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)
Listen up
Oasis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's the time said today
I'm gonna speak my mind
Take me up to the top of the world
I want to see my crime
Day by day
There's a man in a suit
For the thoughts that you think
And the words they won't let you say
One fine day
Gonna leave you all behind
It wouldn't be so bad
If I had more time
Sailing down a river alone
I've been tryin' to find my way back home
But I don't believe in magic
Life is automatic
But I don't mind being on my own
No I don't mind being on my own
Listen up
What's the time said today
I'm gonna speak my mind
Take me up to the top of the world
I want to see my crime
Day by day
There's a man in a suit
Who's gonna make you pay
For the thoughts that you think
And the words they won't let you say
One fine day
Gonna leave you all behind
Wouldn't be so bad
If I had more time
Sailing down a river alone
I've been tryin' to find my way back home
But I don't believe in magic
Life is automatic
But I don't mind being on my own
No I don't mind being on my own
No I don't mind being on my own
I said that I don't mind being on my own
Sailing down a river alone
I've been tryin' to find my way back home
But I don't believe in magic
Life is automatic
But I don't mind being on my own
I said that I don't mind being on my own
No I don't mind being on my own
I said that I don't mind being on my own
No I don't mind being on my own
I said that I don't mind being on my own
In "Listen Up", Oasis sings about feeling oppressed by society and authority figures who control what people can and cannot say. The song's lyrics emphasize the importance of expressing one's opinions, even if it means going against the norm. The song starts with the singer declaring that he will speak his mind and wants to see his crime, likely referring to the risks involved with expressing potentially unpopular beliefs. He also acknowledges the consequences of speaking out, with the man in the suit mentioned in the second verse representing the forces that may try to make one pay for one's thoughts and words.
Despite the challenges faced in sharing one's beliefs, the song's chorus serves as a hopeful reminder that things will get better. The phrase "One fine day, gonna leave you all behind" expresses an optimistic outlook on the future, suggesting that one day, people will be free to speak their minds without fear of reprisal. The final verses of the song depict the singer sailing down a river alone, searching for his way back home but not believing in magic. While life may be automatic, he does not mind being on his own, suggesting a willingness to stand apart from others and be true to oneself.
Overall, "Listen Up" encourages listeners to find their own voice and speak out against the forces that seek to silence them. The song's message of individualism and self-expression continues to resonate with audiences today.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen up
Pay attention to what I'm about to say
What's the time said today
What's going on in the world today?
I'm gonna speak my mind
I'm going to express my thoughts and opinions freely
Take me up to the top of the world
Allow me to have a larger perspective on things
I want to see my crime
I want to become aware of my mistakes and learn from them
Day by day
Every single day
There's a man in a suit
There are people in power who want to control others
Who's gonna make you pay
They will punish you for being different or expressing yourself
For the thoughts that you think
For having non-conformist thoughts or ideas
And the words they won't let you say
For speaking out against authority or expressing unpopular opinions
One fine day
Someday in the future
Gonna leave you all behind
I will move on and live my life my own way
It wouldn't be so bad
It wouldn't be terrible
If I had more time
If I had more time to live and experience life
Sailing down a river alone
Going through life without anyone else's support or help
I've been tryin' to find my way back home
I'm searching for my own home and place in the world
But I don't believe in magic
I don't believe that there is some sort of supernatural force that will make everything alright
Life is automatic
Life will continue without our intervention or control
But I don't mind being on my own
I don't need anyone else to find my way in life
No I don't mind being on my own
I'm happy to be living life on my own terms
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NOEL GALLAGHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philippe H
Oasis most underrated song by far. And one of their best
Tinship Travels
It's one of my favourites to play along to, the chords are fun.
Ness N
Period.
Alejandra Olmos
Totally agree.
Shuckylad
It is but it’s not underrated. 👌🏻
Vyavuav Vuwbiwniw
With alive and i will believe
RabbidTheNabbit
LITERALLY WAS JUST LISTENING TO THIS ON REPEAT, What a banger, i especially love the walk down before the chorus, the riff in the chorus, that weird bit of feedback with the drums, the solo that comes after it (simple but good) and even the bassline has some cool fills in there as well. Insanely underrated b side ngl
Richtofen
Yeah, it’s fuckin amazing
An S
Mi album favorito precisamente por esta canción 🥰 lástima las pocas veces que la cantaron en vivo😢 los quiero mucho ❤️❤️🫶 recuerdo cuando me acompañaron en mi depresión hace 6 años
Charlie Ruffy
One of Liam’s best vocals on a studio track