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.
Rael 2
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In my sweetest sleep in dreams
What I feel is all I've felt
When by newborn babes I've knelt
What I know now is all I've known
That has been good while I have grown
Bless the thoughts that made me sail
Top gear!
Top gear!
Top gear!
Top gear!
Aah-aah
Top gear!
The lyrics to The Who's song Rael 2 are open to interpretation but are largely about the singer's reflection on their life experiences so far. The first two lines suggest that the singer is looking back on their past, particularly on their dreams, and that those dreams are an accurate reflection of their reality. The following two lines suggest that the singer has experienced great emotion, particularly when they have interacted with young children. The lyrics then turn to the present, with the singer expressing that they now know everything they have ever known and that they are grateful for the thoughts that have led them to where they are now. The final two lines suggest that the singer believes in a God who has created not only Rael, but also everything else in existence.
Overall, the lyrics to Rael 2 seem to be about the importance of one's experiences in shaping who they have become. The singer's dream suggests that they have always had a clear vision of what they wanted their life to be, while their interactions with children suggest that they have learned the importance of nurturing and caring for others. The acknowledgment of growth and gratitude for past experiences suggest that the singer has come to understand the importance of reflection and learning from the past.
Line by Line Meaning
What I see is all I've seen
The singer's perception of the world is based solely on their past experiences.
In my sweetest sleep in dreams
Even in the singer's subconscious, they rely on their previous experiences to shape their dreams.
What I feel is all I've felt
The singer's emotions are limited by their previous encounters with similar situations.
When by newborn babes I've knelt
The only exception to the artist's emotional limitations is when they interact with innocent new life.
What I know now is all I've known
The artist's knowledge is based solely on what they have learned up to this point in their life.
That has been good while I have grown
Despite the limitations of their experiences, the singer is grateful for what they have learned and how they have developed as a person.
Bless the thoughts that made me sail
The singer is thankful for the ideas and concepts that have inspired them to explore new things and experiences.
And the God who made Rael
The artist acknowledges a higher power that created not only them but also the fictional character Rael who appears in other songs by The Who.
Top gear!
This phrase is used as an exclamation of excitement and enthusiasm.
Aah-aah
This sounds like a vocalization of excitement or anticipation.
Lyrics © Abkco Music, Inc.,
Written by: PETE TOWNSHEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jack Wells
I love this song!! This was made when the greatest rock songs and albums were being produced! You will never see it's like again!
Macaco Artico
Lo que veo es todo lo que he visto,
En mi sueño más dulce en sueños,
Lo que siento es todo lo que he sentido,
Cuando por bebés recién nacidos me he arrodillado,
Lo que sé ahora es todo lo que he sabido,
Eso ha sido bueno mientras he crecido,
Bendecir los pensamientos que me hicieron navegar
Y el Dios que hizo a Rael.
spudmuffin99
I love how this song is so deep, then it cuts to an "advertisement " for Top Gear xD
Rubens Júnior
This is what Sell Out is all about, I love it too! Top 1 example gotta be Odorono, a beautiful song that turns into...deodorant 😂
TNT Storms
More like the Batman theme.
Beatsy Ray
This would have elevated the original album so much if was included. Same for Melancholia.
Justin Is Juan Chunk
I just noticed the voice in the background that sounds like a chipmunk. It really adds to the song and sounds like a child praying, damn amazing
ClassicRockGod Covers
DESERVES MORE VIEWS!!!!!!
Darth Vader
Rael then lay down on broadway.
Flannigan79
Wrong place to honor Peter Gabriel