Whatever (Oasis song)

History

At six minutes and twenty-one seconds, "Whatever" was the longest single the band had released up to that point (it was later surpassed by "Champagne Supernova", "D'You Know What I Mean?" and "All Around the World"). The song follows an AB structure, which differs from Verse-Chorus, as the main hook occurs at the beginning of the song. The song suddenly changes key during the bridge, before returning to the main chord progression of the song, which repeats for a two-and-a-half-minute outro in which, one by one, each instrument cuts out until only the strings are playing. Finally, the song ends with an extended, recorded applause track. A common word on the Japanese festivals' mikoshi is used at the end of the song.

The Christmas single was released on 18 December 1994 as a stand-alone single, bridging the gap between Oasis' debut album, Definitely Maybe, and their second album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?. "Whatever" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 3, their first single to enter the top 5, something every Oasis single released since has also accomplished, aside from the download-only single "Lord Don't Slow Me Down", "I'm Outta Time" and "Falling Down". Like "Lord Don't Slow Me Down", this is a non-album release, but as it is a single it has been included on the compilation album Time Flies... 1994–2009 which features all 27 of Oasis' singles released in the UK. The strings were played by the London Session Orchestra which featured former Electric Light Orchestra violinist Wilfred Gibson. The strings were arranged by Nick Ingman and Noel Gallagher.

"Whatever" has sold 540,000 copies to date. The song re-entered the UK Singles Chart on 20 June 2010 at number 64, due to the release of Time Flies, and was the first time that it had been available to purchase digitally.

The song has been used by Coca-Cola in its 2012 campaign celebrating its 125th anniversary and also in Italian Vodafone commercials. It was also used by Asahi Breweries for their Asahi Off beer commercials in Japan.

Authorship dispute

Neil Innes sued the band claiming the song borrowed portions of his song "How Sweet to Be an Idiot". Innes and Oasis settled a plagiarism lawsuit and received songwriting credit. The portion of the melodic line in question accompanies the lyrics "I'm free to be whatever I" of the Gallagher version.

Music video

The video was filmed on 5 December 1994 in a white room in black and white at Malcolm Ryan Studios in London. Members of the London Session Orchestra and ELO can be seen throughout the video.

Live performances

"Whatever" had been performed live by Oasis many times, sometimes with the string arrangement which accompanies the single version, sometimes without. They often ended live versions of the song with lyrics adapted from The Beatles song "Octopus's Garden". They had also been known to add the lines "All the young blues [sic]....carry the news...," in reference to the Mott the Hoople (originally written by David Bowie) song "All the Young Dudes". At their famous performances at Knebworth in August 1996, the song was accompanied throughout by harmonica player Mark Feltham.

Noel Gallagher later revisited "Whatever," adding the song to his setlist during his first tour with his band High Flying Birds.

B-sides

One of the single's B-sides, "Slide Away", was already featured on their debut album, Definitely Maybe. The other two — "(It's Good) To Be Free" and "Half the World Away" — were later featured on the B-side compilation The Masterplan. "Slide Away" and "Half the World Away" would also be featured on Oasis' 2006 compilation album Stop the Clocks, but "Whatever" itself was not included. "Half the World Away" was chosen as the theme tune to The Royle Family.

Track listings

1. "Whatever" (Radio Edit) – 3:58
2. "Whatever" (Album Version) – 6:21

1. "Whatever" – 6:21
2. "(It's Good) To Be Free" – 4:18
3. "Half the World Away" – 4:25
4. "Slide Away" – 6:31

1. "Whatever" – 6:19
2. "(It's Good) To Be Free" – 4:18

1. "Whatever" – 6:19
2. "(It's Good) To Be Free" – 4:18
3. "Slide Away" – 6:31

1. "Whatever" – 6:19
2. "(It's Good) To Be Free" – 4:18

1. "Whatever"
2. "(It's Good) To Be Free"
3. "Fade Away"
4. "Listen Up"
5. "Half the World Away"
6. "I Am the Walrus" (Live at the Glasgow Cathouse)