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.
Relay
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The word is gettin' out about control
Spies they've come and gone, the story travels on
The only quiet place is inside your soul
From tree to tree, from you to me
Travelin' twice as fast as on any freeway
Every single dream, wrapped up in the scheme
Relay, things are brewin'
Relay, something's doin'
Relay, there's a revolution
Relay, relay
(Hand me down a solution, yeah)
Pass it on, come on, a relay
Someone disapproves, what you say and do
I was asked to see what I could really learn you
Don't believe your eyes, they're tellin' only lies
What is done in the first place don't concern you
From tree to tree, from you to me
Travelin' twice as fast as on any freeway
Every single dream wrapped up in the scheme
They all get carried on the relay
Relay, things are brewin'
Relay, something's doin'
Relay, there's a revolution
Relay, relay
(Hand me down a solution, yeah)
Pass it on, pass it on, pass it on, hey you, pass it on
We're on the relay, get a movin'
Get on a movin' on
The relay, the relay
The relay, the relay
The Who's song "Relay" is a commentary on the power of information and how it travels. We hear about how the word is getting out and the story is traveling, from spies, from tree to tree, and from person to person. The only place that is quiet is inside your soul. This line is significant as it suggests that the noise of the world is so profound that people can only find peace within themselves. The song speaks about how every single dream is wrapped up in the scheme, and the only way they all get carried is through the relay. The relay is a metaphor for the transfer of information through society.
The second verse is a warning of sorts. Someone who disapproves of what you say and do might come out to question you. You are asked to see what you can really learn. The line "Don't believe your eyes, they're telling only lies" suggests that things may not be what they seem, or the information people receive may be biased or incomplete. The song then encourages people to pass it on and keep the relay going. The chorus reaffirms that something is brewing, and there's a revolution on its way.
The song can be interpreted in several different ways. On one hand, it could be seen as a reflection of the political climate of the 1970s, which was one of social and political unrest. On the other hand, it could also be interpreted as a critique of the media and how information is disseminated. Regardless of how you interpret this song, it's clear that the message is still relevant today.
Line by Line Meaning
You can hear it in the street, see it in the dragging feet
The unrest is palpable as people seem tired and disengaged with the current situation.
The word is gettin' out about control
People are starting to understand that there is an outside force that is trying to manipulate and control them.
Spies they've come and gone, the story travels on
Information is being shared back and forth, and it's hard to tell who to trust or who is watching.
The only quiet place is inside your soul
Amidst all the chaos and noise, the only place to find peace is within oneself.
From tree to tree, from you to me
Information is being passed from person to person, and it's spreading at an unprecedented rate.
Travelin' twice as fast as on any freeway
This almost feels like a game of telephone, but the stakes are much higher, and the spread is much faster.
Every single dream, wrapped up in the scheme
All of our hopes and aspirations seem to be part of a larger plan, but we don't know whose plan it is or what their intentions are.
They all get carried on the relay
Regardless of whether or not we understand the larger picture, we are still playing a part in it, and it all adds up.
Relay, things are brewin'
Something is happening, and we can feel it coming. It's not necessarily good or bad, but it's definitely brewing.
Relay, something's doin'
Actions are being taken, and they are having an impact on our lives, even if we aren't fully aware of what's happening behind the scenes.
Relay, there's a revolution
People are starting to wake up and push back against the forces that are trying to control them. We are at the brink of a revolution.
Relay, relay
All of our actions and interactions with each other are part of this larger plan. It's a relay, and each one of us is a participant.
(Hand me down a solution, yeah)
We need to work together to find a solution to these problems instead of just passing them off to the next person.
Pass it on, come on, a relay
We need to keep the conversation and the information flowing. We need to pass it on and keep the relay going.
Someone disapproves, what you say and do
There are people who are actively trying to suppress the spread of information and control what we say and do.
I was asked to see what I could really learn you
The artist has been tasked with learning more and sharing that information with others.
Don't believe your eyes, they're tellin' only lies
We can't trust what we see or hear, especially from mainstream media sources, as they are likely being influenced by outside forces.
What is done in the first place don't concern you
We can't change anything that has already been done, so it's best not to worry about it and focus on the future instead.
We're on the relay, get a movin'
We are all part of this larger plan, whether we like it or not, so we need to keep moving forward and doing our part.
Get on a movin' on
We need to keep pushing forward and taking action, even if we aren't fully sure what we're working towards.
The relay, the relay
All of our actions and interactions are part of this relay, and it's up to each one of us to keep it going.
Lyrics © ABKCO MUSIC INC PETE TOWNSHEND CATALOG , FABULOUS MUSIC LTD , SPIRIT MUSIC GROUP
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.