The Who's Top 100 Songs/Studio Albums Ranked

The Who Top 100 Songs/ Studio Albums Ranked

The Who were a rock group that formed in London in 1964. 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. Click here to see other best-of lists from performers and here to see other best-of lists from songwriters and/or producers. Spotify Podcast: Check out Dave’s Music Database podcast: The 50th Anniversary of Who’s Next which draws from this list. It premieres August 17, 2021 at 7pm CST. Tune in every Tuesday at 7pm for a new episode based on the lists at Dave’s Music Database.

Awards:

Top 100 Songs Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. This list includes solo material from Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey as well as music by The Who. DMDB Top 1%: 1. My Generation (1965) 2. Won’t Get Fooled Again (1971) 3. Baba O’Riley (1971) DMDB Top 2%: 4. I Can See for Miles (1967) 5. I Can't Explain (1965) 6. Pinball Wizard (1969) 7. Behind Blue Eyes (1971) DMDB Top 5%: 8. Who Are You (1978) 9. Magic Bus (1968) 10. Love Reign O’er Me (1973) 11. You Better You Bet (1981) DMDB Top 10%: 12. Substitute (1966) 13. Happy Jack (1966) 14. Squeeze Box (1975) 15. The Kids Are Alright (1966) 16. Pictures of Lily (1967) 17. The Seeker (1970) 18. Eminence Front (1982) 19. Join Together (1972) 20. 5:15 (1973) 21. Let My Love Open the Door (Pete Townshend, 1980) 22. Summertime Blues (1970) 23. Bargain (1971) DMDB Top 20%: 24. I’m Free (1969) 25. We’re Not Gonna Take It/See Me Feel Me (1970) 26. I’m a Boy (1966) 27. Athena (1982) 28. Relay (1972) 29. Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere (1965) 30. Long Live Rock (1974) 31. The Real Me (1973) 32. Let’s See Action (1971) 33. Rough Boys (Pete Townshend, 1980) 34. Call Me Lightning (1968) 35. Face the Face (Pete Townshend, 1985) 36. Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Roger Daltrey, 1987) Beyond the DMDB Top 20%: 37. A Legal Matter (1965) 38. Don’t Let Go the Coat (1981) 39. Boris the Spider (1966) 40. Without Your Love (Roger Daltrey, 1980) 41. The Song Is Over (1971) 42. Another Tricky Day (1981) 43. Goin’ Mobile (1971) 44. After the Fire (Roger Daltrey, 1985) 45. Dogs (1968) 46. The Last Time (1967) 47. Slip Kid (1975) 48. Giving It All Away (Roger Daltrey, 1973) 49. Pure and Easy (Pete Townshend, 1972) 50. My Wife (1971) 51. Gettin’ in Tune (1971) 52. It’s Not Enough (2006) 53. Behind Blue Eyes (acoustic version by Pete Townshend, 1983) 54. Give Blood (Pete Townshend, 1985) 55. Quicksilver Lightning (Roger Daltrey, 1986) 56. A Friend Is a Friend (Pete Townshend, 1989) 57. Free Me (Roger Daltrey, 1980) 58. Slit Skirts (Pete Townshend, 1982) 59. Love Ain’t for Keepin’ (1971) 60. Real Good Looking Boy (2004) 61. Let Me Down Easy (Roger Daltrey, 1985) 62. Under a Raging Moon (Roger Daltrey, 1985) 63. Go to the Mirror Boy (1969) 64. Amazing Journey/Sparks (1969) 65. Under My Thumb (1967) 66. It’s a Boy (1969) 67. Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting (1991) 68. Postcard (1974) 69. All This Music Must Fade (2019) 70. Sister Disco (1978) 71. Take Me Home (Roger Daltrey, 1987) 72. Come and Get Your Love (Roger Daltrey, 1975) 73. The Acid Queen (1969) 74. Avenging Annie (Roger Daltrey, 1977) 75. A Little Is Enough (Pete Townshend, 1980) 76. Do You Think It’s Alright/Fiddle About (1969) 77. Cousin Kevin (1969) 78. Young Man Blues (1970) 79. Shakin’ All Over (1970) 80. Pinball Wizard (live version by Pete Townshend, 1986) 81. It’s Hard (1982) 82. Daily Records (1981) 83. How Can You Do It Alone (1981) 84. Be Lucky (2014) 85. Trick of the Light (1978) 86. Music Must Change (1978) 87. Won’t Get Fooled Again (Pete Townshend live with John Williams, 1981) 88. Naked Eye (live, 1971) 89. Sheraton Gibson (Pete Townshend, 1972) 90. English Boy (Pete Townshend, 1993) 91. Did You Steal My Money (1981) 92. Dig (1989) 93. You (1981) 94. Fire (1989) 95. Twist and Shout (live) (1980) 96. Walking in My Sleep (Roger Daltrey, 1984) 97. Heaven and Hell (1970) 98. How Many Friends (1975) 99. Had Enough (1978) 100. Fortune Teller (1968) The Who: Studio Albums Ranked Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by album’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, critics’ ratings, and awards. Also factored in are the status of each album’s songs in Dave’s Music Database for songs. 1. Who’s Next (1971) 2. Tommy (1969) 3. Quadrophenia (1973) 4. Sell Out (1967) 5. My Generation (1965) 6. A Quick One (1966) 7. By Numbers (1975) 8. Endless Wire (2006) 9. Who Are You (1978) 10. Face Dances (1981) 11. Who (2019) 12. Magic Bus * (1968) 13. Lifehouse (2000) 14. It’s Hard (1982) * Technically not a studio album but a compilation, but included here because the songs were various singles, B-sides, and leftovers all recorded in 1967 and 1968. Resources and Related Links: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for The Who Dave’s Music Database (2/8/2010). “Now Presenting the Half Time Show Starring the Theme Songs of CSI” Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Performers” Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Songwriters and/or Producers Other Related DMDB Pages: First posted 7/27/2012; last updated 8/18/2021.

Today in Music (1967): The Who Sell Out

Sell Out The Who

Released: December 16, 1967 Peak: 48 US, 13 UK, 160 CN, 8 AU Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.06 UK Genre: classic rock

Tracks: Click on a song titled for more details. 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] I Can See for Miles [4:44] I Can’t Reach You [3:03] Medac [:57] Relax [2:41] Silas Stingy [3:07] Sunrise [3:06] Rael 1 [5:44] Rael 2 [1:29] Total Running Time: 39:22 Also from This Era: The Last Time Under My Thumb The Players: Roger Daltrey (vocals) Pete Townshend (guitar, vocals) John Entwistle (bass) Keith Moon (drums)

Rating: 4.231 out of 5.00 (average of 27 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Album “Pete Townshend originally planned The Who Sell Out as a concept album of sorts that would simultaneously mock and pay tribute to pirate radio stations, complete with fake jingles and commercials linking the tracks. For reasons that remain somewhat ill defined, the concept wasn’t quite driven to completion, breaking down around the middle of side two (on the original vinyl configuration).” AM “Nonetheless, on strictly musical merits, it’s a terrific set of songs that ultimately stands as one of the group’s greatest achievements. I Can See for Miles (a Top Ten hit) is the Who at their most thunderous; tinges of psychedelia add a rush to Armenia City in the Sky and Relax; I Can’t Reach You finds Townshend beginning to stretch himself into quasi-spiritual territory; and Tattoo and the acoustic Sunrise show introspective, vulnerable sides to the singer/songwriter that had previously been hidden. Rael was another mini-opera, with musical motifs that reappeared in Tommy.” AM “The album is as perfect a balance between melodic mod pop and powerful instrumentation as the Who (or any other group) would achieve; psychedelic pop was never as jubilant, not to say funny (the fake commercials and jingles interspersed between the songs are a hoot).” AM Reissue The 1995 CD reissue added 9 bonus tracks: “Glittering Girl,” “Melancholia,” “Someone’s Coming,” “Jaguar,” “Early Morning Cold Taxi,” “Hall of the Mountain King,” “Girl’s Eyes,” “Glow Girl,” and an alternate version of “Mary Anne with the Shaky Hand.” The Songs Here’s a breakdown of each of the individual songs.

Armenia City in the Sky The Who

Writer(s): Speedy Keen Lead Vocals: Roger Daltrey, Speedy Keen Released: The Who Sell Out (12/16/1967) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.98 streaming

Heinz Baked Beans The Who

Writer(s): John Entwistle Lead Vocals: Keith Moon, John Entwistle, and Pete Townshend Released: The Who Sell Out (12/16/1967) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.36 streaming

Mary Anne with the Shaky Hand The Who

Writer(s): Pete Townshend Lead Vocals: Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend Released: B-side of “I Can See for Miles” (US, 9/18/1967), single (2/2/1968), The Who Sell Out (12/16/1967) B-side: “I Can’t Reach You” Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.73 streaming About the Song: This was released as a single in the Netherlands.

Odorono The Who

Writer(s): Pete Townshend Lead Vocals: Pete Townshend Released: The Who Sell Out (12/16/1967) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.26 streaming

Tattoo The Who

Writer(s): Pete Townshend Lead Vocals: Roger Daltrey with Pete Townshend Released: The Who Sell Out (12/16/1967) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.59 streaming

Our Love Was The Who

Writer(s): Pete Townshend Lead Vocals: Pete Townshend Released: The Who Sell Out (12/16/1967), Magic Bus (compilation, 1968) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.25 streaming

I Can See for Miles The Who

Writer(s): Pete Townshend Lead Vocals: Roger Daltrey Released: single (US, 9/18/1967), single (UK, 10/13/1967), The Who Sell Out (12/16/1967), Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy (compilation, 1971), Hooligans (compilation, 1981), Who’s Better Who’s Best (compilation, 1988), My Generation: The Very Best of (compilation, 1996), The Ultimate Collection (compilation, 2002), Then & Now (compilation, 2004), Greatest Hits (compilation, 2009), Hits 50! (compilation, 2014) B-side: “Mary Anne with the Shaky Hand” (US), “Someone’s Coming” (UK) Peak: 9 BB, 8 CB, 3 GR, 10 HR, 3 CL, 10 UK, 4 CN, 20 AU, 4 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 34.37 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song: It’s a trivia question most people would likely get wrong: what was the biggest hit by the Who in America? While people might logically go with songs like “My Generation,” “Pinball Wizard,” or “Won’t Get Fooled Again” because of their now-legendary status, the correct answer is “I Can See for Miles.” The Who were criminally overlooked on the charts in the United States with “Miles” being their only top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. “My Generation” wasn’t even a top-40 hit. Still, Pete Townshend called “this psychedelic hard-rock single” TB “the ultimate Who record.” TB “it certainly sounds like it was intended that way. Despite the sparse arrangement there is a grandness about the sound and the vaguely science-fiction-like lyric. Keith Moon’s drums sound absolutely gigantic and Townshend’s fretboard slashings are epic.” TB

I Can’t Reach You The Who

Writer(s): Pete Townshend Lead Vocals: Pete Townshend Released: B-side of “Mary Anne with the Shaky Hand” (2/2/1968), The Who Sell Out (12/16/1967), Magic Bus (compilation, 1968) Peak: 27 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.23 streaming

Medac The Who

Writer(s): John Entwistle Lead Vocals: John Entwistle Released: The Who Sell Out (12/16/1967) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.39 streaming

Relax The Who

Writer(s): Pete Townshend Lead Vocals: Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend Released: The Who Sell Out (12/16/1967) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.33 streaming

Silas Stingy The Who

Writer(s): John Entwistle Lead Vocals: John Entwistle, Roger Daltrey Released: The Who Sell Out (12/16/1967) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.42 streaming

Sunrise The Who

Writer(s): Pete Townshend Lead Vocals: Pete Townshend Released: The Who Sell Out (12/16/1967) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 3.05 streaming

Rael 1 The Who

Writer(s): Pete Townshend Lead Vocals: Roger Daltrey Released: The Who Sell Out (12/16/1967) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.28 streaming

Rael 2 The Who

Writer(s): Pete Townshend Lead Vocals: Pete Townshend Released: The Who Sell Out (12/16/1967) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.10 streaming

Resources/References: AM AllMusic.com review by Richie Unterberger TB-S Thunder Bay Press (2006). Singles: Six Decades of Hot Hits & Classic Cuts. Outline Press Ltd.: San Diego, CA. Page 93. Related DMDB Pages: First posted 4/5/2008; last updated 9/5/2025.