Whatever (Oasis song)

"Whatever"
Single by Oasis
B-side
  • "(It's Good) to Be Free"
  • "Half the World Away"
  • "Slide Away"
Released19 December 1994 (1994-12-19)[1]
StudioMaison Rouge Studios, Chelsea
Genre
Length
LabelCreation
Songwriters
Producers
  • Owen Morris
  • Noel Gallagher
Oasis singles chronology
"Cigarettes & Alcohol"
(1994) 		"Whatever"
(1994) 		"Rock 'n' Roll Star"
(1995)
Music video
"Whatever" on YouTube

"Whatever" is a song by the English rock band Oasis. Written by the band's lead guitarist, Noel Gallagher, it was released on 19 December 1994 by Creation Records as the band's first non-album single. A subsequent out-of-court settlement awarded a co-writing credit to Neil Innes.

Recording

The song was recorded in a week-long session at Maison Rouge Studios in Chelsea in June–July 1994.[5][6][7] The session also included Listen Up, Fade Away, and a demo of Some Might Say.[5][8]

Its main chord progression is G–G/F#–Em7–Dsus4–Cadd9–Dsus4–G–Dsus4.[9]

Release

The Christmas single[10] was released in 1994 as a stand-alone single, bridging the gap between Oasis' debut album, Definitely Maybe, and their second album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?. The single was later included on the compilation album Time Flies... 1994–2009. The strings were played by the London Session Orchestra which featured former Electric Light Orchestra violinist Wilfred Gibson.[11][12]

"Whatever" has sold 600,000 copies in the United Kingdom as of 2017, receiving a platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).[13] The song re-entered the UK Singles Chart on 20 June 2010 at number 64, due to the release of Time Flies, and was the first time that it had been available to purchase as a music download.[14]

The song was used by Coca-Cola in its 2012 campaign celebrating its 125th anniversary.[15] It was also used by Asahi Breweries for their Asahi Off beer commercials in Japan.[16]

Critical reception

Both Melody Maker and NME named 'Whatever' Single of the Week. Melody Maker editor Everett True said the song "is absolutely f***ing stunning — from the strummed acoustic and Rolling Stones-esque sentiments (I'm free to be whatever I...whatever I choose), the f***-off strings and inch-perfect handclaps, right through to the final applause."[17] NME editor Tommy Udo wrote, "'Whatever' is only the best single of 1994, only the best Oasis single of 1994, because I feel reasonably confident that they'll do one better every time. Basically it pisses over everything else. A song to die for, with a descending scale and a f—ing string section: from 'Love Me Do' to 'All You Need Is Love' in under a year. The fact that it sounds like any number of other songs is a mark of the confidence that Oasis have in their songwriting: amateurs borrow, pros steal and look you straight in the eye, unashamed."[18] Music & Media commented, "Anyone who has attended one of their live gigs knows how well they do the Beatles' 'I Am the Walrus'. Backed by a symphony orchestra they now have made their own seaworthy Walrus."[19] Mark Frith from Smash Hits gave the song a full score of five out of five, saying, "They've released this six minute epic complete with violins, sheep noises, hand claps and cheering, undoubtedly with the hope that all their fans will rush out and buy it, making it number one for Xmas." He added, "so, Christmas number three, I'd put money on it."[20]

Authorship dispute

Oasis settled out of court with EMI as the record label claimed that the song borrowed portions of Neil Innes's "How Sweet to Be an Idiot". Innes received a songwriting credit and a share of the royalties.[21] The portion of the melodic line in question are the eight notes that accompany the lyrics "How Sweet to be an Idiot"/"I'm free to be whatever I" of the Oasis version, appearing 40 seconds after the start of the Innes version.

Innes later made a reference to "Whatever" at the beginning of the song "Shangri-La" by The Rutles, on their 1996 Archaeology album.[22][23]

B-sides

One of the single's B-sides, "Slide Away", was already featured on their debut album, Definitely Maybe. The other two—"(It's Good) to Be Free" and "Half the World Away"—were later featured on the B-side compilation The Masterplan. "Slide Away" and "Half the World Away" would also be featured on Oasis' 2006 compilation album Stop the Clocks, but "Whatever" itself was not included. "Half the World Away" was chosen as the theme tune to The Royle Family.[24]

Track listings

All tracks were written by Noel Gallagher.[a]

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[13] Platinum 600,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United Kingdom 19 December 1994
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 Creation [25][58]
Japan 22 December 1994 CD Epic [59]
Australia 17 April 1995
  • CD
  • cassette
 Creation [60]

Notes

  1. ^ Except "Whatever" written by Gallagher and Neil Innes,[25] and "I Am the Walrus" written by Lennon–McCartney.[26]

References

  1. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. 17 December 1994. p. 51.
  2. ^ "'Whatever' Oasis - A song to live 2013 by. Music review". 12 January 2013.
  3. ^ Rabid, Jack. "Oasis – Whatever". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  4. ^ a b Jones, Danny (8 November 2024). "The 30 greatest Oasis songs of all time". The Manc. Retrieved 11 February 2025. An orchestral pop-rock banger perfect for turning crowds into choirs.
  5. ^ a b "Owen Morris on the making of Some Might Say – Oasis Recording Information". Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  6. ^ Unknown (14 July 2016). "Recording Your Music: Owen Morris On Mixing Definitely Maybe". Recording Your Music. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  7. ^ Blog, N. M. E. (30 April 2015). "Oasis: The Story Of 'Some Might Say'". NME. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  8. ^ "Classic Tracks: Oasis 'Wonderwall'". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  9. ^ "Whatever Guitar Tabs and Chords" (PDF). www.theguitarlesson.com. 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
  10. ^ "Noel's Notes". NME. 3 November 1998. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  11. ^ "Wilf Gibson". www.10538overture.dk. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  12. ^ "Why were Oasis were sued over the song Whatever?". Radio X. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  13. ^ a b "British single certifications – Oasis – Whatever". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Whatever Oasis in the "Search:" field.
  14. ^ "Yahoo! UK & Ireland omg!". Yahoo!. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  15. ^ "Commercial Coca-Cola: "Razones Para Creer" 2011 (Fullscreen HD) Whatever / Oasis". 18 January 2011. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2012 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ "アサヒオフ：【新発売】.m4v" (in Japanese). 23 January 2010. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2012 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ True, Everett (17 December 1994). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 31. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  18. ^ Udo, Tommy (17 December 1994). "Singles". NME. p. 37. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  19. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 2. 14 January 1995. p. 7. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  20. ^ Frith, Mark (7 December 1994). "New Singles". Smash Hits. p. 52. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
  21. ^ transatlanticmodern (24 June 2013). "INTERVIEW: NEIL INNES". Transatlantic Modern. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  22. ^ "Why were Oasis were sued over the song Whatever?". Radio X. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  23. ^ Gaar, Gillian G. (14 June 2020). "The Sweet Idiocy of Neil Innes". Rock and Roll Globe. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  24. ^ "Noel recalls how Half The World Away became The Royle Family theme song". Radio X. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  25. ^ a b "Why were Oasis were sued over the song Whatever?". Radio X. 30 December 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  26. ^ The Little Black Songbook: Oasis. Wise Publications. 2012. p. 76. ISBN 978-0-85712-909-3.
  27. ^ Whatever (CD single liner notes). UK: Creation. 1994. CRESCD 195.
  28. ^ Whatever (CD single liner notes). Europe: Helter Skelter. 1994. HES 661079 2.
  29. ^ Whatever (12-inch vinyl single liner notes). UK: Creation. 1994. CRE 195T.
  30. ^ Whatever (MC single liner notes). UK: Creation. 1994. CRECS 195.
  31. ^ Whatever (7-inch vinyl single liner notes). UK: Creation. 1994. CRE 195.
  32. ^ Whatever (CD single liner notes). France: Helter Skelter. 1995. HES 661079 1.
  33. ^ Whatever (7-inch vinyl single liner notes). France: Helter Skelter. 1994. 661079 7.
  34. ^ Whatever (MC single liner notes). Australia: Creation. 1994. 661079 8.
  35. ^ Whatever (CD extended play liner notes). Japan: Epic. 22 December 1994. ESCA 6127.
  36. ^ "Oasis – Whatever". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  37. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 5. 4 February 1995. p. 36. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  38. ^ "EHR Top 40" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 7. 18 February 1995. p. 33. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  39. ^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  40. ^ "Oasis – Whatever" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  41. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  42. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (4.2 '95 – 10.2 '95)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 4 February 1995. p. 20. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  43. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Whatever (Re 1)". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  44. ^ "Major Market Airplay: Italy" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 8. 25 February 1995. p. 27.
  45. ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 6, 1995" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  46. ^ "Oasis – Whatever" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  47. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 31/12/1994 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  48. ^ "Oasis – Whatever". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  49. ^ "Oasis – Whatever". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  50. ^ "Official Singles Chart on 31/12/1994 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  51. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of November 5, 2025". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  52. ^ "Official Singles Chart on 28/2/2025 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  53. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1994". Music Week. 14 January 1995. p. 9.
  54. ^ "Árslistinn 1995". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 January 1996. p. 25. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  55. ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 1995" (in Swedish). Topplistan. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  56. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1995". Music Week. 13 January 1996. p. 9.
  57. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1996". Music Week. 18 January 1997. p. 9.
  58. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 17 December 1994. p. 43.
  59. ^ "Oasis | Artist Information". Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Archived from the original on 7 April 2006. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  60. ^ "New Releases – Product Available from : 17/04/95: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 270. 16 April 1995. p. 22.
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