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.
The Song Is Over
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's all behind me
I should have known it
She tried to find me
Our love is over
They're all ahead now
I've got to learn it
I'll sing my song to the wide open spaces
I'll sing my heart out to the infinite sea
I'll sing my visions to the sky high mountains
I'll sing my song to the free, to the free
I'll sing my song to the wide open spaces
I'll sing my heart out to the infinite sea
I'll sing my visions to the sky high mountains
I'll sing my song to the free, to the free
When I walked in through the door
Thought it was me I was looking for
She was the first song I ever sang
But it stopped as soon as it began
Our love is over
It's all behind me
They're all ahead now
Can't hope to find me
I'll sing my song to the wide open spaces
I'll sing my heart out to the infinite sea
I'll sing my visions to the sky high mountains
I'll sing my song to the free, to the free
I'll sing my song to the wide open spaces
I'll sing my heart out to the infinite sea
I'll sing my visions to the sky high mountains
I'll sing my song to the free, to the free
This song is over
I'm left with only tears
I must remember
Even if it takes a million years
The song is over
The song is over
Searchin' for a note, pure and easy
Playing so free, like a breath rippling by
The song This Song Is Over by The Who explores themes of lost love, regret, and the journey to move forward. The lyrics depict a troubled relationship that has come to an end, with the singer acknowledging that the love is over and that they must learn to accept it. The line "She tried to find me" suggests that the dissolution of the relationship was not entirely one-sided, and that there was an effort to make things work. However, it seems evident that the connection was not strong enough to withstand whatever challenges it faced.
The chorus of the song brings a sense of freedom and release, as the singer sings about singing their song to the open spaces, the sea, and the mountains. This illustrates the idea of moving on and finding a new sense of purpose and direction in life. The lyrics "I'll sing my song to the free, to the free" emphasize the idea of letting go of the past and embracing the present with renewed energy and enthusiasm. The song ends with a nod to the enduring power of memory and the importance of remembering one's past in order to move forward.
Overall, the lyrics of This Song Is Over are a poignant reminder of the pain and sorrow of lost love, but also a celebration of the possibilities that come with new beginnings.
Line by Line Meaning
The song is over
The relationship is over and there is nothing left to say or do
It's all behind me
The past is behind and there is no point dwelling on it
I should have known it
The signs were there but I didn't pay attention
She tried to find me
My partner made an effort to find me but I was unreachable
Our love is over
The love between us has gone and there is no going back
They're all ahead now
The future is uncertain and unknown, but I have to face it
I've got to learn it
I need to accept the reality of the situation and move on
I'm gonna to sing out
I will use music as a way to express my emotions and heal
I'll sing my song to the wide open spaces
I will sing without any restrictions or limitations
I'll sing my heart out to the infinite sea
My heart will pour out to an endless and vast audience
I'll sing my visions to the sky high mountains
I will share my dreams and aspirations with the world
I'll sing my song to the free, to the free
My music is for those who are free and open-minded
When I walked in through the door
The relationship started when I first met my partner
Thought it was me I was looking for
I was searching for something or someone, but I didn't know what or who
She was the first song I ever sang
My partner was my first love and inspiration for my music
But it stopped as soon as it began
The relationship and the creative inspiration were short-lived and ended quickly
Can't hope to find me
I have moved on and I'm no longer reachable for my ex-partner
I'm left with only tears
The breakup has left me emotional and in a vulnerable state
I must remember
I need to hold on to the memories and the lessons learned
Even if it takes a million years
The process of healing and moving on may take a long time
Searchin' for a note, pure and easy
Looking for a simple and beautiful melody to express my emotions
Playing so free, like a breath rippling by
Creating music that flows effortlessly and can be felt by anyone who listens
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Peter Townshend
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@smokinjz
The song is over
It's all behind me
I should have known it
She tried to find me
Our love is over
They're all ahead now
I've got to learn it
I'm going to sing now
I'll sing my song to the wide open spaces
Sing my heart out to the infinite sea
Sing my visions to the sky high mountains
Sing my song to the free, to the free
Sing my song to the wide open spaces
I sing my heart out to the infinite sea
Sing my visions to the sky high mountains
Sing my song to the free, to the free
When I walked in through the door
Thought it was me I was looking for
She was the first song I ever sang
But it stopped as soon as it began
Our love is over
It's all behind me
They're all ahead now
Can't hope to find me
I'll sing my song to the wide open spaces
Sing my heart out to the infinite sea
Sing my visions to the sky high mountains
Sing my song to the free, to the free
I'll sing my song to the wide open spaces
Sing my heart out to the infinite sea
Sing my visions to the sky high mountains
Sing my song to the free, to the free
The song is over
I'm left with only tears
I must remember
Even if it takes a million years
The song is over
The song is over
Searchin' for a note, pure and easy
Playing so free, like a breath rippling by
@johnchiafulio6927
I decided to make this song my memory of my wife who died from covid all the words just fit how she found me I'll never be the same without her I cry when I hear this song yet I play it every day love you Jennie chiafulio
@elizabethmcleod246
I’m so sorry you lost the love of your life. Be strong. Keep an open heart.
@Mynamesalexa
I know PRECISELY what it feels like.
@suziesmith2142
💖
@subooking
R.I.P.🙏🏼
@vetb882
Sorry for you loss. 🙏🏾✝️🙏🏻
@SA-cm9wp
This was my now deceased wife's favorite song. I can see her smiling down on me as I play it.
@zman5675
\m/, I'm sorry man. Long live her memory. Long live the music. They are as one now as ever before. Here love for it is a gift to all B'[
@buddaniel2425
If this was her favorite song she must have been one awesome chick
@hikewithmike4673
that is some good medicine to keep you spiritually connected!