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.
We're Not Gonna Take It
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess you all know why we're here
My name is Tommy
And I became aware this year
If you want to follow me
You've got to play pinball
And put in your earplugs
You know where to put the cork
Hey you getting drunk, so sorry!
I've got you sussed
Hey you smoking Mother Nature!
This is a bust!
Hey hung up old Mr. Normal
Don't try to gain my trust!
'Cause you ain't gonna follow me any of those ways
Although you think you must
We're not gonna take it
We're not gonna take it
We're not gonna take it
We're not gonna take it
We're not gonna take it
Never did and never will
We're not gonna take it
Gonna break it, gonna shake it
Let's forget it better still
Now you can't hear me
Your ears are truly sealed
You can't speak either
Your mouth is filled
You can't see nothing
And pinball completes the scene
Here comes Uncle Ernie to guide you to
Your very own machine
We're not gonna take it
We're not gonna take it
We're not gonna take it
We're not gonna take it
We're not gonna take it
Never did and never will
Don't want no religion
And as far as we can tell
We ain't gonna take you
Never did and never will
We're not gonna take you
We forsake you
Gonna rape you
Let's forget you better still
We forsake you
Gonna rape you
Let's forget you better still
See me
Feel me
Touch me
Heal me
See me
Feel me
Touch me
Heal me
See me
Feel me
Touch me
Heal me
See me
Feel me
Touch me
Heal me
Listening to you
I get the music
Gazing at you
I get the heat
Following you
I climb the mountains
I get excitement at your feet
Right behind you
I see the millions
On you
I see the glory
From you
I get opinions
From you
I get the story
Listening to you
I get the music
Gazing at you
I get the heat
Following you
I climb the mountains
I get excitement at your feet
Right behind you
I see the millions
On you
I see the glory
From you
I get opinions
From you
I get the story
Listening to you
I get the music
Gazing at you
I get the heat
Following you
I climb the mountains
I get excitement at your feet
Right behind you
I see the millions
On you
I see the glory
"We're Not Gonna Take It" is a song by The Who from their rock opera Tommy. The song is about the singer, Tommy, who becomes a cult leader after being traumatized by witnessing his father's murder. In the context of the opera, the song comes at a point when Tommy has taken over a camp filled with disillusioned youth who are searching for answers. The song is about the rejection of traditional authority and the search for new beliefs and ways of life. The lyrics describe Tommy's challenge to the campers to follow him and his rejection of those he deems unworthy.
The first verse is sung by Tommy and is a call to the others at the camp to follow him. The second verse is a rejection of those who are using drugs or alcohol to escape from reality, or those who are trying to be "normal" and conform to societal expectations. Tommy believes that these people cannot truly understand or follow him. The chorus, "We're not gonna take it," is a statement of defiance and a rejection of the status quo. Tommy is saying that he and his followers will not accept the way things are and will seek out something new.
The third verse is a description of the sensory deprivation that Tommy uses to control the others at the camp. By encouraging them to play pinball and putting earplugs and eye shades on them, he is able to take away their sense of hearing and sight, and control what they are thinking about. The fourth verse is a continuation of the ideas presented in the second verse, where Tommy rejects traditional religion and those who are trying to control or manipulate him. The line "Gonna break it, gonna shake it" is an affirmation of the idea that Tommy will not be controlled by anyone else.
The final section of the song features the repeating of the lines "See me, feel me, touch me, heal me." This is a continuation of the themes of sensory deprivation and control that appear earlier in the song. Tommy is saying that by following him, his followers will be able to experience something more meaningful and transformative than anything they have experienced before. The repeated chorus of "We're not gonna take it" is a reminder that this change is necessary and that they will not be deterred.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to the Camp
The singer greets the audience and acknowledges that they are all gathered for a common purpose.
I guess you all know why we're here
The singer assumes that the audience already understands the nature of the gathering and its purpose.
My name is Tommy
The singer introduces himself to the audience by name.
And I became aware this year
The singer suggests that he has recently gained a new level of understanding or consciousness.
If you want to follow me
The singer suggests that he is leading or guiding the audience in some way.
You've got to play pinball
The singer uses 'pinball' as a metaphor for the journey the audience must take in order to follow him.
And put in your earplugs
The singer advises the audience to block out any external distractions or noise.
Put on your eye shades
The singer advises the audience to eliminate any visual distractions or influences that might interfere with their journey.
You know where to put the cork
The singer uses 'cork' as a metaphor for the negative emotions and attitudes that might prevent the audience from following him.
Hey you getting drunk, so sorry!
The singer addresses a specific individual in the audience who may be under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
I've got you sussed
The singer claims to have a deep understanding of this person's character or motives.
Hey you smoking Mother Nature!
The singer addresses a specific individual in the audience who may be harming the environment through their actions.
This is a bust!
The singer makes it clear that such behavior will not be tolerated or accepted.
Hey hung up old Mr. Normal
The singer addresses a specific individual in the audience who adheres to conventional or conformist attitudes and behaviors.
Don't try to gain my trust!
The singer warns this person not to try and alter the course of the journey or challenge his leadership.
'Cause you ain't gonna follow me any of those ways
The singer asserts that such attitudes and behaviors are incompatible with his vision and mission.
Although you think you must
The singer acknowledges that some members of the audience may think they need to conform or obey, but he rejects that notion.
We're not gonna take it
The singer and his followers assert their collective refusal to submit to the status quo or accept things as they are.
Never did and never will
The singer emphasizes the steadfastness of his commitment to this stance.
Gonna break it, gonna shake it
The singer asserts that he and his followers will actively work to dismantle or disrupt the forces they oppose.
Let's forget it better still
The singer suggests that it would be best for all involved if they could simply move on from the conflict and opposition.
Now you can't hear me
The singer implies that the non-believers or opponents are no longer capable of understanding or hearing his message.
Your ears are truly sealed
The singer suggests that the non-believers or opponents are closed-minded and cannot be swayed or convinced by his arguments or reasoning.
You can't speak either
The singer suggests that the non-believers or opponents are unwilling or unable to enter into meaningful dialogue or debate.
Your mouth is filled
The singer uses 'mouth' as a metaphor for the negative attitudes or beliefs that the non-believers or opponents cannot let go of.
You can't see nothing
The singer suggests that the non-believers or opponents are blind to the true nature of reality or the situation.
And pinball completes the scene
The singer references the earlier metaphor of pinball to suggest that the non-believers or opponents are wandering aimlessly and without purpose or direction.
Here comes Uncle Ernie to guide you to Your very own machine
The singer references a specific character from The Who's rock opera Tommy to suggest that there is someone who can still guide the non-believers or opponents to their own path.
Don't want no religion
The singer asserts that their opposition to the status quo is not based on any particular religious belief or doctrine.
And as far as we can tell
The singer suggests that he and his followers are not certain about the true nature of reality or the best path forward, but they reject the status quo nonetheless.
We ain't gonna take you
The singer and his followers assert that they do not need or want the non-believers or opponents to join them or support them in their mission.
We forsake you
The singer and his followers actively reject or abandon the non-believers or opponents.
Gonna rape you
The singer uses 'rape' as a metaphor for the violent or forceful ways in which they will defy or fight against the non-believers or opponents.
Let's forget you better still
The singer suggests that it would be best to move on and forget about the non-believers or opponents entirely.
See me
The singer asserts his own identity and presence.
Feel me
The singer suggests that he is deeply engaged and connected with the world around him.
Touch me
The singer suggests that he is open and receptive to the experiences and perspectives of others.
Heal me
The singer suggests that he seeks healing and wholeness for himself and others.
Listening to you
The singer suggests that he is open and receptive to the perspectives and opinions of others.
I get the music
The singer suggests that he finds inspiration and understanding in the music of others.
Gazing at you
The singer suggests that he is deeply engaged and focused on the people and world around him.
I get the heat
The singer suggests that he is passionate and energetic about his mission and purpose.
Following you
The singer suggests that he is willing to learn from and be guided by the experiences and perspectives of others.
I climb the mountains
The singer uses 'mountains' as a metaphor for the challenges and obstacles he must overcome in pursuit of his mission.
I get excitement at your feet
The singer suggests that he finds motivation and inspiration in the accomplishments and successes of those around him.
Right behind you
The singer suggests that he is supporting and following others on their own journey or mission.
I see the millions
The singer recognizes the vast number of people who share his views and mission.
On you
The singer suggests that these millions are themselves engaged in their own journey or mission.
I see the glory
The singer recognizes the accomplishments and successes of others who share his mission.
From you
The singer recognizes that these accomplishments and successes are a result of the determination and hard work of others.
I get opinions
The singer suggests that he values the perspectives and viewpoints of others.
From you
The singer recognizes that these perspectives and viewpoints come from the experiences and perspectives of others.
I get the story
The singer suggests that he values the experiences and perspectives of others in shaping his own understanding and mission.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Peter 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.