Oasis was an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally kno… Read Full Bio ↴Oasis was an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as the Rain, the group initially consisted of Liam Gallagher (lead vocals, tambourine), Paul Arthurs (guitar), Paul McGuigan (bass guitar) and Tony McCarroll (drums). Liam's older brother Noel (lead guitar, vocals) later joined as a fifth member, finalising the group's core lineup. During the course of their existence, they had various lineup changes, with the Gallagher brothers remaining the only staple members.

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)

Cigarettes & Alcohol
Oasis Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Is it my imagination
Or have I finally found something worth living for?
I was looking for some action
But all I found was cigarettes and alcohol

You could wait for a lifetime
To spend your days in the sunshine
You might as well do the white line

'Cause when it comes on top

You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen

Is it worth the aggravation
To find yourself a job when there's nothing worth working for?
It's a crazy situation
But all I need are cigarettes and alcohol

You could wait for a lifetime
To spend your days in the sunshine
You might as well do the white line
'Cause when it comes on top

You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen
You've gotta make it happen

You've gotta, you've gotta
You've gotta make it
You've gotta, you've gotta
You've gotta fake it
You've gotta, you've gotta
You've gotta make it

You've gotta, you've gotta
You've gotta fake it, woo

Overall Meaning

In the opening lines of Oasis's song "Cigarettes & Alcohol," the lead singer, Liam Gallagher, begins by questioning whether what he's experiencing is real or not. He wonders if he has finally found something worth living for, after spending his time searching for action, only to find himself surrounded by cigarettes and alcohol. The theme of the song revolves around the disillusionment of youth - the feeling that there is nothing much to live for except the distractions of cigarettes and alcohol.

The chorus of the song highlights the reality of a world where one must make things happen for themselves. It is a motivational call to action, urging listeners to take control and make things happen in their lives. The lyrics proclaim that if you end up on top, you have to make it happen. The frustration of not finding a worthwhile job, and the idea of wasting your days under the sun lead to a crazy situation, and in the end, all one needs are cigarettes and alcohol to distract themselves from the monotony of it all.

The song ultimately leaves us with the impression that in a world where work does not provide any fulfillment, and there seems to be nothing worth living for, all we have left are the things that distract us. Oasis's "Cigarettes & Alcohol" is a stark and poignant commentary on the disillusionment of youth and the search for meaning in a world that requires one to make their own purpose.

Line by Line Meaning

Is it my imagination
I'm not sure if I'm imagining this, but maybe I've finally found something that's really worth living for.

Or have I finally found something worth living for?
Maybe I've found something that's worth living my life for.

I was looking for some action
I was hoping to find something exciting and thrilling.

But all I found was cigarettes and alcohol
Instead, all I found were vices like smoking and drinking.

You could wait for a lifetime
You might have to wait your whole life.

To spend your days in the sunshine
For the chance to enjoy life in the sun-filled days.

You might as well do the white line
But sometimes, you might as well just do drugs ('the white line') to enjoy life.

Cause when it comes on top
Because when you rise to the top in life or your job, things get intense.

You've gotta make it happen
You have to strive and make things happen for yourself.

You've gotta make it happen
Again and again, you have to make it happen by yourself.

You've gotta make it happen
No one else can make it happen for you.

You've gotta make it happen
Only you can make it happen, just like you control your own life.

Is it worth the aggravation
Is it really worth it to suffer and deal with aggravation?

To find yourself a job when there's nothing worth working for?
To work for a job that you don't really care about and doesn't offer any true value.

It's a crazy situation
It's a nonsensical or irrational situation.

But all I need are cigarettes and alcohol
But all they need are vices like smoking and drinking.