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.
Batman
The Who Lyrics
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Batman
Batman
Batman
Batman
Batman
[etc.]
The lyrics to The Who's song "Batman" are quite simple, consisting solely of the repetition of the titular superhero's name. However, the context of the song is important in understanding its meaning. The song was released as a B-side to The Who's 1966 single "Bucket T", during a time when the Batman TV series was at the height of its popularity. The song can be interpreted as a tribute to the iconic comic book character, with The Who adding their own rock 'n' roll twist to the theme.
The repetition of "Batman" in the song's lyrics could be seen as a nod to the character's recurring catchphrase, "I'm Batman." It could also be read as a simplistic representation of the excitement and action associated with the Batman franchise. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody also contribute to this feeling of energetic fun. Ultimately, "Batman" is a short and sweet tribute to a beloved character that captures the spirit of the time in which it was released.
Line by Line Meaning
Batman
The singer is calling out the name of the iconic superhero, Batman.
Batman
The singer continues to call out for Batman.
Batman
The singer reiterates the name of Batman once again.
Batman
The artist's tone suggests that they are eagerly awaiting Batman's arrival or assistance.
Batman
The artist continues to call upon Batman for aid.
Batman
The repeated use of the name 'Batman' emphasizes the urgency of the situation and the singer's need for his help.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NEAL HEFTI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Black Lodger
No one knows what it's like to be the Batman, to be the sad man.
rebane
behind blue eyes
rebane
a long time ago, really i thought there was Batman XD
dan oleary
hey Henry your chicken's ready
Greg X
Behind black cowl
Robert Brown
behind the old batcave
Ëarendill Wilde Kurgan
Ramones-spiderman
The who-batman
Rock+comic books=perfection
Anna Isabella Barela
Ëarendill Wilde Kurgan iron maiden - iron man
Hard Frog
Black Sabbath - iron man ( yes, I know the song isn't about the actual superhero)
Ëarendill Wilde Kurgan
@Hard Frog still fucking awesome