Oasis - Columbia (studio track, live 1995/1996/2002, & Liam Gallagher, solo w/ Bonehead in his band, Manchester, 2019)

[highplainsdem]

Last edited Tue Oct 21, 2025, 01:11 AM - Edit history (1)

This is a banger, and they often opened concerts with it, as at Knebworth (video below). A lot of fans were disappointed that it wasn't in the reunion tour setlist.

See reply 1 for two other early recorded versions.

From Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_(Oasis_song)

"Columbia" was one of the first songs Noel Gallagher ever wrote in Oasis, likely dating back to late 1991. The song was named after the Columbia Hotel in London; however, the meaning of its lyrics remain ambiguous. The writing of the song is credited exclusively to Noel. However, Liam Gallagher had involvement in the song's conception, having created the melody and written the chorus during a jamming session.[1]

"Columbia" has a relatively basic composition using a 4/4 time signature at 101 BPM.[2] The song includes a long instrumental coda, and was recorded at Sawmills Studio, Cornwall. The song was initially planned to be an instrumental. When questioned about the lyrics, Noel stated that he wasn't trying to impress anybody with them.[3] Tape delay was used to double up the sound of the drums on the song.[4]

"When questioned about the lyrics, Noel stated that he wasn't trying to impress anybody with them." Amusing. As I understand from what I've read, Noel didn't write any of the lyrics besides the second verse - he'd written an instrumental used for Liam's walk-on song, and Liam came up with the vocal melody and much of the lyrics, but got no songwriting credit.

Southend, April 17, 1995

Knebworth, opening the show the first night, August 10, 1996

T in the Park festival, Scotland, July 13, 2002

Liam with his own band, including Bonehead from the original Oasis lineup, Manchester, 2019, years before there was any sign Oasis would ever reunite...

Bonehead has had to leave the reunion tour for several weeks to continue treatment for cancer he was diagnosed with early this year. I'd appreciate prayers/vibes for him.

[highplainsdem]

1. There are two other early recorded versions, one not released at all till the 30th anniversary of Definitely Maybe.

This first video is called the White Label Demo. It was recorded in early 1993 and given to the media.

And the version not heard till recently, after Noel mixed it, is the Sawmills Outtake - https://www.nme.com/news/music/oasis-share-columbia-sawmills-outtake-from-definitely-maybe-30th-anniversary-reissue-3765199 - and it's stunning for Liam's falsetto vocals, and additional lyrics starting To those in the media, all we can say to ya / This is confusion, am I confusing you?