Album: Stop The Clocks (1995)

Charted: 17

License This Song 

Songfacts®:

• Alan McGee, the head of Oasis' record company, wanted to release this song as a double A-side with the eventual A-side, "Some Might Say," but Noel Gallagher disagreed and despite becoming a concert favorite this was only a B-side.
• To acquiesce is to begrudgingly accept something without protest - it shows up in a lot of spelling bees. Noel Gallagher explained in the November 24th, 2006 Sun newspaper how it came together: "It was written going to a studio in Wales to record 'Some Might Say.' The train broke down and I was stuck for four hours and I wrote that song. Someone had said 'Acquiesce' on the phone and I'd written it down. Liam still doesn't know what it means. People have the misconception that the song is about me and Liam, which annoys me as the lyrics in the second verse are, 'To sing my soul to sleep, And take me back to bed.' It's absolutely not about me and Our Kid and we've never shared a bed-and if I was looking for someone to take me to bed it wouldn't be Liam!"
• Liam and Noel Gallagher both sing on this - Liam sings the verses and Noel comes in on the chorus. >>>

  Suggestion credit:
  Bertrand - Paris, France
• "Acquiesce" entered the UK Singles Chart at #17 in July 2025 following the start of their reunion tour. Despite being one of the band's most beloved tracks and a fan favorite for several decades, it had never previously charted.

Comments: 8

• Neil from NorwichIn my opinion the best and raucous song with absolute freedom throughout..!
• Paul from Kingston Upon ThamesIs it my ears, or does this song vary in speed through the verse towards the chorus and then slow up again afterwards? If this is so, i only just noticed, and i rather like the effect, it promotes a sence of the dis-ease aquiescence might bring.
• Neil from Birmingham, UkNoel probably saw greater commercial potential with 'Some Might Say', which was borne out when it made No. 1 in the UK. I hated the former but Acquiesce is, after 'Live Forever' my favourite Oasis track. I like the fact that some of their best stuff languished on B-sides. Suede had a similar tendency to put excellent tracks on the reverse. You got your money's worth from a single in the good old days.
• Nati from Buenos Aires, ArgentinaAcquiesce is one of tose all-time "shoulda been an A-side". The song is about friendship in the widest sense and not, as often speculated, about the Gallagher brothers themselves. Noel sings the chorus because, he claims, Liam couldn't reach the high notes. Or he was in the pub. Whatever, it was witten on a slow train to Wales and made possible because Noel likes to travel with his guitar. (extracted from The Masterplan songbook)
• Colm from Enniskillen, IrelandIt was. It is the first track on the Masterplan Album
• Jason from Tampa, FlMerriam-Webster defines acquiesce as "to accept, comply, or submit tacitly or passively --often used with in and sometimes with to"
• Dylan from New Britain, CtThis is on The Masterplan.
• Dave from Liverpool, EnglandThis song should have been on an album, to think that noel classed this song as a "b" side beggars belief.

More Songfacts:

Independent Women Part IDestiny's Child

The Destiny's Child "Independent Women Part I" video was directed by the same guy who did the Hunger Games movies.

Candy GirlNew Edition

In the UK, the first #1 hit with a rap was "Candy Girl" by the American boy band New Edition in 1983.

Start Me UpThe Rolling Stones

One of the first hit songs used in a major marketing campaign was "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones. Microsoft paid $3 million to use it in commercials for Windows '95.

Touch MeThe Doors

At the end of the Doors song "Touch Me," Jim Morrison chants, "Stronger than dirt!" The line is from an Ajax commercial where a white knight rides around destroying dirt.

The CaveMumford & Sons

"The Cave" by Mumford & Sons is based on the philosophy of Plato and his work called "Allegory of the Cave."

The BestTina Turner

"The Best" by Tina Turner was originally recorded by Bonnie Tyler; Turner's hit version added a bridge and a saxophone solo by Edgar Winter.

Editor's Picks

Chris TomlinSongwriter Interviews

The king of Christian worship music explains talks about writing songs for troubled times.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Phone Booth SongsSong Writing

Phone booths are nearly extinct, but they provided storylines for some of the most profound songs of the pre-cell phone era.

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.