It’s no secret that Oasis drew heavily from The Beatles. Despite the Gallagher brothers’ bold claims about being the greatest band in the world, it’s clear that the Fab Four were always in the background, shaping every step of their journey. Still, Noel Gallagher himself admits that only one Oasis song ever came close to matching the Beatles’ magic.
In the late ‘90s, after a relentless touring schedule for Be Here Now, Oasis decided to pause and reset. Alongside taking time off, the band’s attitude toward the music industry had soured, growing more cynical about its corporate side.
As Noel and Liam Gallagher were pulling away from the hard-partying lifestyle that had once defined them, they also had to part ways with old friends. Key band members Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs and Paul “Guigsy” McGuigan were pushed out due to their continued substance use, which no longer aligned with the Gallaghers’ evolving approach.
Even with the lineup changes, Noel found a bright spot in Standing on the Shoulder of Giants: the track “Go Let It Out.” Reflecting in an interview for Lock the Box, Noel said, “It’s the first time we ever got close to sounding like a modern-day Beatles, I think, which is what we were striving for for years.”
Inspired by the Beatles’ unmistakable style, the song brings in acoustic guitar riffs and Liam’s gravelly vocals, reminiscent of John Lennon’s emotive delivery. The Beatles influence shines brightest in the chorus, with a Mellotron adding a psychedelic flavor, calling back to classics like “Strawberry Fields Forever.”
Yet for Noel, “Go Let It Out” stood alone in its quality among the songs on that album. He admitted, “I was pretty uninspired at the time, but ‘Go Let It Out’ stands head and shoulders above everything else. It’s up there with some of the best things I’ve ever done.” The song was a reminder of Oasis’ potential, and for Noel, it was a rare instance where he felt he’d created something the Beatles themselves might have appreciated.
Though the recording sessions were often grueling, the tour that followed was even more chaotic. Wembley Stadium became the site of one of the band’s most infamous performances, marked by high tensions and erratic moments. With stand-in guitarist Matt Deighton temporarily replacing Noel, things took a sharp turn as Liam relapsed, shouting incoherently into the microphone and adding to the already unpredictable atmosphere.
While Oasis worked to reclaim their rock and roll dominance, “Go Let It Out” was the song that signaled a path forward. In blending his love for The Beatles and punk influences from bands like The Sex Pistols, Noel finally felt he had written a track worthy of Lennon and McCartney’s legacy. For Oasis, this song became a rare triumph amid the chaos and a nod to the band that had inspired them from the start.
