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.
Won't Get Fooled Again
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With our children at our feet
And the morals that they worship will be gone
And the men who spurred us on
Sit in judgement of all wrong
They decide and the shotgun sings the song
I'll tip my hat to the new Constitution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
A change, it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the fold, that's all
And the world looks just the same
And history ain't changed
'Cause the banners, they all flown in the last war
I'll tip my hat to the new Constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again, no, no
I'll move myself and my family aside
If we happen to be left half-alive
I'll get all my papers and smile at the sky
For I know that the hypnotized never lie
Do you?
Yeah
There's nothing in the street
Looks any different to me
And the slogans are effaced, by-the-bye
And the parting on the left
Is now parting on the right
And the beards have all grown longer overnight
I'll tip my hat to the new Constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
Don't get fooled again, no, no
Yeah
Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss
The song "Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who is about the cyclical nature of revolutions and change. The opening stanza talks about the breaking down of society, with lines like "We'll be fighting in the streets with our children at our feet" and "the morals that they worship will be gone." The second stanza talks about the hope that comes with change and revolution, with lines like "I'll tip my hat to the new Constitution, take a bow for the new revolution." However, the final stanza acknowledges that despite these changes, things stay the same, with lines like "there's nothing in the street looks any different to me."
The song warns against blindly following those who claim to have the answers as they will end up being the same as those who came before them. The line of "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss" refers to the idea that those who rise to power in the wake of a revolution often turn out to be no different from the previous regime.
Overall, "Won't Get Fooled Again" is a cautionary tale about getting caught up in the fervor of change without considering what actually needs to be done to make lasting change.
Line by Line Meaning
We'll be fighting in the streets
Violent confrontations will occur, and we will take our children with us.
With our children at our feet
We will bring our children alongside us as we take to the streets to protest.
And the morals that they worship will be gone
The moral values that are held in high esteem will no longer be present in our society.
And the men who spurred us on
Those who instigated us to take action will turn against us.
Sit in judgement of all wrong
They will sit in positions of power, judging and dictating what is considered right and wrong.
They decide and the shotgun sings the song
The people in power will use violent measures to enforce their decisions and maintain control.
I'll tip my hat to the new Constitution
Acknowledging and showing respect to the new rules that have been established.
Take a bow for the new revolution
Expressing pride and admiration for the new changes that have been brought about in society.
Smile and grin at the change all around
Positively embracing the alterations that have occurred in society.
Pick up my guitar and play
Resuming an activity that used to bring joy and comfort.
Just like yesterday
As similar to the past, when everything was fine and there were no problems.
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
Submitting oneself to higher power through prayer.
We don't get fooled again
Not falling for the same tricks as before.
A change, it had to come
The change was inevitable and had to happen.
We knew it all along
We had a feeling that this change would happen someday.
We were liberated from the fold, that's all
We have been set free from the old ways of life.
And the world looks just the same
Despite the changes, not much else has altered much.
And history ain’t changed
The past is still the past, and the previous events which occurred still hold true.
'Cause the banners, they all flown in the last war
the efforts of the last war and the subsequent victory are celebrated with banners held high.
I’ll move myself and my family aside
I will put my personal and family’s needs above everything else.
If we happen to be left half-alive
In case we're lucky to have survived whatever conflict that may arise.
I'll get all my papers and smile at the sky
Gather all my documentation and hope for the best.
For I know that the hypnotized never lie
Those that have been manipulated or brainwashed will never speak the truth.
Do you?
Do you agree with my understanding of how things might play out?
There's nothing in the street
The situation outside hasn't changed much.
Looks any different to me
I don't notice any significant changes.
And the slogans are effaced, by-the-bye
The slogans and catchphrases that were once popular have since lost their significance.
And the parting on the left
The members of the leftist political movement have parted ways with you.
Is now parting on the right
You are now parting ways with the rightist political movement.
And the beards have all grown longer overnight
Everybody is growing their hair out, and it doesn't matter which side of the political divide they are on.
Meet the new boss
Introducing the new person in leadership.
Same as the old boss
They are no different than the previous individual in power, and everything's just as unsteady as before.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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.