Released as the title track and a major hit single from The Who's 1965 debut album, "My Generation" captured the frustrations of youth. Its blend of power pop structure with proto-punk aggression and early hard rock intensity, featuring groundbreaking bass and drum solos, was truly revolutionary.

This iconic 1965 rock track, with Pete Townshend's feedback-laden guitar and John Entwistle's legendary bass solo, became an anthem for mods and rockers alike. A raw, energetic cruisin' classic, "My Generation" remains a landmark song, perfectly embodying youthful defiance and rock and roll power.

SONG MEANING: The song is a defiant anthem of youthful rebellion and alienation, expressing frustration with the older generation's attempts to criticize or control them ("People try to put us d-down"). Roger Daltrey's famous stutter conveys anger and the difficulty of articulating this frustration, culminating in the ultimate rebellious statement: "Hope I die before I get old."

Released as a successful non-album single in 1968, "Magic Bus" captured The Who's rhythmic power. Built around Pete Townshend's acoustic guitar, lead vocals, and the insistent "clack-clack" of claves, the song's repetitive groove and psychedelic rock undertones became instantly recognizable worldwide.

This 1968 rock classic, featuring Keith Moon's dynamic drumming and John Entwistle's steady bass, often extended into lengthy jams in live performances. "Magic Bus," with its simple narrative and infectious rhythm, remains a fun, enduring example of The Who's innovative sound during the psychedelic era.

SONG MEANING: The song depicts a playful negotiation between the singer (narrator) who wants to purchase a "magic bus" to visit his girlfriend daily, and the bus driver. The back-and-forth over the price ("Thruppence and sixpence every day," "Too much, magic bus") forms the core narrative, representing a whimsical scenario about acquiring transportation for love.

Released as a single and featured on the classic 1971 album Who's Next, "Won't Get Fooled Again" showcased Pete Townshend's pioneering use of sequenced ARP synthesizers. This groundbreaking texture combined with the band's ferocious hard rock attack – including Keith Moon's explosive drumming – created a unique and powerful sound.

This 1971 progressive hard rock masterpiece offers a cynical take on revolution, building through dynamic sections to an explosive climax. Pete Townshend's powerful guitar work and the song's sheer scale cemented "Won't Get Fooled Again" as one of the greatest rock anthems ever recorded by The Who.

SONG MEANING: Written by Pete Townshend, the song expresses profound disillusionment with political revolution, suggesting that new regimes often become indistinguishable from the old ones ("Meet the new boss / Same as the old boss"). It's a cynical commentary on power structures and the often-futile nature of violent upheaval, ending with a prayer not to be deceived again.

Released as a single in 1967 and featured on The Who Sell Out, "I Can See for Miles" became the band's biggest US hit at the time. Pete Townshend's layered, feedback-drenched guitar work and Keith Moon's thunderous drumming created a uniquely heavy psychedelic rock sound, bordering on early hard rock.

This influential 1967 track combines a catchy power pop melody with intense psychedelia and hard rock force. Roger Daltrey's commanding vocals deliver lyrics of paranoia and anger, making "I Can See for Miles" one of The Who's most powerful and forward-looking recordings.

SONG MEANING: The song expresses intense anger and suspicion towards a partner perceived as deceitful ("I know you've deceived me, now here's a surprise"). The singer claims an almost clairvoyant ability to see their partner's actions from a great distance ("I can see for miles and miles"), fueling feelings of betrayal and paranoia.

Featured as the powerful first track on the 1971 masterpiece album Who's Next, "Baba O'Riley" (often misidentified by its lyric "Teenage Wasteland") became one of The Who's signature songs. Pete Townshend's pioneering use of ARP synthesizer sequencing blends seamlessly with the band's hard rock force.

This 1971 hard rock classic builds from its mesmerizing synth intro into thunderous verses and choruses, driven by Keith Moon's drumming and Roger Daltrey's commanding vocals. Culminating in Dave Arbus's frenetic violin solo, "Baba O'Riley" remains an electrifying and influential rock anthem for the ages.

SONG MEANING: Written by Pete Townshend for the aborted Lifehouse project, the song's title references spiritual guru Meher Baba and composer Terry Riley. The famous "teenage wasteland" lyric reflects Townshend's observations of the desolation and wasted potential at large festivals like Woodstock. It broadly addresses youth alienation and the search for meaning amidst perceived societal decay.

Released as the lead single from their 1975 album The Who by Numbers, "Squeeze Box" became a significant international chart success. Penned by Pete Townshend after learning the banjo, its simple structure and lighthearted feel provided a contrast to their more complex rock epics, showcasing their versatility within the rock genre.

Driven by its memorable banjo riff and suggestive lyrics, "Squeeze Box" remains a fun and instantly recognizable track from The Who's mid-70s period. This 1975 rock song, with its strong country influence and playful double meanings, continues to be a fan favorite and classic rock radio staple.

SONG MEANING: The song uses the term "squeeze box," referring to an accordion-like musical instrument, as a blatant double entendre for female genitalia and sexual activity. Lyrics like "Mama's got a squeeze box she wears on her chest / And when Daddy comes home he never gets no rest" and "She goes in and out and in and out" humorously play on this suggestive meaning.

Featured on the groundbreaking 1969 album Tommy and released as a successful single, "I'm Free" captures a key turning point in the narrative. Written by Pete Townshend, the song blends catchy power pop sensibilities with the dynamic hard rock power characteristic of The Who during this era.

This 1969 classic rock track, with its driving rhythm and Roger Daltrey's soaring vocals proclaiming freedom, resonates with triumphant energy. "I'm Free" stands as both an essential part of the Tommy rock opera and a powerful standalone hard rock/power pop anthem from The Who.

SONG MEANING: Within the context of the rock opera Tommy, this song signifies the moment the deaf, dumb, and blind title character breaks free from his sensory isolation, often interpreted as happening when his mother smashes a mirror. It represents his spiritual awakening, newfound perception, and liberation into the world ("I'm free / And freedom tastes of reality").

Featured on the iconic 1971 album Who's Next and released as a single later that year, "Behind Blue Eyes" became one of The Who's most enduring songs. Originally written by Pete Townshend for the Lifehouse project, its structure contrasts delicate acoustic folk rock with bursts of intense rock energy.

This 1971 soft rock classic features Roger Daltrey's sensitive yet powerful lead vocal performance delivering lyrics of angst and isolation. The beautiful harmonies and dynamic musical shifts make "Behind Blue Eyes" a timeless piece, demonstrating The Who's mastery of both gentle folk rock and powerful rock dynamics.

SONG MEANING: The song is written from the perspective of a villain or antagonist (originally conceived for the Lifehouse project), expressing their loneliness, torment, and misunderstood nature ("No one knows what it's like / To be the bad man / To be the sad man / Behind blue eyes"). It delves into the inner turmoil hidden behind a hardened exterior.

Released as a single from their 1982 album It's Hard, "Eminence Front" became one of The Who's most enduring latter-day hits. Its driving, funk-influenced rhythm section provides a foundation for Townshend's critical lyrics and the song's atmospheric, keyboard-heavy arena rock sound characteristic of the era.

This 1982 track captivates with its repetitive synthesizer hook and cool, observational tone. Pete Townshend's lead vocal critiques superficiality over a mesmerizing blend of arena rock dynamics and funk rhythms, making "Eminence Front" a unique and powerful statement in The Who's catalog.

SONG MEANING: The song is a critique of the hedonism, superficiality, and pretense often found in wealthy or high-society circles. The "eminence front" represents the false facade people put up ("It's a put-on") to hide emptiness or problems, often involving excessive partying and substance abuse ("The drinks are cool... Forget they're hiding").

Released as the lead single from the 1978 album of the same name, "Who Are You" became a major international hit for The Who. Featuring intricate arrangements blending Pete Townshend's hard rock guitar and pioneering synthesizer work, it showcased their evolution while retaining their signature power, sadly marking Keith Moon's final album appearance.

This dynamic 1978 hard rock track, pushing towards heavy metal intensity in parts, captivates with its driving rhythm, multi-layered soundscape, and Roger Daltrey's iconic titular refrain. "Who Are You" remains one of The Who's most enduring and complex hits from the late 70s.

SONG MEANING: Reportedly inspired by Pete Townshend's real-life encounter involving heavy drinking and members of the Sex Pistols, the song explores themes of identity crisis, disillusionment, and self-reflection. The repeated question "Who are you?" reflects a deep uncertainty about oneself and others in a confusing world, prompted by seeing his own reflection and not recognizing himself.

Released as a hit single from the groundbreaking 1969 rock opera Tommy, "Pinball Wizard" became one of The Who's most famous songs. Written by Pete Townshend, it masterfully builds from acoustic verses to powerful hard rock instrumentation, showcasing the band's dynamic songwriting and performance energy.

This 1969 classic tells a key part of the Tommy narrative with electrifying power pop and hard rock flair. Its instantly recognizable guitar intro, driving rhythm, and soaring vocals have cemented "Pinball Wizard" as an essential track in rock history and a signature song for The Who.

SONG MEANING: Within the story of the rock opera Tommy, this song describes the title character, a boy who is deaf, dumb, and blind, but possesses an extraordinary, almost supernatural talent for playing pinball. The narrator expresses astonishment at Tommy's uncanny abilities ("That deaf, dumb and blind kid / Sure plays a mean pinball"), crowning him the "Pinball Wizard."