Oasis B-sides |work| Jun 2026

For most bands, B-sides are a graveyard for filler—tracks that weren’t good enough, finished enough, or cohesive enough to make the album. For during their explosive 1994–1998 "Britpop" heyday, the B-sides were a treasure trove of songwriting genius, often superior to the A-sides that preceded them.

The album was a critical and commercial triumph, certifying platinum in the UK and charting globally. For music critics, The Masterplan served as undeniable proof of the band’s songwriting depth. It plays seamlessly as a cohesive studio album, balancing ferocious punk-rock energy ("Headshrinker", "Fade Away") with tender acoustic poetry and expansive psychedelia. The Legacy of the B-Side Era oasis b-sides

Noel grew up buying vinyl singles from formative UK bands like The Smiths and The Jam. These acts treated the single as an art form, providing value for money by putting incredible songs on the flip side. Noel wanted to replicate that relationship with his own audience. Overconfidence in the Studio For most bands, B-sides are a graveyard for

The Strategic Mistake: How Hiding B-Sides Changed Oasis's History For music critics, The Masterplan served as undeniable

(B-side to "Wonderwall"): A cinematic masterpiece complete with a sweeping orchestral arrangement and philosophical lyrics about life and fate. Noel has openly stated that hiding this on the back of the "Wonderwall" single is the biggest regret of his musical career.

: A sprawling, melancholic masterpiece that features some of Liam Gallagher's finest early vocal work and a blistering guitar outro from Noel.

Oasis is famously known for having B-sides that often rivalled, or even surpassed, their A-side singles in quality—a testament to Noel Gallagher's prolific songwriting during the 1990s. Many of these "lost hits" were eventually collected on the seminal 1998 compilation The Masterplan . Essential B-Sides (The Masterplan Era)