(As Long as They've Got) Cigarettes in Hell
Quick facts
- Artist
- Oasis
- Release
- Go Let It Out
- Release year
- 2000
- Lyrics
- Available
Lyrics
Spend you days just walking and shopping
Depending on how much you're luck is in
Spend the night-life table-hopping
And trying to keep that bag of bones in trim
I don't mind not being immortal
''cause it ain't all that as far as I can tell
I don't mind not going to heaven
As long as they've got cigarettes
As long as they've got cigarettes in hell
And by the time we start getting used to it
The dope that's forming on the windowsill
Now we know we've got ourselves into
The cage that keeps the mice on the treadmill
I don't mind not being immortal
''cause it ain't all that as far as I can tell
I don't mind not going to heaven
As long as they've got cigarettes
As long as they've got cigarettes in hell
I don't mind not being immortal
Because it ain't all that as far as I can tell
I don't mind not going to heaven
As long as they've got cigarettes
As long as they've got cigarettes in hell
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Notes
This song also came during Oasis' transitional phase after the exit of original members Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan in 1999, marking a shift toward more experimental and introspective sounds on Standing on the Shoulder of Giants. The album moved away from the bombastic style of their previous record, Be Here Now, embracing soul-searching and trippiness instead.
Lyrically, the song paints a picture of mundane, consumer-driven existence while adopting a defiant, carefree attitude toward life, death, and the afterlife. Key themes include rejecting societal norms, embracing impermanence, and finding solace in simple vices like cigarettes.
Interpretations often see it as a critique of shallow, materialistic lifestyles—work, shopping, and superficial socializing—while the chorus delivers a humorous "screw you" to conventional ideas of success, immortality, and morality.
The repeated indifference to heaven or hell, as long as cigarettes are available, is viewed as a metaphor for accepting life's downsides with one's comforts intact, or not caring about damnation for non-conformity. Fans and critics have lauded it as one of Oasis' stronger B-sides, with Noel's vocals and lyrics frequently highlighted as among his best.
In a 2025 ranking of every Oasis B-side by Mojo Magazine, it placed at #23, praised for its reflective tone and innovative use of the mellotron. It's considered an underrated gem from their post-peak era, showcasing a more mature, psychedelic side. If you're looking to listen, check it out on streaming services or YouTube—there's even an official lyric video.