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.
I'm Free
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm free
And freedom tastes of reality
I'm free
I'm free
An' I'm waiting for you to follow me
If I told you what it takes
You'd laugh and say 'nothing's that simple'
But you've been told many times before
Messiahs pointed to the door
And no one had the guts to leave the temple!
I'm free
I'm free
And freedom tastes of reality
I'm free
I'm free
An' I'm waiting for you to follow me
How can we follow?
How can we follow?
The opening lines of The Who's classic "I'm Free" announce the singer's declaration of freedom, and the lyrics suggest that he has achieved a state of liberation within himself. He repeats this claim twice, stating that "freedom tastes of reality." This line implies that his newfound freedom is something tangible and not just an abstract concept. The singer claims that he is waiting for someone to follow him, suggesting that his liberation may be the result of his breaking with the expectations of his peers or community.
In the second verse, the singer shifts his focus to the listeners, asking if he explained to them what it takes to reach the highest high that they would simply laugh at him. He notes that many messiahs before him have pointed to the door, urging their followers to leave the temple, but none had the courage to do so. The singer's message is that true freedom comes from breaking free of the strictures and limitations that society imposes on us, and he encourages his listeners to join him in this quest for liberation.
The chorus repeats the declaration of freedom, and the song concludes with the singer asking how can we follow, suggesting that the freedom he seeks is not necessarily easy to achieve, and that it requires strength, courage, and a willingness to blaze one's own path.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm free
I am no longer held captive or restricted in my actions or thoughts.
I'm free
I have total liberation and autonomy over myself.
And freedom tastes of reality
The actual feeling of freedom is indescribable and unique to each individual.
I'm free
My newfound state of being has allowed me to break free from any restraints that once held me captive.
I'm free
I have reached a level of liberation that is incomparable to anything else.
An' I'm waiting for you to follow me
I hope that others who are still held captive will find the courage to follow me on this journey towards freedom.
If I told you what it takes
If I were to explain what it took for me to reach this level of freedom, you would likely not believe me.
To reach the highest high
To reach a level of freedom that is limitless and unattainable by most.
You'd laugh and say 'nothing's that simple'
Many people doubt that achieving true freedom is a simple or easy endeavor.
But you've been told many times before
People have been advised on how to achieve freedom, but most have not taken the initiative to do so.
Messiahs pointed to the door
Prophets and wise individuals throughout history have hinted at the path that leads to freedom.
And no one had the guts to leave the temple!
Despite being told the path to freedom, many still choose to remain in their comfort zones and not take the necessary risks to achieve true liberation.
How can we follow?
The path to freedom is not always clear, and it can be a difficult challenge to take on.
How can we follow?
Some may question how one even begins to embark on the journey towards true freedom.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music
Written by: PETE TOWNSHEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
roy van Zadel
You are all free but maybe you do not realize it yet,the words are timelessness
Joe L
They could never get this jam right...
WANY (Walking Around NY)
Yay!!! Kyle is Free!!
James Franson
One, of, GOD,S. band,s....
NoiseAnnoys
Not the original.
Christina Cascadilla
From the movie, I think.
Bruno Crovi
Not the original but the most rock!amazing!
spaceindian
Shut your TV off