OASIS - HOPE, I THINK, I KNOW

 HOPE, I THINK, I KNOW

OASIS

SONGWRITER: NOEL GALLAGHER

COUNTRY: U. K.

ALBUM: BE HERE NOW

LABEL: CREATION RECORDS

GENRE: ROCK/BRITPOP

YEAR: 1997

 

          Be Here Now is the third studio album by English rock band Oasis, released on 21 August 1997 by Creation Records. The album was recorded at multiple recording studios in London, including Abbey Road Studios, as well as Ridge Farm Studio in Rusper, West Sussex. According to co-producer Owen Morris, the recording sessions were marred by arguments between the band members and drug abuse, and that the band's only motivations were commercial. Although most tracks retain the anthemic quality of previous releases, the songs on Be Here Now are longer and contain many guitar overdubs. Noel Gallagher said this was done to make the album sound as "colossal" as possible. The album cover features a shot of the band members at Stocks House in Hertfordshire.

         Following the worldwide success of their first two albums, Definitely Maybe, (1994) and (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995), the album was highly anticipated. Oasis' management company, Ignition, were aware of the dangers of overexposure, and before release sought to control media access to the album. The campaign included limiting pre-release radio airplay and forcing journalists to sign gag orders. The tactics alienated the press and many industry personnel connected with the band and fueled large-scale speculation and publicity within the British music scene.

        Preceded by the lead single "D'You Know What I Mean?", Be Here Now was an instant commercial success, selling faster than its two predecessors, and became the fastest-selling album in British chart history, and topping the albums chart in 15 countries. It was the biggest selling album of 1997 in the UK, with 1.47 million units sold that year. As of 2016, the album has sold eight million copies worldwide. It has been certified 7× Platinum in the UK and Platinum in the US, being Oasis' third and final Platinum album in the country.

     While initial reviews for Be Here Now were overwhelmingly positive, retrospective reviews have been more negative, with many calling it bloated and over-produced. The band members have had differing views of the album, with Noel severely criticising it and Liam Gallagher highly praising it, with the latter declaring it his favourite Oasis album in 2017. Critic Jon Savage would later pinpoint the album as the end of the Britpop movement. In 2016, the album was reissued with bonus tracks, including a new remix of "D'You Know What I Mean?".

They're trying hard to put me in my place

And that is why I've gotta keep running

The future is mine and it's no disgrace

'Cause in the end the past means nothing

 

You tell me I'm free then you tie me down

And from my chains I think it's a pity

What did it cost you to wear my crown?

You don't like me, why don't you admit it?

 

D'you feel a little down today?

I bet you ain't got much to say

But you're gonna miss me when I'm not there

You know I don't care, you know I don't care

 

As we beg and steal and borrow

Life is hit and miss and this

I hope, I think, I know

If I'll ever hear the names you call

And if I stumble, catch me when I fall

 

Baby after all, you'll never forget my name

You'll never forget my name

 

You're trying hard to put me in my place

And that is why I gotta keep running

The future's mine and it's your disgrace

'Cause in the end your past means nothing

 

I feel a little down today

And I ain't got much to say

But you're gonna miss me when I'm not there

You know I don't care

You know that I don't care

 

As we beg and steal and borrow

Life is hit and miss and this

I hope you think, you know

If you'll ever hear the names I call

And if I stumble, catch me when I fall

 

Baby after all, you'll never forget my name

Forget my name

You'll never forget my name

As we beg and steal and borrow

Life is hit and miss and this

I hope, I think, I know

If I'll ever hear the names you call

When I stumble, catch me when I fall

 

Baby after all, you'll never forget my name

Never forget my name

Never forget my name

That's that then.