Oasis signed to independent record label Creation Records in 1993 and released their record-setting debut album Definitely Maybe (1994). The following year they recorded (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995) with drummer Alan White, in the midst of a chart rivalry with peers Blur. Spending ten weeks at number one on the UK Albums Chart, (What's the Story) Morning Glory? was also an international chart success and became one of the best-selling albums of all time. In addition, it stands as the fifth-best-selling album in the UK and the biggest-selling album in the UK of the 1990s. The Gallagher brothers featured regularly in tabloid newspapers for their disputes and wild lifestyles. In 1996, Oasis performed two nights at Knebworth for an audience of 125,000 each time, the largest outdoor concerts in UK history at the time. In 1997, Oasis released their third album, Be Here Now. It became the fastest-selling album in UK chart history.
Oasis' popularity later declined and McGuigan and Arthurs left in 1999 as Oasis released Standing on the Shoulder of Giants (2000). They were replaced by former Heavy Stereo guitarist Gem Archer and former Ride guitarist Andy Bell. White departed in 2004, replaced by Zak Starkey and later Chris Sharrock. Oasis released three more studio albums, Heathen Chemistry (2002), Don't Believe the Truth (2005) and Dig Out Your Soul (2008). The group abruptly disbanded after the departure of Noel Gallagher in August 2009.
As of 2009, Oasis had sold over 70 million records worldwide. They are among the most successful acts on the UK Singles Chart and Albums Chart, with eight UK number-one singles and eight UK number-one albums. The band also achieved three platinum albums in the US. They won 17 NME Awards, nine Q Awards, four MTV Europe Music Awards and six Brit Awards, including one in 2007 for Outstanding Contribution to Music and one for the "Best Album of the Last 30 Years" for (What's the Story) Morning Glory?. They were nominated for two Grammy Awards.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(band)
Studio albums
Definitely Maybe (1994)
(What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)
Be Here Now (1997)
Standing on the Shoulder of Giants (2000)
Heathen Chemistry (2002)
Don't Believe the Truth (2005)
Dig Out Your Soul (2008)
Members:
Liam Gallagher – vocals (1991–2009)
Noel Gallagher – lead guitar, vocals (1991–2009)
Paul Arthurs - rhythm guitar (1991–1999)
Gem Archer – rhythm guitar (1999–2009)
Paul McGuigan – bass guitar (1991–1999)
Andy Bell (Oasis) – bass guitar (1999–2009)
Tony McCarroll – drums (1991–1995)
Alan White (Oasis) – drums (1995–2004)
Zak Starkey – drums (2004–2008)
Chris Sharrock – drums (2008–2009)
Bonehead's Bank Holiday
Oasis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To get away for a holiday
So I can see the sun
'Cause in the sun they say it's fun
If you can get some
Well I could take a train or a boat or an aeroplane
Or I could steal a car
'Cause in a car you can go far
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
What kind of car you are
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
I met a funny looking girl
On a crowded beach in Spain
Her name was Avaline
She said she came to Spain to have a good time
But she was with her mum
Who had a face like a nun in pain
She said her name was Dot
She didn't half talk a lot
I couldn't tell if she was mad or not
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Don't you know - I should have stayed in England
On my polluted beach - with all my special friends
Don't you know - I should have stayed in England
With my big house and my big car
And all my friend are there at the bar
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
You know I need a little break
To get away for a holiday
So I can see the sun
'Cause in the sun they say it's fun
If you can get some
Well I could take a train or a boat or an aeroplane
Or I could steal a car
'Cause in a car you can go far
It just depends on what kind of car you are
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
What kind of car you are
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
The opening lines of “Bonehead’s Bank Holiday” convey a sense of escapism – the singer is feeling the need to take a little break and get away for a holiday, to see some sun and have some fun. The repetition of “la la la” throughout the song adds to the carefree, lighthearted tone. The singer considers various modes of transportation – train, boat, aeroplane – but also mentions stealing a car, which could be seen as reckless or daring. The line “'Cause in a car you can go far / Just depends on what kind of car you are” could be interpreted in a few ways. It could be taken quite literally – a fast, expensive car would enable the driver to cover more distance in a shorter amount of time. Or it could be more metaphorical, suggesting that one’s car – or more broadly, one’s possessions – play a significant role in defining who they are and how they are perceived.
The latter interpretation is reinforced by the later verses, when the singer encounters a girl named Avaline and her mother, Dot. Avaline is presented as a bit of a free spirit, “in Spain to have a good time,” while Dot is described as having “a face like a nun in pain” and talking a lot. The singer seems to find Avaline amusing and interesting, but is put off by her association with her mother, and by the fact that they’re not on a particularly lively beach. This leads him to regret having left England, where he has a big house, a big car, and presumably a lively social scene. The song ends by returning to the opening theme, with the singer still seeking a little break, and considering various ways to make an escape.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I need a little break
The singer is acknowledging their need to rest and take some time off.
To get away for a holiday
The singer is planning on going on vacation.
So I can see the sun
The singer wants to enjoy sunny weather during their holiday.
'Cause in the sun they say it's fun
The artist believes that being in the sun can be enjoyable.
If you can get some
The artist is acknowledging that not everyone has equal access to sun and sunshine.
Well I could take a train or a boat or an aeroplane
The singer is listing possible modes of transportation for their trip.
Or I could steal a car
The singer is making a joke about stealing a car as a method of transportation.
'Cause in a car you can go far
The artist is acknowledging the practicality of driving a car for long distances.
Just depends on what kind of car you are
The artist is continuing the joke about stealing a car and making it contingent on the car's quality.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
This line does not have a specific meaning and is more of a filler for the song.
What kind of car you are
The singer is repeating the joke about stealing a car and making it contingent on the car's quality.
I met a funny looking girl
The artist is recounting a past experience of meeting a girl.
On a crowded beach in Spain
The girl the singer met was on a Spanish beach that was busy with people.
Her name was Avaline
The girl's name was Avaline.
She said she came to Spain to have a good time
Avaline told the singer that she came to Spain to enjoy herself.
But she was with her mum
Avaline was not alone, but rather with her mother.
Who had a face like a nun in pain
The artist is describing the appearance of Avaline's mother.
She said her name was Dot
Avaline's mother's name was Dot.
She didn't half talk a lot
Dot was a talkative person.
I couldn't tell if she was mad or not
The artist was unsure if Dot was upset or not due to her animated behavior and talking.
Don't you know - I should have stayed in England
The artist is critical of themselves for leaving England and possibly encountering an unpleasant vacation experience.
On my polluted beach - with all my special friends
The artist is suggesting that their English beach may not have been ideal, but they had enjoyable company.
With my big house and my big car
The singer is emphasizing the advantages of staying in their home country.
And all my friend are there at the bar
The artist believes that they would be surrounded by their friends and could enjoy the nightlife in England.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Noel Gallagher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adrianne Fraser
on Wonderwall
Adriannefraser