Shakermaker

Album: Definitely Maybe (1994)
Charted: 11
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The last verse of this song was written in the back of a taxi by Noel Gallagher on the way to record the song. Liam said to Noel, "We haven't actually got a last verse for this song," so Noel wrote it there and then. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Nick - Southampton, England
  • This bears a strong resemblance to the 1971 New Seekers song "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing," which was featured in a famous Coke commercial. The similarity between the songs became evident when Oasis tribute band No Way Sis recorded a version of "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing" in 1996 doing their best to sound like Oasis.
  • The original opening lines to this song were "I'd like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony," but the band were forced to change the lyrics to "I'd like to be somebody else, and not know where I've been," as they didn't have permission to use these copyrighted lyrics. In early gigs, Oasis stuck with the original lyrics. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Glenn - Portsmouth, England
  • Oasis were successfully sued for unlicensed use of the song by the writers of "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing," a 1971 song by the New Seekers that was made famous in a Coke commercial where children gather on a hilltop to sing. Noel Gallagher cited "irony" as his defense and after losing, joked, "Now we all drink Pepsi."

Comments: 2

  • Luke from Cambrigeshirethe line "I've been driving in my car with my friend mister soft" came to noal wile he was waching t.v, he got the name "mister soft" becouse a ad came on about soft mints.
  • Sigmoid from Vancouver, CanadaIn some live versions the Coke commercial song is added on as a final verse ending up with the words "Shake along with me...and now we all drink Pepsi."
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.