Why WONDERWALL Is So Popular

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It’s been a quarter-of-a-century since the release of “Wonderwall.” The britpop-belter remains one of the most iconic songs of the 90s and is officially the first track from that decade to surpass one billion streams on Spotify. Oasis’ most popular tune, topped the charts in over a dozen countries and continually ranks among the best tracks of all time -- beating the likes of “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Stairway to Heaven” and “Let It Be” (The Best British Song of All Time, Virgin Radio).
Whether it's the open-mic night at the pub or that one friend who brought a guitar to the party, the love song’s legacy continues to endure. But what is it about “Wonderwall” that has listeners and budding guitarists returning to it over two decades later?
Well, it is a tune. But let’s take a closer look at what made “Wonderwall” so popular.
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#Middle8 #Oasis #Wonderwall
This video is sponsored by CuriosityStream
Written, voiced and edited by Frank Furtado
Additional Music by Matthew McClelland

[@Middle8]

Listen to the PlayM8 Podcast: PlayM8Podcast.com

[@emdiar6588]

1. You played Live Forever and told us it was Supersonic. 2. The sibling feud was and is ongoing, and the Brit Pop Battle with Blur happened AFTER they had recorded WTSMG and were planning to release Roll With It as a single, on the same day as Blur released Country House, not "Before they headed to Rockfield Studios to record [it]" as you claim. 3. "a Mellotron that simulates an orchestra..," ? No. It simulates a cello. 4. You got the key and the chords wrong. It's in F#m and the verse chords are F#m7, A, Esus4, B7sus4, played with a capo on the second fret with the top 2 drone notes of A and E being barred by the pinky on the 5th fret of the A and B strings throughout. 5. It's easy to sing? Really? Not so much wrong as a matter of opinion. The F# sung (like a high E string fretted at the 14th fret) for the first syllable of "anybody" in the line "I don't believe that anybody..." is a problem for many a would-be karaoke hero to hit in 'chest voice' mode, ala Liam, causing many an off-key falsetto attempt to go horribly wrong. These days Noel plays the song in a different key in order to be able to reach it. You are good at making videos, but your musical knowledge needs some work.

[@garchompion8848]

Talk about Definitely Maybe please

[@Middle8]

"Live Forever"*

[@bilbobagginsjr1843]

About to write that

[@bigmantim4660]

I was about to correct you!

[@prakhar242]

Lol

[@BxEshadow]

I was like on no he didn't

[@Leonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn]

you also got the chords wrong

[@eric101567jedi]

Oasis : Writes a song called “Don’t look back in anger” Also Oasis : Looks back in anger

[@drewkellymusic5486]

I covered this song! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn3Ip2h4brWFj5o

[@jackhrp2280]

Shut up

[@kannachthemusiclover2869]

*Only Noel

[@worksuckiknow679]

Nice :)

[@worksuckiknow679]

Umm that was true

[@markparikh4000]

I can just see you smugly smiling after saying "anyway, that's Wonderwall" Lmao

[@drewkellymusic5486]

I covered this song! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn3Ip2h4brWFj5o

[@NaomiHoefs]

I feel this song is still so popular because everybody has an memory with it, because it so mainstream. It could be that one guy with his guitar at camp, or singing this at the end of a long night out or singing it with friends and people you don't know all chiming in.

[@1stdragon123]

So its popular because it's popular, fair enough

[@thenavigator2559]

@@1stdragon123 that's what I was thinking lol

[@MrThedonhead]

Yeah so why was it popular back then?

[@lordbuddybear]

Yeah, it's probably the asshole with the guitar at camp

[@drewkellymusic5486]

I covered this song! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn3Ip2h4brWFj5o

[@thecitrus4645]

01:08 thats not Supersonic man. thats Live forever!

[@henryshriberfilm]

I saw that too!

[@liamgeorge4182]

Someone else thank god triggered me so hard

[@hantruong9694]

I was gonna comment this

[@hola_soy_ema]

*Slaps table* Thank you!

[@xavbarsky7068]

Vid sorta lost credibility after that blunder

[@briankeogh335]

Here in ireland and definitely in the UK “don’t look back in anger” is probably even more popular

[@congealedbox7854]

I prefer it too honestly

[@k4lashni7ov35]

Yh that's what I thought as well.

[@nerdynautilus5373]

I think it’s a much better song

[@danielg0606]

@Jorg nah, oasis wouldn’t have been the same without liam

[@danielg0606]

@Jorg that’s your opinion. i don’t think that’s true though

[@rnrtruestories]

always loved oasis, it's a shame these guys never put their differences aside.

[@antoniobatelier]

I would say is a miracle they stayed together for so long

[@rnrtruestories]

@Luke thanks

[@vagabond4113]

Word on the internet says that Liam reached out to Noel this year. I couldn't believe it when I read it. Lockdown is affecting everyone

[@sammcivor1885]

They haven’t put their differences aside because Liam is so on and off. He’ll come out one day saying he loves Noel but the next thing you know he’s slagging him off on social media

[@mistersonnen848]

Why is it so hard to understand this? Once the fruit basket is tampered with, Noel is outta there

[@StefC10]

Life long Oasis-fan, started with Wonderwall, got curious to their music, fell in love with all their 'better' songs ... And somehow, you always get back to listening Wonderwall over and over again for a brief period of time. It's nostalgia, it's the song of a generation. An anthem. God I wish they'd have one last concert together, or at least get along and have a laugh together.

[@bumbudapurroyco9893]

I love oasis because liam. I know oasis from don't look back in anger, but im not that interested in noel's voice. When the first time i heard wonderwall i immediately like oasis and beginning to listen all their albums

[@badgasaurus4211]

@@bumbudapurroyco9893 Exact same story for me too

[@MrIcaru5]

Dont look back in anger was actually the first song I heard from them. But Stand by Me is my number 1

[@bumbudapurroyco9893]

My number 1 is live forever

[@StefC10]

@@bumbudapurroyco9893 nothing beats Live Forever for me as well!

[@AkitaSyn]

“It’s been a quarter of a century since the release of Wonderwall” Me: * blinks slowly while having a existential crisis. *

[@osmosisp]

I don't think Wonderwall vocals are easy, maybe not that hard to sing, but haven't heard that many covers that actually sounds alright.

[@badgasaurus4211]

Yeah the notes aren’t hard but to sing it like Liam does very few do. He’s full on every note

[@gloomsdoom649]

Yeah he has very clean vocals

[@ibtisilorh]

I suggest you listen to Boyce Avenue

[@PeterPauls]

@Luke Liam is a baritone, Noel is a tenor. So Liam had a special voice, and even today after his voice went through changes it’s very unique and grabs the listener and pulls in. 1 man born with the same vocal strength in every decade with that kind of stand out vocals.

[@thierryhenry674]

Try to play the lead guitar note by note. It’s not simple. And I don’t mean it’s hard to play. Just try to write a lead guitar line like that, and you will know what I mean. What makes Noel so special is his songwriting ability. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHenYYOAoJKFh5I

[@turgondoitean1378]

You never realize how amazing Wonderwall really is as a song until you listen really closely or you listen to the isolated parts. On the surface if you just listen casually you miss out a ton of beautiful sound.

[@emmalynmeyer6646]

"It's Oasis's most overrated songs, but it's definitely one of their best." sums it up perfectly cheers

[@casualsoundenjoyer]

Anyway, here’s Wonderwall. :)))))))))))))))))))

[@wagwim3220]

1:07 "supersonic"... man supersonic changed since I last heard the album

[@benchwashere]

1:07 'supersonic' *plays live forever*

[@jones848]

yeah

[@Middle8]

I changed my mind but not my title apparently. Whoops.

[@howitzer4041]

@@Middle8 lol

[@realroy999]

Its genuinely a great and simple song for guitar beginners, thats it.

[@lordbuddybear]

Yes, that's the fantastic and terrible thing about it

[@mouthman_]

still barely anyone strums it correctly.

[@k4lashni7ov35]

In England, I think Dont look back in anger is more iconic. Before Man Citeh home games, we always play Wonderwall though.

[@drewkellymusic5486]

I covered this song! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn3Ip2h4brWFj5o

[@slewy6351]

CTID

[@k4lashni7ov35]

@@slewy6351 CTID 💙

[@startracker5895]

@Luke yeah same here!

[@AS-mw6pw]

We used to play Role With It before matches when we were at Maine Road

[@midgekin]

The animation and editing in this vid is NEXT LEVEL! Nice one!

[@marcocastellano2451]

Wonderwall, Cast no Shadow, Dont Look Back, the trifecta of perfection

[@thereefster]

you forgot champagne supernova

[@marcocastellano2451]

@@thereefster I would say that is #4. WtSMG is an AMAZING album. Too bad Noel is a first class asshole. #teamliam

[@user-lw1iw9bg9y]

anyways, here's wonderwall. There's wonderwall. Everywhere's wonderwall. Wonderwall is an endless, inescapable void of suffering. Give in to wonderwall.

[@TonyWalkerIsYourBestFriend]

Liam's voice at that time was untouchable. He is very heavy in the mix of that song as well, especially in the beginning. Noel is the best songwriter of our time. Oasis have so many great tracks, their B-sides are genius as well.

[@jakejohnston3788]

As a person who plays guitar, the amount of times I’ve been asked to play this that if I got a pound for every time someone asked, i would be a billionaire right now

[@brentbare3698]

Wonderwall is one of my all-time favorite songs...

[@sebastiancrowson7042]

Same

[@anupamakallidukkil8771]

You should make a video on Grimes, you're just so good at editing...it's amazing how vivid your analysis is. Good job! you deserve way more recognition.

[@maximiIiaan]

the cough at the beginning always gets me

[@cornflakesyuh3235]

It’s actually at the end of Roll With It

[@i_make_shite_content]

What you on about there ain’t a cough you bellend

[@maximiIiaan]

@@i_make_shite_content yes there is, listen to the normal non-remastered version on Spotify or Apple Music (and lol bellend)

[@cornflakesyuh3235]

@@maximiIiaan it’s not originally at the beginning of the track on all other versions including the single and the album

[@i_make_shite_content]

@@maximiIiaan nah man the coughs on roll with it

[@originaozz]

It's the song that got me hooked to Oasis. Their songs just express so much of the inner turmoil, the need to find solace in someone, repress anger, and past regrets that just makes it all timeless. Gems like Wonderwall, Champagne Supernova, Stand by Me, Don't Look Back in Anger, and Live Forever are perfection, would love to see middle8 take on other songs too.

[@ElectriKiwi]

This dude deserves so much more attention than he gets

[@jamesraymondsmith]

Oh it’s getting much more attention than it should have

[@mattkraig]

MAN, your videos are so entertaining. Keep killing it, Middle 8!

[@deepanjalisharma8749]

What I love about Wonderwall is how it kind of portrays a tough person, who's not used to showing emotions, becoming vulnerable. It’s like being so deeply in love that you can’t help but be honest and open. The song isn’t cheesy but beautifully vulnerable with a tiny bit of edge and I love that.

[@anthonydavis5288]

It's one of those songs that imprints itself to anyone who let's it. I find it calming and addictive

[@Melophile74]

Im so happy I saw them live back in 2002 at Coachella

[@theheelsynergy]

It’s always a good day when this guy uploads

[@Hayzie3]

At our school, there's a disco every year that holds significant value to the life of the college. At the end of the disco, 2 songs are sung by everybody: out school anthem and this. When singing this, we all hold each others back in a giant circle with our phone's lights turned on, and it's the most heavy thing I've ever seen.

[@Princeify]

Wonderwall always reminds me of a four day trip I took to see my sister play in a softball tournament. It was the only song I had on my phone at the time and I listened to it on repeat the whole time.

[@Jakew9]

Oasis is much more than Wonderwall, I recommend for everyone to listen to them more

[@rizvanxd8724]

Facxx

[@andersforsell1728]

Even if you stay off the albums and just listen to the B-sides, you have 15-20 great songs

[@Exventory]

I gotta say. You have some of the best editing that I've ever seen before.

[@YetiCoolBrother]

I first heard of this song when Noel Gallagher was quoted as being upset that Jay-Z was headlining Glastonbury Music Festival, so Jay performed this song as the first song in his set lol. Legendary shit, great song too.

[@chasingtheclouds]

Once people realize you play the guitar, Wonderwall is one of the most frequently requested songs that they want you to play. While the chords are pretty simple, I often struggle with the strumming pattern though.

[@johnwick9358]

Its because on the recording theres 2 acoustic guitars playing which is why it never wuite sounds right

[@jackocallaghan8659]

1:07 hate to break it to you, that's live forever

[@awsomepossum210]

Whoever added that mallatron track is a f***ing genius...

[@badgasaurus4211]

Noel or Owen Morris the producer

[@c1audius]

I used to be friends with a busker and I would sing this with him for the masses at pub/bar closing time. We would sing and play (and avoid drunken fights) late into the night and the following morning. Sadly he passed away a few years ago. RIP Rivington. This song is so important to me and it lights people up. Oasis will truly Live Forever

[@subz81]

Was waiting for the last line, did not disappoint :)

[@Jack-sk3we]

middle 8: anyway, here’s wonderwall

[@dominicsc9225]

Came to your channel when I was looking for vids about RadioHead and still haven’t left. Thanks for showing me so much more music

[@johnlennon193]

I always thought that Wonderwall didn't represent the band well they are tight solid rock n roll band. Songs like Acquiesce, Live Forever, Champagne Supernova, and Slide away best represented the band better

[@alsenar2]

It's a beautiful melodie. Has good and meaningful lyrics that everybody can somehow relate to and most important...it's an easy song. Easy to sing, easy to play.

[@arenddelabie7608]

Middle8 before creating this; "today is gonna be the day, that I'm gonna make a Wonderwall video"

[@teddythebearYOUTUBE]

Underrated comment

[@arenddelabie7608]

@@teddythebearKZbin ikr

[@Georgia.J]

"Kept off the top spot in the UK by..Robson and Jerome."😨 Everyone who is British MUST have felt that.😃 I'm sitting in my room alone and I still wanted to crawl under the table.

[@Wildernessoutside]

Because it’s an anthem of a generation ,it was my anthem of a miss spent youth ,20 years later still makes me feel like a 20 year old

[@henryshriberfilm]

saw oasis, and middle 8, had to click

[@drewkellymusic5486]

I covered this song! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn3Ip2h4brWFj5o

[@GeneralOlde]

I’ll always love Neil Cicierega’s mashup of it.

[@unclebruncle]

unironically wallspin is a banger

[@MrThedonhead]

Because of the sparse sound, the acoustic guitar riff through it ,the hooks, and Liams vocal delivery coming straight out!. A brilliant song people put it dii I am coz it’s so popular and cooler to say slide away is better. But when you go back to first time hearing it it’s an amazing song and there was nothing like it around.

[@TheDMW360]

for ppl wondering, 1:08 the songs called live forever but supersonic is still a banger regardless

[@moonwalkerkop4479]

1:16 - Him: *Puts "Supersonic" next to the Album cover* Also Him: *Plays Live Forever*

[@flyingnematode]

Biggest band that came out from England since the beatles? How about Queen or Led Zeppelin? Pink Floyd? Rolling Stones?

[@Bubdiddly]

Ikr that part was a joke😂 I think he meant after that era?

[@flyingnematode]

@@Bubdiddly maybe hehehe i was going to say radiohead but their sales isn't that big.... they are just more "consistent"?

[@rizvanxd8724]

@@flyingnematode meh

[@yes-wo7qn]

They were on their way of beating them all till they blew it with be here now

[@satyamsinghh]

@@flyingnematode yeah radiohead killed it with ok computer but that was 1997

[@madeleinep.828]

It also just feels very nostalgic. Even if you're like me and weren't around when the song first came out, you've still definitely heard it somewhere before and it just takes you back, much like with Oasis' other hit singles.

[@sirsurfpycho]

1:08 thats live forever 😂

[@dalandaconde9047]

Was waiting for you to release another KZbin video and was super excited that you came back with a video about my favorite band ever. Anyways, like everyone said, it’s still so popular bc we all have a sentimental moment related to that song. For me it’s related to the French music day (on June 21st) where everyone is celebrating music and performing it in the streets while celebrating the first day of summer too and Wonderwall is always played on that day.

[@CasuallyJapan]

You only move two fingers throughout the whole song, but it’s one of the most recognizable guitar tunes of all time. Noel was a genius.

[@sendhelp9614]

"Supersonic" from Definitly Maybe (plays Live Forever)

[@thegamingspotlightch]

1:07 "Supersonic" proceeds to play Live forever

[@dalfin9286]

Champagne Supernova is 8 minutes long yet it still feels fresh every time I put it on

[@tweettweetjones1262]

Personally, i got behind in music for about 20 years. So i had to search high and low for solid good songs and this one'z definitely high on that new playlist. To me it seems beatlesque in a way. The droning cello is an excellent texture. What makes it great is you have 4 parts: body, pre-chorus, chorus, outro. The song is seamless and sucks you in because of the chord progression. It's so balanced. None of the 4 change-ups outshine the next. They're all equal. This song radiates perfection.👍

[@tannerrobinson5110]

There is even a part of Minnesota United FC's stadium (Allianz Field) that is called "The Wonderwall" because of this song.

[@MrKurtykurt]

I remember I was like 11 and hadn’t yet been allowed to get a CD player like my older brother, so I distinctly remember flipping the cassette tape of What’s the Story (Morning Glory) from A side to B side and back hundreds of times

[@evanphillips570]

Morning Glory was recorded before the battle with blur and the song off definitely maybe was live forever not supersonic

[@lollol-ss7kh]

I have a suggestion: maybe cover something from the smiths next?

[@PatBaalsbmx]

I wish there was a version of Don’t Look Back In Anger with Liams vocals

[@DenKulesteSomFins]

Me too, but I don't think it's in Liam's range. He'd probably struggle with the chorus

[@girlgirl7165]

There is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/faO2qoSol7Rkg6s

[@PatBaalsbmx]

@@girlgirl7165 thanks friend

[@micaharies]

i honest to god think it's just one of the most well put together and catchy songs ever made

[@jakeothy]

The song you labelled Supersonic (at the beginning) is actually Live Forever

[@VolvoImpala]

"One of the best songs of all time, up there with 'Let It Be.'" *CUH-RINGE*

[@robdobson5419]

"It's been a quarter of a century since the release of Wonderwall" Damn you didn't have to do me like that.

[@heelgill]

Biblical. Oasis are legends. I remember hearing most of their songs for the first time..I easily fell in love with them.

[@KhiTurner]

_I covered this song years ago on my channel, don't search it though. Never knew the secrets behind this song_

[@theflowercallednowhere]

MAKE ONE ON MY BLOODY VALENTINE

[@ghostlyarranger]

You should do why "Closing Time" is still being played.

[@spookymulder1209]

Wonderwall is an AMAZING song with anyone can feel a relate and Noel G. is a MASTER of the melody, so catchy and cool.

[@jdisdetermined]

*Live Forever*

[@Aaron8ishop]

Bands like Oasis are what make me proud to be British, despite listening to a lot of 00’s post punk that mainly came out of the US

[@ciggityliggity7039]

Wonderwall makes me cry every time

[@notatall2237]

When the video started I had to check if the speed was set on normal.

[@Madferit91]

To me Liam's vocals make this song so iconic

[@harrycogman4491]

"Supersonic" plays Live Forever

[@kevinnevada5342]

Its popular because its a quintesential 90's song. It wouldnt be a hit today. Or in the 80's. Its the anthem of its time🙁

[@MrThedonhead]

What you talking about?

[@kevinnevada5342]

@@LukasOfTheLight the 90's were a different time. I love oasis...the music that is made at a particular time period is a reflection of that time period. It cant happen any other way..if Nirvana released smells like teen spirit today..would it have the same cultural impact...it happened at a spwcific time for a specific reason...same with wonderwall...

[@kevinnevada5342]

@@LukasOfTheLight maybe...i still dont think the pop of every decade sounds the same.

[@jackdawson5490]

Nah that would be Smells Like Teen Spirit

[@jhubsley]

@@LukasOfTheLight No, OP is right. It's not that Wonderwall wouldn't be a good song if it came out today, it just wouldn't be a #1 hit. That sound just isn't what's popular today.

[@ridethelightning7979]

The song at 1:10 from Definitely Maybe is Live Forever, not Supersonic.

[@browk2512]

I really wouldn't say it was Definitely Maybe that revitalized british pop music by straying away from grunge. The Auteurs, Suede, Blur, Pulp, and Ride were reaching massive audiences quite a while before Definitely Maybe came out.

[@badgasaurus4211]

Oasis was and is the biggest of them though

[@noursarhan8695]

Exactly. Oasis were just the culmination of all of that

[@michaelmccurry7273]

Best thing about wonderwall. Is there’s probably nearly 30 Oasis songs better than it

[@yannsa1994]

It’s all about the melody and the voice

[@crb6468]

1:12 that’s Live Forever not Supersonic 😂

[@Eamesam]

anyone else who loves the music riffs in the background to this video?

[@LeveyHere]

Because it's the song we're gonna throw back to you.

[@Chrisdrau]

Wonderwall and Fireflies both give me a very similar vibe

[@Mitchell4691]

‘Supersonic’ from definitely maybe was actually Live Forever 😂

[@infor99]

Well, is a massive GREAT song. Simple to play, great melody and lyrics that pretty much everybody can relate to. It has this vibe of melancholic happy tune, dont known how to explain it. It's a classic.

[@angelic5424]

I know Jerome Flynn from GoT, and I knew was a musician, but I never knew his band knocked Oasis off the chart at some point. Interesting.

[@paulbadoo9326]

It's one of those songs that simply has it all. One of those that once you listen to one, you never forget. Pure magic.

[@3ffynephrine615]

Every teenage boy’s love song offering.

[@ristra6319]

Except the depressed teenage boys they mostly go for lil peep or Radiohead in my experience

[@AnearPlayz]

I think people should listen to other Oasis songs, their other songs are quite underrated. I found Oasis through wonderwall and via youtube recommendations I found that they made other songs. I realised I actually really enjoy their other songs. From then on I grew in love with Oasis with material from Definitely Maybe and WTSMG. Wonderwall might be one of the best selling Oasis songs and a great tune but Live Forever is mega . Stay mad fer it! Keep up the great work Middle8!

[@guarny4469]

I´ve been waiting so long for an Oasis episode... Thank you so much.