“I don’t actually know anybody called Sally. It’s just a word that fit, y'know, might as well throw a girl’s name in there. It’s gotta guarantee somebody a shag off a bird called Sally, hasn’t it?”
Written By Noel Gallagher, who also provides lead vocals, and released on February 19th 1996 as the forth single from their second album, becoming a mssive hit it reached number one in the UK singles chart and number 55 on the US billboard hot 100.
Featuring the opening piano chords to John Lennons imagine, this is openly acknowledged By Noel
“I suppose 50% of it’s put there to wind people up,” he mused. “And the other 50% is saying ‘Look this is how songs like ‘Look Back in Anger’ come about. Because they’re inspired by songs like ‘Imagine.’ There’s some kid out there will read the interview and say ”Imagine,’ well I’ve never heard that song.’ And he might go and buy the album.”
The song was recorded in May 1995 at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales, during the intense sessions for Morning Glory?. Producer Owen Morris (working alongside Noel) helped shape its grand, anthemic sound with layers of guitars, piano, and a powerful rhythm section from the classic lineup: Noel on lead guitar and vocals, Liam providing backing, Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs on rhythm guitar, Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan on bass, and Alan White on drums.Noel wrote the song quickly — he even debuted a work-in-progress acoustic version (without the full second verse and with slight lyrical differences) at a Sheffield Arena show in April 1995, telling the crowd he'd only written it days earlier and didn't have a title yet. The famous piano intro is a deliberate nod to John Lennon's "Imagine" (Noel has said half of it was to wind people up, and the other half to acknowledge how songs are inspired by great music). He has also mentioned influences like a line from a John Lennon memoir ("trying to start a revolution from me bed") and a childhood memory of his mother making him stand by the fireplace for photos ("take that look from off your face").The title references David Bowie's 1979 song "Look Back in Anger," though the overall message flips it into something more defiant and forward-looking.
The Song has become an anthem in British culture, notably performed spontaneously by crowd after the 2017 Manchester arena bombing as a symbol of resilience. Oasis have played the song live extensively.
"Don't Look Back in Anger" became Oasis's second UK No. 1 single (after "Some Might Say"), holding the top spot and earning multiple platinum certifications (now seven times platinum in the UK). It performed strongly internationally, reaching No. 1 in Ireland and charting in the Top 20–30 in several countries, including a peak of No. 10 on the US Alternative Airplay chart.The single is celebrated for its excellent B-sides:
- "Step Out" — a funky, upbeat track (originally considered for the album but pulled due to similarities with Stevie Wonder's "Uptight").
- "Underneath the Sky" — a psychedelic, dreamy number with Kinks influences.
- "Cum On Feel the Noize" — a raucous cover of the Slade glam classic.
These extras kept the Oasis tradition of high-quality non-album material alive.
"Don't Look Back in Anger" is frequently ranked among Oasis's very best tracks (sometimes even above "Wonderwall" by fans and critics for its depth and sing-along power). It helped cement (What's the Story) Morning Glory? as a generational classic and became a broader cultural anthem of resilience, optimism, and moving forward without bitterness.Noel has mixed feelings about its massive ubiquity but clearly cherishes it. For many, it's the ultimate Oasis sing-along — blending Beatles/Lennon influence, Britpop swagger, and heartfelt defiance.