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Many of today’s listeners are familiar with the song “Wonderwall,” but fail to recognize the importance of the album (What’s The Story) Morning Glory as a whole — including its role in Oasis’ feud with another extremely popular British band, Blur.
The question of which band was better, Oasis or Blur, caused a division amongst Britpop fans during this era, especially in the fall of 1995, when Blur released The Great Escape and Oasis came out with Morning Glory. The rivalry itself created one of the biggest chart wars in music history.
Morning Glory completely dominated The Great Escape for a multitude of reasons. What proved to be most important is that Oasis broke through an international barrier, reaching fans all over the world, not just in England.
The title track, “Morning Glory,” is a song about longing and hope, and it fills the listeners with motivation. Its upbeat rhythm is extremely catchy, and it has an overall powerful feel due to the use of distorted guitar chords.
“Wonderwall” speaks for itself. It has one of the most recognizable intros of all time, and even though it might be disliked because it is overplayed, it is an undeniable Britpop anthem about comfort in times of need.
“Don’t Look Back in Anger,” is one of the most important tracks on the album. The song recalls old relationships and conveys a theme of reconciliation and moving forward, while it is coupled with a lush melody and memorable lyrics.
The album closes with “Champagne Supernova,” a powerful song characterized by its dreamy atmosphere. Lyrically, there is abstract imagery and an overall sense of escapism and search for meaning over a mesmerizing guitar riff.
Overall, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? is a timeless classic that deserves attention. Its message and sound is one that stands to this day.
