The Who Songs Ranked
The Who is an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic line-up consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century and have sold over 100 million records worldwide. The Who developed from an earlier group, the Detours, and established themselves as part of the pop art and mod movements, featuring auto-destructive art by destroying guitars and drums on stage. Their first single as the Who, “I Can’t Explain”, reached the UK top ten, and was followed by a string of singles including “My Generation”, “Substitute” and “Happy Jack”. In 1967, they performed at the Monterey Pop Festival and released the US top ten single “I Can See for Miles”. The group’s fourth album, 1969’s rock opera Tommy, included the single “Pinball Wizard” and was a critical and commercial success. Live appearances at Woodstock in August 1969, and the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970, along with the live album Live at Leeds in 1970, cemented their reputation as a respected rock act. The success put pressure on lead songwriter Townshend, and the follow-up to Tommy, Lifehouse, was abandoned. Songs from the project made up 1971’s Who’s Next, which included the hit “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. The group released the concept album Quadrophenia in 1973 as a celebration of their mod roots and oversaw the film adaptation of Tommy in 1975. They continued to tour to large audiences before semi-retiring from live performances at the end of 1976. The release of Who Are You in 1978 was overshadowed by Moon’s death shortly after. Here are all of The Who songs ranked.
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15. I’m a Boy (Direct Hits, 1968)
“Both sides did not appear on any of their standard albums, though the A-side showed up on “Meaty Beaty…”. “I’m a Boy” is mid-tempo Brit/punk with guitar, vocal harmony and powerful drumming. Could this be an answer to their track, “I’m a Man”? The other side is fairly heavy, mid-tempo rock with guitar, some horns and vocal harmony.”
14. The Seeker (Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy, 1971)
“The seeker is a hard rock song by the who. The lyrics in this song are amazing though the theme they are about (getting the girl/boy) is pretty banal, it is simply the way its done that makes it much better. The guitar riff is amazing, so simple yet so catchy and addictive at the same time. The singing is great from start to finish. The melodies in this song are amazing, and the hook is a joy to sing along to. Great rock release that wasnt aged one day.”
13. Happy Jack (A Quick One, 1966)
“Happy Jack” was vastly different from “My Generation”. It just has an odd song structure that went against what many of the earliest Who recordings were all about. Still, it helped the group to garner attention in the United States.”
12. You Better You Bet (Face Dances, 1981)
“The only reason to get Face Dances, “You Better You Bet” is one of The Who’s best songs in my opinion. Keeping up with the times, by including synth throughout, and a catchy chorus, this easily ranks among my favorite Who tracks.”
11. Summertime Blues (The Who Sell Out, 1967)
“Summertime Blues” is one of those classics that has actually managed to withstand a lot over the years. Most of the versions I’ve heard have had something going for them, even if the original necessarily has something of the aura of a sacred relic.”
See more: The Who Albums: Top 5 Ranked
10. Magic Bus (Magic Bus: The Who on Tour, 1968)
“Another eccentric song from Pete Townshend, “Magic Bus” is a delight, chugging into gear with maracas and acoustic guitar and continuing with schoolboy chanting of the humorous lyric. The song gets more raucous as it progresses, the ridiculous lyric almost turning surreal as an ardent Daltrey barters ever more vehemently for permanent ownership of his enchanted transport which will take him to his lady love.”
9. Pinball Wizard (Tommy, 1969)
“Though it’s neither the musical or emotional high point of Tommy, “Pinball Wizard” is the best-known track from the Who’s epic 1969 “rock opera.” Quickly written as a nod/appeal to music critic Nik Cohn, the song was shoe-horned into the album’s story of a “deaf, dumb, and blind kid” who becomes a semi-messianic rock star.”
8. 5.15 (Quadrophenia, 1973)
“Roger Daltrey is on throaty, defiant form here as he delivers a voyeuristic lyric that’s lost somewhere between chemical enhancement and alienation. A straightforward, frills-free rocker with a Stones-ish gait, “5:15″ reaches a rollicking crescendo with the aid of some blaring horns.”
7. Who Are You (Who Are You, 1978)
“The hook is great, really addictive and enjoyable stuff. However, in this one, I simply feel that the singing is annoying and doesn’t have much melody in it, which drags this release pretty down. The riffing is a bit hidden, but it is still good material. It is an above-average song from the who, but still a good song. They fiddle around with the synths way too much.”
6. Love, Reign O’er Me (Quadrophenia, 1973)
“Love… is a great Who track. The group was truly still in their element. It is not progressive rock but it does have a somewhat aura to it which makes you feel like you want to go to a prog concert. Then you have a guitar solo in there and it is awesome. This is the way AOR should sound, and if anyone tells you Eagles are the best of the genre they are lying. This of course is incredible in all facets, vocals, and guitar most notably.”
See more: Live at Leeds (The Who Album) Live
5. I Can See for Miles (The Who Sell Out, 1967)
“A massive song from The Who. The intro grumbles like a ticking bomb, with Moon’s sledgehammer drums echoing all over the background, (I doubt there have been more drumbeats in a single pop – rock song than Moon hits here), the backing vocals on the chorus invoke the infinity of the title.”
4. I Can’t Explain (Single, 1965)
“Wow! I liked this tune the first time I heard it. It just seemed to capture where my head was at the time I guess. Good guitar work from Pete Townsend, as you would expect, and good vocals from Roger Daltrey, but for me the star here is Keith Moon. The drumming sets the record apart from the herd in nineteen sixty four-sixty five.”
3. Won’t Get Fooled Again (Who’s Next, 1971)
“Great hard rock song. The riffing is great and highly addictive, the solo is enjoyable. The rest of the instrumentation are pretty spot on, really catchy and energetic material. The singing is amazing, full of energy and highly catchy. The song is probably one of the best trademarks for hard rock, and one of the bands best songs.”
2. My Generation (My Generation, 1965)
“So many highlights in this little song… Daltrey’s vocal, Ox’s awesome bass solo, and that crazy ending where everybody goes insane on their instruments, especially Moon. Not to mention the lyrics, and their message.”
1. Baba O’Riley (Who’s Next, 1971)
“Rather like “Gimme Shelter” and “Stairway To Heaven”, “Baba O’Riley” is a hard-rock classic which somehow didn’t get released as a single either in the UK or the US. Townshend’s intricately layered synth intro could go on forever as far as I’m concerned but that would be to gainsay the gladiatorial entry of the band and Daltrey’s towering vocal while the duelling drum and fiddle at the end make for a humorous yet thrilling climax.”
