Oasis’ ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?’ Crowned UK’s All‑Time Biggest Studio Album

Oasis’ ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?’ has been officially recognized as the UK’s all‑time top studio album.

The 1995 record ranks third on the list of the nation’s biggest albums, according to combined sales and streaming figures from the Official Charts Company.

‘Morning Glory’ has accumulated 6.2 million UK chart units to date and experienced a notable surge in streams after the band’s highly successful Live ’25 reunion tour last summer.

The album sits behind two greatest‑hits compilations from Queen and ABBA, which occupy the first and second positions respectively. The remainder of the top ten includes Adele’s ’21’ (fourth), Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’ (sixth) and Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ (eighth).

Oasis’s debut album, ‘Definitely Maybe’ (1994), also appears in the top 40 at number 39.

This announcement coincides with the 70th anniversary of the UK’s Official Albums Chart, observed today, July 22.

“We congratulate Oasis, as ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?’ is officially crowned the UK’s biggest studio album of all time,” said Becca Monahan and Chris Austin, interim co‑managing directors of the Official Charts.

“Three decades on, its scale and influence remain extraordinary — a defining British record that continues to unite generations, fill stadiums and soundtrack lives,” they added.

“Celebrating 70 years of the Official Albums Chart provides a unique opportunity to honour the album’s enduring place at the heart of music culture. While listening habits evolve, the album remains the ultimate expression of an artist’s creativity, ambition, and vision.”

They further noted, “For seven decades, the chart has captured the records that seize the public imagination, making the achievements of every artist on this list a fitting centrepiece to this landmark anniversary.”

The UK’s all-time Official Albums Chart top 10 is:

1. ‘Greatest Hits’ – Queen (1981)
2. ‘Gold: Greatest Hits’ – ABBA (1992)
3. ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?’ – Oasis (1995)
4. ’21’ – Adele (2011)
5. ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ – The Beatles (1967)
6. ‘Rumours’ – Fleetwood Mac (1977)
7. ‘Thriller’ – Michael Jackson (1982)
8. ‘Legend’ – Bob Marley & The Wailers (1984)
9. ‘Brothers In Arms’ – Dire Straits (1985)

‘Morning Glory’ single ‘Wonderwall’ has seen a resurgence after featuring in England’s recent World Cup successes. Liam Gallagher commented on a 50 % increase in Spotify streams of the 1995 track across the UK, while Noel Gallagher expressed amazement that the national team were singing the song. “It was a great moment,” he said.

The guitarist threw his support behind the track becoming an anthem for the 2026 World Cup, stating that the song “belongs to the people, and it was a magical moment between the people and the players”.

‘Wonderwall’ originally peaked at number two on the official singles chart. Over the years it has become one of the best‑selling tracks ever, despite never reaching number one.

In 2024, ‘Wonderwall’ became the most‑streamed song from the 1970s‑1990s era and was previously crowned the biggest‑selling Britpop track of the 1990s.

‘Morning Glory’ propelled Oasis to stardom, selling 345,000 copies in its first week and spending ten weeks at number one on the UK Albums Chart.

The album also earned the group the Best British Album award at the 1996 BRIT Awards. To date, it has sold approximately 22 million copies worldwide, including over 5.5 million in the United States.

Last year, Oasis released a 30th‑anniversary edition of the record featuring five new unplugged versions of classic tracks, including ‘Morning Glory’. A limited edition ‘Morning Glory’ 7” singles box set was also issued.

In 2020, to mark the 25th anniversary of the album, Noel returned to Rockfield Studios in Wales for an extensive interview about the record.

Oasis is reportedly preparing for a major 2027 UK and European tour, which may feature a 12‑night residency in Manchester and a return to Knebworth.

Earlier this month, the first trailer for the band’s upcoming documentary, titled Don’t Look Back In Anger, was released. Produced by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, the film will chronicle the reunion and comeback tour and reportedly contains rare footage of Liam and Noel’s first meeting ahead of the shows.

Liam has said that a new Oasis album is not imminent. In February, Noel indicated he was “in the studio”, though it remains unclear whether he was working on new Oasis material or solo work with the High Flying Birds.

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