Written by lead guitarist Noel Gallagher, the song was first released as the second single from their debut studio album Definitely Maybe on 20 June 1994.

The song illustrates Noel Gallagher's habit of borrowing from the past: the chords are a simple twelve-bar blues progression (albeit with the V (F♯) raised to a flat-VII (A)).

An Oasis tribute band called No Way Sis released a cover version of "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" in the style of "Shakermaker", emphasising the similarity between the two songs.

(first appearing on the Live Recordings demo tape), sung by Noel Gallagher, which is instrumentally similar to "Married with Children" from Definitely Maybe and features nostalgic lyrics and two-part[clarification needed] backing vocals by Liam; "Alive", a rough demo of an early rocker, and a live version of "Bring It on Down".

The music video was shot in Burton Road, Manchester nearby the Gallaghers' childhood home.