ROCK REWIND: OASIS “WONDERWALL”

Rock/Britpop band Oasis are one of those bands whose legacy has as much to do with the bands they have influenced as their music itself. Claiming The Beatles as their own biggest influence, Oasis came to their heyday in the mid-1990s amidst a well-publicized rivalry with fellow Britpop artists Blur. Since that time, they have been cited as a primary influence by the likes of Coldplay, Maroon 5, The Strokes, Keane, Elliott Smith and a host of others.

As if being cited as an influence weren’t enough, take their single “Wonderwall” as even further evidence. First appearing on Oasis’ second album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? in 1995, not only did the song go on to become one of the band’s most successful hits, but it has also become one of the most covered songs in modern rock history—tackled by everyone from Cat Power to Ryan Adams to the Beastie Boys to Paul Anka to One Direction.

Perhaps one of the most famous covers of “Wonderwall” came about right after its initial release—a humorous easy-listening version by The Mike Flowers Pops which actually tied the original version at #2 on the UK Singles Charts. Just for fun, I’ve included that version under the original. Enjoy both!