The Who – Who Are You

About the song

In the annals of rock and roll history, few bands have left as indelible a mark as The Who. With their thunderous live performances, mod stylings, and anthemic songs, they captured the spirit of a generation and continue to inspire musicians and fans alike. Among their extensive discography, one song stands out as a true masterpiece: “Who Are You”.

Released in 1974 as the lead single from their concept album Who’s Next, “Who Are You” is a powerful and introspective exploration of identity, alienation, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. The song’s opening chords, a rousing blast of power chords that immediately grab the listener’s attention, set the stage for a sonic journey that is both exhilarating and emotionally resonant.

Roger Daltrey’s impassioned vocals soar over the band’s driving instrumentals, capturing the desperation and confusion of a protagonist grappling with questions of selfhood. The lyrics, penned by Pete Townshend, are poetic and thought-provoking, delving into themes of existential angst and the struggle to find one’s place in society.

“Who Are You” is not just a rock song; it’s a cultural touchstone. Its opening riff has been sampled countless times by hip-hop artists, and its lyrics have been etched into the minds of rock fans for generations. The song has been featured in numerous films and television shows, and its live performances have become legendary.

One of the most memorable aspects of “Who Are You” is its music video, directed by Bob Smeaton. The video, shot in black and white, features the band performing in a variety of locations, including a scrapyard, a power station, and a windmill. The stark imagery and the band’s raw energy perfectly complement the song’s themes of alienation and disorientation.

“Who Are You” is more than just a song; it’s an anthem for the ages. It speaks to the universal human experience of searching for identity and meaning in a world that can often feel overwhelming and confusing. The song’s power lies in its ability to connect with listeners on a personal level, making it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today.

Here are some of the key elements that make “Who Are You” such a great song:

Powerful and memorable melody: The song’s opening chords and main riff are instantly recognizable and have become ingrained in rock and roll history.
Impassioned vocals: Roger Daltrey delivers a powerful and heartfelt vocal performance that perfectly captures the song’s emotional intensity.
Thought-provoking lyrics: Pete Townshend’s lyrics are poetic and introspective, exploring themes of identity, alienation, and the search for meaning.
Driving instrumentals: The band’s instrumentation is tight and explosive, providing a solid foundation for Daltrey’s vocals and Townshend’s lyrics.
Timeless appeal: The song’s themes of identity and alienation are universal and continue to resonate with listeners today.

“Who Are You” is a true masterpiece of rock and roll, a song that has earned its place in the pantheon of great music. It is a testament to the power of music to speak to the human condition and to inspire generations of listeners.

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNbBDrceCy8

The Who – Who Are You (Promo Video) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNbBDrceCy8)

Lyrics

Who are you?Who, who, who, who?Who are you?Who, who, who, who?Who are you?Who, who, who, who?Who are you?Who, who, who, who?

I woke up in a Soho doorwayA policeman knew my nameHe said, “You can go sleep at home tonightIf you can get up and walk away”I staggered back to the undergroundAnd the breeze blew back my hairI remember throwin’ punches aroundAnd preachin’ from my chair

Well, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)I really wanna know (who are you? Who, who, who, who?)Tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)‘Cause I really wanna know (who are you? Who, who, who, who?)

I took the tube back out of townBack to the Rollin’ PinI felt a little like a dying clownWith a streak of Rin Tin TinI stretched back and I hiccuppedAnd looked back on my busy dayEleven hours in the tin panGod, there’s got to be another way

Well, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)Oh, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)Come on and tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)Oh, who the fuck are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)

Who are you?(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)(Ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh wa, ooh)

Who are you?Who, who, who, who?Who are you?Who, who, who, who?Who are you?Who, who, who, who?Who are you?Who, who, who, who?

I really wanna know (who are you? Who, who, who, who?)I really wanna know (who are you? Who, who, who, who?)Come on, tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)‘Cause I really wanna know (who are you? Who, who, who, who?)

I know there’s a place you walkedWhere love falls from the treesMy heart is like a broken cupI only feel right on my kneesI spit out like a sewer holeYet still receive your kissHow can I measure up to anyone nowAfter such a love as this?

Well, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)Oh, tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)Oh, I really wanna know (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)Tell, tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)Come on, come on, who? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)Ah, who the fuck are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)Who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)Oh, tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Ooh)I really wanna knowOh, I really wanna knowCome on, tell me, who are you, you, you, ah, you? (Yeah)

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