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.
Dancing in the Street
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out in the street
I'm talkin' 'bout slowly
I'm not gonna rest
Woman, you don't know me
Yeah, you don't know me, no
Know me, no
Yeah, but I'm a-gonna know you
Hey listen, woman
You just can't throw me
I won't stand it
If you don't know me
If you don't know me, no
Know me, no
Know me, no
Yeah, but I'm a-gonna know you
Listen to me
I'm telling you
You look at me, woman
Yeah, tell the truth
I know your mind
I can see that you're in need
I'll show you woman
Yeah, that you belong to me
You're gonna know me, no
Know me, no
Know me, no
Yeah, I'm a-gonna know you
Give me no reasons
Said you'd go free
It's not gonna be now
If you gotta know me
You're gonna know me now
Know me now
Know me now
Yeah, you're gonna know me
The Who’s “Out in the Street” is a classic rock song that features a compelling narrative delivered through a catchy, rhythmic tune. The entire song is about the uncertainty of a man’s future with a woman who he believes doesn’t really know him, and who he feels she is not taking him seriously. The opening lyrics, “Out in the street, I'm talking 'bout slowly, I'm not gonna rest, woman, you don't know me,” sets the tone for the entire song. The singer of the song is telling the woman he desires that he is not going to give up on her, even though she doesn’t yet know him. He then goes on to repeat, “Yeah, you don't know me, no, know me, no, know me, no, yeah, but I'm a gonna know you,” which emphasizes his determination to get to know her despite these setbacks.
In the second verse, the singer tries to convince the woman to give him a chance to prove himself to her by telling her she can’t throw him away because he won’t accept it. He goes on to repeat the line, “If you don’t know me, no, know me, no, know me, no, yeah, but I’m gonna know you,” indicating that he is not giving up on his efforts to win her over. The chorus of the song highlights his belief that eventually, she will come around and know him intimately. He repeats the line, “You’re gonna know me, no, know me, no, know me, no, yeah, but I’m a gonna know you,” to emphasize that he will continue to pursue her until that happens.
Overall, “Out in the Street” is a powerful song that explores the timeless theme of unrequited love. Through its uncompromising rhythm and recognizable narrative, this song remains relevant to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Out in the street
The singer is outside in public
I'm talkin' 'bout slowly
He is taking his time and being deliberate in his actions
I'm not gonna rest
He is determined to accomplish something
Woman, you don't know me
The singer believes that the woman he is addressing doesn't understand who he truly is.
Yeah, you don't know me, no
The singer repeats that the woman doesn't know him, emphasizing the point.
Yeah, but I'm a-gonna know you
Despite the woman not knowing him, the singer plans to learn about her.
Hey listen, woman
The singer addresses the woman he is speaking to
You just can't throw me
He is saying that he won't be easily dismissed or ignored by her
I won't stand it
He won't tolerate being treated poorly
If you don't know me
The woman needs to understand the singer before they can have a successful relationship.
Listen to me
The singer is asserting that his words are important and should be taken seriously.
I'm telling you
He wants to make his intentions clear to the woman he is addressing.
You look at me, woman
He wants the woman to see him and pay attention to what he is saying.
Yeah, tell the truth
He wants the woman to be honest with him.
I know your mind
The singer thinks he knows what the woman wants.
I can see that you're in need
The woman is lacking something and the singer thinks he can provide it.
I'll show you woman
The singer wants to prove to the woman that he is what she needs.
Yeah, that you belong to me
He wants to make the woman his partner or possess her in some way.
Give me no reasons
He doesn't want the woman to make excuses.
Said you'd go free
He doesn't want the woman to try and leave him behind.
It's not gonna be now
He won't let her go yet.
If you gotta know me
He declares that the woman will get to know him whether she likes it or not.
You're gonna know me now
He is forcing the woman to get to know him
Know me now
He wants the woman to be familiar with him immediately.
Yeah, you're gonna know me
He is so confident that the woman will learn about him that he repeats the statement.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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.