It Smells Like Wonderwall

The cultural impact of knowing the songs you don't listen too, often.

Oasis are without a doubt one of the greatest rock bands to emerge in the last twenty years. Titans of the industry. Their unbelievable return to the scene in the this year just proved that they are the giants that we knew all along. The sold out stadiums in The UK and in Ireland (which I regret missing out on, Damn you Ticket-Master!) and performed in front of 14 million fans in their 19 tour dates alone in the UK and Ireland. It showed that they were missed and that their fan base were just as keen to see them, even if now most of the fans have kids or even grandchildren at this stage in their life’s. Nostalgia sells and it was on full display.

They have a back catalogue of music that is still blasted today across pubs, bars, weddings and any events across cities and countries. They wrote songs that are so remarkable and memorable that anyone, be it and fan or not, knows the lyrics to at least one or two songs: ‘Wonderwall’ and ‘Don’t look back in Anger’ come to mind (chills). The nights I had singing either song of their’s and more next to strangers in pubs, house parties and nights out are countless. Imagine this: You are on a night out, standing at a bar or at some gig, a office get together ( which already are a pain) next to a stranger, or someone from the office that’s just always in “work mode”. An awkward silence descends. The dread kicks in. That feeling of regret of coming out at all sinks in and you wished to be back home.… until that one song play’s live by a lad with a guitar, a wedding band or just some DJ at the pub ( which I still find odd, btw) Something magical happens. You both start bopping your head to the song, get into the rhythm and when the chorus hits you find that connection.A moment where your both singing along to the same song together at the top of your lungs and something is cemented in that moment, a bound, a familiarity that you didn’t know each other had. Even if it’s for just one song and you both walk away from each other never to see them again, or go back to staring at your phone avoiding your colleague for the remainder of the night. Isn’t that a fantastic human connection and feeling? No?

The reason why I am writing this article is because something occurred to me recently, a light bulb moment when I was out at a friend’s wedding. A unusual song for a wedding came on, which I though didn’t fit the vibe of the night but because the song itself isn’t a typical wedding song or a song you wouldn’t hear at events like this. I watched from a far and saw something that I didn’t expect. The crowd on the floor and everyone sitting were singing, mouthing and dancing to this particular song. I asked myself in that very moment, seeing this scenario unfold in front of my eyes:

What band has written smash hit songs that are so mainstream that they are now considered apart of the everyday zeitgeist. What band have written songs that even your own mother could listen to, know the lyrics to even without every listening to another song or album by that band?

Then it hit me. Like a clap to the forehead. A eureka moment! And it became so clear to me that I felt like a blindfold had been lifted and It became crystal clear to me.

Ladies and Gentlemen, that band is: Nirvana.

Wait!! Before you react, hear me out.

This is not a dig at either band. I love and respect them both very much but I guarantee you that, like most casual music heads, you probably can’t name me three Nirvana songs except for the ones that are already played on the radio, pubs, cover bands etc. Name three that are not ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ ‘Lithium’ or ‘Come As You Are’ which are classics alone. Can you?

Could you do the same for Oasis? Name three songs that aren’t: ‘Wonderwall’ ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ or ‘Champagne Supernova?”. Can you?

The point I’m am trying to make, which I hope is coming across is that these handful of songs are so deeply rooted and apart of our social environment and collective that they are just universal accepted. They are a a part of the norm, the night’s out, the taxi rides home, the song your mate tries to play on guitar after a few pints trying to impress the girl across from him. Pick up that guitar, strum those chords and belt out your best or worst version of ‘Wonderwall’ or mix it up with ‘Come as you are’. Get that girl or show the party you can’t actuall play or sing. It the effort that counts.

And I’m not gate keeping either of their music. Please dive into both bands discography, you won’t be disappointed.

Music is the universal language that can bridge gaps between people on nights out, strangers at a bar, groups at a retreat or somewhere in a different country. Music brings people together and it is one of the most real life experiences that anyone can be apart of, regardless of your knowledge of the bands history, their songs or even who the members are of the band are.

So next time you are out in a pub, bar or any social event. Take a moment if you can to look around you and study the music that is playing and what the people in that place react to. Regardless of the time of night, the vibe or the place or any other song that was playing before, Your guaranteed to get a sing along once Oasis comes on the speaker, and maybe Nirvana depending on the mood.

Thank you very much for taken the time to read this.

Slán go Foíll

-Marc Sean