Strange Things
In the Spring of 1993 Oasis recorded their first professional sounding demo tape at the
Real People's studio in Liverpool. The original tape featured the now familiar looking
Oasis logo and swirling Union Jack motif. Only ten copies of the demo tape, which secured
Oasis a record deal, were actually produced. The most startling aspect of the tape is the
inclusion of an unissued song,'Strange Thing'. A 'dazzling' full on rocker, backed by a
Manchester beat, it shares the same bluesy intro riff as the Stone Roses''Love Spreads',
which may be one reason it hasn't become a single or album track. The lyrics, although
clumsy in places, are classic Noel Gallagher:
"Mick said that he could never get no satisfaction. These days, I think I know just
what he means. What does he mean?"
Colour My Life
Seven minutes long, Colour My Life, is another Manchester influenced track recorded around
1992. The Stone Roses influence is startling as Liam sounds almost exactly like Ian Brown.
The drum pattern sounds almost like house music - a far cry from the straight rock and
roll of Definitely Maybe.
Take Me
Probably the most interesting of all Oasis' early demo recordings(again around '92) as
Take Me was written by LiamGallagher and Paul Arthurs. Take Me is apparently the famous
Liam track that Noel has always wanted to record properly - Liam won't let him. The lyrics
are pretty basic but the song as a whole certainly shows that Liam can write:
"Take Me when I'm young and true/ Was it me or was it you?/ Take me when I'm not so
strong/ Why is it taking you so long?"
"Take me when you feel I've gone/ I always knew I could be someone/ Take me if you
think you're right/ Do it now before it's light."
Better Let You Know
A cover of an early '90s house track, Better Let You Know really shows up Oasis' baggy
roots. This is the song that during last year's Radio 1 documentary, Noel recalls playing
at the band's first ever gig. Liam's vocal is badly distorted and echoed, Tony's drumming
is far faster than anything on Definitely Maybe, and Noel plays an obvious lead throughout
the entire song rather than just the solo.
See The Sun
Again, lead by a strong house beat, See The Sun is a great song similar in feel to Colour
My Life. The lyrics are certainly a bit basic but the chorus is fantastic - really catchy,
ending with the lines:
"I've been to the slaughter/ Slept with your daughter/So wont you let me have my
head, so that I can see the sun?"
Must Be The Music
Pretty short by Oasis' standards Must Be The Music (demo) lasts for just over three
minutes. The feel is very much like other earlier demos. The track is almost like a Noel
instrumental - Liam repeating a chorus over and over with long guitar solos through out
the song. Interesting but ultimately a bit boring.
Snakebite
A great Noel instrumental jam featuring much more of a rock riff than any of the other
demos. Snakebite is a lot closer to the traditional Oasis of Definitely Maybe. The demo
fades out after about 2.30.
Life In Vain
A brilliant slow, acoustic track. Liam, singing with a really silky, clean cut voice
sounds really strange on the live version- perhaps because the vocals are echoed. Noel's
lyrics, about leaving a relationship, are pretty scathing - brilliant stuff.
I Will Show You
I Will Show You is a simple 'rock 'n' roll' song with some pretty appalling, droning
vocals from Liam. Noel plays the Squire-like,'jangly' guitar riffs pretty well, but
ultimately this track is a bit of a disappointment.
Other Tracks
There are a few more unreleased tracks available. Most are simply bootlegged jams recorded
at sound tests which are not particularly interesting. The band have been rehearsing some
new material at sound checks before their most recent shows. 'The Red, The White& The
Blue' was first aired at a fan club show over a year ago, but left off 'What's The Story'.
'Setting Son', 'My Big Mouth'and 'I Hope, I Think, I Know' have all been rehearsed before
Oasis'shows on the recent North American tour.