Pictures of Lily

Pictures of Lily by The Who



"Pictures of Lily solved my childhood problems/Pictures of Lily helped me sleep at night"

It's line likes these that make Roger Daltrey the most under appreciated vocalist in rock'n'roll. Daltrey had the privilege of singing so many of Pete Townshend's lyrics. Usually this wasn't too big of a deal and Daltrey even at times make Townshend's words and ideas his own (see Tommy).

But then there were times like with "Pictures of Lily"—a nearly three minute ode to masturbation. Daltrey (sheet metal worker turned one of the greatest font men ever) sang the song anyway, even though this, like most Who songs, was all Townshend. I've always wondered what Daltrey did when he got a really twisted song from Pete... did he say anything? In all the biographies and other things I've read on The Who and Daltrey, I only know of one time where Daltrey refused to sing a Townshend song ("However Much I Booze"). Daltrey must have been comfortable and understood that he was just Pete's messenger, not his editor.

As a pop song, it's pretty awesome. Townshend's greatest pop songs always seem to have a real dark or twisted side to them ("Blue, Red, and Grey" and "I Can See for Miles and Miles" come to mind). Catchy with a great hook, you're humming the song and tapping your foot to it from the get go. Just another example of the twisted genius that is Pete Townshend.