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.
Magic Bus
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To get on the bus that takes me to you (too much, Magic Bus)
I'm so nervous, I just sit and smile (too much, Magic Bus)
You house is only another mile (too much, Magic Bus)
Thank you, driver, for getting me here (too much, Magic Bus)
You'll be an inspector, have no fear (too much, Magic Bus)
I don't want to cause no fuss (too much, Magic Bus)
(No)
I don't care how much I pay (too much, Magic Bus)
I want to drive my bus to my baby each day (too much, Magic Bus)
I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it (you can't have it)
Thruppence and sixpence every day
Just to drive to my baby
Thruppence and sixpence each day
'Cause I drive my baby every way
Magic bus, Magic Bus, Magic Bus
Magic bus, Magic Bus, Magic Bus
Magic bus, Magic Bus, Magic Bus
Magic bus, Magic Bus, Magic Bus
I said, now I've got my Magic Bus (too much, Magic Bus)
I said, now I've got my Magic Bus (too much, Magic Bus)
I drive my baby every way (too much, Magic Bus)
Each time I go a different way (too much, Magic Bus)
I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it
I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it
Every day you'll see the dust (too much, Magic Bus)
As I drive my baby in my Magic Bus (too much, Magic Bus)
The lyrics to The Who's "Magic Bus" are about a man who is so eager to reach his lover that he takes the magic bus every day just to see her. The first verse describes how he waits in line every day to get on the bus that takes him to her. He's nervous and just sits and smiles while waiting. His lover's house is only a mile away, making the wait more unbearable. In the chorus, he thanks the driver for getting him there and asks if he can buy the bus, to which the driver declines.
The second verse begins with the man saying that he doesn't care how much he pays; he wants to drive his bus to see his lover every day. He repeats this desire to possess the bus throughout the song, culminating in the final chorus where he proudly proclaims that he now "has" the Magic Bus. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation and longing, suggesting that the man will do whatever it takes to be with his lover. The use of the word "magic" implies that the bus has some sort of mystical power, but the true magic is in the love the man feels for his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Every day I get in the queue (too much, Magic Bus)
Every single day, I stand in the line to catch the Magic Bus, which can be overwhelming
To get on the bus that takes me to you (too much, Magic Bus)
I'm waiting for the bus that goes to my baby, and it can be too much for me to handle
I'm so nervous, I just sit and smile (too much, Magic Bus)
I'm quite anxious because I'm always thinking about my baby, but I just have to sit there and pretend everything is alright
You house is only another mile (too much, Magic Bus)
I'm already so close to getting to my baby's house, it's just a mile away and I can't wait to see them
Thank you, driver, for getting me here (too much, Magic Bus)
I want to show appreciation to the driver for getting me to my destination safely and on time, even though it was a challenging experience
You'll be an inspector, have no fear (too much, Magic Bus)
I have faith in the driver and believe that they will do a great job as an inspector too
I don't want to cause no fuss (too much, Magic Bus)
I just want to avoid causing any trouble or problems
But can I buy your Magic Bus? (too much, Magic Bus)
I'm trying to buy the Magic Bus from the driver, even though I know it's not for sale
I don't care how much I pay (too much, Magic Bus)
I'm willing to pay any price for the Magic Bus just so I can have it for myself
I want to drive my bus to my baby each day (too much, Magic Bus)
I long to drive the Magic Bus to see my baby every day
Thruppence and sixpence every day
I'm willing to pay a small fee every day just to drive my baby around
Just to drive to my baby
The sole purpose of my travel is to see my beloved baby
'Cause I drive my baby every way
I cherish every moment I get to spend with my baby and I vow to drive them every possible way
I said, now I've got my Magic Bus (too much, Magic Bus)
I'm expressing my excitement because I finally have the Magic Bus all to myself
I drive my baby every way (too much, Magic Bus)
I'm taking my baby on the ride of their life because I've got the Magic Bus
Each time I go a different way (too much, Magic Bus)
I'm looking forward to exploring endless possibilities and enjoying new adventures with my baby in the Magic Bus
Every day you'll see the dust (too much, Magic Bus)
Every single day, there will be a cloud of dust that follows me as I drive my Magic Bus to take my baby on new adventures
As I drive my baby in my Magic Bus (too much, Magic Bus)
I'm happy and content, taking my baby on exciting road trips in my own Magic Bus
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.