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.
Daddy Rolling Stone
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Girl you think you've had fun,
Girl you ain't a seen nothin' 'til I come along.
I'm a daddy, I'm a daddy, I'm a daddy,
Yeah I'm a daddy daddy I'm daddy rolling stone.
I got a friend named Cody,
I'm gonna steal that girl though he's twice my size,
'Cause I know how to do it like this.
I'm a daddy, I'm a daddy, I'm a daddy,
Yeah I'm a daddy daddy I'm daddy rolling stone,
I'm daddy rolling stone, I'm daddy rolling stone,
Daddy rolling stone, call me daddy rolling stone.
I said I got a friend named Cody,
He's got a girl named Chris,
I'm gonna steal that girl though he's twice my size,
'Cause I know how to do it like this.
I'm a daddy, I'm a daddy, I'm a daddy, daddy,
I'm daddy rolling stone, I'm daddy rolling stone,
Just call me daddy rolling stone dear,
Long hair long nose, daddy rolling stone.
The lyrics of The Who's "Daddy Rolling Stone" present a character who boasts of his skills in love and seduction. The singer claims that the women he has been with before were not prepared for what he brings to the table. He also brags about being a "daddy rolling stone," a term that has been used to refer to men who are promiscuous and wander from woman to woman. The singer's declaration of being a daddy rolling stone indicates a sense of pride and accomplishment about his sexual exploits.
The song's second verse introduces another character, Cody, and Cody's girlfriend, Chris. The singer admits to having his sights set on Chris, despite Cody's larger physical size. The singer is confident that he will be able to steal Chris away from Cody, emphasizing his superior skill as a lover. The chorus repeats the title phrase several times, reinforcing the idea of the singer's status as a daddy rolling stone who is not tied down by romantic attachments.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of machismo and swagger. The singer asserts his sexual prowess and lack of commitment, suggesting that he has little regard for the women he encounters. The song presents a character who revels in his reputation as a seductive rogue, without examining the potential consequences of his behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl you think you've had loving,
You believe you have experienced romantic love before, but you are mistaken.
Girl you think you've had fun,
You believe you have had a good time in life, but you are wrong.
Girl you ain't a seen nothin' 'til I come along.
You have not had any real fun or excitement until you have been with me.
I'm a daddy, I'm a daddy, I'm a daddy,
I am a confident and experienced man, and I am proud of it.
Yeah I'm a daddy daddy I'm daddy rolling stone.
I am a self-assured and free-spirited man who lives a roaming and adventurous lifestyle.
I got a friend named Cody,
I have an acquaintance named Cody.
He's got a girl named Chris,
Cody is in a romantic relationship with a woman named Chris.
I'm gonna steal that girl though he's twice my size,
I am confident in my ability to seduce Chris despite the fact that Cody is physically stronger than me.
'Cause I know how to do it like this.
I am skilled in the art of seduction and know exactly how to win Chris's affections.
I'm daddy rolling stone, I'm daddy rolling stone,
I am a man who likes to keep moving and never stay in one place for too long.
Daddy rolling stone, call me daddy rolling stone.
My nickname is 'Daddy Rolling Stone' because of my adventurous lifestyle and rootlessness.
I said I got a friend named Cody,
I previously mentioned my acquaintance, Cody.
Just call me daddy rolling stone dear,
Feel free to address me as 'Daddy Rolling Stone', my preferred nickname.
Long hair long nose, daddy rolling stone.
I have a distinctive appearance, characterized by my long hair and prominent nose, that people recognize as part of my 'Daddy Rolling Stone' persona.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: OTIS BLACKWELL
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.