The Who is an English rock band formed in 1964. Their classic line-up consi… Read Full Bio ↴The Who is an English rock band formed in 1964. Their classic line-up consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century, selling over 100 million records worldwide and holding a reputation for their live shows and studio work.
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.
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.
Pete Dialogue
The Who Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Who:
005 Won't Get Fooled Again We'll be fighting in the streets With our children at our…
01 baba o riley Out here in the fields I fight for my meals I get…
01 New Song You need a new song I'll set the words up so…
08 No one knows what it's like To be the bad man,…
11. Baba O'Riley Out here in the fields I fight for my meals I get…
12 Our love was Our love was famine, frustration We only acte…
1921 Got a feeling '21 Is going to be a good year Especially…
1951 Got a feeling fifty one Is going to be a good…
2-08 2-08 Rael 2 What I see is all I've seen In my sweetest sleep…
4 Amazing Journey Deaf, dumb and blind boy He's in a quiet vibration land Stra…
5-15 Why should I care, why should I care? Girls of fifteen S…
515 Why should I care, why should I care? Girls of fifteen Sexu…
5:15 Why should I care, why should I care? Girls of fifteen S…
905 Mother was an incubator Father was the contents Of a test tu…
A Friend is a Friend たくさんの BOY FRIENDS 私軽い女じゃない 気づいたら BOY FRIENDS みんな楽しい仲間だった 男でも…
A Legal Matter I told you why I changed my mind I got bored…
A Little Is Enough They say that love often passes in a second And you…
A Man One man army Have you shot somebody down? One man army Have…
A Man in a Purple Dress How dare you wear robes and reside How dare you cover…
A Man Is A Man You talk about crazy affairs You talk about crazy affairs Yo…
a quick one Her man's been gone For nigh on a year He was due…
Abbie Hoffman Incident ABBIE HOFFMAN: I think this is a pile of shit! While…
Acid Queen If your child ain't all he should be now This girl…
Amazing Journey Deaf, dumb and blind boy He's in a quiet vibration land Stra…
Amazing Journey / Sparks Deaf Dumb and blind boy He's in a quiet vibration land Str…
American Woman American woman, stay away from me American woman, mama let m…
Another Tricky Day You can't always get it When you really want it You can't…
Anytime You Want Me Anytime anytime anytime anytime you want me, Come on back, …
Anyway I can go anyway, way I choose I can live anyhow,…
Anyway Anyhow Anywhere I can go anyway, way I choose I can live anyhow,…
Armenia City in the Sky If you're troubled and you can't relax Close your eyes and…
Athena I had no idea how much I need her In peaceful…
Ba Ba O'Riley Out here in the fields I fight for my meals I get…
Baba O Out here in the fields I fight for my meals I get…
baba o' riley (orchestral vers Out here in the fields I fight for my meals I get…
Baba O'Riley Out here in the fields I fight for my meals I get…
Baby Don Baby don't you do it, don't do it babe Don't break…
Baby Don't You Do It Ah baby don't you do it Don't do it baby Don't you…
Baby Don’T You Do It Baby don't you do it, don't do it babe Don't break…
Baby O' Riley Out here in the fields I fight for my meals I get…
Bag O'Nails Loon at the Bag O'Nails…
Bald Headed Woman Yeah I don't want no bald headed woman It'll make me…
Ball And Chain Down in Guantanamo We still got the ball and chain Down in…
Barbara Ann Ba ba ba ba Barbara Ann Ba ba ba ba Barbara…
Bargain I'd gladly lose me to find you I'd gladly give up…
Bargain ) I'd gladly lose me to find you I'd gladly give up…
Batman Batman Batman Batman Batman Batman Batman [etc.]…
Be Lucky Be lucky Be lucky Be lucky Be lucky some Be…
Be My Baby Who wasted your value? Who wasted your value? Who wasted you…
Behind Blue Eyes No one knows what it's like To be the bad man To…
Behind Blue Eyes (Previously U No one knows what it's like To be the bad man To…
Behind Blue Eyes ) No one knows what it's like To be the bad man To…
Behind the blue eyes No one knows what it's like To be the bad man To…
behing blue eyes No one knows what it's like To be the bad man To…
Bell Boy The beach is a place where a man can feel He's…
Black Widow's Eyes You jumped out of an alley With surprise in your black…
Blue Red and Grey Some people seem so obsessed with the morning Get up early…
Bony Moronie I got a girl named Bony Moronie She's as skinny as…
Boris the Spider Look, he's crawling up my wall Black and hairy, very…
Bucket "T" Bucket bucket T T, bucket T bucket T, Bucket bucket T…
Cache Cache Did you ever sleep in a bear pit Did you ever…
Call Me Lightning See that girl who's smiling so brightly, Well I reckon she's…
Can't Explain Got a feeling inside (can't explain) It's a certain kind (ca…
Can't Reach You I'm a million ages past you A million years behind you,…
Christmas Did you ever see the faces of the children They get…
Circles Just a prisoner in a cage Just a King without a…
City in the Sky If you're troubled and you can't relax Close your eyes and…
Coke 2 Coke after coke after coke after coca-cola Coke after coke …
Cooks County People are sufferin' I say it again People are sufferin' I s…
Cousin Kevin We're on our own, cousin All alone, cousin Let's think of a…
Cousin Kevin Model Child {Cousin Kevin:} Were on our own cousin, all alone cousin. L…
Cry If You Want Once it was just innocence Brash ideas and insolence But y…
CSI New York There once was a note, pure and easy, Playing so free,…
Cut My Hair Why should I care If I have to cut my hair? I've…
Daddy Rolling Stone Girl you think you've had loving, Girl you think you've had…
Daily Records This could be suffering This could be suffering This could b…
Dancing in the Street Out! Out in the street I'm talkin' 'bout slowly I'm not gon…
Dangerous Can you feel it? watching you in the darkness Can you…
Did You Steal My Money I wake up on broken glass I wake up on broken…
Dig We old ones have seen two wars We old ones have…
Dirty Jobs I am a man who looks after the pigs Usually I…
Disguises I used to know everything about you But today when I…
Do You Think It's Alright Do you think it's alright To leave the boy with Uncle…
Do You Think It's Alright ? Do you think it's alright To leave the boy with Uncle…
Do You Think It's Alright? Do you think it's alright To leave the boy with Uncle…
Do You Think It’s Alright? Do you think it's alright To leave the boy with Uncle…
Doctor Laugh and say I'm green I've seen things you'll never see Ta…
Doctor! Doctor! Doctor, there's something wrong with me My health is not…
Dogs The first time we met you were a kennel maid, You…
Don I don't mind your love I don't mind the one you're…
Don't know myself There's nothing in the way I walk that can tell…
Don't Let Go The Coat I can't be held responsible for blown behavior I can't be…
Don't Look Away Don't go and hide Yesterday you were my girlfriend If you do…
Don’t Look Away Don't go and hide Yesterday you were my girlfriend If you …
Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde Hyde, Hyde. Someone is spending my money for me, The money I…
Dr. Jimmy Laugh and say I'm green I've seen things you'll never see …
Dreaming from the Waist I feel like I want to break out of the…
Drowned There are men high up there fishing Haven't seen quite enou…
e Is Like A) Heat Wave Heat wave Heat wave Whenever I'm with you Something inside…
Early Morning Cold Taxi Hi there, 3:36, it's cold, I know I'm growing old, With…
Eminence Front The sun shines And people forget The spray flies as the spee…
Empty Glass The sun shines And people forget The spray flies as the sp…
Empty Glass [previously unrele Why was I born today Life is useless like Ecclesiastes say …
Endless Wire We found this pile of paper Written by that ether man He…
Eyesight To The Blind You talk about your woman I wish you could see mine You…
Eyessight To The Blind The Hawker: You talk about your woman, I wish you could see…
Face the Face We've got to face the face You must have heard the…
Faith In Something Bigger It may be warm but the snow is going to…
Fiddle About I'm your wicked Uncle Ernie I'm glad you won't see or…
Fill No' 1 I've known no war I've known no war And if I ever…
Fire You know that it would be untrue You know that I…
Fortune Teller Went to the fortune teller To have my fortune read I didn't…
Four Faces They kicked me out [Repeat: x4] You must've heard of them,…
Fragments Are we breathing out Or breathing in Are we leaving life Or …
Get Out and Stay Out Get out and don't come back no more Get out and…
Gettin' in Tune I'm singing this note 'cause it fits in well With the…
Getting in Tune I'm singing this note 'cause it fits in well with…
Getting In Tune ) I'm singing this note 'cause it fits in well With the…
Girl Hello Girl's eyes, butterflies, how she cries, can't get thr…
Glittering Girl She wasn't a fool That glittering girl She followed the rule…
Glow Girl Separates and lingerie, seven pairs of shoes Lots of Woolwor…
Go to the Mirror He seems to be completely unreceptive The tests I gave him…
Go to the Mirror Boy He seems to be completely unreceptive. The tests I gave him…
Go to the Mirror! He seems to be completely unreceptive The tests I gave him…
God Speaks Of Marty Robbins And when the world began I'd been asleep forever I opened on…
Goin' Down I'm goin' down Down, down, down, down, down I'm goin' down…
Goin' Mobile I'm goin' home And when I want to go home I'm goin'…
Going Mobile I'm going home And when I wanna go home, I'm going…
Good Lovin' (Good lovin') (Good lovin') (Good lovin') (Good lovin') …
Greyhound Girl Each time we come here I see we'll never come…
Guitar And Pen You're alone above the street somewhere Wondering how you'll…
Had Enough You were under the impression That when you were walking for…
Happy Jack Happy Jack wasn't old, but he was a man He lived…
Happy Jack Jingle Happy Jack had no fun here on Radio One Yes, no…
He's So Fine Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang Do-lang, do-lang He's so fine (Do…
Heat Wave Heat wave Heat wave Whenever I'm with you Something inside…
Heatwave Heat wave Heat wave Whenever I'm with you Something inside …
and many more tracks by The Who.
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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wrsawy
Pete is amazing. Sometimes I think he makes things so complicated in his head. But when you cut through it, he's simply great.
Lauren Nicolosi
I love Pete singing this. You can hear true emotion
Brian
Yes! ✨
Ronplucksstrings
PT is great...from the gentle thoughtful ballads, to fingernail removing windmills! If you have it, please post the version of Pure and Easy he talks about after playing Bargain. The Who forever!
seb8604
I never realized this song would song so good when played by an orchestra - man that sounds nice!
loonymoongirl
Gawd, I love PETE!!! The most AMAZING musician EVER!!!!!!!
Toby 'Doc' Durkin
An aboslutely brilliant song! I first heard this thanks to The Rez band, and it rocks in any version of it!
Bob Sutherby
Though Pete's voice flags a little and the overall effect of the arrangment is rather ethereal (miss Keith's thundering drums!), I still like this rendition on many levels.
RefinnejLincoln
I adore him, he is so passionate ,consummate artist. . . . . keep creating Pete- <3
Hans Carter
This was such an amazing concert!