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“Is it worth the aggravation / To find yourself a job when there’s nothing worth working for?” – Cigarettes and Alcohol
‘Cigarettes and Alcohol’ may just be the epitome of what Oasis are all about. From their debut album Definitely Maybe, this song is a fabulous example of why the Gallagher brothers are viewed by many as British working-class heroes. ‘Cigarettes and Alcohol’ is a tribute to all those misunderstood, unfulfilled people who are fed-up with the way things are and have nothing but a diet of alcohol and nicotine to rely upon to have a good time. The words throughout the song are full of angst and frustration and, coupled with the catchy beat and guitar riffs, make it virtually impossible to dislike. A particularly brilliant lyric is the one above, which sums up a view that is hugely relatable to working-class citizens, both in the 90s, when this was written, and in present day.