"Champagne Supernova" is the epic, psychedelic closing track on Oasis’s landmark 1995 album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?. Written by Noel Gallagher and sung by Liam Gallagher, it is one of the band’s most beloved songs, recognized for its sweeping sound and enigmatic lyrics. The song features guest guitar and backing vocals from Paul Weller (The Jam, Style Council)1.
- Album: (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)
- Release (Single): 13 May 1996 (Australia, New Zealand, select markets)13
- Song Length: Approximately 7:31 (album version)4
- Writers: Noel Gallagher
Musical and Lyrical Features
- Genre: Britpop, alternative rock, psychedelic rock1
- Sound:
- Lush, atmospheric layers of guitar.
- Dreamy, anthemic melodies build from gentle intro to a soaring climax.
- Distinctive arpeggiated guitar riff and swelling instrumental arrangement1.
- Lyrics:
- Evocative, abstract, and open-ended; lines such as
“Someday you will find me / Caught beneath the landslide / In a champagne supernova in the sky”
have become iconic. - The title reportedly came from Noel Gallagher mishearing the Pixies album Bossanova while watching a documentary about champagne46.
- Gallagher has repeatedly stated that the lyrics were chosen mainly for their sound rather than literal meaning. He’s described the song as “probably as psychedelic as I’ll ever get” and notes that “it means something different to everyone”178.
- Evocative, abstract, and open-ended; lines such as
Song Meaning and Interpretations
- Noel Gallagher’s Perspective:
- Frequently insists there is no concrete meaning:
“I don’t fucking know... But are you telling me, when you’ve got 60,000 people singing it, they don’t know what it means? It means something different to every one of them.”178 - He’s explained that words were often chosen for their musicality and the “anthemic” feeling the song provides17.
- Frequently insists there is no concrete meaning:
- Fan Interpretations:
Cultural Impact and Legacy
- Chart Success:
- Live Staple:
- Critical Reception:
- Praised for its expansive production and anthemic quality; often cited as a defining moment in Britpop.
- Music Video:
- Directed by Nigel Dick, adding to the song’s iconic status10.
Notable Lyrics (Excerpt)
Someday you will find me
Caught beneath the landslide
In a champagne supernova in the sky.
Personnel
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Vocals | Liam Gallagher |
| Guitar | Noel Gallagher |
| Bass | Paul McGuigan |
| Drums | Alan White |
| Guest Guitar/Backing Vocals | Paul Weller |
Additional Facts
- The phrase “champagne supernova” has no direct meaning and is, according to Noel, simply a combination of appealing words468.
- The song’s mystery and longing have made it an enduring anthem of the 1990s17.
"Champagne Supernova" is both a musical high point for Oasis and a lasting symbol of Britpop’s grand ambitions, unforgettable for its soaring melodies, cryptic lyrics, and deep emotional resonance.
