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.
Smash the Mirror
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With even a nod or a wink
But you gaze at your own reflection!
You don't seem to see me
But I think you can see yourself
How can the mirror affect you?
Can you hear me?
That you fear me, can you feel my temper?
Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise
Rise
Do you hear or fear? Or
Do I smash the mirror?
Do you hear or fear? Or
Do I smash the mirror?
The lyrics in The Who's "Smash the Mirror" are a powerful commentary on the self-absorbed nature of society and the struggle to be heard and seen in a world that is obsessed with image and self-promotion. The song's protagonist is frustrated by the lack of attention he receives, and is shocked by the narcissistic behavior of those around him who seem to only care about their own reflections. The opening lines set the tone: "You don't answer my call / With even a nod or a wink / But you gaze at your own reflection!" The singer is left wondering how the mirror affects these individuals, who seem to be more concerned with their appearance than anything else.
As the song progresses, he asks the listener directly: "Can you hear me? / Or do I surmise? / That you fear me, can you feel my temper?" He wonders if people are simply ignoring him, or if they are afraid of him. The repetition of "rise" throughout the song brings a sense of urgency to the situation, as if the singer is about to take drastic action to be heard.
Ultimately, he poses the question: "Do you hear or fear? / Or do I smash the mirror?" This line is particularly powerful, as it can be interpreted in a few different ways. On one hand, it could be seen as a reference to breaking down the walls that separate people and creating a sense of community. On the other hand, it could be taken more literally, as a plea to destroy the superficiality of society and focus on what's truly important.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't answer my call
I have tried to reach you, but you are not responding
With even a nod or a wink
You do not acknowledge me in any way
But you gaze at your own reflection!
You are preoccupied with yourself and your appearance
You don't seem to see me
You are not aware of my presence
But I think you can see yourself
You are focused on your own self-image
How can the mirror affect you?
Why are you so obsessed with your reflection?
Can you hear me?
Are you listening to me?
Or do I surmise?
Or am I just guessing?
That you fear me, can you feel my temper?
Perhaps you are afraid of me and my anger?
Rise
I am becoming more and more agitated
Rise
My emotions are escalating
Rise
I am reaching a breaking point
Do you hear or fear? Or
Are you listening to me now, or are you still afraid?
Do I smash the mirror?
Should I break this obsession with your own reflection?
Do you hear or fear? Or
Will you finally acknowledge me, or will you continue to be absorbed by yourself?
Do I smash the mirror?
Should I destroy this reflection so that you can see beyond yourself?
Lyrics © ABKCO MUSIC INC PETE TOWNSHEND CATALOG , FABULOUS MUSIC LTD , SPIRIT MUSIC GROUP
Written by: PETE 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.