Released in 1995, “Champagne Supernova,” written by Noel Gallagher, quickly became one of Oasis’s most beloved songs. Renowned for its epic guitar parts and the mysterious appeal of its lyrics, the song remains a fan favorite three decades later. Featuring contributions from Paul Weller, it skyrocketed to become the band’s second No. 1 single on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.
This article unpacks what many consider one of the best Oasis songs, inviting listeners to explore “Champagne Supernova” enigmatic lyrics.
“Champagne Supernova” Lyrics
How many special people change?
How many lifes are living strange?
Where were you while we were getting high?Slowly walking down the hall
Faster than a cannonball
Where were you while we were getting high?Someday you will find me
Caught beneath the landslide
In a champagne supernova in the sky
Someday you will find me
Caught beneath the landslide
In a champagne supernova
A champagne supernova in the skyWake up the dawn and ask her why
A dreamer dreams, she never dies
Wipe that tear away now from your eyeSlowly walking down the hall
Faster than a cannonball
Where were you while we were getting high?Someday you will find me
Caught beneath the landslide
In a champagne supernova in the sky
Someday you will find me
Caught beneath the land slide
In a champagne supernova
A champagne supernova‘Cause people believe
That they’re gonna get away for the summer
But you and I, we live and die
The world’s still spinning around
We don’t know why
Why, why, why, why?How many special people change?
How many lives are living strange?
Where were you while we were getting high?Slowly walking down the hall
Faster than a cannonball
Where were you while we were getting high?Someday you will find me
Caught beneath the landslide
In a champagne supernova in the sky
Someday you will find me
Caught beneath the landslide
In a champagne supernova
A champagne supernova‘Cause people believe
That they’re gonna get away from the summer
But you and I, we live and die
The world’s still spinning around
We don’t know why
Why, why, why, why?How many special people change?
Oasis – “Champagne Supernova“
How many lifes are living strange?
Where were you while we were getting high?
We were getting high
We were getting high
We were getting high
We were getting high
We were getting high
We were getting high
We were getting high
We were getting high
We were getting high
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Noel Gallagher
Champagne Supernova lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Oasis “Champagne Supernova” Meaning
“Champagne Supernova” wraps enigmatic lyrics in a soundscape that captures the spirit of the Britpop era. Noel Gallagher has been open about creating these lyrics, some of which were written in an altered state. The line “someday you will find me caught beneath the landslide” portrays the overwhelming force of life’s changes, appealing to listeners navigating their turmoils.
Critically, the song has taken a battering for what some perceive as lyrical incoherence. However, it remains a piece that fans and critics continue to dissect and discuss. The Oasis guitarist revealed that the inspiration for the song’s title came from a misheard reference to the Pixies album “Bossanova” during a documentary on champagne.
Reflecting on the song’s essence, Gallagher noted its thematic exploration of youthful disillusionment with societal groups, emphasizing the minimal impact these groups have on personal growth. This theme taps into a universal sentiment of existential reflection and questioning.
Years later, Gallagher addressed the song’s varied interpretations, directly stating to the Sunday Times, “Are you telling me, when you’ve got 60,000 people singing it, they don’t know what it means? It means something different to every one of them.“
Let’s break down some interpretations of the most emblematic lines from “Champagne Supernova.”
“Where were you while we were gettin’ high?“
This line reflects on shared moments of freedom and asks about someone’s absence during memorable times. Noel Gallagher mentioned this phrase was often used among the band to note someone’s absence from fun gatherings, highlighting a shared history and a sense of missing out.
“Slowly walking down the hall, faster than a cannonball.“
This lyric contrasts slow movements with the rapid speed of a cannonball, capturing the essence of time’s passage. Noel Gallagher explained that the inspiration came from a character, Brackett the Butler, known for his slow pace. He chose “cannonball” for the rhyme, which fans found intriguing.
“Someday you will find me caught beneath the landslide, in a champagne supernova in the sky.“
Feeling overwhelmed is likened to being caught under a landslide, with the phrase “champagne supernova in the sky” adding a surreal twist. Gallagher described this as one of his most psychedelic lyrics, noting that its significance varies with his mood—sometimes feeling suffocating like a landslide.
“Wake up the dawn and ask her why, a dreamer dreams she never dies. Wipe that tear away now from your eye.“
This line invokes the dawn as a symbol of new beginnings and encourages looking forward to what each new day holds. It suggests that the essence of a dreamer lives on through their aspirations and visions. The guidance to “wipe that tear away” speaks to moving past sorrow, drawing inspiration from the idea of renewal and the enduring nature of dreams.
