Hello is a song by the English rock band Oasis, serving as the opening track on their second studio album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, released on 2 October 1995 by Creation Records. Written primarily by Noel Gallagher, the song incorporates lyrics from Gary Glitter's 1973 single "Hello, Hello, I'm Back Again", resulting in shared writing credits for Glitter and Mike Leander.
Despite not being released as a single, "Hello" is considered a fan favorite and was frequently performed live during the band's mid-1990s tours. The song is known for its brash energy, driving rhythm, and self-referential tone.
Background and composition
"Hello" was recorded during the sessions for Morning Glory at Rockfield Studios in Monmouthshire, Wales. The track features distorted guitars, energetic drums, and a layered vocal performance from lead singer Liam Gallagher.
The lyric "It's good to be back" was borrowed from Gary Glitter’s "Hello, Hello, I’m Back Again". As a result, Glitter and co-writer Mike Leander were credited alongside Noel Gallagher. The song explores themes of identity, disillusionment, and fame, with lyrics such as "We live in the shadows and we had the chance and threw it away" highlighting the tension between success and introspection.
Live performances
"Hello" was regularly used as the opening song in Oasis concerts during the Morning Glory tour and into the Be Here Now era. A notable performance appears on the 1996 live video ...There and Then. It has also been used as the opening song during their Oasis Live '25 Tour.
Due to the lyrical interpolation of Glitter's song, both Gary Glitter and Mike Leander were credited as co-writers. While Glitter’s criminal convictions in the 2000s have since made his involvement controversial, the songwriting credit remains part of the song’s official listing.
Legacy
Though not released as a single, "Hello" has been praised as a powerful album opener and a representative statement of the band's confident Britpop sound. Critics and fans often highlight its role in establishing the tone for Morning Glory.
References
Harris, John. Britpop!: Cool Britannia and the Spectacular Demise of English Rock. Da Capo Press, 2004.
Oasis. (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (Liner notes). Creation Records. 1995.
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