Award for Best Rock SongThe Grammy Award for Best Rock Song is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality songs in the rock music genre...
, winning none. - In May 2005, "Wonderwall" was voted the best British song of all time, in a poll of over 8,500 listeners conducted by Virgin RadioVirgin RadioAbsolute Radio is one of the UK's three Independent National Radio stations. The station rebranded to its current name at 7.45am on 29 September 2008.The station is based in London and plays popular rock music...
. - In August 2006, "Wonderwall" was named the second-greatest song of all time in a poll conducted by Q MagazineQ (magazine)Q is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom.Founders Mark Ellen and David Hepworth were dismayed by the music press of the time, which they felt was ignoring a generation of older music buyers who were buying CDs — then still a new technology...
, finishing behind another Oasis song, "Live ForeverLive Forever"Live Forever" is a song by English rock band Oasis. Written by Noel Gallagher, the song was released as the third single from their debut album Definitely Maybe on 8 August 1994, just prior to that album's release....
". - In 2006, U2U2U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
's guitarist The EdgeThe EdgeDavid Howell Evans , more widely known by his stage name The Edge , is a musician best known as the guitarist, backing vocalist, and keyboardist of the Irish rock band U2. A member of the group since its inception, he has recorded 12 studio albums with the band and has released one solo record...
named "Wonderwall" one of the songs he most wishes he'd written. - In May 2007, NMENMEThe New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
magazine placed "Wonderwall" at number 27 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever. - On June 28th 2007 the NME stated that Alex James ex-bassist of blur who had been long standing rivals with Oasis said: 'Wish I'd written it. He's got a great voice Liam (Gallagher)'
- In 20 December 2007, VH1VH1VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
placed "Wonderwall" at number 35 in its list of the 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s. - In July 2009, "Wonderwall" was voted at number #12 in the Hottest 100 of all time countdown poll, conducted by Australian radio station, Triple JTriple Jtriple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
. More than half a million votes were cast.
Notable cover versions
"Wonderwall" has been one of the most-frequently covered songs in recent history. The most famous cover version was an easy listeningEasy listening
Easy listening is a broad style of popular music and radio format that emerged in the 1950s, evolving out of big band music, and related to MOR music as played on many AM radio stations. It encompasses the exotica, beautiful music, light music, lounge music, ambient music, and space age pop genres...
arrangement by The Mike Flowers Pops
The Mike Flowers Pops
The Mike Flowers Pops was a British easy listening band fronted by Mike Flowers and supported by the "Sounds Superb Singers" and "Super Stereo Brass". There were either thirteen or fourteen of them on stage at any time...
, which reached #2 in the UK Singles Chart, just as the Oasis original had done two months earlier. Gallagher mentioned that when BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
premiered the song, they jokingly claimed that they had found "the original version of Wonderwall". Gallagher, who had been in America at the time, was surprised to be asked by one of his record company's executives if he had actually written the song. The Mike Flowers Pops cover was used in the 1997 film The Jackal, and also in the 1999 film Superstar
Superstar (film)
Superstar is a 1999 comedy film and Saturday Night Live spin-off about a quirky, socially inept girl named Mary Katherine Gallagher. The character was created by SNL star Molly Shannon and appeared as a recurring character on SNL in numerous skits. The story follows Mary Katherine trying to find...
.
Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams
David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
' version, first performed in 2001, and later released in 2003 on Love Is Hell pt. 1
Love Is Hell pt. 1
Love Is Hell pt. 1 is an EP by alternative country artist Ryan Adams, released on November 4, 2003. It features a cover of Oasis' worldwide hit "Wonderwall". This album was consolidated with the Love Is Hell pt. 2 EP, and released as Love Is Hell on May 4, 2004.-Track listing:-Chart positions:...
, was well-received by Noel Gallagher. Adams's version was also featured in episodes of Smallville
Smallville
Smallville is the hometown of Superman in comic books published by DC Comics. While growing up in Smallville, the young Clark Kent attended Smallville High with best friends Lana Lang, Chloe Sullivan and Pete Ross...
, Cold Case, The O.C.
The O.C.
The O.C. is an American teen drama television series that originally aired on the Fox television network in the United States from August 5, 2003, to February 21, 2007, running a total of four seasons...
, and more recently on Brothers & Sisters and Lie to Me
Lie to Me
Lie to Me is a 2009-2011 American television series.Lie to Me may also refer to:* Lie to Me , a South Korean drama series* "Lie to Me" , an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer...
. On 3 October 2009, his version was used in Hollyoaks Later when Zoe was arrested after being framed for Sarah's murder. On 6 October appeared on Holby City on BBC1 just before the end credits. On 17 November 2009, his version appeared on 90210
90210 (TV series)
90210 is an American teen drama television series developed by Rob Thomas, Jeff Judah and Gabe Sachs, and the fourth series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise created by Darren Star. 90210 is the first series produced by CBS Productions under the company's re-launch, but is now produced by CBS...
. His version also appears on the 2006 compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
The Acoustic Album
The Acoustic Album (compilation)
The Acoustic Album is a 2-disc compilation album released by EMI/Virgin Records in July 2006 to showcase songs heard on Virgin Radio.-Track listing:Disc 1:#Jack Johnson - "Breakdown"#Corinne Bailey Rae - "Put Your Records On"...
and the 2008 video game Guitar Hero World Tour
Guitar Hero World Tour
Guitar 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...
as a downloadable extra.
Other artists who have covered the song include American indie singer Cat Power
Cat Power
Charlyn Marie Marshall , also known as Chan Marshall or by her stage name Cat Power, is an American singer/songwriter and occasional actress and model. Cat Power was originally the name of Marshall's first band, but has come to refer to her musical projects with various backing bands...
, Richard Cheese, Great Big Sea
Great Big Sea
Great Big Sea is a Canadian folk-rock band from Newfoundland and Labrador, best known for performing energetic rock interpretations of traditional Newfoundland folk songs including sea shanties, which draw from the island's 500-year-old Irish, English, and French heritage...
, Paul Anka
Paul Anka
Paul Albert Anka, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor.Anka first became famous as a teen idol in the late 1950s and 1960s with hit songs like "Diana'", "Lonely Boy", and "Put Your Head on My Shoulder"...
's swing-jazz style arrangement, the Brad Mehldau
Brad Mehldau
Brad Mehldau is an American jazz pianist. Besides leading his own group, the Brad Mehldau Trio, he has performed with many renowned artists, including Pat Metheny, Wayne Shorter, Larry Grenadier, Peter Bernstein, Jeff Ballard, Joshua Redman, Christian McBride, Michael Brecker, Chris Potter, Kurt...
Trio, the Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
cover that has been performed at concerts, but never released as a single, and a cover on the compilation Punk Goes 90's
Punk Goes 90's
Punk Goes 90's is a compilation of the Punk Goes... series created by Fearless Records that features artists covering popular songs from the 1990s. The cover art references Nirvana's iconic Nevermind cover, on which "In Bloom" originally appeared....
by the pop-punk band Cartel
Cartel (band)
Cartel is a American pop rock band from Conyers, Georgia that formed in 2003. The band is best known for their single "Honestly", featured on their 2005 debut album Chroma, and for their 2007 appearance on MTV's Band in a Bubble....
. The Harvard Independent compiled a list of the five most ironic versions of "Wonderwall".
In 2003, the song was covered by independent Canadian singer-songwriter Melissa Rebronja, released on her debut album Embrace Yourself. Her version became a popular digital download, reaching the top 50 of the most downloaded songs on CD Baby
CD Baby
CD Baby is an online music store specializing in the sale of CDs and digital music downloads from independent musicians to consumers. The company is also a digital aggregator of independent music recordings, distributing content to several online digital music retailers.CD Baby has achieved recent...
in 2005.
The song was also covered by fellow British rock group Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
as a joke in the late 1990s; Thom Yorke sings many incorrect lyrics and cuts out mid-chorus when a background voice says: "Is this abysmal or what? It's always good to make fun of Oasis, they don't care".
The song was also covered on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
's Live Lounge
Live Lounge
The Live Lounge is a segment on the British radio station BBC Radio 1. Originally hosted by Jo Whiley on her mid-morning radio show and now hosted by Fearne Cotton, it exhibits well-known artists usually performing one song of their own and one by another artist, in an acoustic format...
by Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
star Alan Fletcher
Alan Fletcher
Alan Fletcher is an Australian actor and musician, best known for his role as Karl Kennedy in long-running soap opera Neighbours. Fletcher was educated at Wesley College, Perth.-Career:...
on 30 November 2007.
During a heated rivalry between Oasis and Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams
Robert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
, which came about due to Noel and Liam's constantly referring to Robbie as "the fat dancer from Take That
Take That
Take That are a British five-piece vocal pop group comprising Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams. Barlow acts as the lead singer and primary songwriter...
", he performed "Wonderwall" at his Slane Castle
Slane Castle
Slane Castle is located in the town of Slane, within the Boyne Valley of County Meath, Ireland. The castle has been the family home of the Conyngham Marquessate since the 18th century....
concert live on pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
TV.
The verse to "Wonderwall" is built on a i-III-VII-IV minor progression which several other songs have used. These include "Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day song)
"Boulevard of Broken Dreams" is a song by American punk rock band Green Day. It was released as the second single from their seventh album, American Idiot. The song was written by Green Day, with lyrics by lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong...
" by Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
, U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
's "Electrical Storm
Electrical Storm
"Electrical Storm" is the only single from U2's second compilation album, The Best of 1990–2000, and one of the two new songs recorded for that album . The music video for the song prominently features drummer Larry Mullen, Jr., as well as actress Samantha Morton...
", Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
's "What Goes Around.../...Comes Around
What Goes Around.../...Comes Around
"What Goes Around... Comes Around" is a song by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake. It was written and produced by Timberlake, Nate "Danja" Hills, and Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley for Timberlake's second studio album, FutureSex/LoveSounds...
" and Oasis's first single from Be Here Now, "D'You Know What I Mean?
D'You Know What I Mean?
"D'You Know What I Mean?" is a song by the English rock band Oasis. Written by Noel Gallagher, it was released as the first single from their third album Be Here Now. It reached number one in the UK Singles Chart, the third Oasis song to do so. It sold 162,000 copies in its first day in the shops...
". "Wonderwall" was later featured in the popular mashup
Mashup (music)
A mashup or bootleg is a song or composition created by blending two or more pre-recorded songs, usually by overlaying the vocal track of one song seamlessly over the instrumental track of another...
"Boulevard of Broken Songs
Boulevard of Broken Songs
Boulevard of Broken Songs is a popular mash-up mixed by San Francisco, California DJ and producer Party Ben in late 2004...
", which also contained parts of both Travis
Travis (band)
Travis are a post-Britpop band from Glasgow, Scotland, comprising Fran Healy , Dougie Payne , Andy Dunlop and Neil Primrose...
's "Writing to Reach You" and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams". In late 2006, Gallagher accused Green Day of 'ripping off' "Wonderwall", saying "If you listen, you'll find it is exactly the same arrangement as Wonderwall. They should have the decency to wait until I am dead [before stealing my songs]. I, at least, pay the people I steal from that courtesy." .
The 2003 Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London. They were created through the ITV1 talent show Popstars The Rivals in 2002. The group consists of Cheryl Cole , Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh. They are signed to Fascination Records, a Polydor...
single "Life Got Cold" was slated by critics, claiming that the chorus melody ripped off "Wonderwall". The similarities were noticeable, even though Girls Aloud dismissed the claims. Noel Gallagher also reacted indifferently to the suggestion, commenting instead that; "We've been compared to The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
pretty often. Progression is going forwards. Going backwards is regression. Going sideways is just 'gression'." When Girls Aloud performed "Life Got Cold" at a university gig in 2007, the crowd started to chant the lyrics to "Wonderwall". The girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
simply laughed.
The Australian comedy group Tripod
Tripod (band)
Tripod is an Australian musical comedy act, specialising in improv, parody and satire. As its name suggests, the band is a trio; it comprises Scod , Yon and Gatesy...
covered "Wonderwall" for a segment on Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
with Andrew Denton
Andrew Denton
Andrew Christopher Denton is an Australian television producer, comedian, Gold Logie-nominated television presenter and former radio host, and was the host of the ABC's weekly television interview program Enough Rope. He is known for his comedy and interviewing technique...
. The band began by singing the first verse with the following lyrics: "today is going to be the day that we're gonna throw it back to you. We just noticed that all the chords in your songs are the same, did you? I don't believe that anyone could get away with this but you have. And all the catchy melodies are winding. Around the same progression and we're finding. That you released three singles but you could have managed one, good luck to you." They then proceeded to sing 2 other Oasis singles (Don't Look Back in Anger
Don't Look Back in Anger
"Don't Look Back in Anger" is a song by English rock band Oasis, released in 1996 as the fourth single from their hit second album Morning Glory?. The song was written by the band's guitarist and main songwriter, Noel Gallagher. The song became the band's second single to reach #1 in the UK...
and Whatever) to the same chord progression used in "Wonderwall".
The song was covered by The Nat Sanderson Sound in the second short film, A Soft Touch, within the movie The Acid House
The Acid House
The Acid House is a 1994 book by Irvine Welsh, later made into a film. It is a collection of short stories, with each story featuring a new set of characters and scenarios.-Stories:...
written by Irvine Welsh
Irvine Welsh
Irvine Welsh is a contemporary Scottish novelist, best known for his novel Trainspotting. His work is characterised by raw Scottish dialect, and brutal depiction of the realities of Edinburgh life...
and directed by Paul McGuigan
Paul McGuigan (filmmaker)
Paul McGuigan is a film director, best known for directing films such as Lucky Number Slevin and Push. He has also directed episodes of Sherlock and Monroe.-Filmography:-Awards:...
.
At the beginning of his set at Glastonbury 2008
Glastonbury Festival 2008
The 2008 Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts was held from 25 to 29 June 2008.-New features:* The John Peel stage doubled in size and had a screen outside it to watch bands.* There was a new 'Shangri-La' area that replaced Lost Vagueness...
, Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
performed a cover of "Wonderwall". Noel Gallagher had previously been critical of Jay-Z's booking as a star performer at the festival, so it is probable that his cover was intended to be ironic. Jay-Z's mock performance boosted the song's sales, making it a challenger for the top 100. The original album had a 200% increase in sales and the compilation album had a 140% increase. Jay-Z references the above event and sings part of "Wonderwall" on his song "Jockin Jay-Z", which was cut from his 2009 album The Blueprint 3.
Paul Anka
Paul Anka
Paul Albert Anka, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor.Anka first became famous as a teen idol in the late 1950s and 1960s with hit songs like "Diana'", "Lonely Boy", and "Put Your Head on My Shoulder"...
performed a swing cover of the song on his Rock Swings
Rock Swings
Rock Swings is an album by Paul Anka. Recorded in November 2004 and released on May 31, 2005 in Canada and June 7, 2005 in the United States, it contains swing jazz covers of popular rock and pop songs from the 1980s and 1990s....
covers album.
Death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
group Ten Masked Men
Ten Masked Men
Ten Masked Men is a British death metal cover band who specialize in covering pop songs. The band was formed in 1996 when Mark and Dave Hutson did a cover of Oasis' "Wonderwall" to annoy a friend. The song was much the same as the original, except it was played with distorted guitars and death...
, known for covering pop songs in a heavy style, covered the song on their self-titled debut album
Ten Masked Men (album)
Ten Masked Men was the debut album of British death metal cover band Ten Masked Men, released in 1999.-Track listing:# "Beat It" # "Gold" # "Deeper Underground" # "The Living Daylights"...
.
Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz
Jason Thomas Mraz , also known as Mr. AZ and Mr. Raz, is an American singer-songwriter. Mraz released his debut album, Waiting for My Rocket to Come, which contained the hit single "The Remedy ", in 2002, but it was not until the release of his second album, "Mr. A-Z", in 2005, that Mraz achieved...
sings the first verse of "Wonderwall" in the middle of his song "The Remedy
The Remedy (I Won't Worry)
"The Remedy " is the first single released by Jason Mraz from his debut album Waiting for My Rocket to Come in 2002. The song is about a good friend of Jason's, Charlie Mingroni, being struck with cancer and how it changed Jason's outlook on life...
" when he performs it live.
Gary Lightbody
Gary Lightbody
Gary Lightbody is an Northern Irish musician and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the alternative rock band Snow Patrol.- Early life :...
of Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
, performed "Wonderwall" at V-Festival 2009, after Oasis had pulled out of performing at the festival.
Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
covered a medley version of "Wonderwall" in 2010 during her Last Girl on Earth Tour
Last Girl on Earth Tour
The Last Girl on Earth Tour was the third concert tour by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna. Visiting Europe, Asia, North America and Australia, the tour supported her fourth studio album, Rated R . The tour was announced through MTV News in December 2009...
.
Straight No Chaser recorded an a capella cover of "Wonderwall" in their album, With a Twist.
Electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
artist Renard sampled the vocals to this song heavily for his track "Sinisterrrrrrrr" and named the album "Because Maybe" after lyrics from "Wonderwall" as well.
Cat Power
Cat Power
Charlyn Marie Marshall , also known as Chan Marshall or by her stage name Cat Power, is an American singer/songwriter and occasional actress and model. Cat Power was originally the name of Marshall's first band, but has come to refer to her musical projects with various backing bands...
recorded a version of "Wonderwall" in a cover session broadcast by BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
.
Track listings
Peak positions
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian RPM RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... Singles Chart |
5 |
| Canadian RPM Alternative 30 Canadian rock/alternative chart The Canadian rock/alternative chart was first published on June 11, 1995 by RPM magazine under the name Alternative 30. The song which held the number-one spot on this first chart was "More Human than Human" by White Zombie... |
1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1996) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 19 |
| Canadian RPM Singles Chart | 26 |
| Canadian RPM Alternative 30 | 2 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 56 |
Certifications
| Country | Provider | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | BPI British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... |
Platinum |
| United States | RIAA Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States... |
Gold |
See also
- Number one modern rock hits of 1995Number one modern rock hits of 1995The following is a comprehensive list of hits that reached number one on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, published by Billboard magazine. In 1995, there were 15 hits that reached peak position, in 52 issues of the magazine....
- Number one modern rock hits of 1996Number one modern rock hits of 1996These are the Billboard magazine Modern Rock Tracks number one hits of 1996....
- List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1990s
- List of RPM Rock/Alternative number-one singles (Canada)
- List of number-one singles in 1996 (New Zealand)