25 Years Ago: "Wonderwall" by Oasis
Today in 1995, Noel and Liam Gallagher released a single that would launch a thousand memes
Best meme of all time? Sorry, this is my newsletter, and the answer is “Anyway, Here’s Wonderwall.”
If I were a comedy sketch writer, I might try to write a bit about this meme. This totally hypothetical sketch would involve some dude explaining to his girlfriend why “Anyway, Here’s Wonderwall” is the best meme of all time.
First, he would open his laptop and show her a few examples of the meme.
[She might smirk.]
Then, like a pedant with a cultural history newsletter, he would explain how, 25 years ago today, two sibling songwriters from Manchester, best known for their acrimonious blood feud, released the single “Wonderwall.”
[“Oh really?” she might reply.]
“See, it’s funny because ‘Wonderwall’ is stupid easy to play on guitar,” he would continue. “And it’s the only song that some guys know how to play.”
[“Oh really?” she might reply.]
“Just four chords.”
[She might nod.]
“But the strumming pattern is actually quite complex,” he would continue. “Super rhythmic. I don’t think anyone knows that.”
Then he would pull out a napkin and pen from his breast pocket. He would scribble these letters on the napkin, like he had just decoded Hammurabi himself:
DDD DUDUD D DU
DUD D DU U UDUDU
“See, it’s actually super complex strumming,” he would say, his hand gesticulating in an up-down motion.
[Blank stare.]
Worried she doesn’t understand his revelation, he would then google a Collegehumor video titled “Learning How to Play Guitar... Well Enough To Get Laid.”
“You see, it’s funny because he plays ‘Wonderwall’ and that’s all he can play. But chicks dig him anyway. Because… it’s ‘Wonderwall’.”
[Mm-hm.]
Then he would pull up “the best version” of the meme. “Look at this guy inserting Smash Mouth lyrics into the song,” he would say, laughing his ass off.
Finally, exhausted, she would tear the laptop from his paws and google “dildo wonderwall.”
“Actually, this is the best version of the meme, you wanker,” she would reply.
“Good thing I’m more of a ‘Champagne Supernova’ kinda guy,” he would say.
“Good thing you don’t write sketch comedy,” she would say.
[Scene ends with Cat Power’s version of “Wonderwall” playing over the credits.]
MORE ANNIVERSARIES
25 Years Ago Today: Pulp released Different Class. That’s right, the Britpop album containing arguably the greatest song of all time (again: my newsletter) was released on the exact same day as “Wonderwall.”