The Who developed from an earlier group, the Detours, and established themselves as part of the pop art and mod movements, featuring auto-destructive art by destroying guitars and drums on stage. Their first single as the Who, "I Can't Explain", reached the UK top ten, followed by a string of singles including "My Generation", "Substitute" and "Happy Jack". In 1967, they performed at the Monterey Pop Festival and released the US top ten single "I Can See for Miles", while touring extensively. The group's fourth album, 1969's rock opera Tommy, included the single "Pinball Wizard" and was a critical and commercial success. Live appearances at Woodstock and the Isle of Wight Festival, along with the live album Live at Leeds, cemented their reputation as a respected rock act. With their success came increased pressure on lead songwriter Townshend, and the follow-up to Tommy, Lifehouse, was abandoned. Songs from the project made up 1971's Who's Next, which included the hit "Won't Get Fooled Again". The group released the album Quadrophenia in 1973 as a celebration of their mod roots, and oversaw the film adaptation of Tommy in 1975. They continued to tour to large audiences before semi-retiring from live performances at the end of 1976. The release of Who Are You in 1978 was overshadowed by the death of Moon shortly after.
Kenney Jones replaced Moon and the group resumed activity, releasing a film adaptation of Quadrophenia and the retrospective documentary The Kids Are Alright. After Townshend became weary of touring, the group split in 1982. The Who occasionally re-formed for live appearances such as Live Aid in 1985, a 25th anniversary tour in 1989 and a tour of Quadrophenia in 1996–1997. They resumed regular touring in 1999, with drummer Zak Starkey. After Entwistle's death in 2002, plans for a new album were delayed. Townshend and Daltrey continued as the Who, releasing Endless Wire in 2006, and continued to play live regularly.
The Who's major contributions to rock music include the development of the Marshall stack, large PA systems, use of the synthesizer, Entwistle and Moon's lead playing styles, Townshend's feedback and power chord guitar technique, and the development of the rock opera. They are cited as an influence by hard rock, punk rock and mod bands, and their songs still receive regular exposure.
The Who is one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century. Their appearances at Monterey and Woodstock helped give them a reputation as one of the greatest live rock acts and they have been credited with originating the "rock opera". The band has sold over 100 million records worldwide.
The group's contributions to rock include the power chord, windmill strum and the use of non-musical instrument noise such as feedback. The band influenced fashion from their earliest days with their embrace of pop art and the use of the Union Jack for clothing. The guitar-smashing incident at the Railway Hotel in 1964 is one of Rolling Stone magazine's "50 Moments That Changed the History of Rock 'n' Roll".
Pink Floyd began to use feedback from their early shows in 1966, inspired by the Who, whom they considered a formative influence. Shortly after arriving in London in 1966, Jimi Hendrix visited Marshall's music shop demanding an amp setup like Townshend's and manipulated electronic noises in ways that Townshend had pioneered. The Beatles were fans and socialised with Moon in particular during the mid-1960s. In 1965, Paul McCartney said the Who "are the most exciting thing around" and was inspired to write "Helter Skelter" in the group's "heavy" style; John Lennon borrowed the acoustic guitar style in "Pinball Wizard" for "Polythene Pam".
The loud volume of the band's live show influenced the approach of hard rock and heavy metal. Proto punk and punk rock bands such as the MC5, the Stooges, the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, the Clash and Green Day cite the Who as an influence. The Who inspired mod revival bands, particularly the Jam, which helped other groups influenced by the Who become popular. The Who influenced hard rock bands such as Guns N' Roses. In the mid-1990s, Britpop bands such as Blur and Oasis were influenced by the Who. The Who have also influenced pop punk band Panic! at the Disco.
The Who has inspired many tribute bands; Daltrey has endorsed the Whodlums, who raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Many bands have covered Who songs; Elton John's version of "Pinball Wizard" reached No. 7 in the UK.
A Man Is A Man
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You talk about crazy affairs
You talk about your life as though it mattered
You talk about your life as though it mattered
You get attention 'cause you block the stairs
You get attention 'cause you block the stairs
Bragging about some bottles you have shattered
Bragging about some bottles you have shattered
Well, I met a man who really lives
Well, I met a man who really lives
He really does it all
He really does it all
But what really matters is the heart he gives
But what really matters is the heart he gives
He makes your talk seem small
He makes your talk seem small
When a man is a man
When a man is a man
He doesn't act to a plan
He doesn't act to a plan
He don't have to perform like John Wayne in some B feature flick
He don't have to perform like john wayne in some B feature flick
A man is a man
A man is a man
When he can offer his hand
When he can offer his hand
Not afraid of appearing insane if he can't break a brick
Not afraid of appearing insane if he can't break a brick
I know a man who's a man
I know a man who's a man
Can't you sometimes crack a smile?
Can't you sometimes crack a smile?
Do you think if you did, we would run and tell?
Do you think if you did, we would run and tell?
I know one day your big villain style
I know one day your big villain style
Will collapse as they turn the key in the door of your cell
Will collapse as they turn the key in the door of your cell
I know a man who was once like you
I know a man who was once like you
But he opened his heart
But he opened his heart
No one is really bad right through
No one is really bad right through
He's just another part
He's just another part
When a man is a man
When a man is a man
And he drinks till he's canned
And he drinks till he's canned
He can drop to the floor, he can weep; we won't ask the price
He can drop to the floor, he can weep; we won't ask the price
A man is a man
A man is a man
He can fall, he can stand
He can fall, he can stand
We won't love him more if he keeps his soul on the ice
We won't love him more if he keeps his soul on the ice
I know a man who's a man
I know a man who's a man
Every one of us is looking for fame
Every one of us is looking for fame
He's a looker
He's a looker
He's a dresser
He's a dresser
He's a genius under pressure
He's a genius under pressure
I know a man who could tighten your rein
I know a man who could tighten your rein
He's a father
He's a father
He's a brother
He's a brother
He's a rock
He's a rock
He's a lover
He's a lover
He's a man, he's a man
He's a man, he's a man
He doesn't act to a plan
He doesn't act to a plan
He don't have to get hitched to a train in some muscle beach trick
He don't have to get hitched to a train in some muscle beach trick
A man is a man
A man is a man
When he can offer his hand
When he can offer his hand
Not afraid of appearing insane if he can't break a brick
Not afraid of appearing insane if he can't break a brick
Be a man who's a man
Be a man who's a man
The Who's "A Man is a Man" is a song that challenges the traditional notion of masculinity, touching on what truly makes a man. The lyrics point out that talking about oneself and engaging in reckless behavior for attention doesn't necessarily make one a man. Instead, true masculinity is shown through one's heart and actions. The song tells a story of a man who genuinely lives life to the fullest and offers his heart to others, making the singer's talk seem small in comparison. When a man can offer his hand to help others and isn't afraid of appearing vulnerable or "insane," that's when he becomes a man.
Additionally, the song points out that we are all seeking some sort of fame, but the true measure of a man is not in how popular or successful he is, but in how he treats others and himself. The lyrics suggest that we should strive to be men who are fathers, brothers, rocks, and lovers, rather than trying to fit into a narrow definition of masculinity that society has created.
Overall, "A Man is a Man" encourages listeners to examine their own behaviors and attitudes about what it means to be a man, and to strive to be someone who offers their heart and hand to others.
Line by Line Meaning
You talk about crazy affairs
You speak of wild, unstable relationships
You talk about your life as though it mattered
You discuss your life as if it holds significance
You get attention 'cause you block the stairs
You attract notice by being an obstruction in the way
Bragging about some bottles you have shattered
Boasting about breaking some glass bottles
Well, I met a man who really lives
I encountered an individual who truly embraces existence
He really does it all
He engages in a variety of experiences
But what really matters is the heart he gives
However, what is truly significant is the kindness he displays
He makes your talk seem small
In comparison, your words appear insignificant
When a man is a man
When a male becomes a genuine man
He doesn't act to a plan
He doesn't conform to set expectations
He don't have to perform like John Wayne in some B feature flick
He doesn't need to act like John Wayne in a low-budget movie
When he can offer his hand
When he can extend help to others
Not afraid of appearing insane if he can't break a brick
Fearless in looking foolish if he can't perform a stunt
I know a man who's a man
I know of an individual who exemplifies true manliness
Can't you sometimes crack a smile?
Can't you sometimes show a little joy?
Do you think if you did, we would run and tell?
Are you worried we'd gossip about you if you show happiness?
Will collapse as they turn the key in the door of your cell
Your villainous facade will crumble as you get imprisoned
But he opened his heart
But he allowed himself to show affection
No one is really bad right through
Nobody is entirely evil at their core
He can fall, he can stand
He can both fail and succeed
We won't love him more if he keeps his soul on the ice
We won't appreciate him more if he suppresses his emotions
Every one of us is looking for fame
All of us seek recognition
He's a looker
He is physically attractive
He's a dresser
He has a sense of style in clothing
He's a genius under pressure
He performs exceptionally in stressful situations
He's a man, he's a man
He exemplifies true masculinity
He doesn't have to get hitched to a train in some muscle beach trick
He does not need to perform a strength-related stunt
Be a man who's a man
Become a genuine man
Lyrics © SPIRIT MUSIC GROUP
Written by: PETER DENNIS BLANDFOR TOWNSHEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JJ
on Won't Get Fooled Again - Original Album Version
It was Racist
Philip Kassabian
on Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere
The Who have so many great songs it's difficult to even describe.
Philip Kassabian
on See Me, Feel Me
Yet another excellent song by The Who one of the best bands of the 1960's.
Philip Kassabian
on I Can't Explain
A really good song by The Who.
Philip Kassabian
on I Can See for Miles
A song that definitely gets stuck in your head.
Philip Kassabian
on My Generation
An amazing song by The Who.