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.
Happy Jack
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He lived in the sand at the Isle of Man
The kids would all sing, he would take the wrong key
So they rode on his head on their furry donkey
The kids couldn't hurt Jack
They tried and tried and tried
They dropped things on his back
But they couldn't stop Jack, or the waters lapping
And they couldn't prevent Jack from feeling happy
But they couldn't stop Jack, or the waters lapping
And they couldn't prevent Jack from feeling happy
The kids couldn't hurt Jack
They tried and tried and tried
They dropped things on his back
And lied and lied and lied and lied and lied
But they couldn't stop Jack, or the waters lapping
And they couldn't prevent Jack from feeling happy
I saw ya!
The lyrics to The Who's song "Happy Jack" tell the story of a man named Jack who lives on the Isle of Man and is loved by the children there. Despite his youth, Jack is described as a man, perhaps indicating his maturity or unique way of viewing the world. The children enjoy playing tricks on Jack, like making him sing in the wrong key and riding on his head while he pretends to be a donkey. But no matter what the kids do to him, they cannot harm Jack, physically or emotionally. The water lapping could be a metaphor for the many challenges that life throws our way, as well as the inevitability of change. Despite the difficulties faced by all of us, Jack finds a way to be happy and resilient, representing the best in all of us.
Line by Line Meaning
Happy Jack wasn't old, but he was a man
Despite not being of advanced years, Jack was mature in his behavior and actions.
He lived in the sand at the Isle of Man
Jack resided in a sandy terrain located in the Isle of Man region.
The kids would all sing, he would take the wrong key
Whenever the children sang a tune, Jack would always sing off-key, unaware of it.
So they rode on his head on their furry donkey
The kids used Jack's head as a surface for riding on their furry donkey toy.
The kids couldn't hurt Jack
Despite numerous attempts, the children were unable to cause any physical harm to Jack.
They tried and tried and tried
The kids repeatedly made efforts in their attempts to harm Jack.
They dropped things on his back
As part of their failed attempts, the children threw objects on Jack's back.
And lied and lied and lied and lied and lied
In their frustration, the children continued to deny their inability to hurt Jack by lying about it.
But they couldn't stop Jack, or the waters lapping
Even though they couldn't harm Jack, the kids were still incapable of preventing the sound of water lapping around him.
And they couldn't prevent Jack from feeling happy
In spite of their attempts to harm him, Jack remained content and happy with his life.
I saw ya!
The singer saw whoever it was that the song is referring to, but it is unclear who.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PETER TOWNSHEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alyssa Bandaid
Happy Jack wasn't old, but he was a man
He lived in the sand at the Isle of Man
The kids would all sing, he would take the wrong key
So they rode on his head on their furry donkey
The kids couldn't hurt Jack
They tried and tried and tried
They dropped things on his back
And lied and lied and lied and lied and lied
But they couldn't stop Jack, or the waters lapping
And they couldn't prevent Jack from feeling happy
But they couldn't stop Jack, or the waters lapping
And they couldn't prevent Jack from feeling happy
The kids couldn't hurt Jack
They tried and tried and tried
They dropped things on his back
And lied and lied and lied and lied and lied
But they couldn't stop Jack, or the waters lapping
And they couldn't prevent Jack from feeling happy
I saw ya!
jofhill1066
Reading Tom Fleming’s excellent biography on Keith Moon.
He wasn’t allowed to sing on the harmonies, caused so much disruption when in the console with Kit Lambert that he was made to lie down until the end of the song,
But couldn’t lie still and raised his head above the partition to get one final smile out of his band mates.
Spotted by Pete Townsend who shouts “I saw ya!” which was caught on the master tape and left on at the end.
Brilliant
Katarra Parson
EVERY time I hear this song, my entire mood lifts. This song helps me no longer be a shamed of being an outsider. <3
Glanel Jhonathan Rodrigues
How cool. The beginning. The End. They played the very same song, & it fitted so well! 😭
♪L E G I O N♪
Roxie Marquez
that show is so underrated....
Parris Moore
@Roxie Marquez Love that show!!!
Kent Phillips
at the end Keith says" Oh i saw ya "
philip norris
My sentiments exactly.
Ben Luttenberger
Show was a visual and writing masterpiece!
Hermesacat
The DRUMS in this song always send me to the MOON!
potterdartman
Keith Moon- one of the best!!!
Red Pink
filmer750 yes