Who Are You
The Who Lyrics
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Who, who, who, who?
Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?
Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?
Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?
I woke up in a Soho doorway
A policeman knew my name
He said you can go sleep at home tonight
If you can get up and walk away
I staggered back to the underground
And the breeze blew back my hair
I remember throwin' punches around
And preachin' from my chair
Well, who are you? (who are you? who, who, who, who?)
I really wanna know (who are you? who, who, who, who?)
Tell me, who are you? (who are you? who, who, who, who?)
'Cause I really wanna know (who are you? who, who, who, who?)
I took the tube back out of town
Back to the rollin' pin
I felt a little like a dying clown
With a streak of rin tin tin
I stretched back and I hiccupped
And looked back on my busy day
Eleven hours in the tin pan
God, there's got to be another way
Well, who are you? (who are you? who, who, who, who?)
Oh, who are you? (who are you? who, who, who, who?)
Come on and tell me, who are you? (who are you? who, who, who, who?)
Oh who the fuck are you? (who are you? who, who, who, who?)
Who are you?
(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)
(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)
(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)
(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)
(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)
(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)
Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?
Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?
Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?
Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?
I really wanna know
(Who are you?)
(Who, who, who, who?)
Ah who the fuck are you?
(Who are you?)
(Who, who, who, who?)
Who are you?
(Who are you?)
(Who, who, who, who?)
Oh tell me who are you?
(Who are you? uuu)
I really wanna know
Oh I really wanna know
Oh tell me who are you, you, you, ah you?
The Who's "Who Are You" is a song that reflects on an individual's identity crisis, as the singer is questioning his own existence and purpose in life. The song begins with a repetition of the lines "Who are you?" emphasizing the uncertainty of the singer. The first verse reveals that the singer has woken up in a Soho doorway, and a policeman recognizes him, expressing concern about his condition. After a suggestion that he should go home and sleep, the singer stumbles to the underground.
The second verse depicts the singer's disillusionment with life, as he compares himself to a "dying clown" with a "streak of Rin Tin Tin." He reflects on his "busy day" and questions whether there could be another way to live his life. The chorus, once again, displays the curiosity of the singer and his need to know who he really is.
The song's bridge includes a instrumental saxophone solo which is then followed by the repetition of the chorus, once again revealing the singer's need for answers about his identity.
Overall, "Who Are You" is a song about the search for identity and purpose, common themes in rock and roll music. The song's chorus line, "Who are you?", has become a catchphrase for the band and is recognizable to many music lovers.
Line by Line Meaning
Who are you?
The singer is questioning the identity of the person they are addressing
I woke up in a Soho doorway
The singer describes waking up in an unfamiliar and potentially dangerous location
A policeman knew my name
The singer has a reputation with law enforcement
He said you can go sleep at home tonight
Despite the artist's disheveled state, the policeman offers some leniency
If you can get up and walk away
The condition for the artist's release is that they are sober enough to leave on their own
I staggered back to the underground
The singer navigates their way back to the subway system
And the breeze blew back my hair
The wind provides a brief respite from the singer's otherwise uncomfortable situation
I remember throwin' punches around
The artist appears to have engaged in some kind of physical altercation before passing out
And preachin' from my chair
The artist may have been drunk or disorderly and causing a scene
Tell me, who are you?
The artist remains fixated on the identity of the person they are addressing
I took the tube back out of town
The singer heads back to the outskirts of the city
Back to the rollin' pin
The artist is likely returning to some kind of job or obligation
I felt a little like a dying clown
The singer uses this simile to describe their sense of unease and disorientation
With a streak of rin tin tin
This phrase is likely nonsensical but adds to the vibe of the song
Come on and tell me, who are you?
The singer is becoming increasingly insistent on learning the identity of the person they are speaking to
Oh who the fuck are you?
The artist's frustration reaches a boiling point and they use profanity to emphasize their point
I really wanna know
The artist is desperate to understand who they are speaking to
Oh tell me who are you?
The singer repeats this question one last time, craving an answer
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: Peter Townshend
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike
Some of Townshend's best lyrics:
I know there's a place you walked
Where love falls from the trees
My heart is like a broken cup
I only feel right on my knees
I spit out like a sewer hole
Yet still receive your kiss
How can I measure up to anyone now
After such a love as this?
August Blue
Who are you? Who, who, who, who?
Who are you? Who, who, who, who?
Who are you? Who, who, who, who?
Who are you? Who, who, who, who?
I woke up in a Soho doorway
A policeman knew my name
He said, "You can go sleep at home tonight
If you can get up and walk away."
I staggered back to the underground
And the breeze blew back my hair
I remember throwin' punches around
And preachin' from my chair
Well, who are you?
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
I really wanna know
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Tell me, who are you?
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
'Cause I really wanna know
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
I took the tube back out of town
Back to the Rollin' Pin
I felt a little like a dying clown
With a streak of Rin Tin Tin
I stretched back and I hiccuped
And looked back on my busy day
Eleven hours in the Tin Pan
God, there's got to be another way
Well, who are you?
(who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Oh, who are you?
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Come on tell me who are you?
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Alright who the fuck are you?
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Who are you?
Who are you? Who, who, who, who?
Who are you? Who, who, who, who?
Who are you? Who, who, who, who?
Who are you? Who, who, who, who?
I really wanna know
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
I really wanna know
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Come on tell me who are you
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
'Cause I really wanna know
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
I know there's a place you walked
Where love falls from the trees
My heart is like a broken cup
I only feel right on my knees
I spit out like a sewer hole
Yet still receive your kiss
How can I measure up to anyone now
After such a love as this?
Well, who are you?
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Come on tell me who are you
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Oh, I really wanna know
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Tell me tell me who are you
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Come on come on
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Ah who the fuck are you?
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Who are you?
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Oh tell me who are you
(Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
I really wanna know
Oh, I really wanna know
Come on tell me who are you, you, you, you
Submit Corrections
derbystardom
I think this is the finest Rock song EVER.
Jose Gomez
Same
Jose Gomez
Timeless song!
John Ivan Oplimo
Hear, hear! :D
Flatband
No doubt-Best Rock Song ever! Upbeats, downbeats, heavy riffs, stops, great harmony and just awesome mixing! The Greatest!
Peter Green
It's right up there
Joe M. Lemos Jr.
My 8 year old son heard this song for the first time ever real loud in my truck yesterday and he liked it so much he kept replaying it. He's got good taste. 👍
Brandon Vossberg
He probably was trying to say you aren't his real dad.
W. Brainard Lorene
Tremendous song!
top 10 greatest rock n roll songs ever!! need more bands like the who
Gary Harle
Absolutely brilliant drumming. Spot-on vocals, fantastic guitar and bass. Yes, one of the best rock songs ever.