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.
Shout
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
繰り返さぬようにと 奮い立っている
現実にすくんだ 次があると逃げた
越えた先の終わりが怖くて
命からがら崖から這い上がって
隔たりはまだ遠すぎると知った 走っても叫んでも
同じだけ遠ざかる
信じ抜いても信じたくても 痛みに甘んじてる方がずっと
簡単で気楽でいられた break through
一歩踏み出せたら 飛び込めたら この手で逃げ道を塞いでいっそ
二度と怯んで 不正解引かない 真正面から
There's no other 自分に憧憬に挑んで 不退転の猛びを
A shout of triumph
乗り越えたって消えない 行く道は終わらない
追いかけていた理想 手放して行く
触れることの無い過去 何の保証もない未来
いま動かせるのは現在だけ
逃げ出しても逃げたくても 本当の声に背を向けるなら
後悔に蝕まれてく break through
一手差し出せたら 掴めたなら その手で導いていけるもっと
二度と怯えて 想定内引かない 真正面から
There's no other 自分に聡明に応えて 不正解の叫びを
A shout of triumph
A shout of triumph
命からがら崖から這い上がって
隔たりはまだ遠すぎると知った 走っても叫んでも
同じだけ遠ざかる
信じ抜いても信じたくても 痛みに甘んじてる方がずっと
簡単で気楽でいられた break through
一歩踏み出せたら 飛び込めたら この手で逃げ道を塞いでいっそ
二度と怯んで 不正解引かない 真正面から
There's no other 自分に憧憬に挑んで 不退転の猛びを
A shout of triumph
A shout of triumph
A shout of triumph
The lyrics of The Who's song "Shout" speak about facing and overcoming difficulties and fears to achieve one's goals. The opening lines say that the pain and struggles that have been experienced are etched into one's being and despite closing one's eyes, they cannot be erased. However, the singer is determined to move forward, not repeating the same mistakes or running away from reality. But, they are afraid of what lies ahead after they have overcome their current struggles. This fear is likened to being on the edge of a cliff and crawling up with all one's might to escape, only to realize that the distance between them and where they want to be is still too far.
The chorus of the song talks about the need to believe in oneself, even when facing pain, and the importance of taking that first step towards one's goals. The phrase "break through" is used to indicate the need to push past the pain and difficulties towards what one wants. The song emphasizes the need to face challenges head-on, without fear or hesitation, and to not look back. The last chorus repeats the lyrics "A shout of triumph" three times, signifying the victory that has been won through the struggles and difficulties.
Line by Line Meaning
目を閉じたって消えない 刻まれた苦悩誓い
Even if I close my eyes, I cannot erase the promise made in agony.
繰り返さぬようにと 奮い立っている
I am trying to stand up, so I won't repeat the same mistake.
現実にすくんだ 次があると逃げた
I shrunk from reality and ran away, believing there is always a next time.
越えた先の終わりが怖くて
I am scared of what lies beyond the end that I have overcome.
命からがら崖から這い上がって
I crawled up from the cliff with my life at stake.
隔たりはまだ遠すぎると知った 走っても叫んでも 同じだけ遠ざかる
I came to know that distance is still too far, no matter how much I run or shout, it just gets further away.
信じ抜いても信じたくても 痛みに甘んじてる方がずっと 簡単で気楽でいられた break through
Even if I believed and endured it, it's easier to give in to the pain. Breaking through is difficult.
一歩踏み出せたら 飛び込めたら この手で逃げ道を塞いでいっそ 二度と怯んで 不正解引かない 真正面から
If I can take one step forward and jump in, I'll seal the escape route with my own hands. I won't hesitate or draw the wrong answer, facing it head-on.
There's no other 自分に憧憬に挑んで 不退転の猛びを A shout of triumph
There's no alternative, I challenge myself and aspire for unwavering bravery. It's a shout of triumph.
乗り越えたって消えない 行く道は終わらない 追いかけていた理想 手放して行く
Even if I overcome it, it won't disappear. My journey doesn't end here. I'm letting go of the ideal that I was chasing.
触れることの無い過去 何の保証もない未来 いま動かせるのは現在だけ
The past that I cannot touch, an uncertain future. The only thing that I can move is the present.
逃げ出しても逃げたくても 本当の声に背を向けるなら 後悔に蝕まれてく break through
If I run away or want to run away, and turn my back on my true voice, regret will eat away at me. I need to break through.
一手差し出せたら 掴めたなら その手で導いていけるもっと 二度と怯えて 想定内引かない 真正面から
If I can extend my hand and grab hold, I can guide it further. I won't be afraid or draw within my expectations, facing it head-on.
There's no other 自分に聡明に応えて 不正解の叫びを A shout of triumph
There's no alternative, I answer myself wisely. It's a shout of triumph in the face of the wrong answer.
A shout of triumph
It's a scream of victory, a celebration of my triumph.
A shout of triumph
It's still a scream of victory, a celebration of my triumph.
A shout of triumph
It's yet another scream of victory, a celebration of my triumph.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Who-ya Extended
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Guitarteen0812
1:42 in my opinion, some of Pete’s finest dancing
Cammy Cechini
i am in love with john's backing vocals!!
kozmicblues14
I saw this on the kids are alright film and Pete is actually a damn good dancer. Nobody dances anymore lol
Mike Shannon
Keith Moon was the most exciting drummer to watch as well as to listen to....
Bob Watson
One of the most insane drum solos I have ever seen-period.
nyterpfan
I wouldn't be surprised if Keith Moon had popped a couple of "leapers" before this legendary performance!!
Cuitlam Cuautencos
Man, John Entwistle had a beautiful falsetto! He would have also made a great tenor. He really would have made a better Lead Singer.
Buddyx76
Maximum R&B!! And no damn instrument destruction
meganLsingleton
Awesome performance. I've always been in awe with this one when I watch it on "The Kids Are Alright."
TheBodhisattva27
that goddamn Keith moon solo was perfect