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.
Little Billy
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always the last in line
All the other little kids would laugh at him
Said he'd die before his time
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Little Billy didn't mind
Most of the kids smoked cigarettes
Just to prove that they were cool
The teacher didn't know about the children's games
And Billy always followed the rules
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Little Billy didn't mind
Billy was big on the outside
But there's an even bigger man inside
Ten million cigarettes burning every day
And Billy's still doing fine
Now Billy and his classmates are middle-aged
With children of their own
Their smoking games are reality now
And cancer's seed is sown
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Little Billy's didn't mind
Most of them smoke maybe forty a day
A habit Billy doesn't share
One by one they're passing away
Leaving orphans to Billy's care
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Little Billy doesn't mind
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Little Billy's doing fine
The Who's song "Little Billy" tells the story of a young boy who is overweight and often ridiculed by his classmates. They smoke cigarettes to prove their coolness, but Little Billy never ingests this habit. As he grows older, his peers develop health problems related to smoking, but Billy keeps himself healthy and takes in the orphans that are left behind after fellow classmates pass away. Despite the tragic end for his peers, Little Billy still does not mind that he was never able to fit in with their smoking games.
The song delivers a cautionary tale about the dangers of smoking and how it can lead to an early death. It also highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and not giving in to peer pressure. The haunting chorus of laughter - "ha ha ha ha" - adds a sinister layer to the song, underscoring the implicit danger of smoking and the dark fate that awaits those who follow the crowd.
Line by Line Meaning
Little Billy was the fattest kid in his class
Billy was overweight compared to the other children in his class.
Always the last in line
He was always behind the other kids when they walked in a line.
All the other little kids would laugh at him
Other kids would make fun of Billy because of his weight and appearance.
Said he'd die before his time
Other kids teased Billy by saying he would die young because he was overweight.
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Little Billy didn't mind
Billy didn't let the taunting of other kids get to him and he did not show his feelings outwardly.
Most of the kids smoked cigarettes
Just to prove that they were cool
The other kids in his class would smoke cigarettes to fit in with their peers and be considered cool.
The teacher didn't know about the children's games
And Billy always followed the rules
The teacher was unaware of the children's smoking and other games, while Billy was always obedient to the rules.
Billy was big on the outside
But there's an even bigger man inside
Ten million cigarettes burning every day
And Billy's still doing fine
Billy may have had a big appearance but he was strong in his ability to abstain from smoking which, for the others was a way to seem cool.
Now Billy and his classmates are middle-aged
With children of their own
Their smoking games are reality now
And cancer's seed is sown
Now, in middle age, Billy and his classmates have children of their own and the consequences of their adolescent smoking games have become reality; Billy who didn't take part in the games, however, is not at risk of getting cancer.
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Little Billy's didn't mind
Now, as before, Billy is content not to find humor in other people's tragedy.
Most of them smoke maybe forty a day
A habit Billy doesn't share
One by one they're passing away
Leaving orphans to Billy's care
Most of Billy's classmates smoke forty cigarettes a day, which he does not; now, they are dying one by one and leaving orphans for Billy to care about.
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Little Billy doesn't mind
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Little Billy's doing fine
Despite the unfortunate circumstances of his former classmates, Billy continues to find happiness in his own choices and well-being.
Lyrics © ABKCO MUSIC INC PETE TOWNSHEND CATALOG , FABULOUS MUSIC LTD , SPIRIT MUSIC GROUP
Written by: PETE TOWNSHEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
dar bal
one of the greatest who songs never heard. would you agree ?
Ian S
@dar bal yes I also agree!
dar bal
yes i agree
Dave Jones
Two of my all-time favorite Who songs . Little Billy and Tattoo!
dar bal
you're right my man
Edward Flasch
Shoulda been a top 10 hit.Great melody-profound lyrics.
MsChris402
odds and sods is a classic who album.
Leif Petersson
My first band I really loved. Because of this "Odds & Sods". And it was "Little Billy" who touched me most.
pbrick6301
What a sincere record for anti-smoking by the Who. and I would assume that they never smoked again after this except when they were being photographed and then just briefly and for effect.
Andy D
A classic example of 'lead bass'.