Did Green Day Rip Off Oasis?

By J.P. Gorman: 2006-12-21 00:00:00

Comment on “Did Green Day Rip Off Oasis?”

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1. pat Says:
   December 22nd, 2006 at 01:48

   if you listen to the mix of boulevard of broken dreams and wonderwall, it is pretty much the same. i think they did kinda rip them off, but i dont think it matters

1. dd Says:
   December 22nd, 2006 at 08:25

   It uses the exact same chords and chord progressions except they strum it singally. It is a total rip off.

1. punkchick Says:
   December 22nd, 2006 at 23:42

   similar or not similar, both songs were hits why should oasis hate them, no offence and in my own opinion i love BOBD and if they used same chords.. blah blah, personally i think so what, to me it sounds better than wonderwall, i know now oasis fans will start "attacking" me but anyway rip off or no rip off, like pat said, dosent matter, both songs were great hits.

1. sacchelli Says:
   December 22nd, 2006 at 23:42

   Yeahman theres a track called boulevard of broken songs and its greenday, oasis and maybe travis and eminem i cant remember but yeah that greenday track is pretty much the same. I dont even care wonderwalls clearly a sh*t load better just thought i'd day somethin, cheers.

1. Clark Griswalkd Says:
   December 25th, 2006 at 00:44

   Green Day suck and they did completely rip off Oasis

1. Pat Says:
   December 25th, 2006 at 09:25

   Okay, first and foremost, are the chords and chord progressions similar, yes. In Fact, they are the same exact thing. If the only thing that made a song was the chord progression, then this would be stealing. However, there is much more to a song than a chord progression. This stuff happens. Songs are made and accidentally sound like another song that has already been made. I wrote the first 30 seconds of the Dies Irae of the Berlioz requiem, thinking that I was composing something original. Thankfully, I listened to the Dies Irae, and then trashed my own composition. Because the only similiarities these songs share are in chords, which are quite simple and common, and the progression fits the typical tendencies of the ears of a Western Musician, it doesn't surprise me that within ten years' time somebody accidentally used the same chords in the same order. Noel Gallagher is full of himself. I dare him to take Green Day to court to file for copyright infringement, I have a good feeling he would lose quickly.

1. guitarist Says:
   December 25th, 2006 at 22:58

   I totally agree with pat, yes, the chords are very similar, but nothing else is and as for Noel Gallagher; well he is just a fool.

1. ttv84 Says:
   December 26th, 2006 at 21:36

   Oasis are just BIGTIME jealous because Green Day made a better song then theirself out off the same chords. You cant call that a ripoff!!

1. Kirstie Says:
   December 30th, 2006 at 18:58

   Why would Green Day want to rip off Oasis? I have listened to both of the songs and yes i admit they sound the same at the beginning but it totally chagnes throughout the song. Noel just picks an argument with anyone and tries to act the innocent person. He is a liar. Green Day have their own popularity and don't need a bigmouth to bring them down.

1. Matt Says:
   January 3rd, 2007 at 16:42

   This accusation is so totally stupid. Yeah maybe the two songs have the sang chords but that doesn't mean that Green Day stole from Oasis. I like both bands but I am on the Green Day side of this. I totally agree with everything that Pat said.

1. Freekaleek. Says:
   January 6th, 2007 at 03:06

   Jeeez, Noel, go take a Midol!
   This is such a stupid accusation, and any previous respect I might've held for the band is now gone. I side with Green Day, because Noel is just being an ass. And they effing RAWK!

1. Jinx Says:
   January 6th, 2007 at 03:07

   That's bullshit. Noel's a liar. Know why? Boulevard of Broken Dreams came out in 2004, more than two years after this came out, and after that DJ mashed up the songs. That DJ (his creation was called 'Boulevard of Broken Songs') noticed the similarity between the two bands' songs BEFORE Noel did and BEFORE he accused Green Day, and after Noel heard about it he started mouthing off just because he could. I think he's just jealous Green Day kicks his ass. Little shit. Liar, liar, liar, liar.

1. palupa Says:
   January 11th, 2007 at 01:51

   they do sound alike, have the same chords and progression and what not, it doesn't really matter to me because eventhough i do like green day and all... they can never do what oasis did in the 90's. to me the best sign of admiration is actually copying someones work. Oasis will live forever. This just proves that true

1. Mikey Says:
   January 12th, 2007 at 12:45

   Well considering there is an mp3 of Green Day covering Wonderwall live in the late '90's floating around and that the chords are exactly the same I'd say Green Day are as guilty as sin. Caught Red Handed!

1. Halo-Reaper Says:
   February 6th, 2007 at 12:41

   They are both good songs, brilliant lyrics excellently performed.
   But Noel, step outta the glasshouse before you start throwing stones.
   
   "They should have the decency to wait until I am dead [before stealing my songs]. I, at least, pay the people I steal from that courtesy.”
   
   Last time I heard, McCartney and Jagger were very much alive and kickin'
   

1. Daniel Says:
   February 10th, 2007 at 23:02

   Whoever thinks "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" is better than "Wonderwall" is a complete moron.
   
   Yes, it sounds different from Wonderwall, and I'll give them credit for trying to make it sound different from Wonderwall.
   
   But they did not make it different enough. They completely took elements from Wonderwall and did not attempt to change it at all.
   
   The speed is the same, the structure of the songs is the same, and as mentioned, the chord progression is the same, and the bass is the same basically.

1. Brittney Says:
   March 6th, 2007 at 21:56

   screw oasis, they suck. green day could steal from better-get over yourself! like they give a shit about you, you wish they would steal from you. that way you may be worth something. they're better than you could ever dream to be!!!

1. Brycey Says:
   March 29th, 2007 at 14:16

   This is so pathetic.... everyone knows that oasis are way beyond the spasticated repetativeness of greenday.... i would say greenday needed to steal wonderwall to survive... greenday are shite and always will be massive sellout bastards! Greenday lick balls and oasis rule, very few bands can put a song together like oasis... and obviously greenday are NOT one of those few bands

1. Matt Says:
   April 12th, 2007 at 19:41

   OK first of all, both Wonderwall and Boulevard of Broken Dreams were great songs and were about equally as successful, so throw the "X song is better" argument out of the way. Secondly, no matter your opinion on Gallagher or Green Day (I like both very much, so I'm unbiased), discard that and then actually look at the argument Noel puts forward.
   
   For him to say Green Day stole Wonderwall is absurd, the lyrics and the song meaning is completely different, furthermore WW is an upbeat song whereas BOBD is very downbeat. OK the chords and the chords progression are very similar but there are differences, enough to believe that Green Day did create the music themselves, but then again they could be covering their tracks. So lets leave that point for a second.
   
   Why would Green Day steal Wonderwall to make BOBD? They're a band that had - at the time - been around about 15 years, if my memory serves me right. Their album was littered with potential hits Wake Me Up When September Ends, St Jimmy, Jesus of Suburbia, American Idiot, She's a Rebel and probably some others that escape me right now could have all - and some were - hits for the band. So why risk their reputation (both that they're building through the new album and over their careers) by stealing a song that is really well known.
   
   Also, the chords aren't too complex - hence why Wonderwall and BOBD are popular songs for upcoming bands to perform - and therefore it is far easier to create an almost identical sound without even recognising it. I think Green Day are just the victim of circumstance, and if it went to court - which the Gallaghers wouldn't do, as they more than likely know this is a blanket statement (something I elaborate on below) - Green Day would be found completely innocent.
   
   Finally, just remember how many other claims the Gallaghers have made like this one, they have a tendency to stay in the spotlight by picking fights with stars of the moment. Remember when they called Robbie Williams the "fat dancer from Take That".

1. Artur Rozumek Says:
   May 2nd, 2007 at 21:23

   I honestly believe you can use the same chord lineup and write a different song. Scales make up chords, scales define keys. With rhythmic variation you have a new interpretation of a pattern of tones. It's very disappointing that the word "stole" is being thrown around. Metallica also believed it owned a chord progression and sued a Canadian band over it. When bands try to be corporations, I think the general public loses respect for them. Shouldn't we be realistic and stop calling musicians like these "artists"? Seems like they're just out for the glory and profit.

1. lsld Says:
   May 13th, 2007 at 10:59

   I agree with these guys completely.Green day on no way could have STOLEN anything from wonderwall.They are about two completely different things and are almost the opposite of each other.Okay, maybe the chords seem to mix up pretty well but that dosen't mean they are the same.
   For instance a certain part of Marillyn Manson's (pardon the spelling if wrong)
   "Sweet dreams" actually manages to match the BAckstreet Boys' "Show me the meaning", so now your saying that they are rip offs ???!!!
   
   Sorry Noel, you got it wrong this time.
   
   P.s. hope I'm right about the manson-boys thing.

1. tibbi Says:
   May 21st, 2007 at 20:25

   books and music are always like that you morons, every song takes influence from others, some people just are more obvious about it, and besides, imitation is the highest form of flattery

1. Mitch Says:
   June 7th, 2007 at 10:41

   If you attempted to make a list of every song that used the same chord progression as another song you would probably waste a good part of your life. I sat and thought about it for about 5 minutes and in that time realised that Sympathy For The Devil, Sweet Child O' Mine and the coda from Hey Jude all use the same chord progression as each other. Anyone want to accuse the Rolling Stones of plagiarism? I think not. Chord progressions help make up a song but they do not entirely define a song. There are not too many songs that are instantly recognisable based on chords alone, and yet if you play the melody or tap out the rhythm of a song it is often easily identifiable, and the melody and rhythm of Boulevard Of Broken Dreams and Wonderwall do not even vaguely resemble each other. A musician of Noel Gallagher's songwriting ability would be well aware of this, but then it never really has been about the music with Noel Gallagher has it? Don't get me wrong, I'm actually a much bigger fan of Oasis' work than Green Day's, but it's high time that someone deflated Noel's massive ego.

1. Superman morin Says:
   June 23rd, 2007 at 09:52

   Well i just wanna say that Green Day totally rocks. I agree with what the majority of the music fans are saying. Why in the hell would Green Day wanna steal a song for? They have written so many great hits all on their own. They dont need to steal any music. They're great artists all on their own. Gallagher just needs to shut his pie hole. So why is Gallagher picking on one of the world's greatest trio of artists? Because he is just trying to be in the spotlight again. A has-been like Gallagher does need a stepping stone...

1. Tom Says:
   June 25th, 2007 at 22:42

   Green Day stole from Oasis. Any guitar player knows that.

1. Clint Says:
   July 2nd, 2007 at 12:35

   I think its a clear attempt to recreate a very popular song in a very different manner. I believe Green day consciecously 'borrowed' those chords. Im an oasis fan but im not bitter about it because BOBD has its own audience and i personally think the song is terrible. Noel is a different league of songwriter and he should know that but i can understand why it would be irritating all those repetitave american bands get on my nerves just as much as the new breed of depressing music in the UK.

1. Dan Says:
   July 2nd, 2007 at 12:38

   Well we are still talking about this so obviously it is a very debatable subject. Let me get my bias out of the way and say I am an american who thinks that Oasis is the greatest band of all time(Anyone who doesnt think so download "whatever"). The first time I heard BOBD on the radio I swear to god I thought someone was requesting Wonderwall. The chords are the exact same. Yes the sequence is very simple, but a rip off none the less. Noel Gallagher may be the greatest song writer in the last twenty years, Green Day has had massive success but there songs are amatuer like in relation.
   
   If Oasis was from the United States I dare to say they would still rule the world, as they still rule the UK. Look at all the bands inspired by Oasis, its fact not fiction

1. Elvis Says:
   July 6th, 2007 at 11:44

   One thing that no one ever seems to mention is that Noel isnt always as quite serious as he seems. Think about it. To declare your band bigger than God. I find Noels quotes unbelievably funny & brilliant! :)

1. Liam Says:
   July 24th, 2007 at 12:49

   well, im quite into both bands, but Oasis are far better. Both are good songs, but Wonderwall is classic. I would like Green Day to admit to stealing the song, i sure people would respect them for it. Maybe even Oasis. I mean, Noel Gallagher can't really talk about stealing, Fade Away, for instance, uses the melody of Wham!'s Freedom, and Cigarettes & Alcohol uses T. Rex's Get it On riff. But Noel does pay for his uses afterall.
   
   

1. John Candy Says:
   August 5th, 2007 at 19:06

   Noel is probably angry at the massive success that American Idiot had. He wrote TONS of awesome songs in the mid-nineties for their first two albums and b-sides of 1994-95. Green Day was pretty big during this time, too with Dookie. Both bands have been going strong for roughly the same number of years. But Green Day seems to have had more worldwide success in recent years. Oasis is just big in the UK not here in the US where I'm from. And that's a shame, because I like Oasis much more than Green Day but many americans dont. Maybe this will just get Noel to try really hard and write another masterpiece. God knows I want him to. Show Green Day who's boss, Noel!

1. Bryan Says:
   August 16th, 2007 at 05:03

   Green Day did rip off Oasis. Saying that you side with Green Day is like saying that you side with Vanilla Ice over Mercury and Bowie (Ice Ice Baby/Under Pressure). They should have the respect to at least give a writing credit on this one. I mean having a 10 week number one hit made from your song doesn't make a songwriter very happy. Noel has every right to be pissed off. Also, I might add that you can tell who is a Green Day fan from all the meaningless s*** f*** cursing. Oasis will "Live Forever".

1. Chris Says:
   September 5th, 2007 at 12:14

   I don't know that it's fair for the writer to say BoBD helped define Green Day's international career. That's overstating things a little...

1. Unamed Says:
   November 27th, 2007 at 21:15

   BOBD is too similiar. first i didn't care about it. but then i listened to both of them. extactly the same apart from the lyrics. too similar. i like both bands, but i hope green day admits thtat they did and apologizes. that'll make me like them better.

1. BillyJoe Armstrong Says:
   November 29th, 2007 at 22:11

   Hey man I didn't rip off Oasis.
   BOBD is a lot better than stupid Wonderwall anyway.
   NOEL GALLAGHER NEEDS TO STOP CRYING LIKE THE LITTLE BABY HE IS.

1. Jake Says:
   February 28th, 2008 at 14:47

   I am a big green day fan, and i dont really like oasis, but green day clearly did not intend to rip off oasis, they just use the same chords and nearly the same strumming pattern. If you actually listen to both of the songs they do not sound one bit the same and I think Noel is being a big mouthed twat trying to convince people that another big band like green day think that oasis are so good that they are going to rip off one of their songs. BOBD won a grammy award for the best record of the year, so fuck wonderwall, and by the way, GREEN DAY ARE BIGGER AND BETTER, SO FUCK JAY AND LEWIS!

1. Hazem Says:
   March 1st, 2008 at 16:02

   Actually, I never noticed the similarity between the two songs until I heard the mix “Boulevard of broken songs”.
   
   I don’t actually think of Green day ripping off Oasis… I would not really use the word “Rip off” because that would hurt Oasis fans, and Oasis themselves!
   I’m not a big fan of both, but I think each band has its own originality.
   
   They may have intentionally used the same chords, but they totally sound different!!!
   Chords or notes or “DO RE MI FA SOL”.. whatever you call it.. it’s music after all… you know!
   
   I would say Oasis somehow influenced Green Day… and that is just amazing! Don’t you think so… but saying otherwise, is not really good!
   
   One example is actually coming to mind just now… I am a big fan of Peal Jam, I’m also a fan of Creed, and have always liked the vice of Scott Stapp…
   But, I still think that Scott Stapp ripped of the voice of Eddie Vedder…
   
   However.. both have great voices, and both have sold millions
   
   Who’s better? That’s a completely different issue! Because after all… WE ARE NOT COMAPRING APPLE TO APPLE!!!
   
   ..and the same is with Green Day and Oasis!

1. Skold Says:
   March 10th, 2008 at 13:53

   Ok, I love Oasis, and I love Noel Gallagher, but does he REALLY have any room to talk about ripping people off? I mean, he ripped off the goddamn Coca`Cola song (as well as John Lennon's "Woman is the n***** of the world", and numerous others). Now, I don't exactly like Green Day, but I don't think Gallagher has the right to say they ripped him off.

1. Aerosmith Says:
   April 21st, 2008 at 00:20

   kids, green day didnt rip of oasis, they both ripped of a little band from the 70s, you may have heard of them, they are called aerosmith. well they had a little song called DREAM ON and that is what oasis ripped off for their little wonderwall deal. they rip off 77% of their music. they are hacks. shameless hacks. they are nothing but a glorified cover band.if you want to listen to some good (and original)90s music go but yourselves some pearl jam or nirvana.

1. Mark Says:
   April 21st, 2008 at 16:09

   Dude, Pearl Jam suck
   
   And honsetly, I love both bands, and I don't think Greenday ripped them off, and Noel doesnt really have a right to say they did, but frankly anyone who says oasis are shite seriously needs to use their ears every once in a while. It might just do them good

1. Marc Says:
   May 2nd, 2008 at 16:47

   Gallagher is just mad because Green Day beat them (thoroughly) at their own game. Boulevard of Broken Dreams is ten times better than Wonderwall, though they are both excellent songs. Grow a pair Noel. Even if Green Day did copy off of you, it only means they were doing you a high honor. And all you can do is bitch about it. Get your head out of your vagina.

1. Hasan Says:
   May 14th, 2008 at 13:24

   I agree with Pat,if he has the power to say that Bill ripped Wonderwall then he should enter the court afterall this is a matter of copyright voilation.
   On the other hand I disgree that GD ripped wonderwall,GD has used the Phazors & Termolo in Boulevard of Broken Dreams,
   The Rhyme is same in the begining and in the end but beats in a different manner.
   Phazors & Termolo are Guitar Amplifiers do search for it.
   My Friend has complete report about this matter,hope he lends it to me quickly to shut the mouth of those saying "GREEN DAY RIPPED OFF OASIS' WONDERWALL".
   

1. mikeyy Says:
   June 19th, 2008 at 18:07

   green day sucks. No body truly knows what punk is, and if you tell me you know punk then dont bring up bands like greenday, blink 182, etc of all your mainstream shit. Oasis is better than greenday anyday and I have mad respect for them. If you listen to their music and pay attention to the lyrics, they know whats it about. life etc.

1. James D Says:
   June 22nd, 2008 at 15:10

   Billie Joe Armstrong is a fucking thief. Look at all the various songs he's obviously ripped off, and they are from well known songs too. What scum.

1. Louis B. Maybe Says:
   August 5th, 2008 at 02:41

   They're both shite compared to even the crappest b-side or filler track by any given band I only vaguely like on a day when I'm feeling generous. They should both, quite simply, fuck off.

1. ray Says:
   August 15th, 2008 at 19:05

   Oasis sucks, they rip off more bands than anyone.

1. Mallika Says:
   September 4th, 2008 at 19:17

   There are only so many chords and so many chord combinations
   
   Noel Gallagher can rip on whoever he wants.
   And if he hates green day (personally MY favourite band, he can go on and fucking do it)
   
   I don't care about him.
   I like his music, but about him?
   I couldn't care less.
   
   But accusing something like that is pretty stupid.
   Because if you listen to wonderwall (and or boulevard of broken dreams)
   and you listen to What I've done by Linkin park.
   
   ITS THE SAME CHORDS. just linkin park's ins 2 semitones higher.
   
   What does noel have to say to that? that linkin park ripped him too?
   
   that's stupid.
   
   

1. anonymous Says:
   November 26th, 2008 at 19:23

   they are both great hits,
   it doesn't matter if they are the same chords, they are two completely different songs
   and the mix wonderwall boulevard sounds incredible
   stop bitching bout it and just appreciate these two brilliant hits

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