(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?
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Hello you. Make a cup of tea, put a record on. Welcome to The A to Z of Britpop, your introduction to the bands, music, and characters that defined the most exciting genre of the 1990s. In this article, we explore (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, the album that catapulted Oasis into worldwide fame and cemented their place as Britpop icons. This record saw the band refine their sound with anthemic ballads, larger-than-life choruses, and Noel Gallagher’s most enduring songwriting.
Britpop was built on personalities, fierce rivalries, soundbites, and, of course, the music that defined a decade. It captured the restless energy of the country and signalled a wave of optimism across the UK that had been missing for years.
Each entry in this series is a fact file, giving you the key details: the story behind the band, their biggest moments, and their legacy. It’s the perfect starting point for revisiting the era if you were there or figuring out why your mum or dad keeps going on about it.
Overview
Released: 2 October 1995
Artist: Oasis
Genre: Britpop, Rock
Label: Creation Records
Producer(s): Owen Morris, Noel Gallagher
Singles: Some Might Say, Roll with It, Wonderwall, Don’t Look Back in Anger, Champagne Supernova
Personnel: Liam Gallagher – lead vocals / Noel Gallagher – lead guitar, backing vocals / Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs – rhythm guitar / Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan – bass guitar / Alan White – drums
The Making of (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?
Recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales from May to June 1995, following the massive success of Definitely Maybe.
Producer Owen Morris brought a raw, loud production style, including the heavy compression techniques that became synonymous with the loudness war.
The album was recorded at a breakneck pace, with one song completed each day, according to Morris.
Paul Weller joined the sessions, providing guitar and harmonica on The Swamp Song and backing vocals on Champagne Supernova.
Despite internal tensions, Morris described the sessions as “dripping with love and happiness.”
The Story Behind (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?
By 1995, Oasis had ascended from indie darlings to cultural icons, with Morning Glory solidifying their status as Britpop leaders.
Themes of fame, introspection, and defiance defined the album, contrasting with the youthful optimism of Definitely Maybe.
The album’s title was inspired by a friend’s phone greeting, which itself references a line from Bye Bye Birdie.
Tracks like Wonderwall and Don’t Look Back in Anger brought a newfound sense of sentimentality and universality to Noel Gallagher’s songwriting.
Rise to Prominence
The album debuted at No. 1 in the UK, selling 345,000 copies in its first week.
Morning Glory propelled Oasis to international superstardom, with singles like Wonderwall and Champagne Supernova topping charts globally.
The "Battle of Britpop" with Blur’s The Great Escape fuelled massive media coverage, culminating in Oasis’s emergence as the genre’s dominant force.
Extensive world tours in 1995 and 1996, including landmark shows at Knebworth, solidified the band’s legendary status.
Commercial Success and Critical Reception
Certified 17× Platinum in the UK, selling over 5.1 million copies and becoming the best-selling album of the 1990s in Britain.
Initially met with lukewarm reviews, with critics comparing it unfavourably to Definitely Maybe.
Retrospective acclaim grew, recognising its populist appeal and anthemic quality.
Ranked among the greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone, Spin, and the Brit Awards, where it was named the British Album of 30 Years in 2010.
Legacy and Influence
Morning Glory became a cultural phenomenon, influencing countless bands and reshaping British rock.
Songs like Wonderwall and Don’t Look Back in Anger remain iconic, sung at sporting events and cultural moments worldwide.
The album’s blend of anthems and introspective ballads set a template for the Britpop movement and beyond.
Its 20th-anniversary reissue in 2014 introduced remastered tracks and live recordings, cementing its enduring legacy.
Notable Facts
The loudness and compression techniques pioneered on the album contributed to the so-called "loudness war."
Cast No Shadow was written as a tribute to Richard Ashcroft of The Verve.
The cover photo features Berwick Street in London, chosen for its record shop culture.
Wonderwall became the most streamed song from the 1990s on Spotify.
Defining Lyric
"Because maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me." – Wonderwall (1995)
Tracklist
Hello – 3:21
Roll with It – 3:59
Wonderwall – 4:18
Don’t Look Back in Anger – 4:48
Hey Now! – 5:41
Untitled (The Swamp Song Excerpt 1) – 0:44
Some Might Say – 5:29
Cast No Shadow – 4:51
She’s Electric – 3:40
Morning Glory – 5:03
Untitled (The Swamp Song Excerpt 2) – 0:39
Champagne Supernova – 7:27
Essential Listening
"Wonderwall" (1995): An acoustic anthem that became the defining ballad of the Britpop era.
"Don’t Look Back in Anger" (1996): Noel Gallagher’s soaring ode to resilience and forgiveness.
"Champagne Supernova" (1996): A psychedelic epic that captures the band’s ambition at its peak.
Why You Should Be Listening to (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? Now
(What’s the Story) Morning Glory? remains a defining album of the Britpop era, but its influence stretches far beyond the 1990s. Its anthems continue to soundtrack everything from football stadiums to personal moments of reflection. With lyrics that capture both resilience and euphoria, and melodies that resonate universally, the album stands as a timeless celebration of ambition and unity.
Revisit it today to experience the spirit of a band and an era that refused to be anything less than monumental.
See you on down the road.
