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.
Our Love Was
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our love was famine, frustration
We only acted out an imitation
Of what real love should have been
Then suddenly
Our love was flying
Our love was soaring
Like a summer morning
Flying, soaring
Shining morning
Never leaving
Lying, dying
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Love love love long
Our love was flying
Our love was soaring
Our love was shining
Like a summer morning
Our love was famine, frustration
We only acted out an imitation
Of what real love should have been
And then suddenly
Our love was flying
Our love was soaring
Our love was shining
Like a summer morning
The lyrics to The Who's song "Our Love Was" describe a relationship that started off as something lacking and insincere. The opening verses "Our love was famine, frustration, we only acted out an imitation of what real love should have been" suggest that the couple's love was starving, devoid of nourishment and lacking the depth it should have had. They were going through the motions of loving each other without truly feeling it.
Then something changed. Suddenly, their love was flying, soaring and shining like a summer morning. The repetition of these phrases and the majestic melody of the music convey a sense of euphoria and liberation. It's as if the couple has broken through the barriers that were holding them back and are now experiencing a love that is all-encompassing and joyful.
However, the final lines of the song return to the earlier theme of frustration and imitation. "Our love was famine, frustration, we only acted out an imitation of what real love should have been. And then suddenly..." The ellipsis at the end of the song leaves the listener wondering what happened next. Did they go back to their old ways, or did they find a way to sustain the newfound love they had discovered?
Overall, the lyrics to "Our Love Was" paint a portrait of a relationship that went through different phases, from empty and artificial to intense and blissful. While the outcome may be uncertain, the song captures the highs and lows of love in a way that is both honest and poetic.
Line by Line Meaning
Our love was
The beginning of the song highlights how the love between the two people started.
Our love was famine, frustration
Their relationship lacked satisfaction and the love seemed incomplete.
We only acted out an imitation
Their love was fake and just acted out according to society's expectations and not really the true love.
Of what real love should have been
They realize that they hadn't been living up to the standard of love that they should have been.
Then suddenly
At some point, there was a sudden change in their relationship.
Our love was flying
Their love had changed for the better and it was soaring high.
Our love was soaring
Their love had gotten better and was rising higher with time.
Our love was shining
Their love was vibrant, luminous, and had the potential to light up any dark day.
Like a summer morning
Their love was rejuvenating, refreshing, and just like summer mornings bring warmth and light, their love brought the same sense of comfort and hope.
Love love love long
The repetition of this line showcases that their love was genuine and was going to last for a long time.
Never leaving
Their love was permanent and was not going to end anytime soon.
Lying, dying
This line refers to the end of their relationship where they were no longer true to each other, and their love died a sad death.
Lyrics © Abkco Music, Inc.,
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.