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)
To Be Free
Oasis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I found it in a hole sitting upside down
You point the finger at me but I don't believe
Paint me a wish on a velvet sky
You demand the answers but I don't know why in my mind
There is no time
But the little things they make me so happy
Little things they make me so happy
But it's good it's good it's good to be free
So what would you say if I said to you
It's not in what you say it's in what you do
You point the finger at me but I don't believe
Bring it on home to where we found
My head like a rock sitting upside down
In my mind there is no time
But the little things they make me so happy
All I want to do is live by the sea
Little things they make me so happy
But it's good it's good it's good to be free
The lyrics of "To Be Free" by Oasis are open to interpretation, but some themes and emotions are apparent throughout the song. It seems to be a song about feeling stuck and disorientated, but still finding joy in the small things in life. The repeated line "Head like a rock spinning round and round" suggests a feeling of being lost or dizzy, and the image of being "in a hole sitting upside down" adds to the sense of disorientation. The lyrics also mention someone pointing their finger, perhaps accusing the singer of something, but they refuse to believe it. This could be interpreted as a rejection of external pressures or criticism.
The chorus of the song, "But the little things they make me so happy / All I want to do is live by the sea / Little things they make me so happy / But it's good it's good it's good to be free" reinforces the idea that even in difficult or uncertain times, there are small moments of joy to be found. The image of living by the sea could suggest a desire for peace and tranquillity, or a way of escaping from the stresses of everyday life.
Overall, "To Be Free" is a song about finding happiness and freedom in the face of adversity. The lyrics suggest that life can be confusing and difficult, but that there are always reasons to keep going and opportunities to find joy.
Line by Line Meaning
Head like a rock spinning round and round
I feel so lost and disoriented, like my head is a heavy, unchanging rock that I can't seem to escape from.
I found it in a hole sitting upside down
I discovered this sense of confusion and stuck-ness in a dark, cramped place where I felt completely turned around and disoriented.
You point the finger at me but I don't believe
You're blaming me for things and expecting me to take responsibility, but I don't think it's entirely my fault or something that I should have to deal with alone.
Paint me a wish on a velvet sky
I'm looking for some sort of grand, sweeping gesture or symbol that will represent my deepest desires and give me hope for the future.
You demand the answers but I don't know why in my mind
You keep asking me questions and expecting me to have all the answers, but in my own head, I'm just as confused and uncertain as you are.
There is no time
I feel like time is slipping away from me, and that no matter what I do or how hard I try, I won't be able to catch up or really make a meaningful impact on the world.
But the little things they make me so happy
Despite all the challenges and difficulties I'm facing, there are still small moments of joy and contentment that make life worth living and give me hope for the future.
All I want to do is live by the sea
My dream is to live a simple, idyllic life near the ocean where I can escape from the pressures of the world and find peace in nature.
But it's good it's good it's good to be free
Ultimately, I know that true happiness and fulfillment can only come from being free to pursue my own dreams and desires, even if that means breaking away from the expectations and demands of others.
So what would you say if I said to you
If I were to tell you what's been on my mind lately, how would you react or respond?
It's not in what you say it's in what you do
Words alone aren't enough to convey the depth of my emotions and desires; what really matters is taking action and making a real difference in the world.
Bring it on home to where we found
Let's go back to the beginning, to a simpler time when things were less complicated and we felt more grounded and secure in the world.
My head like a rock sitting upside down
Even though I'm trying to escape from this sense of confusion and disorientation, I still feel trapped and stuck, like my head is a heavy, unyielding rock that won't let me break free.
In my mind there is no time
In my own head, it feels like time has stopped or slowed to a crawl, and that I'm stuck in a kind of eternal present that just keeps stretching out before me with no end in sight.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leegsy
Oasis have, quite possibly, the best B sides ever.
@leeloutournear92
totally agree!
@lobato87
amen. this song and listen up are up there with stand by me
@Wilde-Runner
I wouldn't say possibly ; )
@kiely4561
quite possibly? lol
@Wilde-Runner
Thee above doesnt look like a handful
@christopherbehrens7996
Highly underrated Oasis song, never understood why this wasn't as big as Supersonic.
@genoellilienstern5789
Agreed. The reason might be the mixing is not ideal. Too thin. If you have a listen to the version from the evening session of radio 1 you get an idea how it could have sounded with a more massive, more imersive bass sound. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-mdVMUMuEc
@StayBlur
I have clear memories playing this song while playing Rollercoaster Tycoon on PS1. My dad screaming from the living room to turn that shit down.. My dad died a long time ago but I still hear my old man yelling when I play this song.
@fiveoneyamonkeys3621
That is music for you. This B side album reminds me of my granddad who used to take me to my boys club football and playing this. Think he secretly loved it. Miss that man dearly.