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.
Sensation
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make your lungs hold breath inside!
Lovers break caresses for me
Love enhanced when I've gone by
You'll feel me coming
A new vibration
From afar you'll see me
I'm a sensation
They worship me and all I touch
Hazy eyed they catch my glance,
Pleasant shudders shake their senses
My warm momentum throws their stance
You'll feel me coming
A new vibration
From afar you'll see me
I'm a sensation
I'm a sensation
Soon you'll see me can't you feel me
I'm coming
Send your troubles dancing I know the answer
I'm coming
I'm coming
I'm a sensation
I leave a trail of rooted people
Mesmerized by just the sight
The few I touched now are disciples
Love as one I am the light
The Who's "Sensation" is a boastful song about the power of being an influential person, an idea that echoes throughout much of rock and roll music. The lyrics describe a character overflowing with confidence, compelling others to pay attention to them. As the singer approaches, those around them hold their breath, overwhelmed by the strength of their personality. They are worshipped and adored by those they encounter, with their mere presence causing "pleasant shudders" in their admirers.
The song presents a confrontational tone, daring the listener to reject their influence. The character in the song shakes the very senses of those near them, causing them to lose their balance and fall under their sway. They leave behind a trail of devotees, people who have been mesmerized by their aura and have become unable to resist their charismatic pull.
Overall, "Sensation" is a powerful tribute to the idea of rock star charisma and the overwhelming impact it can have on those around them. The song is a testament to the power of personality and the unforgettable pull of a commanding presence.
Line by Line Meaning
I overwhelm as I approach you
As I get closer to you, I create a powerful feeling of awe and amazement that makes you feel overwhelmed.
Make your lungs hold breath inside!
You become so captivated and awestruck by my presence that you hold your breath involuntarily.
Lovers break caresses for me
Even lovers who are in the midst of intimate moments get distracted and stop their activity to focus on me when they see me.
Love enhanced when I've gone by
My presence leaves an afterglow that improves the feelings of love and affection that people have for each other.
They worship me and all I touch
People adore me and are devoted to me, and anything I come into contact with is elevated to a higher status.
Hazy eyed they catch my glance,
People become so entranced by my gaze that their eyes become unfocused and dreamy.
Pleasant shudders shake their senses
A delightful shiver runs through their body, and their senses are awakened and refreshed by my presence.
My warm momentum throws their stance
My emotional energy is so strong that it physically affects people, causing them to lose their balance and posture.
Soon you'll see me can't you feel me
I'm getting closer and closer, and you'll start to sense my presence even more powerfully.
Send your troubles dancing I know the answer
My energy is so positive and uplifting that it can help you forget your troubles and find solutions to your problems.
I leave a trail of rooted people
My influence is so strong that people become connected to me on a deep, fundamental level.
Mesmerized by just the sight
Just looking at me is enough to put people into a trance-like state where they are totally focused on me.
The few I touched now are disciples
The people I have interacted with become devoted and loyal followers of mine, and they spread my influence to others.
Love as one I am the light
Through my presence, people become united in love, and I am a guiding beacon of hope and positivity in their lives.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
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.