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.
Christmas
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They get so excited
Waking up on Christmas morning
Hours before the winter sun's ignited
They believe in dreams and all they mean
Including heaven's generosity
Peeping round the door
To see what parcels are for free
And Tommy doesn't know what day it is
He doesn't know who Jesus was
Or what praying is
How can he be saved
From the eternal grave?
Surrounded by his friends
He sits so silently
And unaware of anything
Playing poxy pinball,
Picks his nose and smiles and
Pokes his tongue at everything
I believe in love
But how can men who've never seen
Light be enlightened
Only if he's cured
Will his spirits future level ever heighten
And Tommy doesn't know what day it is
He doesn't know who Jesus was
Or what praying is
How can he be saved
From the eternal grave?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
How can he be saved?
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me!
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me!
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, can you hear me?
Can you, can you, can you hear me?
How can he be saved?
Did you ever see the faces of the children
They get so excited
Waking up on Christmas morning
Hours before the winter sun's ignited
They believe in dreams and all they mean
Including heaven's generosity
Peeping round the door
To see what parcels are for free
In curiosity
And Tommy doesn't know what day it is
He doesn't know who Jesus was
Or what praying is
How can he be saved
From the eternal grave?
The Who's "Christmas" is a song about the stark contrast between the innocence and joy of children on Christmas Day, and the struggles and challenges faced by those without such luxuries. The song opens with a description of the excitement and wonder that comes with Christmas morning, highlighting how children believe in dreams and the generosity of heaven. However, the lyrics quickly shift to a more somber tone as they describe a character named Tommy who is unable to fully participate in Christmas traditions due to his disability. Although surrounded by friends, Tommy is unaware of his surroundings and is unable to comprehend the significance of Christmas. The lyrics then emphasize the idea that without enlightenment, Tommy will never be saved.
The song's lyrics are left open to interpretation, but it is clear that they address issues of social inequality and the importance of education and understanding. The line "how can men who've never seen light be enlightened?" highlights the need for empathy and understanding between people of different backgrounds, while "see me, feel me, touch me, heal me" seems to be a call for connection and unity. "Christmas" is not your typical holiday song, but a poignant reminder of the work that needs to be done to make sure everyone is included in the joy of Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you ever see the faces of the children
Have you ever witnessed the sheer joy on a child's face
They get so excited
The children become extremely happy
Waking up on Christmas morning
Early in the morning on the day of Christmas
Hours before the winter sun's ignited
Long before the sun comes up in the winter
They believe in dreams and all they mean
The children have faith in the power of dreams and their significance
Including heaven's generosity
They trust in the generous nature of God
Peeping round the door
Taking a quick look through the door
To see what parcels are for free
To check which gifts are available
In curiosity
Out of a state of inquisitiveness
And Tommy doesn't know what day it is
Tommy is unaware of the date
He doesn't know who Jesus was
Tommy lacks knowledge about Jesus Christ
Or what praying is
He is unaware of the concept of prayer
How can he be saved
How is it possible for him to be granted salvation
From the eternal grave?
How can he be rescued from death and damnation?
Surrounded by his friends
With his companions around him
He sits so silently
He remains quiet
And unaware of anything
Without any awareness of his surroundings
Playing poxy pinball, picks his nose and smiles and
Engaging in mundane activities like playing pinball and mindlessly picking his nose
Pokes his tongue at everything
Sticks his tongue out at every little thing
I believe in love
I have faith in the concept of love
But how can men who've never seen
But how can those who have never experienced
Light be enlightened
Be granted enlightenment
Only if he's cured
Only if he is healed
Will his spirits future level ever heighten
Can his future prospects ever improve
Tommy, can you hear me?
Tommy, are you listening to me?
See me, feel me, touch me, heal me!
Experience me, sense me, touch me, and make me whole!
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PETER 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.