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.
Anyway Anyhow Anywhere
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can live anyhow, win or lose
I can go anywhere, for something new
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere I choose
I can do anything, right or wrong
I can talk anyhow, and get along
Don't care anyway, I never lose
Nothing gets in my way
Not even locked doors
Don't follow the lines
That been laid before
I get along anyway I dare
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere
I can go anyway, way I choose
I can live anyhow, win or lose
I can do anything, for something new
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere I choose
(Oooh) anyway
(Oooh) Anyway I choose, yeah
(Oooh) Anyway I want to go
(Oooh) I want to go 'n do it myself
Do it myself
Do it myself, yeah
Anyway, way I choose
Anyway I choose
Yeah, yeah
Ain't never gonna lose the way I choose
The way I choose
The way I choose
The lyrics to The Who's song Anyway Anyhow Anywhere celebrate the freedom of choice and individualism. The opening verse suggests that the singer is not bound by conventions or expectations and can choose to live his life anyway and anywhere he likes it. He does not see himself as being confined to any specific paths or rules and can ultimately do as he pleases without caring about the consequences. The second verse reinforces this notion by saying that the person can break free from constraints, be it right or wrong, and still get what he wants. The third verse describes how he navigates obstacles such as locked doors by not following the lines that have been laid before but by daring to be creative and follow his instincts.
Overall, the song embodies the spirit of the 1960s youth rebellion, rejecting authority and conformity and championing personal freedom and experimentation. The refrain of the song, "Anyway, anyhow, anywhere I choose," is a mantra of sorts, emphasizing that the singer is the master of his own destiny and will not be boxed in by societal expectations or cultural norms.
Line by Line Meaning
I can go anyway, way I choose
I have the freedom to make my own decisions and go whichever direction I desire in life.
I can live anyhow, win or lose
I have the liberty to live my life as I please, whether I succeed or fail in the end.
I can go anywhere, for something new
I have the opportunity to explore different places in search of new experiences.
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere I choose
I have complete autonomy over my life and can decide to do anything, anywhere, and in any way that I wish.
I can do anything, right or wrong
I possess the power to make any choice I like, regardless of whether it is ethical or not.
I can talk anyhow, and get along
I have the ability to communicate in any manner I choose and still maintain positive relationships with others around me.
Don't care anyway, I never lose
I am indifferent to consequences and am confident that I will always come out on top.
Nothing gets in my way
There is no obstacle that can hinder my progress towards my desired destination.
Not even locked doors
Even physical barriers cannot hold me back from my aspirations and goals in life.
Don't follow the lines that been laid before
I refuse to conform to societal norms and standards of how one should live their life.
I get along anyway I dare
My fearless and daring personality allows me to persevere through any challenge I may encounter.
(Oooh) anyway
Reiteration of my unwavering autonomy and freedom to live life on my own terms.
(Oooh) Anyway I choose, yeah
Continued affirmation of my power to choose my own path in life.
(Oooh) Anyway I want to go
I am at full liberty to determine my own future and destiny regardless of other people's opinions and criticism.
(Oooh) I want to go 'n do it myself
I am confident in my own abilities and am not afraid to venture out on my own to achieve my dreams and aspirations.
Do it myself
Self-reliance and independence is essential to me in becoming who I want to be.
Anyway, way I choose
Reaffirming my freedom to make decisions and live life on my own terms.
Anyway I choose
Emphasis on my autonomy and ability to choose my own unique path in life.
Yeah, yeah
Expression of my confidence in my own independence and willingness to take risks to achieve my goals.
Ain't never gonna lose the way I choose
I will never deviate from my own path and will remain true to my own convictions and desires in life.
The way I choose
Reiteration of my commitment to living life on my own terms and blazing my own trail in this world.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PETER TOWNSHEND, ROGER DALTRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
day tripper
Big Who fan here. So you know what I'm gonna say, I love it. Gotta play it loud. Sounds good guys. Good Wednesday to ya.
Christine Anne
yes they're at the top of our list too. great band. cheers. j/b.
themagicsinthemusic
Great one by The Who, Jane and Brian. Always a treat! Thank you for this one. Best regards :))
Jim
Christine Anne
easily one of britain's top ten bands jim...not even their best song but still a great record, cheers, jane and brian.
783nata
A beautiful song. A talented band. Thank you very much for the great video, dear friends Jane and Brian! Have a good day!
Christine Anne
one of our best bands natalia...glad you enjoyed, thanks a lot, jane and brian.
SpiralBlue Andromeda
How so magnificent song Jane andBrian! How so wonderful clip! Thank you so very much my dear friends for sharing all this magic with us in your most exquisite way!
Christine Anne
thanks katerina, good afternoon, jane and brian.
Lorraine Ashby
Ripper song, love it!! The Who, fantastic band ...... superb, gritty, powerhouse track with amazing kick ... vocal, guitar and drums!! Superb mix and video. Big thank you for this one Jane and Brian ..... hope you are both well. Take care, all the best, Lorraine 👍🏻😎
ps thanks for the background information, very interesting !!:)
Christine Anne
hi lorraine, good to hear from you, hope you're doing good these days...one of the best ever bands, how great were those times, so many class records couldn't buy them all! ---look after yourself..best wishes, jane and brian.