Whatever (Oasis song)

"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.

History

At six minutes and twenty-one seconds, "Whatever" was the longest single the band had released up to that point. The song follows an AB structure, which differs from Verse-Chorus, as the main hook occurs at the beginning of the song. The song suddenly changes key during the bridge, before returning to the main chord progression of the song, which repeats for a two-and-a-half-minute outro in which, one by one, each instrument cuts out until only the strings are playing. Finally, the song ends with an extended, recorded applause track.

The Christmas single<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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?. "Whatever" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 3. 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. The orchestration was arranged by Nick Ingman and Noel Gallagher.

"Whatever" has sold 600,000 copies in the United Kingdom as of 2017, receiving a platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).<ref name="bpi"/> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The song has been used by Coca-Cola in its 2012 campaign celebrating its 125th anniversary<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} Template:Cbignore</ref> and also in Italian Vodafone commercials.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was also used by Asahi Breweries for their Asahi Off beer commercials in Japan.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} Template:Cbignore</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} Template:Cbignore</ref>

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."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.

Live performances

{{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||date=__DATE__ |$B= {{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||date=__DATE__ |$B= Template:Ambox }} }} "Whatever" had been performed live by Oasis many times, sometimes with the string arrangement which accompanies the single version, sometimes without. They often ended live versions of the song with lyrics adapted from the Beatles song "Octopus's Garden". They had also been known to add the lines "All the young blues Template:Sic....carry the news...", in reference to the David Bowie song "All the Young Dudes" (first recorded by Mott the Hoople), with the changing of "dudes" to "Blues" being a reference to the then nickname of Man City. At their famous performances at Maine Road in April and Knebworth in August 1996, the song was accompanied throughout by harmonica player Mark Feltham.

Noel Gallagher later revisited "Whatever", adding the song to his setlist during his first tour with his band High Flying Birds. Both he and Liam still perform the song semi-regularly on tour.

The song was included on the setlists for both Liam's Definitely Maybe 30th Anniversary Tour and the band's Live '25 Tour, utilising the strings arrangement for both tours.

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. "(It's Good) to Be Free" was mentioned by Liam under the name "Live by the Sea" before its official release.

Track listings

All tracks were written by Noel Gallagher.Template:Efn Template:Col-begin Template:Col-2

• UK and European single (CD)<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

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

• UK single (12-inch)<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

1. "Whatever"Template:Nbsp – 6:21
2. "(It's Good) to Be Free"Template:Nbsp – 4:18
3. "Slide Away"Template:Nbsp – 6:31

• UK single (cassette, 7-inch)<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
• French single (CD, 7-inch)<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

1. "Whatever"Template:Nbsp – 6:20
2. "(It's Good) to Be Free"Template:Nbsp – 4:19

• Australian single (cassette)<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

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

• Japanese EP (CD)<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

1. "Whatever"Template:Nbsp – 6:20
2. "(It's Good) to Be Free"Template:Nbsp – 4:21
3. "Fade Away"Template:Nbsp – 4:14
4. "Listen Up"Template:Nbsp – 6:40
5. "Half the World Away"Template:Nbsp – 4:23
6. "I Am the Walrus" (live at Glasgow Cathouse, June '94)Template:Nbsp – 8:16

Personnel

• Liam Gallagher – lead vocals, tambourine
• Noel Gallagher – lead guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
• Paul Arthurs – rhythm guitar, piano
• Paul McGuigan – bass guitar
• Tony McCarroll – drums
• Uncredited – orchestra, handclaps

Charts

Weekly charts

Template:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chart

Chart (1994–1995)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	19
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>	9
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	3
Italy Airplay (Music & Media)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	5
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	2

Template:Single chart

Chart (2024–2025)	Peak position
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	11

Year-end charts

Chart (1994)	Position
UK Singles (OCC)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	67

Chart (1995)	Position
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	18
Sweden (Topplistan)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	57
UK Singles (OCC)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	80

Chart (1996)	Position
UK Singles (OCC)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	80

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Template:Abbr
United Kingdom	19 December 1994	Template:Hlist	Creation	<ref name="RadioX"/><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Japan	22 December 1994	CD	Epic	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Australia	17 April 1995	Template:Hlist	Creation	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>