Critiquing the Classics: a review of Wonderwall by Oasis // December
- Abhay Liginlal
- Dec 22, 2017
- 3 min read
Today Is Gonna be the Day!
There is no better way to learn guitar than to try and play some of the most iconic songs of the years gone by on your own. A song that could never leave my head (which was very annoying during exams mind you) was Wonderwall by Oasis. Written by the group’s main songwriter Noel Gallagher and produced by Owen Morris, this song was for Oasis’s second studio album named ‘What's the Story, Morning Glory?’. Though various instruments were used throughout this song, including the violin and drums, I thought it would be the most important to look at how the guitar was used given the nature of my blog. I wanted to look at how the guitar was used effectively and the meaning of the lyrics, because that's what I believe gives this piece such character! (image)
The Strum
First off, the guitar in the song itself is simple, yet stunning, especially in the beginning. Only using the 4 chords of (Em7, G, Dsus4 and A7sus4) in its verse and 3 chords in its chorus (Cadd9, Dsus4 and Em7), along with having a relatively simple strumming pattern (seen below), at a quick glance this song looks plain and unimportant, yet it is that simple nature of the song that makes it so catchy. Every chord correlates perfectly with a change in line, and as the sound of the guitar changes to a lower/higher pitches, the lyrics seem to correlate with that tone shift. For example, in verse two there is an evident swell in music between the second and first line, which the lyrics compliment by having a call of action ‘Backbeat, the word is on the street that the fire in your heart is out’ (Get out there, prove the naysayers wrong!). (image)
The Lyrics
The lyrics of Wonderwall also have great meaning and dig deep. The song is about how people feel when they are infatuated with someone, with the song title ‘Wonderwall’ (the feeling of butterflies in your stomach) being fitting for that topic. Within even the first 2 verses and the opening pre-chorus, it makes clear how the song is meant to be relatable to anyone who has had a crush in the past. Some of the most notable lines (and its meanings) being:
"Today is gonna be the day/That they're gonna throw it back to you" (today is your opportunity to express your love. You're going to be in the presence of your secret crush, and you better make your move.)
"I'm sure you've heard it all before/But you never really had a doubt" (This crush has been through it all in the past. She's entered relationships without second guessing and has been hurt because of it.)
My favorite is that of the analogy, where he compares love to roads and lights being winding and blinding.
"And all the roads we have to walk are winding/And all the lights that lead us there are blinding" (Relationships are so complicated and hard to obtain and maintain.)
With powerful lyrics like this, it is no surprise that the song remains iconic in the eyes of many.
But After All, You're my Wonderwall!
Overall any beginner to guitar would love this Oasis song as much as a professional. To quote Nora from my grade: 'This song is such a bop!' Even in 23 years, this song is as relevant to pop culture as a song from The Beatles or the Rolling Stones, and that is a pretty tall order to fill.
(image)
Song of the Month: Wonderwall by Oasis
An iconic song is absolutely worth learning, and that is what song of the month is all about here on this blog! With all the praise I give Wonderwall, I feel it's only fair that i play it as well. Since it is a very simple song, I decided to show how to do the intro and sing along as well!
Special thanks to Walker for his amazing Guitar, you can check out his blog here!
(album image)
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