"Definitely Maybe" is the debut studio album by the English rock band Oasis, released by Creation Records on August 29, 1994. The band lineup for this album included Noel Gallagher on lead guitar, backing vocals, and chief songwriting, Liam Gallagher on lead vocals, Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs on rhythm guitar, Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan on bass guitar, and Tony McCarroll on drums.
The recording of the album began at Monnow Valley Studio near Rockfield in late 1993 with producer Dave Batchelor, whom Noel Gallagher knew from his time as a roadie for Inspiral Carpets. However, the sessions were unsatisfactory, leading to Batchelor's dismissal. In January 1994, the band re-recorded the album at Sawmills Studio in Cornwall, with Noel Gallagher and Mark Coyle producing. The results were still not satisfactory, prompting Creation’s Marcus Russell to contact engineer and producer Owen Morris, who completed the mixing at Johnny Marr's studio in Manchester.
Definitely Maybe achieved immediate commercial success in the United Kingdom, following the release of singles like "Supersonic," "Shakermaker," and the UK top-ten hit "Live Forever." It debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and became the fastest-selling debut album in British music history at the time. It was certified 8× platinum by the BPI for sales exceeding 2.4 million units. The album also found success in the United States, earning platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and sold over 8.5 million copies worldwide. It remains the only Oasis album to feature all five original members; drummer Tony McCarroll was replaced in early 1995 but appeared on their second album on the track "Some Might Say."
Upon release, Definitely Maybe received widespread critical acclaim and played a significant role in revitalizing British pop/rock music in the 1990s. It was praised for its optimistic themes and its rejection of the negative outlook prevalent in much of the grunge music of the time. The album is considered a cornerstone of the Britpop genre and has appeared in numerous publications' lists of the greatest albums of all time. In 2006, Definitely Maybe was voted the greatest album of all time in an NME readers' poll. In 2015, Spin included it in their list of "The 300 Best Albums of 1985–2014," and Rolling Stone ranked it number 217 on its 2020 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
