Be Here Now by Oasis

Be Here Now

by Oasis

Released: August 21, 1997

Britpop

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Breakthrough.

01

The Album

"Be Here Now", released on 21 August 1997, is the third studio album by the English rock band Oasis. Be Here Now is the last Oasis studio album to feature founding members guitarist Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and bassist Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan, both of whom left the band in 1999. In 2016, Be Here Now was reissued with bonus tracks, including a new remix of "D'You Know What I Mean?".

02

Inside the Recording

It was recorded in several London studios, including Abbey Road Studios and Ridge Farm Studio in Surrey. Recording sessions were reportedly troubled by arguments and drug abuse, with the band’s motivations being questioned. The album is noted for its anthemic quality, but with longer tracks and numerous guitar overdubs, which Noel Gallagher intended to give the album a "colossal" sound.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The album cover features the band members at…

The album cover features the band members at Stocks House in Hertfordshire.

Following the success of their previous albums, Definitely…

Following the success of their previous albums, Definitely Maybe (1994) and (What's the Story) Morning Glory?

(1995), Be Here Now was highly anticipated

(1995), Be Here Now was highly anticipated.

The band's management company, Ignition, took steps to…

The band's management company, Ignition, took steps to control media access by limiting pre-release airplay and requiring journalists to sign gag orders, which fueled speculation and controversy.

Then

Reception

Despite its initial commercial success, Be Here Now faced criticism for being bloated and over-produced. The lead single, "D'You Know What I Mean?" helped the album achieve immediate commercial success, making it the fastest-selling album in British chart history. As of 2016, it has sold eight million copies worldwide and is certified 6× Platinum in the UK and Platinum in the US.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Be Here Now", released on 21 August 1997, is the third studio album by the English rock band Oasis. It was recorded in several London studios, including Abbey Road Studios and Ridge Farm Studio in Surrey. The album is noted for its anthemic quality, but with longer tracks and numerous guitar overdubs, which Noel Gallagher intended to give the album a "colossal" sound.

The album cover features the band members at Stocks House in Hertfordshire. Be Here Now is the last Oasis studio album to feature founding members guitarist Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and bassist Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan, both of whom left the band in 1999.

Following the success of their previous albums, Definitely Maybe (1994) and (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995), Be Here Now was highly anticipated. The band's management company, Ignition, took steps to control media access by limiting pre-release airplay and requiring journalists to sign gag orders, which fueled speculation and controversy.

The lead single, "D'You Know What I Mean?" helped the album achieve immediate commercial success, making it the fastest-selling album in British chart history. It topped the charts in 15 countries and was the best-selling album of 1997 in the UK, with 1.47 million units sold that year. As of 2016, it has sold eight million copies worldwide and is certified 6× Platinum in the UK and Platinum in the US.

Despite its initial commercial success, Be Here Now faced criticism for being bloated and over-produced. Recording sessions were reportedly troubled by arguments and drug abuse, with the band’s motivations being questioned. Noel Gallagher has been particularly critical of the album, while Liam Gallagher has expressed his fondness for it, calling it his favorite Oasis album. The album has been cited by critic Jon Savage as marking the end of the Britpop movement.

In 2016, Be Here Now was reissued with bonus tracks, including a new remix of "D'You Know What I Mean?"

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