During the rock band Oasis’s peak, they were one of the most if not the most popular bands in the United Kingdom, and were widely known throughout the United States and Canada. Their catchy and authentic songs stuck in the minds of their fans and critics, earning massive praise throughout the 90s. Unfortunately, not all of the fame and attention Oasis received was positive. Noel and Liam Gallagher were the faces of the band Noel the guitarist and songwriter, and Liam the vocalist and they clashed publicly and often during the band’s brief time in the spotlight. Their conflicts frequently overshadowed the music and led to criticism from fans and critics about the Gallagher brothers’ priorities.

Oasis’s most celebrated song, “Wonderwall,” from the album What’s the Story (Morning Glory?), is often interpreted as being about a woman. However, I have my own take on the song. I believe it was an apology from Noel to Liam, sending a clear message that while they may argue, they will always have each other’s backs and “save each other” in other words, calling each other their “wonderwall.” Additionally, Noel takes responsibility for not acknowledging Liam’s struggles and hardships. Early in the song, Noel writes

Back beat, the word was on the street that the fire in your heart was out. Im sure you’ve heard it all before but you never really had a doubt.

I believe the “fire in your heart” is a reference to Liam’s well-known mental health issues outside the band. Additionally, when Noel wrote “I’m sure you’ve heard it all before, but you’ve never really had a doubt,” I think this refers to Oasis’s notoriously fast rise to fame. This sudden visibility could not have helped Liam’s mental state, as almost everyone in the United Kingdom was now aware of his personal struggles. Noel’s lyric acknowledges Liam’s hardships, and recognizing why these struggles emerged helps him segue into Wonderwall’s main idea.

There are many things I would like to say to you but I don’t know how. Because, maybe you’re gonna be the one that saves me and after after all, you’re my wonder wall.

This is Noel’s full apology. He admits that there are many things he would like to say to Liam, but he doesn’t know how, which leads to misunderstandings and confrontation. Noel then calls Liam his “wonderwall.” The term wonderwall actually comes from a film and refers to an imagined savior. Noel is hinting that, after everything, Liam is his savior from his own personal issues. Finally, to wrap up his apology, Noel sets boundaries with Liam:

“By now you should’ve realized what you’re not to do.”

This line doesn’t require much interpretation. After offering his apology, Noel is telling Liam to get his act together and to be better. This is most likely a reference to Liam’s substance-abuse issues and his pattern of making poor decisions that affected the band. This concludes Noel’s apology and showcases his immense talent for storytelling and expressing emotion through songwriting, one of the key reasons Oasis rose to fame so quickly, and also a sad reminder of why the band ultimately broke up before reaching its full potential.