The thoughts of music legend Paul McCartney are often valued by his peers, especially those influenced by the Wings frontman.
But The Beatles‘ members, as big an influence as they were on Oasis, were no fans of the Gallagher Brothers. Liam and Noel had already told George Harrison where to go when the so-called “quiet one” aired his thoughts on the duo, but McCartney too shared his honest thoughts on the band after being “fed up” of politely turning the question down. In an interview on the Howard Stern show, McCartney confirmed he was not the biggest fan of the band but had tried to maintain a professional level whenever asked about the at-the-time young rockers.
Stern suggested McCartney had called the band “horrible,” to which McCartney replied: “You know what, did I? No. The trouble was I was asked, everyone, because they’re so Beatle-y, everyone asks, ‘What do you think about Oasis?’ I got fed up of being asked. I used to say, ‘They’re okay, I wish them good luck, they’re young guys, it’s difficult out there,’ just trying to help.
“But then they started to badmouth us [The Beatles], saying stuff like, ‘We’re much better, man.’ In the end, I didn’t really badmouth them too much, I just said I think they’re slightly derivative. They thought they were better.”
McCartney was not the only member of the Fab Four to criticise Oasis, with Harrison saying the band would have been better off without frontman Liam Gallagher. Harrison said: “He’s a bit out of date. He’s a bit of a – he’s just silly. I feel a bit sorry for him, really, because I think he’s totally missed the bus.
Harrison went on to suggest there was proof of Oasis being weighed down by Liam Gallagher fronting the band. He shared: “I think it was proven when you see the band without him singing, you know, they’re more in tune. He’s just excess baggage. All he does is make people think ‘what a bunch of prannies they are.'”
In a separate interview, the All Things Must Pass songwriter added: “The one who writes the songs, Noel, he’s okay. But they don’t have that much depth, and the other bloke, I don’t think they need him.
“The one who writes the songs, he can sing just as well, but maybe because it’s his brother he’s got to keep him in the band.” Noel Gallagher responded to Harrison, saying the music veteran “doesn’t know” Liam Gallagher and how much he brings to the band.
Noel said: “George Harrison doesn’t know Liam. If you didn’t know Liam and you read about him in the papers, then I suppose you wouldn’t like him, but unless you get to know him, you shouldn’t be making statements like that. We all love you, George. We think you’re top.”
Comparing The Beatles to Oasis is roughly like comparing Gary Numan to David Bowie, or Shakin’ Stevens to Elvis Presley.
Is it not?
George should perhaps have kept his views private because – as they say – ‘success is its own reward’.
Oasis are not better than the Beatles… they’re not even better than The Kinks. They’re not even better than The Who. Noel knows this, he was trash talking, something similar to what Michael Jordan would do, in order to get himself hyped and motivated in practice and in games. George is correct about Liam being silly.
These are all subjective assessments. I like the Beatles a lot more than Oasis but other people have a different take. There is no right or wrong where opinions on music are concerned.
This thing that Oasis borrow from Beatles, I can’t see it.
I know that they’ve quoted some Fab Four lyrics.
If Oasis borrowed musically from the Beatles, they’d sound a lot better.
You can’t really compare Oasis to Beatles. Oasis are an indie guitar band with swagger (like slade). The Beatles were a cultural phenomenon. The Beatles were also the best songwriters of the 20th century (and best songwriters in popular music). Oasis are okay with a few good songs but very derivative. Beatle songs are breathtaking. And the fact both George & Paul have spoken out about the Gallaghers arrogance/constantly bad-mouthing other artists & thinking they’re better than every other band…then say no more. Oasis are okay for a guitar band but obviously Beatles are premier league and legendary. Iconic. Oasis are in league 2 ready for promotion to league 1. But absolutely no one compares to our beloved Beatles. Rolling Stones are good though so in premier league with Beatles. I’m the songwriter for our Manchester indie rock band so know a fair bit about music (having studied theory). We’re looking for a lead vocalist btw so please get in touch if you sing. We have a few good original songs & released several EPs & one studio album. But we’re not as good as the Beatles (obviously) lol.But at least we’re honest so not arrogant full of bs.
If you dont go through life striving and manifesting being better than everyone else, you never will be. In interviews with noel, he states that he was worried about the bands future and the arrogance and egoiste nature of the band was also a great part of the bands success. Music is subjective at the end of the day, i like the beatles but personally, oasis are the best in my opinion.
Hey. I’m a vocalist living in Stockport. I’m slightly over the hill as well as being a bit down the road but I can write a decent lyric as well. If you want to try me out on a tune or two I’m still functional, slightly bald, reasonably wrinkle free and still passionate about music.
Not in the same league as the Beatles
The Beatles were like a fibe red wine. Oasis are like Vimto. Both drinkable. Both enjoyable…but one is world class. Definitely. Maybe.
Oasis had a bigger and longer lasting cultural impact, everyone wanted to be dress and act like them. The Beatles were huge in their day but aside from Oasis, no one wanted to be the next Beatles, but bands to this day want to be the new Oasis and none have come close.
I think you’d have had to have lived through the days when the Beatles were big. They were far, far, far bigger than Oasis. Galactically so. Oasis never broke America either. (Beatles are still huge out there.)
The Beatles back catalogue far exceeds whatever Oasis produced.
Remember the Beatles were around in the 60s and yet here we are still talking about them, nearly 70 years later.
Oasis are a full on guitar band & make plenty of noise, some of it rather good. But The Beatles they are not . In fairness, I think they know it , despite the bravado.
I’m not even sure what Oasis is I don’t know any songs that Oasis did the Beatles out play everybody,
There’s no comparison between the Beatles and Oasis…..the Beatles were a phenomenon…. like a tidel wave….Oasis a drop in the ocean.
I grew up with the Beatles and became a man with Oasis! I find enough room in my world to accommodate both!!
This is an old interview and would like to hear if Paul has the same assessment today. I actually prefer Stones and Oasis over The Beatles, but it’s all in what you get from the music. It doesn’t mean I think one is better than the other I just prefer their music over The Beatles. All music sounds good to somebody. IMO The Beatles are far from the greatest band of all time but I don’t think there is any argument that they are the most influential band of all time.