Vevo and Oasis have released a new episode of Vevo Footnotes, diving into the story behind the iconic track Don’t Look Back In Anger. The episode uncovers the inspirations, insights, and lasting impact of one of modern rock’s most beloved songs.
Notably, the song pays homage to John Lennon, with its piano riff inspired by Imagine. The music video, directed by Nigel Dick, features the band chauffeured by Patrick Macnee, famed for his role as John Steed in the 1960s TV series The Avengers. Released as the fourth single from Oasis’ landmark album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, the track became their second UK #1 hit and has since grown into an anthem of resilience and unity. The album remains one of the greatest British records ever, recently named the most-streamed 1990s album, with Definitely Maybe following in second.
The song includes one of Oasis’ most iconic lyrics, “So Sally Can Wait,” with Noel Gallagher revealing he chose the name for its melodic fit. Intriguingly, Liam Gallagher originally opted to sing lead on Wonderwall instead of this track. Noel first performed it live in Sheffield in 1995, before the song had a title. Reflecting on its enduring power, he shares that sometimes the crowd sings the first line before he can finish it himself.
Full Video Transcript:
0:01 – The song makes several nods to John Lennon, most notably with its opening piano riff, inspired by ‘Imagine’.
0:25 – Directed by Nigel Dick, the music video was shot in Pasadena, California. It features the band being driven by Patrick Macnee, a renowned British actor best known for playing John Steed in the 1960’s TV series ‘The Avengers.’
0:50 – ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ was released in February 1996 as the fourth single from Oasis’ era-defining second album, ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’.
1:15 – The track became Oasis’ second UK No.1 (after ‘Some Might Say’) and is now considered one of the most iconic songs in modern rock.
1:45 – Widely regarded as one of the greatest British albums of all time, ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’ remains the UK’s third biggest-selling studio album. It was also announced as the most-streamed album of the 1990s (with ‘Definitely Maybe’ second) in October 2023.
2:10 – Over the years, ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ has taken on a life of its own. The song has become a powerful anthem of resilience and unity.
2:40 – The song features one of Oasis’ most iconic lines: ‘So Sally can wait’. Fans have long speculated about Sally’s identity, but Noel Gallagher later admitted there was no real Sally. He simply liked how the name fit the melody at the time of writing.
3:10 – This was the first single to feature Noel Gallagher on lead vocals. Up until then, he had only sung on B-sides. He would go on to take lead on six more Oasis singles.
3:30 – Liam Gallagher was given the choice between singing lead on ‘Wonderwall’ or ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’, with Noel taking the other. Both songs became massive anthems.
3:55 – Noel first performed the song live in Sheffield during the band’s first ever arena show in 1995. It was a spontaneous, incomplete version that didn’t even have a title yet.
4:15 – Noel has said there are performances where he only gets through to the opening line before the crowds take over singing the lyrics in their entirety. ‘It’s just got the magic’, he said in an interview for the 25th anniversary of ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’.
