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.
aNYway
The Who Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can live anyhow, win or lose
I can go anywhere, for something new
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere I choose
I can do anything, right or wrong
I can talk anyhow, and get along
Don't care anyway, I never lose
Nothing gets in my way
Not even locked doors
Don't follow the lines
That been laid before
I get along anyway I dare
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere
I can go anyway, way I choose
I can live anyhow, win or lose
I can do anything, for something new
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere I choose
(Oooh) anyway
(Oooh) Anyway I choose, yeah
(Oooh) Anyway I want to go
(Oooh) I want to go 'n do it myself
Do it myself
Do it myself, yeah
Anyway, way I choose
Anyway I choose
Yeah, yeah
Ain't never gonna lose the way I choose
The way I choose
The way I choose
The lyrics of The Who's song Anyway express the theme of personal freedom and individualism. The singer is proclaiming that he has the power and autonomy to make his own decisions and pursue his own desires, regardless of society's expectations or the opinions of others. He can live his life on his own terms, and he's not afraid to take risks or make mistakes along the way. The repeated lines "Anyway, anyhow, anywhere I choose" emphasize his belief in his own agency and reinforce the idea that he's not bound by external constraints.
The chorus of the song further emphasizes the singer's independence, as he declares that "nothing gets in my way" and that he can "get along anyway I dare." He's confident in his ability to survive and thrive no matter what challenges he encounters, and he's not interested in conforming to conventional norms or expectations. The overall message of the song is one of empowerment and self-determination, urging listeners to take control of their own lives and pursue their dreams with courage and conviction.
Line by Line Meaning
I can go anyway, way I choose
I have the freedom to go in any direction I want, without anyone telling me what to do.
I can live anyhow, win or lose
I can choose how to live my life, whether it leads me to victory or defeat.
I can go anywhere, for something new
I'm not stuck in one place; I can explore and discover new things in all parts of the world.
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere I choose
No matter the specifics of the situation, I can always take control and do what I feel is right.
I can do anything, right or wrong
My options are wide open, regardless of how moral or ethical they may be.
I can talk anyhow, and get along
I don't worry about what I say or how it comes across, because I can find common ground with anyone.
Don't care anyway, I never lose
The opinions of others don't matter to me, because I always come out on top regardless of the outcome.
Nothing gets in my way
There is nothing that can stop me from achieving my goals.
Not even locked doors
Even when obstacles seem insurmountable, I am able to find a way through them.
Don't follow the lines
I don't follow the path that others have set for me, because I am capable of forging my own way.
That been laid before
I don't adhere to the expectations that have been imposed on me by society.
I get along anyway I dare
I'm fearless and willing to take on any challenge, regardless of the risks.
Nothing gets in my way
Once again, nothing can stand between me and my objectives.
I can do anything, for something new
I am always up for trying something new and breaking out of my comfort zone if it means experiencing something different.
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere I choose
No matter the specifics of the situation, I can always take control and do what I feel is right.
Oooh) anyway
The chorus repeats, emphasizing the song's central idea.
(Oooh) Anyway I choose, yeah
The artist is firmly committed to his beliefs and isn't swayed by others' opinions.
(Oooh) Anyway I want to go
The singer is free to explore any path, even those yet undiscovered.
(Oooh) I want to go 'n do it myself
Rather than relying on others, the singer wants to take full responsibility for his own journey.
Do it myself
Again, the artist underlines his desire to be self-reliant and chart his own course.
Do it myself, yeah
The final chorus confirms the artist's unwavering independence and sense of determination.
Anyway, way I choose
Once again, the singer affirms his right to go any way he wants.
Anyway I choose
The singer repeats his commitment to choosing his own path.
Ain't never gonna lose the way I choose
Even if the odds seem impossible, the singer will continue to follow his own path to victory.
The way I choose
The repetition of this line reinforces the message of the song: freedom and individuality are the keys to a fulfilling life.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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.