The Who – A Retrospective, 1964-2019

The Who A Retrospective: 1964-2019

Overview: The Who were a rock group that formed in London in 1964. Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, and John Entwistle were all in The Detours together and then Keith Moon joined them and they became The Who; briefly changing their name to The High Numbers before reverting back to The Who. In their early years, they became known for their antics of destroying their instruments on stage. They became a staple of album rock with classics such as the 1969 rock opera Tommy and 1971’s Who’s Next The original lineup of singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon lasted until 1978 when Moon died at age 32 from a drug overdose. At their concert in Cincinnati on December 3, 1979, eleven people were trampled to death when fans tried to push their way in before the show. The band broke up in 1982, but regrouped for Live Aid in 1986 and again in 1989 for a 25th anniversary tour. They subsequently regrouped multiple times. Just before their 2002 tour, Entwistle died at age 57 from a cocaine-induced heart attack. In 2006, they released their first studio album, Endless Wire, in 24 years. They reconvened again for the album Who in 2019. The Players: Roger Daltrey (vocals, 1964-present) Pete Townshend (guitar, 1964-present) John Entwistle (bass, 1964-2002). Died 2002. Doug Snadom (drums, 1964). Died 2019. Keith Moon (drums, 1964-1978). Died 1978. Kenney Jones (drums, 1978-1989) Touring Musicians: John “Rabbit” Bundrick (keyboards: 1979-2011) Tim Gorman (keyboards: 1982) Jody Linscott (percussion: 1989-present) Steve Bolton (guitar: 1989) Simon Phillips (drums: 1989) Simon Townshend (guitar, vocals, mandolin; 1996-present) Zak Starkey (drums: 1996-2025) Pino Palladino (bass: 2002-2016) John Corey (keyboards, backing vocals: 2012-17) Frank Simes (keyboards, etc.: 2012-17) Loren Gold (keyboards, backing vocals: 2012-present) Scott Devours (drums, percussion, 2013, 2025-present) Jon Button (bass: 2017-present) John Hogg (backing vocals, percussion: 2025-present) Links TheWho.com (official site) Facebook Wikipedia The Who: Top 100 Songs The Who: Studio Albums Ranked DMDB podcast: The 50th Anniversary of Who’s Next

Awards

Studio Albums

Compilations MB Magic Bus (1966-68, released 1968) BB Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy (1965-70, released 1971) H Hooligans (1965-78, released 1981) 83 Greatest Hits (1965-78, released 1983) WB Who’s Better Who’s Best (1954-81, released 1988) VB My Generation: The Very Best of (1965-81, released 1996) UC The Ultimate Collection (1964-82, released 2002) TN Then & Now (1964-2003, released 2004) 09 Greatest Hits (1964-2006, released 2009) 50 Hits 50! (1964-2014, released 2014) Under each album snapshot, songs featured on the anthologies are noted.

My Generation (1965)

Out in the Street [2:30] I Don’t Mind [2:32] The Good’s Gone [3:59] La-La-La Lies [2:12] Much Too Much [2:45] My Generation [3:15] BB, 83, WB, VB, UC, TN, 09, 50 The Kids Are Alright [2:42] BB, WB, UC, TN, 09, 50 Please, Please, Please [2:45] It’s Not True [2:30] I’m a Man [3:23] A Legal Matter [2:47] BB, UC The Ox [3:49] Also from This Era: I Can’t Explain BB, H, WB, VB, UC, TN, 09, 50 Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere BB, WB, VB, UC, 50

About the Album: Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

A Quick One (1966)

Click on a song titled for more details. Run, Run, Run [2:43] MB Boris the Spider [2:29] BB, VB, UC, 50 I Need You [2:25] Whiskey Man [2:58] Heat Wave [1:57] Cobwebs and Strange [2:31] Happy Jack [2:11] * BB, 83, WB, VB, UC, TN, 09, 50 Don’t Look Away [2:54] See My Way [1:53] So Sad about Us [3:04] A Quick One, While He’s Away [9:11] * on U.S. version of the album, which was called Happy Jack. “Heat Wave” was omitted from Happy Jack. Also from This Era: Substitute [3:47] BB, 83, WB, VB, UC, TN, 09, 50 I’m a Boy [2:34] BB, WB, VB, UC, TN, 50

About the Album: Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

The Who Sell Out (1967)

Armenia City in the Sky [3:48] Heinz Baked Beans [1:00] Mary Anne with the Shaky Hand [2:28] Odorono [2:34] Tattoo [2:51] Our Love Was [3:23] MB I Can See for Miles [4:44] BB, H, WB, VB, UC, TN, 09, 50 I Can’t Reach You [3:03] BB Medac [:57] Relax [2:41] Silas Stingy [3:07] Sunrise [3:06] Rael 1 [5:44] Rael 2 [1:29] Also from This Era: The Last Time (6/30/67, 34 CL, 44 UK) 50 Under My Thumb

About the Album: Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Magic Bus (1968)

Disguises [3:10] MB Run, Run, Run [2:43] MB Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde [2:27] MB I Can’t Reach You [3:03] MB Our Love Was [3:23] MB Call Me Lightning [2:25] MB, UC, 50 Magic Bus [3:15] MB, BB, 83, WB, VB, UC, TN, 09, 50 Someone’s Coming [2:33] MB Doctor Doctor [3:02] MB Bucket T [2:07] MB Pictures of Lily [2:44] MB, BB, WB, VB, UC, 09, 50 Also from This Era: Dogs [3:04] 50 Circles (Instant Party) [2:27] Batman [1:22] Barbara Ann [1:59]

About the Album: This was a compilation primarily of singles and B-sides from 1966-68 that had not previously appeared on albums. Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Tommy (1969)

Overture [3:50] It’s a Boy [2:07] 1921 (aka “You Didn't Hear It”) [3:14] Amazing Journey [3:25] Sparks [3:45] The Hawker (Eyesight to the Blind) [2:15] Christmas [5:30] Cousin Kevin [4:03] The Acid Queen [3:31] Underture [9:55] Do You Think It’s Alright? [0:24] Fiddle About [1:26] Pinball Wizard [3:50] BB, H, 83, WB, VB, UC, TN, 09, 50 There’s a Doctor [0:25] Go to the Mirror! [3:50] Tommy, Can You Hear Me? [1:35] Smash the Mirror [1:20] Sensation [2:32] Miracle Cure [0:10] Sally Simpson [4:10] I’m Free [2:40] WB, UC, 50 Welcome [4:30] Tommy’s Holiday Camp [0:57] We’re Not Gonna Take It [6:45] WB, UC, TN, 50

About the Album: Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy The Who

Released: October 30, 1971 Recorded: 1964-1970 Peak: 11 US, 9 UK, -- CN, 27 AU Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, -- UK Genre: classic rock Rating: 4.582 out of 5.00 (average of 21 ratings)

Tracks: (1) I Can’t Explain (2) The Kids Are Alright (3) Happy Jack (4) I Can See for Miles (5) Pictures of Lily (6) My Generation (7) The Seeker (8) Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere (9) Pinball Wizard (10) A Legal Matter (11) Boris the Spider (12) Magic Bus (13) Substitute (14) I’m a Boy Total Running Time: 42:54 Awards: (Click on award to learn more). About Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy: When looking back on a act’s body of work years later, first anthologies don’t always hold up as they can sometimes be padded with songs that later are inessential in comparison to later work. This collection, holds up well with most of these songs remaining important decades into the Who’s career. Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums: The Seeker (3/21/70, 44 US, 30 CB, 30 HR, 9 CL, 19 UK, 21 CN) BB, 83, VB, UC, 50

Who’s Next (1971)

Baba O’Riley [5:08] H, VB, UC, 09, 50 Bargain [5:34] H, UC, 50 Love Ain’t for Keeping [2:10] My Wife [3:41] 83, UC The Song Is Over [6:14] H Getting in Tune [4:50] Goin’ Mobile [3:42] Behind Blue Eyes [3:42] H, UC, TN, 09, 50 Won’t Get Fooled Again [8:32] 83, WB, VB, UC, TN, 09, 50

About the Album: Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Quadrophenia (1973)

Tracks, Disc 2: I Am the Sea [2:09] The Real Me [3:21] H, UC Quadrophenia [6:14] Cut My Hair [3:45] The Punk and the Godfather [5:11] I’m One [2:38] The Dirty Jobs [4:30] Helpless Dancer (Roger’s Theme) [2:34] Is It in My Head? [3:44] I’ve Had Enough [6:15] Tracks, Disc 2: 5:15 [5:01] H, 83, VB, UC, TN, 50 Sea and Sand [5:02] Drowned [5:28] H Bell Boy (Keith’s Theme) [4:56] Doctor Jimmy (includes “Is It Me?,” John’s Theme) [8:37] The Rock [6:38] Love, Reign O’er Me (Pete’s Theme) [5:49] 83, UC, TN, 09, 50

About the Album: Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

The Who by Numbers (1975)

Slip Kid [4:31] H, 50 However Much I Booze [5:01] Squeeze Box [2:43] H, 83, WB, VB, UC, TN, 09, 50 Dreaming from the Waist [4:06] Imagine a Man [4:00] Success Story [3:20] They Are All in Love [3:00] Blue, Red and Grey [2:46] How Many Friends [4:05] In a Hand or a Face [3:24]

About the Album: Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Who Are You (1978)

New Song [4:13] Had Enough [4:30] H, UC 905 [4:02] Sister Disco [4:22] H, UC Music Must Change [4:38] Trick of the Light [4:47] 50 Guitar and Pen [5:58] Love Is Coming Down [4:06] Who Are You [6:21] H, 83, WB, VB, UC, TN, 09, 50

About the Album: Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Face Dances (1981)

You Better You Bet [5:36] WB, VB, UC, TN, 09, 50 Don’t Let Go the Coat [3:43] UC, 50 Cache Cache [3:57] The Quiet One [3:09] UC Did You Steal My Money? [4:10] How Can You Do It Alone [5:26] Daily Records [3:27] You [4:30] Another Tricky Day [4:30] UC

About the Album: Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Hooligans The Who

Released: September 1981 Recorded: 1964-1978 Peak: 52 US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, -- UK Genre: classic rock Rating: 3.956 out of 5.00 (average of 5 ratings)

Tracks: (1) I Can’t Explain (2) I Can See for Miles (3) Pinball Wizard (4) Let’s See Action (5) Summertime Blues (6) Relay (7) Baba O’Riley (8) Behind Blue Eyes (9) Bargain (10 The Song Is Over (11) Join Together (12) Squeeze Box (13) Slip Kid (14) The Real Me (15) 5:15 (16) Drowned (17) Had Enough (18) Sister Disco (18) Who Are You Total Running Time: 80:17 About Hooligans: This collection focuses primarily on the Who’s output in the 1970s, including four non-album singles from the era. The collection also includes three songs from the 1960s which were already covered on Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy: “I Can’t Explain,” “I Can See for Miles,” and “Pinball Wizard.” The set would be better served by keying in exclusively on ‘70s material, since Meaty already covered the ‘60s adequately and there are notable omissions from the 1970s such as “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and “Love, Reign O’er Me.” Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums: Summertime Blues (7/4/70, 27 US, 14 CB, 14 HR, 7 CL, 38 UK, 8 CN) H, UC, TN, 50 Let’s See Action (10/15/71, 41 CL, 16 UK, 59 AU) H, VB, UC, 50 Join Together (6/16/72, 17 US, 28 CB, 20 HR, 7 CL, 9 UK, 18 CN, 58 AU) H, WB, VB, 50 Relay (12/9/72, 39 US, 33 CB, 35 HR, 14 CL, 21 UK, 70 CN) H, 83, 50

Greatest Hits The Who

Released: 1983 Recorded: 1965-1978 Peak: 94 US, -- UK, -- CN, 13 AU Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, -- UK Genre: classic rock Rating: 4.210 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

Tracks: (1) Substitute (2) The Seeker (3) Magic Bus (4) My Generation (5) Pinball Wizard (6) Happy Jack (7) Won’t Get Fooled Again (8) My Wife (9) Squeeze Box (10) Relay (11) 5:15 (12) Love, Reign O’er Me (13) Who Are You Total Running Time: 50:47 About Greatest Hits: This is a fairly effective distillation of Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy and Hooligans into one anthology. This remedies the biggest omissions from the latter by including “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and “Love, Reign O’er Me.” It doesn’t, however, include “Behind Blue Eyes.” Also, despite a 1983 release, this collection doesn’t have any songs included from 1981’s Face Dances or 1982’s It’s Hard.

Who’s Better Who Best The Who

Released: November 14, 1988 Recorded: 1964-1981 Peak: -- US, 10 UK, -- CN, 51 AU Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, 0.1 UK, 0.6 world (includes US and UK) Genre: classic rock Rating: 4.327 out of 5.00 (average of 10 ratings)

Tracks: (1) My Generation (2) Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere (3) The Kids Are Alright (4) Substitute (5) I’m a Boy (6) Happy Jack (7) Pictures of Lily (8) I Can See for Miles (9) Who Are You (10) Won’t Get Fooled Again (11) Magic Bus (12) I Can’t Explain (13) Pinball Wizard (14) I’m Free (15) See Me, Feel Me (16) Squeeze Box (17) Join Together (18) You Better You Bet Total Running Time: 59:49 About Who’s Better Who’s Best: Like Greatest Hits, this is a career-spanning retrospective. Neither collection has any songs from 1982’s It’s Hard and this one has some head-shaking omissions like “Behind Blue Eyes,” “Love, Reign O’er Me,” and “The Seeker.” It’s all the more puzzling since, in the CD era, there was room for about 20 minutes more material. This is the first compilation on this page to feature “I’m Free” and “See Me, Feel Me.”

My Generation: The Very Best of The Who

Released: August 19, 1996 Recorded: 1964-1981 Peak: -- US, 11 UK, -- CN, -- AU Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, 0.1 UK, 0.6 world (includes US and UK) Genre: classic rock Rating: 4.231 out of 5.00 (average of 20 ratings)

Tracks: (1) I Can’t Explain (2) Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere (3) My Generation (4) Substitute (5) I’m a Boy (6) Boris the Spider (7) Happy Jack (8) Pictures of Lily (9) I Can See for Miles (10) Magic Bus (11) Pinball Wizard (12) The Seeker (13) Baba O’Riley (14) Won’t Get Fooled Again (15) Let’s See Action (16) 5:15 (17) Join Together (18) Squeeze Box (19) Who Are You (20) You Better You Bet Total Running Time: 76:17 About My Generation: The Very Best of: This is the most effective compilation thus far. It presents the songs chronologically, which gives the listener a better experience in hearing how the Who’s sound evolved. “Love, Reign O’er Me” and “Behind Blue Eyes” are the most obvious missing songs, but it’s hard to know what to bump to make room. “Boris the Spider” is the least necessary of the songs here. This collection also ignores 1982’s It’s Hard.

It’s Hard (1982)

Athena [3:46] UC, 50 It’s Your Turn [3:39] Cook’s County [3:48] It’s Hard [3:43] 50 Dangerous [3:18] Eminence Front [5:40] UC, 09, 50 I’ve Known No War [5:58] One Life’s Enough [2:20] One at a Time [3:02] Why Did I Fall for That [3:24] A Man Is a Man [3:54] Cry if You Want [4:39]

About the Album: Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

The Ultimate Collection The Who

Released: June 11, 2002 Recorded: 1964-1982 Peak: 31 US, 17 UK, -- CN, -- AU Sales (in millions): -- Genre: classic rock Rating: 3.894 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

Tracks, Disc 1: (1) I Can’t Explain (2) Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere (3) My Generation (4) The Kids Are Alright (5) A Legal Matter (6) Substitute (7) I’m a Boy (8) Boris the Spider (9) Happy Jack (10) Pictures of Lily (11) I Can See for Miles (12) Call Me Lightning (13) Magic Bus (14) Pinball Wizard (15) I’m Free (16) See Me, Feel Me (17) The Seeker (18) Summertime Blues (19) My Wife (20) Baba O’Riley (21) Bargain (22) Behind Blue Eyes (23) Won’t Get Fooled Again Tracks, Disc 2: (1) Let’s See Action (2) Pure and Easy (3) Join Together (4) Long Live Rock (5) The Real Me (6) 5:15 (7) Love, Reign O’er Me (8) Squeeze Box (9) Who Are You (10) Had Enough (11) Sister Disco (12) You Better You Bet (13) Don’t Let Go the Coat (14) The Quiet One (15) Another Tricky Day (16) Athena (17) Eminence Front Total Running Time: 155:14 About The Ultimate Collection: This is about as good as it gets. This two-disc retrospective covers the classic Who years from 1964 to 1982, presenting the songs in chronological and making no glaring omissions. In fact, nearly every song highlighted on any of the previous collections is included here. “Join Together” and “Relay” are the biggest songs not here which were featured on earlier collections. This set also includes a couple of tracks from 1982’s It’s Hard, which hadn’t been represented by previous anthologies. There are also a few songs appearing on a compilation for the first time: “Call Me Lightning,” “Pure and Easy,” and “Long Live Rock.” The track listing here is for the UK version. The U.S. version omits “Don’t Let Go the Coat,” The Quiet One,” “Another Tricky Day,” and “Athena.” Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums: Pure and Easy (recorded in 1971, 47 CL) UC Long Live Rock (9/28/74, 54 US, 66 CB, 73 HR, 5 CL, 48 UK) UC

Then and Now The Who

Released: May 3, 2004 Recorded: 1964-2003 Peak: 57 US, 5 UK, -- CN, -- AU Sales (in millions): -- Genre: classic rock Rating: 3.814 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

Tracks: (1) I Can’t Explain (2) My Generation (3) The Kids Are Alright (4) Substitute (5) I’m a Boy (6) Happy Jack (7) I Can See for Miles (8) Magic Bus (9) Pinball Wizard (10) See Me, Feel Me (11) Summertime Blues (12) Behind Blue Eyes (13) Won’t Get Fooled Again (14) 5:15 (15) Love, Reign O’er Me (16) Squeeze Box (17) Who Are You (18) You Better You Bet (19) Real Good Looking Boy (20) Old Red Wine Total Running Time: 77:13 About Then and Now: It hardly seems necessary to have YET ANOTHER compilation, but this is a decent one-disc distillation of the Who’s career. The two new songs, “Real Good Looking Boy” and “Old Red Wine,” certainly aren’t classics, but they are worthy editions to the band’s catalog. A 2007 edition of the album replaced “Summertime Blues” and “Old Red Wine” with “Baba O’Riley” and “It’s Not Enough.” Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums: Real Good Looking Boy (5/2/04, --) TN, 09, 50 Old Red Wine (5/2/04, --) TN

Endless Wire (2006)

Fragments [3:58] A Man in a Purple Dress [4:14] Mike Post Theme [4:28] In the Ether [3:35] Black Widow’s Eyes [3:07] Two Thousand Years [2:50] God Speaks of Marty Robbins [3:26] It’s Not Enough [4:02] 09, 50 You Stand by Me [1:36] Sound Round [1:21] Pick Up the Peace [1:28] Unholy Trinity [2:07] Trilby’s Piano [2:04] Endless Wire [1:51] Fragments of Fragments [2:23] We Got a Hit [1:18] They Made My Dream Come True [1:13] Mirror Door [4:14] Tea & Theatre [3:24]

About the Album: Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Greatest Hits The Who

Released: December 22, 2009 Recorded: 1964-2006 Peak: 19 US, 12 UK, -- CN, -- AU Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.1 UK Genre: classic rock Rating: 4.215 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings)

Tracks: (1) I Can’t Explain (2) My Generation (3) The Kids Are Alright (4) Substitute (5) Happy Jack (6) Pictures of Lily (7) I Can See for Miles (8) Magic Bus (9) Pinball Wizard (10) Behind Blue Eyes (11) Baby O’ Riley (12) Won’t Get Fooled Again (13) Love, Reign O’er Me (14) Squeeze Box (15) Who Are You (16) You Better You Bet (17) Eminence Front (18) Real Good Looking Boy (19) It’s Not Enough Total Running Time: 78:29 About Greatest Hits & More: This is largely a repackaging of Then and Now. This was rereleased in 2010 as Greatest Hits & More with a second disc of live songs.

Hits 50! The Who

Released: October 27, 2014 Recorded: 1964-2014 Peak: -- US, 11 UK, 44 CN, -- AU Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.1 UK Genre: classic rock Rating: 4.352 out of 5.00 (average of 7 ratings)

Tracks, Disc 1: (1) Zoot Suit (2) I Can’t Explain (3) Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere (4) My Generation (5) Substitute (6) The Kids Are Alright (7) I’m a Boy (8) Happy Jack (9) Boris the Spider (10) Pictures of Lily (11) The Last Time (12) I Can See for Miles (13) Call Me Lightning (14) Dogs (15) Magic Bus (16) Pinball Wizard (17) I’m Free (18) The Seeker (19) Summertime Blues (20) See Me, Feel Me (21) Won’t Get Fooled Again (22) Let’s See Action (23) Bargain (24) Behind Blue Eyes Tracks, Disc 2: (1) Baba O’Riley (2) Join Together (3) Relay (4) 5:15 (5) Love, Reign O’er Me (6) Postcard (7) Squeeze Box (8) Slip Kid (9) Who Are You (10) Trick of the Light (11) You Better You Bet (12) Don’t Let Go the Coat (13) Athena (14) Eminence Front (15) It’s Hard (16) Real Good Looking Boy (17) It’s Not Enough (18) Be Lucky Total Running Time: 2:35:21 FhAbout Hits 50!: This is a fantastic overview of the Who’s fifty-year career, tracking all of their singles chronologically. It includes a few songs (“Zoot Suit,” “The Last Time,” “Dogs,” “Postcard”) not featured on any of the other compilations on this page. There was also one new song: “Be Lucky.” A single-disc version was also released. Tracks Not on Previously Noted Albums: Zoot Suit (7/3/64, --) 50 Postcard (11/23/74, 64 CB, 42 CL) 50 Be Lucky (9/25/14, --) 50

Who (2019)

All This Music Must Fade [3:20] Ball and Chain [4:29] I Don’t Wanna Get Wise [3:54] Detour [3:46] Beads on a String [3:40] Hero Ground Zero [4:52] Street Song [4:47] I’ll Be Back [5:01] Break the News [4:30] Rockin’ in Rage [4:04] She Rocked My World [3:22]

About the Album: Go to the DMDB page for more about this album.

Resources/References: Wikipedia page for Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy Wikipedia page for Hooligans Wikipedia page for Greatest Hits (1983) Wikipedia page for Who’s Better Who’s Best Wikipedia page for My Generation: The Very Best of Wikipedia page for The Ultimate Collection Wikipedia page for Then and Now Wikipedia page for Greatest Hits (2009) Wikipedia page for Hits 50! Related DMDB Links: First posted 3/23/2008; last updated 9/3/2025.