TATTOO
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Bout what makes a man a man
Was it brain or brawn, or the month you were born
We just couldn't understand
Our old man didn't like our appearance
He said that only women wear long hair
We knew what we had to do
We went downstairs, past the barber and gymnasium
And got our arms tattooed
Welcome to my life, tattoo
I'm a man now, thanks to you
I expect I'll regret you but the skin graft man won't get you
You'll be there when I die
Tattoo
My dad beat me 'cause mine said "Mother"
But my mother naturally liked it and beat my brother
'Cause his tattoo was of a lady in the nude
And my mother thought that was extremely rude
Welcome to my life, tattoo
We've a long time together, me and you
I expect I'll regret you but the skin graft man won't get you
You'll be there when I die
Tattoo
Now I'm older, I'm tattooed all over
My wife is tattooed too
A rooty-toot-toot, rooty-tooty-toot-toot
Rooty-toot-toot tattoo too
To you
Radio London reminds you, go to the church of your choice!
The lyrics to The Who's song "Tattoo" explore the themes of identity, rebellion, and the relationship between parents and children. The singer, along with his brother, is meditating on what makes a man a man. They consider whether it's physical strength or intelligence, but they can't quite figure it out. Their father disapproves of their appearance and insists that only women wear long hair. In response, the brothers decide to get tattoos. They go downstairs, past the barber and the gymnasium, and get their arms inked. Here, the tattoo represents rebellion against their father's expectations and a form of self-expression.
However, their father doesn't respond well, beating them for their tattoos. On top of that, the tattoos themselves have become a source of conflict between the singer's mother and brother. While the mother is pleased with the singer's tattoo of the word "Mother," she disapproves of his brother's tattoo of a nude woman.
Despite these complications, the singer reflects that the tattoos have become a permanent part of his life. He's tattooed all over, as is his wife. The tattoo symbolizes the permanence of identity and the experiences that shape us over time.
Line by Line Meaning
Me and my brother were talking to each other
I was having a conversation with my brother
'Bout what makes a man a man
We were discussing what it means to be a man
Was it brain or brawn, or the month you were born
We were contemplating whether it is intelligence or physical strength, or just the month of birth that determines manhood
We just couldn't understand
We were confused and unable to comprehend it
Our old man didn't like our appearance
Our father disliked our looks
He said that only women wear long hair
He expressed that long hair is only for women
So me and my brother borrowed money from Mother
My brother and I took a loan from our mother
We knew what we had to do
We were aware of what we needed to do
We went downstairs, past the barber and gymnasium
We walked downstairs, passing the barber shop and gymnasium
And got our arms tattooed
And we had our arms inked with a tattoo design
Welcome to my life, tattoo
I am addressing my tattoo, which has become a part of my life
I'm a man now, thanks to you
Thanks to you, I feel like a man
I expect I'll regret you but the skin graft man won't get you
I may regret getting you but no one can take you away from me
You'll be there when I die
You will remain with me until my death
My dad beat me 'cause mine said "Mother"
My dad beat me because my tattoo had the word "Mother"
But my mother naturally liked it and beat my brother
However, my mother admired it and punished my brother for his tattoo of a nude lady.
'Cause his tattoo was of a lady in the nude
He got punished because his tattoo was of a naked lady
And my mother thought that was extremely rude
My mother found it to be highly impolite
We've a long time together, me and you
You and I will be companions for a long time
Now I'm older, I'm tattooed all over
Now that I've aged, I have tattoos all over my body
My wife is tattooed too
My spouse also has tattoos
A rooty-toot-toot, rooty-tooty-toot-toot
It is a chant-like melody with no real significance
To you
This is for you
Radio London reminds you, go to the church of your choice!
The Radio London station reminds you to go to the church of your preference!
Lyrics © Abkco Music, Inc.,
Written by: PETER DENNIS BLANDFOR TOWNSHEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@drstevie
Me and my brother were talking to each other
'Bout what makes a man a man
Was it brain or brawn, or the month you were born
We just couldn't understand
Our old man didn't like our appearance
He said that only women wear long hair
So me and my brother borrowed money from Mother
We knew what we had to do
We went downstairs, past the barber and gymnasium
And got our arms tattooed
Welcome to my life, tattoo
I'm a man now, thanks to you
I expect I'll regret you
But the skin graft man won't get you
You'l be there when I die
Tattoo
My dad beat me 'cause mine said "Mother"
But my mother naturally liked it and beat my brother
'Cause his tattoo was of a lady in the nude
And my mother thought that was extremely rude
Welcome to my life, tattoo
We've a long time together, me and you
I expect I'll regret you
But the skin graft man won't get you
You'll be there when I die
Tattoo
Now I'm older, I'm tattooed all over
My wife is tattooed too
A rooty-toot-toot, rooty-tooty-toot-toot
Rooty-toot-toot tattoo too
To you
@In.New.York.I.Milly.Rock.
Ahead of their time.
Imagine creating a whole concept for an album to make sure the jarring and pastiche-y lyricism would work on a level higher than it should have everything. Pete truly is a fucking genius.
@Axess-sv8nq
You can hear the beginnings of Tommy in this song with the harmonies!
@magneto7930
Those harmonies really make the song!
@Axess-sv8nq
@MAGNETO BIG time!!
@kingpetra6886
Good ear.
@Axess-sv8nq
@KingPetra Thank you!
@bodegabonsai7069
Absolutely fabulous band. Unique. Groundbreaking. Innovators. No one rocked harder. And that drummer. As great as the other members were, I wonder if they would have ever achieved the fame they enjoyed if not for Mr. Moon. Although Tattoo is one of the rare Who numbers where Keith has little to say. He plays his part mimicking the guitar on the bell of the ride cymbal. I've seen the band perform this live 4 times. Keith had a bit more to say when on stage.
@MoskoGaming
He sure did man 🤘
@jlbaker2000
Pete Townshend would have made them famous anyway. His songwriting was amazing.
@jonathanmacpac
I love the juxtaposition of this song, the church public service ditty and "Our Love Was". All in the same key, with such a natural flow.