The Second Catalog: Why Oasis B-Sides Defined an Era For most bands, a B-side is a "throwaway"—a demo or a live track used to pad out a CD single. For
, it was where they hid their masterpieces. During the mid-90s, Noel Gallagher was so prolific that he famously "tucked away songs other bands would sell their own grandmothers to have" as flipsides. The quality was so high that in 1998, the band released The Masterplan
, a compilation of these tracks that many fans rank as their second-best album. The Songs That Could Have Been A-Sides
Critics and fans often argue that if Noel had saved these tracks for a third album instead of "relegating" them to B-sides, the band's trajectory might have been even more legendary. ICMP Songwriting Tutors | BBC 6 Music | Musicology | Part 6 9 Oct 2024 —
When fans talk about Oasis, they aren't just talking about the hits; the band is legendary for having B-sides that were often better than other bands' lead singles. Because they released so many high-quality "throwaway" tracks in the mid-90s, several blog posts have done the heavy lifting of sorting the gems from the filler.
If you're looking for a deep dive into the Oasis "Masterplan" era and beyond, here are a few useful blog posts and resources:
Top 10 Oasis B-Sides (Not on The Masterplan): This post on Patrick H Willems is great if you already know the famous ones like "Acquiesce" and want to find deeper cuts. It ranks songs like "Let's All Make Believe" and "Idler's Dream" that didn't make the official 1998 compilation.
Track-by-Track Analysis: "Headshrinker": For a look at the "aura of the B-side," Writing about... breaks down why tracks like "Headshrinker" and "Rockin' Chair" were essential to the band's peak-era bravado.
The Masterplan (1998) Classic Rock Review: If you want a retrospective on the definitive B-side collection, Classic Rock Review explains why the album holds up as a standalone masterpiece, highlighting "The Swamp Song" and the title track.
A Pointless Guide To Oasis LPs & EPs: For the completists, weatherfish provides a blunt, opinionated look at the singles and their accompanying tracks, including rare covers like "Hey, Hey, My, My". Essential Oasis B-Sides to Start With
If you're just beginning your journey into their non-album tracks, these are widely considered the "Big Three": Oasis debut single and genre classification - Facebook
The phrase "on paper" is often used to describe Oasis b-sides
because their quality was so high that they were famously "better than most bands' A-sides"
. Many of these tracks, originally released as secondary songs on singles, eventually formed the 1998 compilation album The Masterplan oasis b-sides
, which is widely considered one of the best b-side collections in music history. Key Oasis B-Sides
: Often cited as the definitive Oasis b-side, featuring both Liam and Noel on vocals. The Masterplan
: The title track of their compilation, noted for its orchestral arrangement. Talk Tonight
: An intimate acoustic track written by Noel Gallagher after he briefly left the band during a 1994 tour. Half the World Away : Famous as the theme tune for the UK sitcom The Royle Family
: A fast-paced punk-inspired track that "shouldn't have worked on paper" due to its mix of influences like Wham! and The Sex Pistols. Stay Young : Recorded during the Be Here Now sessions and considered a "lost" classic by many fans. Mojo Magazine The Masterplan Compilation Every Oasis B-Side Ranked! - Mojo Magazine
While Oasis is defined by the world-conquering anthems of Definitely Maybe and (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, their true soul often resides in their B-sides. During the mid-90s, Noel Gallagher was so prolific that he frequently relegated stadium-sized classics to the flip side of singles, creating a parallel discography that rivaled the main albums in both quality and emotional depth.
The peak of this phenomenon is captured in the 1998 compilation The Masterplan. Tracks like "Acquiesce" and "The Masterplan" itself are not mere outtakes; they are foundational pillars of the Britpop era. "Acquiesce," with its dual-vocal attack, serves as the ultimate anthem for the Gallagher brothers' volatile but creative chemistry. Meanwhile, "The Masterplan" showcases a sophisticated, orchestral side of Noel’s songwriting that signaled a departure from simple bar-room rock toward something more cinematic.
Other tracks, such as the punk-infused "Headshrinker" or the melancholic "Half the World Away," highlight the band's range. The latter, specifically, became a cultural touchstone in the UK, proving that Oasis could be just as effective with an acoustic guitar and a vulnerable vocal as they were with a wall of distorted Marshalls.
Ultimately, the Oasis B-sides represent a moment in music history where a band was so confident—and perhaps so reckless—that they could afford to "waste" masterpieces on the back of a CD single. For the die-hard fans, these songs aren't just extras; they are the evidence of a band at the absolute height of its powers.
The "story" of Oasis B-sides is arguably more central to their legend than the albums themselves. During the mid-90s, Noel Gallagher was writing songs at such a prolific rate that tracks now considered all-time classics were "hidden" as secondary tracks on CD singles The Peak of the "Hidden" Era (1994–1996)
In this period, Oasis released B-sides that most bands would have built entire careers around. This gave the band an aura of being "unstoppable". Key moments from this era include:
: Originally a B-side to "Some Might Say," it became a definitive anthem because it features both brothers sharing lead vocals—a rarity that fans saw as a symbol of their bond. Talk Tonight
: Written by Noel after he briefly quit the band in San Francisco following a disastrous 1994 gig. It is a raw, acoustic track about a woman who talked him out of walking away for good. The Masterplan The Second Catalog: Why Oasis B-Sides Defined an
: Often cited as Noel’s greatest songwriting achievement, he famously lamented later that he should have saved it for an album instead of "wasting" it as a B-side to "Wonderwall". The "Lost" Third Album
Many fans and critics argue that if Oasis had held back their best B-sides from the Definitely Maybe (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?
eras, they could have created a third album superior to the bloated, cocaine-fueled Be Here Now . Common "lost album" playlists often include:
No other band in history treated their "throwaway" tracks with as much reverence as Oasis. During the mid-90s, the Gallagher brothers didn't just release singles; they released mini-albums where the extra tracks were often better than most other bands' lead singles. The Golden Era of the "B-Side"
While most artists tucked filler tracks onto the back of a CD single, Noel Gallagher was in a creative purple patch so intense that he was "giving away" future classics. Fans who bought the singles for hits like Some Might Say or Wonderwall often found themselves playing the B-sides just as much, if not more, than the A-sides. "The Masterplan": The Greatest B-Side Collection
In 1998, Oasis released The Masterplan, a compilation of B-sides that many critics argue is their third-best album. It serves as a definitive roadmap of the band's peak, featuring:
"Acquiesce": The ultimate Gallagher duet, famously featuring both Liam and Noel on vocals.
"The Masterplan": A sweeping, orchestral masterpiece that Noel has famously admitted should have been an A-side.
"Talk Tonight": A raw, acoustic fan favorite inspired by the time Noel briefly quit the band during their first US tour.
"Half the World Away": A gentle acoustic ballad that eventually became the theme song for the iconic British sitcom The Royle Family. Why They Matter
Oasis B-sides represent a time when physical media was king. In the UK, the four-track CD single was a staple, and the Gallaghers used that format to build a deep, secondary discography. Songs like Rockin' Chair, Step Out, and Listen Up aren't just deep cuts; they are essential pillars of the Britpop movement.
For many fans, the B-sides are where the "real" Oasis lives—away from the overplayed radio hits and in the heart of the raw, melodic rock that defined a generation. Oasis trivia: All you need to know! - V&A
Oasis is famous for having B-sides that were often better than other bands' biggest hits. During their 1990s peak, Noel Gallagher was so prolific that he "threw away" future classics as extra tracks on CD singles. The Heavy Hitters (The Masterplan Era) Honorable Mentions from this era:
Most of the band's legendary B-sides from 1994–1997 were collected on the 1998 compilation album, The Masterplan. Every Oasis B-Side Ranked! - Mojo Magazine
For Oasis, B-sides weren’t mere throwaways or remixes. They were a statement of prolific arrogance and creative fertility. At their peak, Noel Gallagher famously claimed he could release Definitely Maybe and its B-sides as a double album, and he wasn’t wrong. Many fans argue that the best Oasis tracks—songs that define their swagger, melancholy, and ambition—are hiding on singles, not albums.
This guide is organized by era, highlighting key tracks, themes, and where to find them.
In 1998, after the mixed reception of Be Here Now, Noel compiled the best B-sides from 1994-1998 into a single album titled The Masterplan. The tracklist (14 songs) has since been re-evaluated as a de facto fourth studio album.
Critical Consensus: The Masterplan compilation holds a Metacritic-style user score of ~85/100, often rated higher than Be Here Now and even Definitely Maybe in some fan polls. It demonstrates Noel’s depth as a songwriter.
By 1998, the clamour for these orphaned tracks was so loud that Oasis finally compiled them onto The Masterplan. The gag? The compilation itself was better than most bands’ greatest hits albums. Let’s look at the evidence:
Vibe: Overblown, 8-minute epics, drunk on success, lots of "na na na"s.
Warning: Avoid "Flashbax" and "My Sister Lover" unless you are a completionist. They are the first signs of fatigue.
While there are dozens of gems, three tracks stand out as the pillars of the Oasis B-side canon.
1. "The Masterplan" Perhaps the most famous B-side in British rock history. Originally released on the "Wonderwall" single, "The Masterplan" is a sweeping, orchestral ball that rivals "Don't Look Back in Anger" for emotional weight. Noel Gallagher has famously stated that he wishes he had saved it for an album. With its poignant lyrics about life's unpredictability and a reverse guitar solo recorded by Noel because he couldn't play it the "right" way, the song is widely considered one of the best songs he ever wrote.
2. "Acquiesce" The opening track on the "Some Might Say" single, "Acquiesce" is often cited as the quintessential Oasis track. It features the perfect dynamic between the Gallagher brothers: Liam sings the verses with his signature sneer, and Noel takes the soaring chorus. It is a fan-favorite live anthem that captures the brash, anthemic spirit of the band better than almost any of their chart-toppers.
3. "Half the World Away" Released as the B-side to "Whatever," this acoustic melancholy track became legendary not just for its beauty, but for its longevity. It served as the theme song for the hit BBC sitcom The Royle Family for years, embedding itself into British culture without ever appearing on a proper studio album. Its melody was famously inspired by Burt Bacharach’s "This Guy's in Love with You," showcasing Noel’s knack for classic pop songwriting.