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.
Who you are
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who, who, who, who?
Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?
Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?
Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?
I woke up in a Soho doorway
A policeman knew my name
He said, "You can go sleep at home tonight
If you can get up and walk away"
I staggered back to the underground
And the breeze blew back my hair
I remember throwin' punches around
And preachin' from my chair
Well, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
I really wanna know (who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
'Cause I really wanna know (who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
I took the tube back out of town
Back to the Rollin' Pin
I felt a little like a dying clown
With a streak of Rin Tin Tin
I stretched back and I hiccupped
And looked back on my busy day
Eleven hours in the tin pan
God, there's got to be another way
Well, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Oh, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Come on and tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Oh, who the fuck are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Who are you?
(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)
(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)
(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)
(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)
(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)
(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)
Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?
Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?
Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?
Who are you?
Who, who, who, who?
I really wanna know (who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
I really wanna know (who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Come on, tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
'Cause I really wanna know (who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
I know there's a place you walked
Where love falls from the trees
My heart is like a broken cup
I only feel right on my knees
I spit out like a sewer hole
Yet still receive your kiss
How can I measure up to anyone now
After such a love as this?
Well, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Oh, tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Oh, I really wanna know (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Tell, tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Come on, come on, who? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Ah, who the fuck are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Oh, tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Ooh)
I really wanna know
Oh, I really wanna know
Come on, tell me, who are you, you, you, ah, you? (Yeah)
The lyrics of The Who's "Who Are You" reflect a classic rock and roll story about self-discovery, creating an image of chaotic and reckless behavior that eventually leads to introspection. In the first verse of the song, the persona wakes up in a Soho doorway after a night of excessive drinking and disruptive behavior. A police officer tells him that he can go home if he walks away. He then takes the tube back home, feeling like a dying clown and questioning his actions that day. The refrain repeats the question of "Who are you," indicating a search for identity and self-discovery.
The second verse adds to the confusion of the persona, who remembers throwing punches and preaching from a chair but doesn't remember why he did these things. He is looking for answers, wondering who he is and why he has acted in such a way. The third verse accentuates the exhaustion that comes with this search, expressing how the persona feels after eleven hours of work that day, hoping there must be another way. The refrain serves as a reminder of the fundamental question: "Who are you?"
With its catchy chorus and introspective lyrics, "Who Are You" became one of The Who's signature songs. The song's distinctive six-note guitar riff was composed by guitarist Pete Townshend in his hotel room, and he first sold the song to the BBC show about a man who steals a murderer's identity. It was later chosen as the theme song for the CBS show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Line by Line Meaning
Who are you?
Asking the question of the listener or of oneself, challenging one's identity and purpose.
I woke up in a Soho doorway
Starting the story in a state of disorientation and confusion.
A policeman knew my name
Acknowledging the singer's notoriety and possible run-ins with the law.
He said you can go sleep at home tonight
Offering a chance for the artist to rest and recover.
If you can get up and walk away
Challenging the artist's ability to sober up and move on from their current situation.
I remember throwing punches around
Recalling a moment of violence or aggression.
And preaching from my chair
Asserting one's beliefs or opinions, possibly to a group of people.
Tell me, who are you?
Reinforcing the question of identity and seeking a genuine answer.
I felt a little like a dying clown
Describing the feeling of being out of place or irrelevant.
With a streak of rin tin tin
Comparing oneself to a famous dog actor, possibly as a joke or reference to being a loyal companion.
God, there's got to be another way
Expressing frustration with the current situation and seeking an escape or solution.
Oh who the fuck are you?
Adding emphasis and frustration to the question of identity, possibly directed at a specific person or group.
I really wanna know
Continuing to express a genuine desire for an answer to the question of identity.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Peter Townshend
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BrianCarnevaleB26
Who are you really? This a question that remains unanswered as I know you are more than just a person who pumps out SPAM!
Let's unlock the box, and see what is really inside deep down.
#Pain
#regret
#bitterness
#loathing
#jelousy
#longingforlove
#trapped
#stuck
#catinthehat
@leokimvideo
So many good things going on here, but Pete's guitar playing is on point.
@bigvimfuego
Love how his mannerisms when he's playing the guitar are there on the piano too.
@mojorisin8368
He's also a paedophile.
@hammurds
Keith steals the show. Truly one of the greatest drummers to ever live. He does more than keep the tempo, he matches guitar riffs and vocals and it shows with how aggressively he plays. He makes the drums more of an accompaniment than just a time keeper. Beautiful
@cbennett196631
@@hammurds top 10….maybe?!?
@hammurds
@@cbennett196631 Keith is definitely in my top ten. No doubt. He is in a league of his own when it comes to how he approaches drumming. He is certainly unique
@jackcohen7923
Moon's facial expressions say it all... the excitement, dedication, and brotherhood with this band is phenomenal on top of the pure musical talent
@damamae950
The drunkenness, the wanton lifestyle, and death within a couple of months...
@KnoppersBomber
What is it about drumming that makes drummers make funny faces?
@jxntxn1462
@@KnoppersBomber Its not just drummers, a lot of musicians do that while playing if you watch. Drummers do seem to be the most noticeable though which is interesting