Baba O'Riley by The Who
What a song. Seriously, what a great effing song. And one of the most underrated album openers of all time. Baba is a top three album opener, but it always seems to be forgotten in that discussion (I just made that discussion up I think).
Anyway, an amazing song at any point in the day. It progresses beautifully, then Pete slows it down a bit for us, breaks it down, I've always loved the violin at the end of the song. The electric piano that kicks everything off is pretty sweet too (though this guy doesn't like it). One of the best Who songs.
In 8th grade, Andrew* and I were listening to the radio in my basement in the 'Dale. I'm not sure why or what we were doing—though there was a good chance we were playing hockey. Anyway, after hearing about five crappy songs (in our opinion) on the oldies station, we decided that we were going to call up and ask them to play a song that "is good but never gets radio play". After getting through to Oldies104.3, I requested "Baba O'Riley" and hung up... thinking I had played a fast one on the radio station.
Twelve odd years later and countless radio plays of "Baba O'Riley" later, I clearly didn't.
*Get well, buddy.
Showing posts with label The Who. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Who. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
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.
"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.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Dirty Jobs
Dirty Jobs by The Who
Wow... first Who entry. Crazy, especially considering that the Who are one of my favorite all time bands AND I loved these guys in high school AND I wrote a college essay about Pete Townshend. No joke.
Anyway, Dirty Jobs is a fine song off of the fantastic "Quadrophenia" - one of my all time favorite albums. I like this song. I listened to it a lot in high school but nothing is coming to mind... and that's all I've got. Sorry.
Listen!
The Who – The Dirty Jobs
*Sorry, I'm not sure why I've been really bad at this over the past week or ten days, but I have been.
Wow... first Who entry. Crazy, especially considering that the Who are one of my favorite all time bands AND I loved these guys in high school AND I wrote a college essay about Pete Townshend. No joke.
Anyway, Dirty Jobs is a fine song off of the fantastic "Quadrophenia" - one of my all time favorite albums. I like this song. I listened to it a lot in high school but nothing is coming to mind... and that's all I've got. Sorry.
Listen!
The Who – The Dirty Jobs
*Sorry, I'm not sure why I've been really bad at this over the past week or ten days, but I have been.
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