You gotta take a couple of seconds to watch this live. At seven minute, fifty second mark, Pete does a slide during Roger's scream that is one of the greatest moments in rock video.
The soundstage live video that was done for The Kids Are Alright movie (I believe) was brilliant. Daltrey, Townsend and Moon are going crazy on stage. Meanwhile, John "Thunder Fingers" Entwistle calmly stays in his corner and plays fantastic bass notes to give cohesion to the surrounding mayhem. One of the best bassists ever. I love his solo in My Generation. Also recommending the Who Are You soundstage video, used in The Kids Are Alright. Another great analysis of a rock epic.
John, i have always thought the same, that moment, if you freeze frame it , is in my opinion one of the greatest rock photos of all time. Such an iconic rocking band never to be duplicated.
You MUST see the rockumentary “The Kids are Alright “ in it’s entirety! There is no narration, only live performances, interviews, studio takes, film snippets from the beginning up until Kieths death
Unrivalled in what they do, revolutionary. This has been my favourite song since I first heard it. Excellent choice from an excellent band. Great work mate!!
Born in '55- they're in my top three bands of all time- no one had their energy, and it came through their instruments. (angry young men they were, punk in a way, but way before and they had their own anger) Saw them live in '73 at the LA Forum- they opened with 'The Real Me", how good was that?
This was a classic song made to play loud. Yes, it was about revolution-but a cautionary one. Every regime that promises change gets caught up with the trappings of power and become just as bad as the old guard. Just as applicable today as 50 years ago!
The corporate structure has ALWAYS fucked over the artists, from the blues guys in the 30s, to the bad contracts they foisted on the rockers in the 60s and 70s. I have always posited that in the rock era the A & R guys didn't understand what their young audience wanted, so they signed EVERYBODY. So we got to hear the incredibly diverse and rich collection of talent and viewpoint that flourished in the classic rock era.
The Summer, when this song was released, I was 16 working as a lifeguard in Chicago, & all radios would be tuned to the same station, & this & all the other music of the day would ring out across the beach for all to hear. Our living soundtrack. ✌️❤️🎶
This is peak rock 'n' roll. Raw emotional intensity, a rebellious spirit, passion channeled through drums and guitar. Roger Daltry's scream before the song's coda is a moment of pure perfection: a hypnotic synth solo gives way to Keith Moon's crescendoing drum fills, then you've got Roger Daltry pouring his soul's fire into the microphone while Pete Townshend electrifies the air with crashing chords... It genuinely doesn't get much better than this.
I like your intellectual analysis of this time period in music. I think it is quite accurate. The problem I find today with music for the most part is that it is missing soul. As well as sophistication, playfulness, and many other aspects of human emotions, etc. And I see that a good, healthy percentage of teenagers and college students are digging this up stuff up (classic rock and so forth) once they hear some of it. And react like they are quite blown away because of course they never heard music like this before.
From ‘68-73 they were the greatest live rock band in the world. As amazing as their albums were, their concert stage presence and energy were simply unmatched. Great take on their working class roots and viewpoint. They were the leaders of a whole movement called Mod in the early 60’s, then became anthem writers and standard bearers for the entire counterculture. The Who were as revolutionary as anyone, and deeper than most.
I watched Daltrey in the studio showing how they recorded it. He dropped all instruments apart from his vocal and moon. Keith was playing drums to the vocals on one of the verses or choruses. Moon wasn't a time keeping drummer in the true sense, hence so unique. What a guy. Who fan favourite next has to be love reign O'er me. Daltrey vocals and the production is epic. So powerful.
@@vicprovost2561 a pure bass power house track for sure, Entwistle, Butler, and Jones The Holy Trinity of bass. Although I do have a soft spot for Hookey, Jah Wobble and Mani mainly because all 3 are mental, with honourable mentions to Macca and Kilminster.
That's simply not true. Some say Moon couldn't keep time. Listen to this track. Moon is very much on point. He may have been crazy, but he wasn't stupid. He & John were on the same wavelength.
@@deepermind4884 I never said he was stupid, he was a genius. I didn't say he couldn't keep time, his timing was immaculate. He was just often more involved in lyricism while John carried the backbone rhythm.
Pete Townsend wrote a large number of The Who's song, including this one and had a brilliant solo career, as well. I think he is in my top five favorite songwriters! He is extraordinary!
To get his signature organ sound on this tune, Townshend began with feeding a Lowery organ through an EMS VCS3 synthesizer and investing hours and hours to get the harmonics, sequencing and samples. The EMS was very rudimentary at the time; very difficult to program. For the rest of the tunes on "Who's Next", Townshend used the ARP 2500 and 2600 synths; again, very new and difficult to program... At a time when the synthesizer was still very much a melodic novelty item, Townshend pioneered a cyclic synthesizer rhythm track upon which songs such as ‘Baba O’Riley’ were based. In 1971 this was a radical, indeed, unprecedented breakthrough, with only Stevie Wonder working along the same lines at the time....
This song is timeless and relevant still. They are amongst the best ever. To hear another amazing track, try from their classic Live at Leeds, the My Generation jam, 15 minutes of the most searing, primal rock you will ever hear in your life, I kid you not. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎹🎶
First of all, no song is over ‘til it’s over! That scream you almost missed is the greatest in rock music! During their live shows, the long synthesizer solos were part of a laser show. Pretty impressive back then. I was a teen in the 70’s and The Who was the soundtrack of my life back then. I first heard of them when I was blown away by their first rock opera “Tommy”. I was hooked for life. I remember in the 70’s, the two bands everyone wanted to see live were The Grateful Dead, and The Who. A great documentary about the group, called The Kids Are Alright, gives an incredible look at their stage presence. Their Live At Leeds album is one of the best live albums ever, and Quadrophenia, their other rock opera, is probably their most popular album. Songs not to be missed: “Love Reign O’er Me”, “The Real Me”, “5:15”, and “Behind Blue Eyes”.
Just started watching your reactions and I love your insight into the music and lyrics. I was lucky to have been going to college in the early 70's and being immersed in the golden age of rock! The Who have been GREATLY underrated over the years.
Keith Moon was the king of ADD, and he would ingest anything that came his way. He once took elephant tranquilizers, unbeknownst to him, at a live show in California. There is video of this on UA-cam. Pete had to ask if there were any drummers in the audience, and he found a kid that made his dream a reality that night. Meanwhile, Moon was carried off to the doctors.
J.E is just bloody brilliant ...can't think of a good enough word to describe him .. perhaps God had another son who picked up a bass guitar ....I do not mean to be disrespectful.....🙏🏼
If you want a solid helping of Entwhistle's bass playing, que up the song "The Real Me" from the album Quadrophenia, and the song "Magic Bus", from the CD "Live At Leeds" It wasn't on the vinyl release, but then again they only used maybe seven or eight songs from that great live recording at Leeds, while the whole concert was on a CD I bought a zillion years ago. True bass legend was Entwhistle.
You need to show the live versions 🙏. I heard that you can show live versions of groups with out having you having to cover them up. Much love to you and your family 💕Brandi Modrak 💕❤
It's a bitter song on the disappointment in Soviet style leftist revolutions, it's much more interesting when placed in its era, not made into a 'timeless anthem', because the commentary is very timely and specific, it isn't a general nihilism.
That Synthesizer bridge slowly hypnotizes you. It get narrower and narrower, then closes to zero. Then it drops you out of a plane while Keith Moon does what he wants to you. Then you hit the ground, with the scream. It's a HUGE shock to everyone who hears it for the first time. After that, you can't be shocked, because, you won't get fooled, AGAIN. Pete Townshend is a GENIUS. Every second of it was on purpose.
While The Who can perform songs like this that are pure power, if you listen to other songs from them you'll find they can also perform songs of pure beauty.
You nailed it as the people’s band. And when you said you could turn it down and talk over the end , I laughed hard knowing what was to come! You’re great.
This song (and entire album for that matter) is a masterpiece. Keith Moon was the reason I started playing the drums over 40 years ago. He’s still on my top 10 list of favorite drummers. Nobody else played like him. I see him as a tragic hero who’s life of excess cut him down way too early.
I'll never forget the who singing this song at the concert for new York right after 9-11. They were great and the song was perfect for the time. Favorite memory .
You absolutely nailed it. I love your intelligent commentary. You need to hear all of Quadrophenia. It's about young men coming of age in Britain, exactly like you, but it speak to everyone. It's an absolute masterpiece.
My only complaint. The newer music doesn’t have any patience to just let the music develop and expand. The Who had the greatest intros out there. Very original and creative. Perfect transitions and meaningful lyrics. Roger Daltry had that great screaming voice. And what can you say about Keith Moon. Back in those days the holy trinity of drummers was John Bonham, Neil Peart and Keith Moon. Bill Ward was right there with the greats as well.
World War 1 = 25 million dead then 20 years later came WW 2 = 50 million dead. On and on it goes. The Who are of the post WW 2 generation and to me this song expresses the disillusionment of the false promises of peace and love we see repeating endlessly.
Everything you said plus one of the greatest R&R screams ever when they come back from the quieter interlude. Daltry sounds like he's ejecting his insides out.
My joy is watching your joy as you were listening. The 'synthesiser' is actually an engineered organ chord and the use of this sound in the song is absolutely unique and transfixing. Everything came together on this song, guitars, drums, singing, lyrics etc - unsurpassable.
The Who are one of the GREATEST bands of all time!! They aren't under rated at all. But you did hit the nail on the head with the "working man" reference. Case in point, check out the song "5:15" More great Who songs to check out: "The Real Me" (are rare rock song with a lead BASS!); "Squeeze Box"; "Long Live Rock"; "Magic Bus"; "Pinball Wizard", "Love, Reign o'er Me"; "Bargain"; "Behind Blue Eyes"'; "Going Mobile"; "The Acid Queen"; "We're Not Gonna Take It"; "I Can See for Miles" ; "Happy Jack"; "Pictures of Lily"; "Substitute" ; "Boris the Spider"; "My Generation"; "The Kids Are Alright"; and so many more....
I loved this. Kind of a typical reaction to the last piece of the song (I guess you can call it an outro). Eyebrows raised in reaction to the first scream and then "I guess it will be the synthesizer to the end of the song". In my head I'm saying..."just be patient". On the first listen, people are just never prepared for the drim solo then the second YEAH!!!!!
And the best line .. meet the new boss,same as the old boss.. Iwork in the NHS, could be about the Managers that come and go .. 75k a year and not worth £1.75
Glad you liked this - it's a great bit of writing/playing. What was Moon on? Everything, apparently :) The Constitution/revolution seems to point to America, but the point is relevant to us in the UK now as then. We are open to being duped and are willing to be by those in power. We need to change our perspective. Cheers mate. Stay in tune!
This was the first time I have seen you react to anything. I am now a subscriber. Great reaction. You can expect comments from me for your older ones I will now listen to. Cheers.
My first concert was The Who & The Small Faces at Sydney Stadium in 1968. I was 16. The Who's early catalogue was loud and fantastic too. 'My Generation', 'Substitute', 'Happy Jack', 'I'm a Boy', 'Magic Bus' and 'Pictures of Lily' to name but a few. They were a lot shorter so you may want to pair them up for a listen. Thanks Syed, great comments. Love the music anyway. Small Faces also had some great tracks. 'Tin Soldier', 'Here Come the Nice', Itchycoo Park' and 'Afterglow' worth a listen.
Solid, astute review; your comments capture much of what made The Who great for those us lucky enough to live through and appreciate the musical creativity that era. And much of their stuff is timeless: do yourself a favor and watch the band 30 years later at the Concert for New York City six weeks after 9/11 (it's on UA-cam). Moon was dead (playing the drums was Zach Starkey, Ringo Starr's son), and the set was John Entwistle's last performance in the US (he died less than a year later). In 27 minutes onstage halfway through the show, a few 50-somethings (Zach was younger) turned a nice, serene, let's-all-get drunk-and-mourn-our-friends event into a defiant, fist-pumping, screaming crowd of fired-up Americans ready to go to avenge what had happened to our country. That's what The Who's music could do - their songs could be taken into battle.
Another gem by the Who. What is the "Main Channel"? For the next Who reaction I suggest "Magic Bus" on the "Live at Leeds" album. Get to hear the boys live. Quite a treat. I suggest another bit of work from around the same time period - "Every Picture Tells A Story" by Rod Stewart. This is prime Rod Stewart - not the "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" crap.
@@yenlard6683 I suggest the four song set from "The Concert For NY City". The tribute concert for the cops and firemen and nurses and ambulance drivers that responded to the attack of 9-11. ua-cam.com/video/aruDK5EmAl8/v-deo.html
Pete is primarily talking about cultural change. The 60's was a time of riots (mostly about Vietnam), and a lot of social upheaval. The last line says it all anytime a society goes through that sort of unrest. And there is no one who can match Keith on drums in that day.
You should hear the live version from 1978 on the soundtrack of 'The Kids Are Alright' (1979 documentary). They absolutely flamed it! Glad you're loving The Who!
Either you have forgotten or have yet to experience 3 more as important legendary bands of that era in YES, Emerson, Lake, And Palmer(ELP), And Genesis,( Gabriel And Phil Collins), superb progressive rock bands.
Nobody ever knew what Keith Moon was on at any given time - multiple things perhaps, but the best of all was he was high on positivity and attitude - life of the party.
The song is a sardonic look at any organized system. Establishment, counterculture, whatever. It is about the typical foibles and corruption of humans in organized systems, and the way the masses fall prey to it all. And yes, Moon was an intense, exceptional rock drummer.
Had the great privalege of seeing The Who live, and in their prime, at Wembley Stadium around 1980 - along with AC/DC, The Stranglers and Nils Lofgren. How's than for set list? Unforgetable! I recommend you listen to live recordings/versions of their music (particularly @ Leeds) - and all the back catalogues going back to the mid-1960s. Then you'll get the full majesty of this great, great British Rock band PS. Great analysis and review Syed btw 👍 [ Now do the same with The Rolling Stones - Happy listening/viewing! 😄 ]
Formed in 1963...The Who along with The Beatles and Rolling Stones are one of the most Influential and Iconic Rock groups in Music history. I will see these legends on October 26, 2022 at The Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento, CA. And BTW ....The members were on drugs!!!!
People often think the whole band was on drugs, and that Roger Daltrey was just the singer and not that important in the scheme of things. Wrong. Roger was the responsible one, who literally held the band together, especially when the other members were dealing with addictions. He led a clean life, and worked to protect his voice. The fact that his voice has remained strong his whole life is a testament to that.
These two songs were from an aborted project called Lifehouse. It was supposed to be another rock opera with a film and a live component. Pete Townsend ended up doing the full Lifehouse proper for radio in the 2000s and released it on his website.
I love how you broke it down. Stones were the "bad Boys". Beatles were, "the cool boys", Pink Floyd were "Esoteric boys". The Who were "The everyman boys." Well done.
I liked the way your summarized the era and the stellar players. Listen also to classic Yes for Prog. Also, check out Aerosmith Rocks and Toys in the Attic. Personally, I think the key influences on GnR but more interesting (IMHO)
One of the greatest songs by The Who. I rank The Who in my top 3 concerts I have personally attended: #1 Pink Floyd (live in Miami); #2 Pink Floyd (live in Cincinnati; #3 The Who (live in Miami).
Loved the Who from the very first album. One of the finest live shows of all the bands back in the sixties. They were rated loudest concert for years. The only band that has a lead singer, lead bass, lead guitar, and of course Keith Moon on lead drums.
If you're enjoying synths, Emerson, Lake & Palmer is a must. "Trilogy" or "The Endless Enigma" (you want Part 1, Fugue, and Part 2 all together) will give you a taste of the sauce before the 'pack a lunch' territory that is "Tarkus" or "Karn Evil 9."
Great reaction. I thought it was hilarious when you thought it was more or less over, laughter hey man, there's so many great songs even from this much later era of this band. You have to understand they were around for a while in their early stuff is a lot more psychedelic but still really amazing. But anyway, along this line of the later stuff, if you haven't already, check out going mobile, check out, Behind Blue Eyes, and then take a dive into the past, check out this seemingly silly song that turns out to be really almost a precursor to certain aspects of heavy rock or even metal, just like the Beatles Helter Skelter was in a very different way. It's called, Boris the spider. Another super catchy one of theirs from really early on, pictures of Lily, is about a kid in a repressive environment but his dad at least gives him some nude pictures to look at. But all of it is musically fascinating. And wait a minute, didn't they also do Squeezebox? You got to check that out that's definitely out of genre for them.
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It's not about war. It's about how revolutions always seem to end up producing something as bad or even worse. They decide and the shotgun sings the song.
He Rodger also had a go at acting playing John McVicar an armed robber who escaped from prison and became a journalist who just passed away a few months ago of a heart attack It was realised by the WHO Films Ltd worth checking out he was surprisingly good in it .
You gotta take a couple of seconds to watch this live. At seven minute, fifty second mark, Pete does a slide during Roger's scream that is one of the greatest moments in rock video.
He should just watch the whole performance 👍🔥 Amazing stuff
Yup but again mistake of the requester
The soundstage live video that was done for The Kids Are Alright movie (I believe) was brilliant. Daltrey, Townsend and Moon are going crazy on stage. Meanwhile, John "Thunder Fingers" Entwistle calmly stays in his corner and plays fantastic bass notes to give cohesion to the surrounding mayhem. One of the best bassists ever.
I love his solo in My Generation. Also recommending the Who Are You soundstage video, used in The Kids Are Alright. Another great analysis of a rock epic.
John, i have always thought the same, that moment, if you freeze frame it , is in my opinion one of the greatest rock photos of all time. Such an iconic rocking band never to be duplicated.
You MUST see the rockumentary “The Kids are Alright “ in it’s entirety! There is no narration, only live performances, interviews, studio takes, film snippets from the beginning up until Kieths death
Several people shouting: "Don't turn it down now!"
Yeah…he kinda butchered the end
Unrivalled in what they do, revolutionary. This has been my favourite song since I first heard it. Excellent choice from an excellent band. Great work mate!!
Same here probably one of my favorite songs ever. I remember hearing it when I was a little kid and I never stop being interested ever since.
I remember the exact time and place I heard this song at 14 years old. It exploded my mind.
Born in '55- they're in my top three bands of all time- no one had their energy, and it came through their instruments. (angry young men they were, punk in a way, but way before and they had their own anger) Saw them live in '73 at the LA Forum- they opened with 'The Real Me", how good was that?
This was a classic song made to play loud. Yes, it was about revolution-but a cautionary one. Every regime that promises change gets caught up with the trappings of power and become just as bad as the old guard. Just as applicable today as 50 years ago!
Well said!
...same as the old boss
i''ve always felt blessed i grew up in the 60s and 70s when the music was so awesome!
Our BABY BOOMER GENERATION ! We gentlemen took care of our most beautiful ladies, rode in the coolest cars listening to The Greatest Music ever made!!
Yup now music sucks
The corporate structure has ALWAYS fucked over the artists, from the blues guys in the 30s, to the bad contracts they foisted on the rockers in the 60s and 70s. I have always posited that in the rock era the A & R guys didn't understand what their young audience wanted, so they signed EVERYBODY. So we got to hear the incredibly diverse and rich collection of talent and viewpoint that flourished in the classic rock era.
Brilliance. What a different time. So glad I was a part of it. So lucky.
This is one of my favorite Who songs. I have seen them perform it twice in concert. They are my favorite live band.
The Summer, when this song was released, I was 16 working as a lifeguard in Chicago, & all radios would be tuned to the same station, & this & all the other music of the day would ring out across the beach for all to hear. Our living soundtrack. ✌️❤️🎶
We've gotten to hear and love this for 50 years, thousands of times, whereas these newbies are just hearing it now.
Nobody had more fun playing drums than Keith Moon.
And nobody was as bored-looking playing the bass as John Entwistle.
This is peak rock 'n' roll. Raw emotional intensity, a rebellious spirit, passion channeled through drums and guitar. Roger Daltry's scream before the song's coda is a moment of pure perfection: a hypnotic synth solo gives way to Keith Moon's crescendoing drum fills, then you've got Roger Daltry pouring his soul's fire into the microphone while Pete Townshend electrifies the air with crashing chords...
It genuinely doesn't get much better than this.
I like your intellectual analysis of this time period in music. I think it is quite accurate. The problem I find today with music for the most part is that it is missing soul. As well as sophistication, playfulness, and many other aspects of human emotions, etc. And I see that a good, healthy percentage of teenagers and college students are digging this up stuff up (classic rock and so forth) once they hear some of it. And react like they are quite blown away because of course they never heard music like this before.
Yes. Context is essential.
From ‘68-73 they were the greatest live rock band in the world. As amazing as their albums were, their concert stage presence and energy were simply unmatched.
Great take on their working class roots and viewpoint. They were the leaders of a whole movement called Mod in the early 60’s, then became anthem writers and standard bearers for the entire counterculture. The Who were as revolutionary as anyone, and deeper than most.
I watched Daltrey in the studio showing how they recorded it. He dropped all instruments apart from his vocal and moon. Keith was playing drums to the vocals on one of the verses or choruses. Moon wasn't a time keeping drummer in the true sense, hence so unique. What a guy. Who fan favourite next has to be love reign O'er me. Daltrey vocals and the production is epic. So powerful.
This song is about revolution; revolutions promise change and then it's just: meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
I honestly believe that The Who played with more intensity than any other band.
Absolutely!
100% true 👍
You'd never get that from watching the Ox. ;) Cheers....
@@bazzer124 But you do if you listen to what he's playing.
@@davescurry69 naturally. Cheers....
“I think I can turn this down no-“YEAAAAAAAAH” never mind”
Don't forget the brilliance of John Entwistle, with Moon on drums, John had almost sole responsibility for rhythm. Love Reign O'er Me next!
2nd that
The Real Me would cure any forgetting Entwhistle is in the band.
@@vicprovost2561 a pure bass power house track for sure, Entwistle, Butler, and Jones The Holy Trinity of bass. Although I do have a soft spot for Hookey, Jah Wobble and Mani mainly because all 3 are mental, with honourable mentions to Macca and Kilminster.
That's simply not true. Some say Moon couldn't keep time. Listen to this track. Moon is very much on point. He may have been crazy, but he wasn't stupid. He & John were on the same wavelength.
@@deepermind4884 I never said he was stupid, he was a genius. I didn't say he couldn't keep time, his timing was immaculate. He was just often more involved in lyricism while John carried the backbone rhythm.
If you have ever read George Orwell's "Animal Farm", that is basically the meaning of the song.
This reactor gets the Who... the lyrics, the power.
It's all why the Who is the number one classic rock band.
Pete Townsend wrote a large number of The Who's song, including this one and had a brilliant solo career, as well. I think he is in my top five favorite songwriters! He is extraordinary!
To get his signature organ sound on this tune, Townshend began with feeding a Lowery organ through an EMS VCS3 synthesizer and investing hours and hours to get the harmonics, sequencing and samples. The EMS was very rudimentary at the time; very difficult to program. For the rest of the tunes on "Who's Next", Townshend used the ARP 2500 and 2600 synths; again, very new and difficult to program... At a time when the synthesizer was still very much a melodic novelty item, Townshend pioneered a cyclic synthesizer rhythm track upon which songs such as ‘Baba O’Riley’ were based. In 1971 this was a radical, indeed, unprecedented breakthrough, with only Stevie Wonder working along the same lines at the time....
It was the combination of the drums and the bass. John Entwistle, the bassist was amazing and deserves his share of the credit.
This song is timeless and relevant still. They are amongst the best ever. To hear another amazing track, try from their classic Live at Leeds, the My Generation jam, 15 minutes of the most searing, primal rock you will ever hear in your life, I kid you not. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎹🎶
Another great song on the Who's Next album is "Bargain". Absolute banger of a song with amazing lyrics.
Now it's okay but not great...but top 40
First of all, no song is over ‘til it’s over! That scream you almost missed is the greatest in rock music! During their live shows, the long synthesizer solos were part of a laser show. Pretty impressive back then.
I was a teen in the 70’s and The Who was the soundtrack of my life back then. I first heard of them when I was blown away by their first rock opera “Tommy”. I was hooked for life. I remember in the 70’s, the two bands everyone wanted to see live were The Grateful Dead, and The Who. A great documentary about the group, called The Kids Are Alright, gives an incredible look at their stage presence.
Their Live At Leeds album is one of the best live albums ever, and Quadrophenia, their other rock opera, is probably their most popular album. Songs not to be missed: “Love Reign O’er Me”, “The Real Me”, “5:15”, and “Behind Blue Eyes”.
"See me,Feel me" from Woodstock, is a good one!
From the Rock Opera Tommy.
Movie by The Who.
Just started watching your reactions and I love your insight into the music and lyrics. I was lucky to have been going to college in the early 70's and being immersed in the golden age of rock! The Who have been GREATLY underrated over the years.
Keith Moon was the king of ADD, and he would ingest anything that came his way. He once took elephant tranquilizers, unbeknownst to him, at a live show in California. There is video of this on UA-cam. Pete had to ask if there were any drummers in the audience, and he found a kid that made his dream a reality that night. Meanwhile, Moon was carried off to the doctors.
You have to watch the WHO LIVE to see the energy! They were Rock'N'Roll...
Break the song down by instrument and each individual performance is unbelievable, put them all back together and it's transcendent.
The Who's best song IMHO. A rock anthem that stands up today! Saw them live in 1973 -- Great show.
Seen The Who at Celtic Park in 1976...Amazing live performance
Don't overlook John's fantastic bass playing
J.E is just bloody brilliant ...can't think of a good enough word to describe him .. perhaps God had another son who picked up a bass guitar ....I do not mean to be disrespectful.....🙏🏼
If you want a solid helping of Entwhistle's bass playing, que up the song "The Real Me" from the album Quadrophenia, and the song "Magic Bus", from the CD "Live At Leeds" It wasn't on the vinyl release, but then again they only used maybe seven or eight songs from that great live recording at Leeds, while the whole concert was on a CD I bought a zillion years ago. True bass legend was Entwhistle.
Love Reign O’er me has got to be next! To me their best track. IMHO
You need to show the live versions 🙏. I heard that you can show live versions of groups with out having you having to cover them up. Much love to you and your family 💕Brandi Modrak 💕❤
Exactly Live version much better
no synths employed, good old fashion Hammond organ with the tremolo maxed.
the more things change, the more they stay the same was always my takeaway from this epic tune.
It's a bitter song on the disappointment in Soviet style leftist revolutions, it's much more interesting when placed in its era, not made into a 'timeless anthem', because the commentary is very timely and specific, it isn't a general nihilism.
"He knows changes aren't permanent but change is."- Neil Peart R.I.P.
I was fortunate enough to see The Who with all their original members.
That Synthesizer bridge slowly hypnotizes you. It get narrower and narrower, then closes to zero. Then it drops you out of a plane while Keith Moon does what he wants to you. Then you hit the ground, with the scream. It's a HUGE shock to everyone who hears it for the first time. After that, you can't be shocked, because, you won't get fooled, AGAIN. Pete Townshend is a GENIUS. Every second of it was on purpose.
While The Who can perform songs like this that are pure power, if you listen to other songs from them you'll find they can also perform songs of pure beauty.
So true
Cocktails in the Blue, Red, and Grey. Tea and Theatre
Great analysis!
You nailed it as the people’s band. And when you said you could turn it down and talk over the end , I laughed hard knowing what was to come! You’re great.
This song (and entire album for that matter) is a masterpiece. Keith Moon was the reason I started playing the drums over 40 years ago. He’s still on my top 10 list of favorite drummers. Nobody else played like him. I see him as a tragic hero who’s life of excess cut him down way too early.
Always felt it was an anti-government song personally. We're living it now in the States now, IMO.
You nearly checked out too soon and missed the greatest scream and final line in rock history . . LOL . . great channel.
I'll never forget the who singing this song at the concert for new York right after 9-11. They were great and the song was perfect for the time. Favorite memory .
That 9-11 show was epic. The Who torched everyone else off the stage and the crowd loved it.
You absolutely nailed it. I love your intelligent commentary. You need to hear all of Quadrophenia. It's about young men coming of age in Britain, exactly like you, but it speak to everyone. It's an absolute masterpiece.
They lifted America’s spirit when they passionately performed this for the surviving first responders shortly after 9/11 at The Concert for New York.
My only complaint. The newer music doesn’t have any patience to just let the music develop and expand. The Who had the greatest intros out there. Very original and creative. Perfect transitions and meaningful lyrics. Roger Daltry had that great screaming voice. And what can you say about Keith Moon. Back in those days the holy trinity of drummers was John Bonham, Neil Peart and Keith Moon. Bill Ward was right there with the greats as well.
You forgot Ginger Baker...
What about Terry Bozzio? Still around and still better than them all.
Now music sounds the same...and just garbage
>Tim Russell. I was about to say Ginger Baker as well.
Pete’s solo performance from the “ Secret policeman‘s ball” is amazing. Just him and a guitar.
World War 1 = 25 million dead then 20 years later came WW 2 = 50 million dead. On and on it goes. The Who are of the post WW 2 generation and to me this song expresses the disillusionment of the false promises of peace and love we see repeating endlessly.
The Who''s signature song. What they end all their concerts with. An all-time great classic among the classics.
Everything you said plus one of the greatest R&R screams ever when they come back from the quieter interlude. Daltry sounds like he's ejecting his insides out.
My joy is watching your joy as you were listening. The 'synthesiser' is actually an engineered organ chord and the use of this sound in the song is absolutely unique and transfixing. Everything came together on this song, guitars, drums, singing, lyrics etc - unsurpassable.
You have to watch the live version of this......Shepperton Studios, The Who.
The band live is incredible....
It's a lot more fun listening to the music of my youth than it was living through it
The Who are one of the GREATEST bands of all time!! They aren't under rated at all. But you did hit the nail on the head with the "working man" reference. Case in point, check out the song "5:15"
More great Who songs to check out: "The Real Me" (are rare rock song with a lead BASS!); "Squeeze Box"; "Long Live Rock"; "Magic Bus"; "Pinball Wizard", "Love, Reign o'er Me"; "Bargain"; "Behind Blue Eyes"'; "Going Mobile"; "The Acid Queen"; "We're Not Gonna Take It"; "I Can See for Miles" ; "Happy Jack"; "Pictures of Lily"; "Substitute" ; "Boris the Spider"; "My Generation"; "The Kids Are Alright"; and so many more....
I loved this. Kind of a typical reaction to the last piece of the song (I guess you can call it an outro). Eyebrows raised in reaction to the first scream and then "I guess it will be the synthesizer to the end of the song". In my head I'm saying..."just be patient". On the first listen, people are just never prepared for the drim solo then the second YEAH!!!!!
And the best line .. meet the new boss,same as the old boss.. Iwork in the NHS, could be about the Managers that come and go .. 75k a year and not worth £1.75
Glad you liked this - it's a great bit of writing/playing. What was Moon on? Everything, apparently :) The Constitution/revolution seems to point to America, but the point is relevant to us in the UK now as then. We are open to being duped and are willing to be by those in power. We need to change our perspective. Cheers mate. Stay in tune!
I know that 'The Who' are a UK band, but I think this song applies to today's situation in the United States.
English band, sorry. but a Scottish or Wesh band would knock you out if you said they were a UK band. ..so they are English ....
@@sallybannister6224 Don't forget the Irish.
This song is about one step forward 2 steps back. It’s kinda how we humans unfortunately operate. One of the greatest songs ever written 🤘🏻✌🏻
This was the first time I have seen you react to anything. I am now a subscriber. Great reaction. You can expect comments from me for your older ones I will now listen to. Cheers.
My first concert was The Who & The Small Faces at Sydney Stadium in 1968. I was 16. The Who's early catalogue was loud and fantastic too. 'My Generation', 'Substitute', 'Happy Jack', 'I'm a Boy', 'Magic Bus' and 'Pictures of Lily' to name but a few. They were a lot shorter so you may want to pair them up for a listen. Thanks Syed, great comments. Love the music anyway.
Small Faces also had some great tracks. 'Tin Soldier', 'Here Come the Nice', Itchycoo Park' and 'Afterglow' worth a listen.
Great great reaction as usual mate.!
Keith Moon and Ginger Baker with the Jazz and blues influence particularly double bass drums revolutionized rock drumming.
Solid, astute review; your comments capture much of what made The Who great for those us lucky enough to live through and appreciate the musical creativity that era. And much of their stuff is timeless: do yourself a favor and watch the band 30 years later at the Concert for New York City six weeks after 9/11 (it's on UA-cam). Moon was dead (playing the drums was Zach Starkey, Ringo Starr's son), and the set was John Entwistle's last performance in the US (he died less than a year later). In 27 minutes onstage halfway through the show, a few 50-somethings (Zach was younger) turned a nice, serene, let's-all-get drunk-and-mourn-our-friends event into a defiant, fist-pumping, screaming crowd of fired-up Americans ready to go to avenge what had happened to our country. That's what The Who's music could do - their songs could be taken into battle.
Thing is - - 911 was an inside job and Mossad were the perpetrators of it 🤷🏼♀️
Meet the new boss... same as the old boss
Sums it up succinctly and perfectly.
Another gem by the Who. What is the "Main Channel"? For the next Who reaction I suggest "Magic Bus" on the "Live at Leeds" album. Get to hear the boys live. Quite a treat. I suggest another bit of work from around the same time period - "Every Picture Tells A Story" by Rod Stewart. This is prime Rod Stewart - not the "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" crap.
Syed should see them live. Maybe something from Shepperton in 78 or Isle of Wight in 70
@@yenlard6683 I suggest the four song set from "The Concert For NY City". The tribute concert for the cops and firemen and nurses and ambulance drivers that responded to the attack of 9-11. ua-cam.com/video/aruDK5EmAl8/v-deo.html
The Moody Blues do a great song in a similar vein, "I'm just a singer in a rock 'n roll band". Great song by a great band.
So so song top 40 garbage....need Neil Young Down By The River
Pete is primarily talking about cultural change. The 60's was a time of riots (mostly about Vietnam), and a lot of social upheaval. The last line says it all anytime a society goes through that sort of unrest. And there is no one who can match Keith on drums in that day.
You should hear the live version from 1978 on the soundtrack of 'The Kids Are Alright' (1979 documentary). They absolutely flamed it! Glad you're loving The Who!
Either you have forgotten or have yet to experience 3 more as important legendary bands of that era in YES, Emerson, Lake, And Palmer(ELP), And Genesis,( Gabriel And Phil Collins), superb progressive rock bands.
Nobody ever knew what Keith Moon was on at any given time - multiple things perhaps, but the best of all was he was high on positivity and attitude - life of the party.
The song is a sardonic look at any organized system. Establishment, counterculture, whatever. It is about the typical foibles and corruption of humans in organized systems, and the way the masses fall prey to it all. And yes, Moon was an intense, exceptional rock drummer.
Keith Moon was one of the few musicians who could swagger while sitting down.
Used to try to hold in a bong hit during synthesizer part. Nailed it many times.
Great analysis, very insightful. In the UK, The Who were the darlings of the mods and at the time were NOT considered a rock band.
Had the great privalege of seeing The Who live, and in their prime, at Wembley Stadium around 1980 - along with AC/DC, The Stranglers and Nils Lofgren. How's than for set list? Unforgetable! I recommend you listen to live recordings/versions of their music (particularly @ Leeds) - and all the back catalogues going back to the mid-1960s. Then you'll get the full majesty of this great, great British Rock band
PS. Great analysis and review Syed btw 👍
[ Now do the same with The Rolling Stones - Happy listening/viewing! 😄 ]
Formed in 1963...The Who along with The Beatles and Rolling Stones are one of the most Influential and Iconic Rock groups in Music history. I will see these legends on October 26, 2022 at The Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento, CA. And BTW ....The members were on drugs!!!!
People often think the whole band was on drugs, and that Roger Daltrey was just the singer and not that important in the scheme of things. Wrong. Roger was the responsible one, who literally held the band together, especially when the other members were dealing with addictions. He led a clean life, and worked to protect his voice. The fact that his voice has remained strong his whole life is a testament to that.
These two songs were from an aborted project called Lifehouse. It was supposed to be another rock opera with a film and a live component. Pete Townsend ended up doing the full Lifehouse proper for radio in the 2000s and released it on his website.
This song is the ultimate rock anthem. So glad you love it too.
I love how you broke it down. Stones were the "bad Boys". Beatles were, "the cool boys", Pink Floyd were "Esoteric boys". The Who were "The everyman boys." Well done.
You have great insight on music fir a young man. Bravo to you!
Could be my favourite song on this album, its long but never gets boring.
I liked the way your summarized the era and the stellar players. Listen also to classic Yes for Prog. Also, check out Aerosmith Rocks and Toys in the Attic. Personally, I think the key influences on GnR but more interesting (IMHO)
The best scream in a rock and roll song and you nearly missed it.
With Classic Rock NEVER Assume that the track is over until the time runs out, you never know what might come before the end.
One of the greatest songs by The Who. I rank The Who in my top 3 concerts I have personally attended:
#1 Pink Floyd (live in Miami);
#2 Pink Floyd (live in Cincinnati;
#3 The Who (live in Miami).
Loved the Who from the very first album. One of the finest live shows of all the bands back in the sixties. They were rated loudest concert for years. The only band that has a lead singer, lead bass, lead guitar, and of course Keith Moon on lead drums.
Oh to be at the beginning of discovering The Who. So many great songs you have infront of you! Even a musical lol! My Favorite song is Bargin.
If you're enjoying synths, Emerson, Lake & Palmer is a must. "Trilogy" or "The Endless Enigma" (you want Part 1, Fugue, and Part 2 all together) will give you a taste of the sauce before the 'pack a lunch' territory that is "Tarkus" or "Karn Evil 9."
Great reaction. I thought it was hilarious when you thought it was more or less over, laughter hey man, there's so many great songs even from this much later era of this band. You have to understand they were around for a while in their early stuff is a lot more psychedelic but still really amazing. But anyway, along this line of the later stuff, if you haven't already, check out going mobile, check out, Behind Blue Eyes, and then take a dive into the past, check out this seemingly silly song that turns out to be really almost a precursor to certain aspects of heavy rock or even metal, just like the Beatles Helter Skelter was in a very different way. It's called, Boris the spider. Another super catchy one of theirs from really early on, pictures of Lily, is about a kid in a repressive environment but his dad at least gives him some nude pictures to look at. But all of it is musically fascinating. And wait a minute, didn't they also do Squeezebox? You got to check that out that's definitely out of genre for them.
Brilliant!!! Great Great job again 👏
One band you may want to check out is early Genesis (with Peter Gabriel on vocals). Firth of Fifth would be a great introduction.
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It's not about war. It's about how revolutions always seem to end up producing something as bad or even worse.
They decide and the shotgun sings the song.
Really excellent analysis
He Rodger also had a go at acting playing John McVicar an armed robber who escaped from prison and became a journalist who just passed away a few months ago of a heart attack It was realised by the WHO Films Ltd worth checking out he was surprisingly good in it .
Eminence Front is one you may like, good message and very funky fit the Who
All-time great song and album. Great reaction/analysis. ;>D
Great reactions!! Keep it up.