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.
Heatwave
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heat wave
Whenever I'm with you
Something inside
Starts to burn deep
And my heart's filled with fire
Could be that I'm very sentimental
[Chorus:]
I got a heat wave
Burning in my heart
I can't keep from crying
Tearing me apart
Sometimes she calls my name
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I can't explain
I feel, yeah I feel
I feel this burning flame
This high blood pressure's got a hold on me
'Cause this is the way love's supposed to be
[Chorus]
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Just give me another chance
This could be a new romance
Heat wave
Heat wave
Heat wave
Heat wave
The Who's song "Heatwave" is a classic rock ballad that speaks about the intense passion and desire that one feels when they are with the person they love. The song's lyrics embody the idea that love is supposed to make one feel alive, and the feeling can become overwhelming to the point of causing pain. The lead singer confesses being sentimental and wonders if the intense love is the norm. The lyrics in the chorus reveal that the love has become so intense that it creates a heat wave of emotions inside the singer's heart, and he feels helpless, and he can't stop the tears from streaming down his face.
The verses in the song describe how intense the desire for the person is, and how it's got a hold on him, causing him to experience high blood pressure. The singer acknowledges that sometimes, he hears his lover's voice, and he can't explain the overwhelming feeling he has inside. The song ends with The Who's trademark repetitive chant of "Heat wave" to emphasize the idea of overwhelming love.
In conclusion, "Heat Wave" reminds listeners that love is a powerful emotion that can bring intense emotions that can be both pleasurable and painful at the same time. The lyrics show that being sentimental in love is not unusual, and the passion that comes with love is what makes life worth living.
Line by Line Meaning
Heat wave
The intense, oppressive heat of a heat wave is used as a metaphor for the burning sensation of being in love.
Whenever I'm with you
Being around the person the singer is in love with triggers intense emotions.
Something inside
The feelings that the singer is experiencing are coming from within, from the depths of his heart.
Starts to burn deep
The emotions are not just surface-level, they are intense and all-consuming.
And my heart's filled with fire
The feelings of love are so strong that they feel like a physical sensation in the artist's chest.
Could be that I'm very sentimental
The singer is questioning whether his intense emotions are due to him being overly sensitive or emotional.
Or is this just the way love's supposed to be?
The singer is wondering if these intense emotions are a normal part of being in love.
I got a heat wave
The metaphorical heat of being in love is so strong that it's referred to as a 'heat wave.'
Burning in my heart
The intense emotions of love feel like a fiery, burning sensation in the heart.
I can't keep from crying
The artist is so overwhelmed by his emotions that he can't help but cry.
Tearing me apart
The intensity of the emotions is causing the singer distress and making him feel like he's being pulled in different directions.
Sometimes she calls my name
The person the artist is in love with sometimes calls out to him, causing even more intense emotions.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I can't explain
The singer can't put into words just how intense his feelings are.
I feel, yeah I feel
The singer is acknowledging the depth and intensity of his emotions.
I feel this burning flame
The love the singer is experiencing is a fiery, passionate one.
This high blood pressure's got a hold on me
The intensity of the emotions is having a physical effect on the artist's body, causing his blood pressure to rise.
'Cause this is the way love's supposed to be
Despite the intensity of his emotions, the artist believes that this is just how love is supposed to feel.
Just give me another chance
The singer is asking for another opportunity to pursue a romantic relationship with the person he's in love with.
This could be a new romance
The singer is hoping that this could be the start of a new, exciting romantic relationship.
Heat wave
Repeating the chorus and using the metaphor of the heat wave once again to emphasize the intensity of the emotions.
Heat wave
Repeating the chorus and using the metaphor of the heat wave once again to emphasize the intensity of the emotions.
Heat wave
Repeating the chorus and using the metaphor of the heat wave once again to emphasize the intensity of the emotions.
Heat wave
Repeating the chorus and using the metaphor of the heat wave once again to emphasize the intensity of the emotions.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Jr. Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jumpin' JAKE Flash
I even love their covers!! Even if it is lipsynced I’m glad I stumbled across this Beat Club footage
Sascha Rottmann
The Who are the greatest Band in the World!!!
Jakob _
In their prime absoulutely. No one could touch them back then
Bird
One of the greatest bands
Loretta Hargreaves
Except for THE PRETTY THINGS..YES.
Sascha Rottmann
@Nate Uhrich Yes!!! I like the Beatles very much! But the WHO also are one of the excellent Bands in the World!! :-))
Nate Uhrich
ever heard of the Beatles?
WeedheaD
Thanks for vid! Good bass here! One of the rare videos with young Entwistle playin', I mean video when operator record good frames with John grooving like that! I love the original from Martha Reeves and the Vandellas too, but The Who cover I love for Entwistle crazy bass!
Charlie Glines
Love this more than the original. Obviously this was overdubbed. But this was a concert on a tv show so you could only imagine what it actually sounded like 🤔
[redacted]
There's a live version of "Heat Wave" at the Marquee Club in 65 that was broadcast (part of) on a French TV documentary. You can find it on YT.