Whatever

"Whatever"
Single by Oasis
Released	18 December 1994
Format	CD, 7" vinyl, 12" vinyl, cassette
Recorded	Rockfield Studios (South Wales), 1994
Genre	Rock, Britpop, symphonic rock
Length	6:21
Label	Creation
Writer(s)	Noel Gallagher, Neil Innes.
Producer	Owen Morris, Noel Gallagher, Dave Batchelor
Oasis singles chronology
"Cigarettes & Alcohol" (1994) "Whatever" (1994) "Some Might Say" (1995)

"Whatever" is a single by English rock band Oasis, written by the band's lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. It was released on December 18, 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?. "Whatever" entered the UK Singles Chart at #3, their first single to enter the top 5, something every Oasis single released since has also accomplished, aside from the download-only single "Lord Don't Slow Me Down", "I'm Outta Time" and "Falling Down". Like "Lord Don't Slow Me Down," this is a non-album release. The strings were played by the London Session Orchestra which featured former ELO violinist Wilf Gibson. The strings were arranged by Nick Ingham and Noel Gallagher.

Part of the song's melody was lifted from Neil Innes' song "How Sweet to Be an Idiot". Innes successfully sued Oasis for plagiarism and was awarded subsequent royalties.^[1] The portion of the melodic line in question accompanies the lyrics "I'm free, to be whatever I" of the Gallagher version.

When Oasis performed the song for Top of the Pops, they mimed and one of the cello players from the string ensemble was replaced by Bonehead, who clearly had no idea how the instrument was supposed to be played. Towards the end of the song, he gave up the pretense and started using the bow to conduct. A woman played his rhythm guitar. The song was introduced by Damon Albarn of Blur who would later famously feud with Oasis. As Albarn introduced the song, the Gallagher brothers made hand gestures behind him [1], which only served to heighten the feud between the bands.

"Whatever" has been performed live by Oasis many times, sometimes with the string arrangement which accompanies the single version, sometimes without. They often end live versions of the song with lyrics adapted from The Beatles song "Octopus's Garden". They have also been known to add the lines "All the young blues....carry the news...," in reference to the Mott the Hoople (originally written by David Bowie) song "All the Young Dudes". The "blues" are the fans of the Gallaghers' beloved Manchester City Football Club. At their famous performances at Knebworth in August 1996, the song was accompanied throughout by harmonica player Mark Feltham.

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" would later be chosen as the theme tune to The Royle Family.

"Whatever" spent a total of 50 weeks on the UK Singles chart, more than any Oasis single to date.

Track listings

• CD CRESCD 195

1. "Whatever" - 6:21
2. "(It's Good) to Be Free" - 4:18
3. "Half the World Away" - 4:25
4. "Slide Away" - 6:31

• 7" CRE 195

1. "Whatever" - 6:19
2. "(It's Good) to Be Free" - 4:18

• 12" CRE 195T

1. "Whatever" - 6:19
2. "(It's Good) to Be Free" - 4:18
3. "Slide Away" - 6:31

• Cassette CRECS 195

1. "Whatever" - 6:19
2. "(It's Good) to Be Free" - 4:18

• Japanese EP ESCA 6127

1. "Whatever"
2. "(It's Good) to Be Free"
3. "Fade Away"
4. "Listen Up"
5. "Half the World Away"
6. "I Am the Walrus (Live at the Glasgow Cathouse)"

Chart positions

References