At six minutes and twenty-one seconds, "Whatever" was the longest single the band had released up to that point (it was later surpassed by "Champagne Supernova").

Melody Maker editor Everett True said the song "is absolutely f***ing stunning — from the strummed acoustic and Rolling Stones-esque sentiments (I'm free to be whatever I...whatever I choose), the f***-off strings and inch-perfect handclaps, right through to the final applause.

The fact that it sounds like any number of other songs is a mark of the confidence that Oasis have in their songwriting: amateurs borrow, pros steal and look you straight in the eye, unashamed.

"[12] Oasis were sued by EMI as the record label claimed that the song borrowed portions of Neil Innes's "How Sweet to Be an Idiot".

At their famous performances at Maine Road in April and Knebworth in August 1996, the song was accompanied throughout by harmonica player Mark Feltham.

Noel Gallagher later revisited "Whatever," adding the song to his setlist during his first tour with his band High Flying Birds.

"Slide Away" and "Half the World Away" would also be featured on Oasis' 2006 compilation album Stop the Clocks, but "Whatever" itself was not included.