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.
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
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.