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.
Armenia City In The Sky
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Close your eyes and think on this
If the rumors floating in your head all turn to facts
Close your eyes and think on this
Armenia, city in the sky
Armenia, city in the sky
Just take off, there's no risk
If you ever want to disappear
Just take off and think of this
Armenia, city in the sky
Armenia, city in the sky
The sky is glass but the sea is brown
And everyone is upside down
Armenia, city in the sky
Armenia, city in the sky
Freak out!
Freak out!
The song Armenia City in the Sky by The Who is a psychedelic song that talks about escaping reality and finding peace in a place called Armenia, a metaphorical city in the sky. The first two stanzas encourage the listeners to close their eyes and focus on something positive when they are troubled or when the rumors around them become overwhelming. The chorus then repeats the phrase "Armenia, city in the sky" four times, emphasizing the desired destination.
The third stanza describes how the listener can reach Armenia, suggesting a physical departure from reality. The lyrics say that there is no risk in taking off, and that disappearing can be achieved by thinking about Armenia. Interestingly, the lyric does not suggest that reaching Armenia is impossible; it just implies that the journey requires some form of removal from reality.
The final stanza describes the world that the listener will find in Armenia. The sky is made of glass, and the sea is brown. Everyone is upside down, suggesting that all harmful and negative influences in the real world are stripped away in Armenia. The song ends with the phrase "freak out," encouraging the listeners to let go and embrace the psychedelic experience.
Overall, the song captures the anti-establishment and anti-authoritarian sentiment of the mid-sixties, and how young people were desperately searching for their own ideal utopia. Armenia City in the Sky speaks to the frustrations and the hopelessness of the era, offering a glimpse into a world that is both fantastic and unattainable.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're troubled and you can't relax
When you are feeling unsettled and can't calm down
Close your eyes and think on this
Meditate and focus on this idea
If the rumors floating in your head all turn to facts
If your worries become reality in your head
If you ever want to lose some time
If you ever want to forget about time
Just take off, there's no risk
Take off and live freely
If you ever want to disappear
If you ever want to escape your problems
Just take off and think of this
Leave and remember this advice
The sky is glass but the sea is brown
The world is distorted and confusing
And everyone is upside down
People are disoriented and uncertain
Armenia, city in the sky
Armenia symbolizes an ideal, utopian place
Freak out!
Let go of your inhibitions and live in the moment
Lyrics © Abkco Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN KEENE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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