While the ark of history has proven that Oasis’ 1997 offering Be Here Now was an ultimately misguided endeavour. History could have opted a different course, and could Oasis’ Don’t Go Away have been a number 1 hit?.
Twenty five years ago, the track Don’t Go Away become the fourth single off the album Be Here Now but was a Japanese exclusive. Therefore, it had no chance of reaping the rewards of its smash hit potential.
Don’t Go Away was one of the tracks favoured by US Alternative Rock radio. As well as being the centrepiece of the bands October 1997 Saturday Night Live performance. It is the one track off its parent album that manages to have a perfect arrangement, and throw in one of Liam Gallagher’s most emotionally potent vocal deliveries and you have a ready made hit.
The Masterplan
Oasis stood at an impasse in summer 1997. Either ascend to the stratospheric status they had long claimed was theirs or continue the dogged arena circuit. Essential to this, is the first single of what was to be the mythical ‘third album`. In retrospect, Noel Gallagher humorously describes the shock of Sony record executives when the 7 (or maybe 8) minuet behemoth D’you Know What I Mean? was unveiled, history proves they may have had a point.
In the UK no obstacle stood in the band’s way for popularity. However, the US was still playing hard to get. Wonderwall had nestled its way into the Billboard hot 100 (peaking at number 8) and the parent album reached number 4. Just as if the tide was beginning to turn in Oasis’ favour, the inevitable happens. One Gallagher brother refuses to come on tour, the other walks out. The summer of 1997 was Oasis’ last chance to knock America into submission.
The Alternative History
American audiences want another bite of the Wonderwall pie. Don’t Go Away could have been the key that unlocked true US dominance for Oasis. During that summer, Oasis supported U2 for a short stint of their 1997 world tour. This time would have been perfect to unleash Don’t Go Away as their leadoff single; the band could have appeared on SNL earlier and ensured maximum television exposure. As well as performing it live with U2 (as they did with D’you Know what I Mean?).
Conclusion
Whilst getting to number two in the Billboard album charts is nothing to sniff at (in spite of being beaten by Puff Daddy). Oasis’ US popularity may have sustained, or grown, had they opted to release Don’t Go Away as a single in the summer of 1997. Instead, 25 years later we must wonder about the one that got away.
