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I kind of like it. To be honest I think Oasis have given up on trying with singles, they are just somethig that the record company insist on releasing, the ever reducing enthusiasm that the band show in appearances before a release ould seem to indicate this, certainly compared to before an album. So for Noel it doesnt matter which one is released because the fans will have it on the album already anyway, perhaps it makes moe sense to them to release some of the songs that tbey might like rather than would sell.

As far as I can tell, Falling Down is generally regarded as one of the absolute high points of the album (an opinion I share). It's incredibly atmospheric and brooding, and really creates a sense of foreboding, desperation and claustrophobia. Rather than not changing how I feel when I listen to it, it actually has quite a powerful impact for me.

I think a great song is a great song, and as long as it isn't a ten minute jam, it can make a great single (and even those can be edited for radio). Most of the time with Oasis, there are obvious singles on an album which have blatantly been written according to some of your criteria (especially lead-off singles), and they're often some of the weakest or most boring songs on the record (eg Roll With It, Go Let It Out, Stop Crying Your Heart Out, The Hindu Times, Let There Be Love and, for my money, The Shock of the Lightning and I'm Outta Time). Usually there's something far greater on the album which doesn't conform to the stereotype of a "single", but would sound great on the radio in my personal opinion. Let's be honest, this is Oasis - pretty much everything they do is going to be accessible. We're not talking Kid A here.

It'll be obvious I'm an Oasis fan, which I'm sure will diminish my credibility on this topic for some people. But they DO do more than meat-and-potatoes rock 'n' roll and big ballads, and I'm glad they're releasing an example. Hackerjack above is probably right too, that they likely aren't bothered SO much about single releases. But that doesn't stop this being a great one.

Thanks for the terrific description of what a great pop song actually does:

'change how you are and what you are feeling'

That kind of sets the 5 star bar for me.

Fraser McAlpine is an idiot, i would use stronger words but tht would be rude. critics have to criticise otherwise u'll be out of a job. its not the best oasis song ever but its definitely not the worst and is far better then some of the trash about at the moment.

to conclude, Fraser quit ur day job, get a job more suited, my rubbish gets picked up on tuesday afternoons see you then.

Umm... bartlett03... if you don't want to be rude, it would possibly be a start if you avoided saying things like, "[x]...is an idiot"!

(Maybe I'm stating the obvious, but then you felt free to give Fraser advice, so all's fair..!)

Why would they release it as a single? Oh, maybe because its the best song on the album. Most oasis fans would agree. (ask any oasis forum/ community) I really don't think oasis need to release a catchy but rubbish tune (like most of the chart) to try and get a good review from a chart blog or get more sales.

A single doesnt have to fit your criteria. I get the feeling Noel just wanted to put out his best song because it deserved to be put out. May open a few minds... obviously not yours.

Was roll with it one of the better songs from MG? no, but it was catchy. Falling Down is the opposite.

Sounds like Noel has stumbled on some old New Model Army tracks, which is no bad thing.

So you're saying that if I start a band and throw in some " swagger blah blah passion blah blah real music" I can create a song like Wonderwall? Wow.

I'm a huge Oasis fan, but this is not one of their best singles.

However, it is certainly better some of the rubbish in the top at the moment, such as 'Right Round', 'Poker face' and 'dead and gone'. I mean WTF, how can anyone like that rubbish. Its not even sound, just random noise with a name!