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Oasis · S2 E3
Supersonic
The debut single, written and recorded in one night. Noel sings the B-side 'Take Me Away.' A band announces itself to the world.
Pink Museum Studio, Liverpool, December 19, 1993. The rest of the band has gone out for a Chinese takeaway, and Noel Gallagher is alone with a guitar, about to write the most important song of his life in the time it takes them to order.
Oasis, Supersonic (1994). The debut single that was never supposed to exist. Written in half an hour, recorded in a day, released as a demo that was too good to re-record.
Supersonic, Oasis (1994)
The track opens with a distorted guitar riff and Liam drawling 'I need to be myself' with the casual certainty of someone who has never considered being anyone else. It was produced by the band and their live sound engineer Mark Coyle, which is why it sounds more like a gig than a studio recording. Tony Griffiths of Liverpool band The Real People dropped in Beatles-influenced backing vocals that soften the edges just enough. Listen for the way the chorus explodes with no build-up and no warning: three chords hitting like a wall, then pulling back.
Sources
Radio X
Supersonic (Oasis song), Wikipedia
The Wrong Song
Oasis are not here to write 'Supersonic.' They've booked the Pink Museum with Mark Coyle and engineer Dave Scott at £300 a day to record 'Bring It On Down' as their debut single. But the session falls apart over a disagreement about Tony McCarroll's drumming. Everyone goes out for food except Noel, who stays behind with his guitar.
Sources
Radio X
Supersonic (Oasis song), Wikipedia
“While the rest of them were out getting a Chinese, I just sat there with a guitar. The whole thing came together in about half an hour.”
— Noel Gallagher, as recounted in Supersonic documentary, 2016
Pink Museum Studio, Liverpool
Now called the Motor Museum. The studio where Oasis accidentally recorded their debut single in a single session on December 19, 1993.
TAP TO REVEAL: How much did it cost to produce Oasis's debut single?
The Demo That Stayed
When the band comes back from dinner, Noel plays them the new song. They record it that night with Coyle behind the desk. Creation Records hears the tape and decides it doesn't need re-recording. 'Supersonic' is released on April 11, 1994, reaches number 31 in the UK charts, and announces Oasis to the world.
Sources
Supersonic (Oasis song), Wikipedia
Take Me Away, Oasis (1994)
The B-side to 'Supersonic' and the first time Noel Gallagher sings lead on an Oasis release. Where Liam's voice is all swagger and confrontation, Noel sounds exposed and searching. The contrast between the A-side and this B-side tells you everything about the two brothers in three minutes each.
Take Me Away, Oasis (1994)
'So take me away, 'cos I just don't want to stay.' Noel's first lead vocal on an Oasis release, tucked away on a B-side where fewer people would hear it. The contrast with Liam's Supersonic on the flip side is the entire Gallagher dynamic on a single piece of vinyl.
What song was Oasis originally supposed to record as their debut single?
The debut single is out, and the next one is about to land Oasis in court. 'Shakermaker' borrows a melody that belongs to someone else, and the lawyers are already circling.
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