Nicky Hopkins in playing piano on this song, he was the greatest rock pianist of that era. Played with the Stones and the Who among countless others. R.I.P. Mr. Hopkins
I read in the CD notes that during the time the Who were recording this album, the band had broken ties with Track Records, their U.K. label. Plus, Pete and Moon were drinking too much. Pete had just turned 30...he was afraid his own band was turning into a circus act...and he was starting to wonder about that infamous line, "Hope I die before I get old," something he wrote 10 years earlier at 20. (By the way, this was the first Who album I ever bought; I was 12 at the time!)
The '60's were a special place in time. By the time this album came out it had passed, leaving a residue of pseudo hippies and drug addicts in it's wake - thus....
"Hey goodbye all you punks, stay young and stay high.
Hand me my checkbook and I'll crawl off to die.
Like a woman in childbirth grown ugly in a flash.
I've seen magic and pain, now I'm recycling trash."
Great album, great song....it is Moon playing as we all know...Fact is sad: most underrated album of rock... i mean one of them.... I love Johns bass on this album, maybe the most of any who albums....love them all in a way!! sorry my bad english!
maybe the most beautiful love song the who ever did - its great that the toughest bastards out there could also at the same time write the most tender tunes of them al!
in the day trash compactors was an appliance for the elite. but recycling trash was of the day-- for the more enlightened ones. i think it means, " they're all in love"..... with themselves...especially the women in positions of status.
i'm not so sure about that, but of course i can't be certain. perhaps you have inside knowledge? just doesn't sound like his drumming to me, and i have heard townshend's, which is more reserved and precise, like this is. what i am certain about is that moon did not like playing in this time signature. that IS documented. anyway from one moon fan to another, i hope you aren't offended. i took up the drums when i was 11 after hearing baba o reilly and could play you any who tune to this day :)
Townshend didn't play drums on any Moon-era Who albums. Only his demos have his barely passable drumming, which is clearly evident on any of his Scoop demo compilation CDs.
@alidonli Ya know you may be right. But I have never heard Pete play cymbal flourishes like this. And with those tight short rolls at the beginning of the second verse and fills after....I take it back. Think this is Keith. Fun to figure out though. Thanks for the post.
@biggibson49 thinking about it now, it is moon. he did a lot of stuff in the studio you just didn't get from him live. this is a very tight and considered drum track that almost doesn't sound like him. maybe he was staying faithful to one of petes demos? anyway that's another rabbit hole we needn't go down :) check out the isolated drum track for pinball wizard that someone has posted - it's amazing. he was an enigma!
great tune. great drums by townshend also. moon didn't like playing in that time signature (3/4 or 6/8) apparently. what is slip kid a rip off for, does anyone know? soxfan 1957?
"now I'm recycling trash" I sure am glad Pete changed his mind on just what "trash" is or we'd never hear some really great songs live ever again. When are they gonna do "A Quick One" live again?
I didn't mean to imply that I think AQO is trash. It's just one of those songs that I'd love to hear the current incarnation of the Who do live. To my knowledge, it hasn't been done since way back then. As a fan (short for fanatic of course) I really have no idea what Pete meant by trash. I do know that he was disillusioned with his job at the time of Who By Numbers. Or maybe realizing that to him it really was just that. A job. Hence the title By Numbers, I suppose.
Sorry "rip off" wasn't a good term. I felt that it was too similar to "Won't Be Fooled Again" especially in it's theme. It was still a good song but I preferred all the songs on the album more than the two I mentioned. Blue, Red, and Gray, and How Many Friends Do I Really Have are my all time favorites.
teflon, if you liked townshend because he was NO hippie, then that is fine! he was a refreshing alternative to all that hypocritical smkoe filled smelly pseudo burgeois wannabe revolution of the rich spolit hippie kids out there! WE ´RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT, haha!
I think this an album much more appreciated if you can personally relate to it's lyrical content. I've struggled with addiction and the ravaging effects. Now in my mid 40's and I relate to many of the other songs also in a non-superficial way. Perfect '70's Album
Amazingly, I "got" this album, when I was only sixteen. I may not have understood every nuance, but listening to it was and is a beautiful experience. Funny, I thought, how a "hippy", like Townshend, was basically saying a lot of the same things that my elders, from the WW II generation were saying, only differently, and with great music.
This album feels like Pete is telling his fans all his own thoughts and concerns at the time. You really feel like he becomes a member of your extended family and someone close that you feel concened for.Emotional somg from a timeless album
So goodbye all you punks. Stay young and stay high. Just hand me my checkbook and I'll crawl off to die...Some of the most personal lyrics Pete ever wrote. The most soul baring song writer ever. My idol.
speedbird, it WASNT really the who´s most underrated album as the musical papers were thrilled and got professional ecstasy spasms when reviewing the record but for reasons best known to themselves apparently the " fans " did not know to appreciate the record! I have only heard once or twice that they played songs from this album on the radio and if I am correct it was SLIP KID and of course SQUEEZE BOX, 2 of the more uninteresting ones! NEVER would you ever hear BLUE RED & GREY
I understand your point. Perhaps I should more accurately say that among who fans and You Tube commentaries people do not seem have the same appreciation for By Numbers. as for say Tommy, Next and Quad. Of course musical taste is very subjective. I suppose one reason may be that it was more mellow than the two previous albums. I appreciate your insight and will continue to savor the artistic greatness of all the songs on By Numbers. Thanks.
Maybe the fans didn't appreciate the music from the album as much as they did from Tommy, Who's Next, or Quadrophenia (spelled wrong) is because on all those albums Townshend used complicated sonic ideas like synthiziers and over laid rhythms and this album was just the basic vocals, guitar, bass, drums, and sometimes piano.
I agree, good observation. Perhaps it's the simplicity of the music and the deep personal lyrics that make the album so good. I prefer Who songs played live, with the exception of this album. They never drew material from this album for they're live shows, I wonder why.
I think it was a statement of Pete's own feelings at the time, just honest and not at all over-produced....
MrCrosstiewalker 2 months ago
Nicky Hopkins in playing piano on this song, he was the greatest rock pianist of that era. Played with the Stones and the Who among countless others. R.I.P. Mr. Hopkins
ZoomyMcFlywire 7 months ago
I'm pretty sure the line is not "going up hallowed halls," but instead "when the pollen falls."
firesoforion 9 months ago
This is one of my all time favorite Who albums that time seems to have forgotten.
lakefloor 11 months ago
My favorite song.
theunknown302 1 year ago
Oh, I had forgotten all about this song, it makes me melt....
ylwf 1 year ago
I read in the CD notes that during the time the Who were recording this album, the band had broken ties with Track Records, their U.K. label. Plus, Pete and Moon were drinking too much. Pete had just turned 30...he was afraid his own band was turning into a circus act...and he was starting to wonder about that infamous line, "Hope I die before I get old," something he wrote 10 years earlier at 20. (By the way, this was the first Who album I ever bought; I was 12 at the time!)
AdamsApple1963 1 year ago
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The '60's were a special place in time. By the time this album came out it had passed, leaving a residue of pseudo hippies and drug addicts in it's wake - thus....
"Hey goodbye all you punks, stay young and stay high.
Hand me my checkbook and I'll crawl off to die.
Like a woman in childbirth grown ugly in a flash.
I've seen magic and pain, now I'm recycling trash."
...they don't write 'em like that anymore.
Asilazi 1 year ago
Comment removed
Asilazi 1 year ago
sorry, didnt noticed the lyrics was there...
Great album, great song....it is Moon playing as we all know...Fact is sad: most underrated album of rock... i mean one of them.... I love Johns bass on this album, maybe the most of any who albums....love them all in a way!! sorry my bad english!
greetz from Finland
mynthon11 1 year ago
SONG is nod to punk generation....pete was feeling really not that good, with his issues in a time..alcohol... lyrics: Hey, goodbye all you punks
Stay young and stay high
Hand me my checkbook
And I'll crawl off to die
But like a woman in childbirth
Grown ugly in a flash
I'm seen magic and fame
Now I'm recycling trash
mynthon11 1 year ago
maybe the most beautiful love song the who ever did - its great that the toughest bastards out there could also at the same time write the most tender tunes of them al!
buchananstreet 1 year ago
in the day trash compactors was an appliance for the elite. but recycling trash was of the day-- for the more enlightened ones. i think it means, " they're all in love"..... with themselves...especially the women in positions of status.
cshargeit 1 year ago
it's phucking MOON on drums. (not Townshend)
igloomaster 2 years ago
i'm not so sure about that, but of course i can't be certain. perhaps you have inside knowledge? just doesn't sound like his drumming to me, and i have heard townshend's, which is more reserved and precise, like this is. what i am certain about is that moon did not like playing in this time signature. that IS documented. anyway from one moon fan to another, i hope you aren't offended. i took up the drums when i was 11 after hearing baba o reilly and could play you any who tune to this day :)
alidonli 2 years ago
Townshend didn't play drums on any Moon-era Who albums. Only his demos have his barely passable drumming, which is clearly evident on any of his Scoop demo compilation CDs.
igloomaster 2 years ago
@alidonli Ya know you may be right. But I have never heard Pete play cymbal flourishes like this. And with those tight short rolls at the beginning of the second verse and fills after....I take it back. Think this is Keith. Fun to figure out though. Thanks for the post.
biggibson49 1 year ago
@biggibson49 thinking about it now, it is moon. he did a lot of stuff in the studio you just didn't get from him live. this is a very tight and considered drum track that almost doesn't sound like him. maybe he was staying faithful to one of petes demos? anyway that's another rabbit hole we needn't go down :) check out the isolated drum track for pinball wizard that someone has posted - it's amazing. he was an enigma!
alidonli 1 year ago
great tune. great drums by townshend also. moon didn't like playing in that time signature (3/4 or 6/8) apparently. what is slip kid a rip off for, does anyone know? soxfan 1957?
alidonli 2 years ago
Comment removed
igloomaster 2 years ago
"now I'm recycling trash" I sure am glad Pete changed his mind on just what "trash" is or we'd never hear some really great songs live ever again. When are they gonna do "A Quick One" live again?
schmittelt 2 years ago
"You are forgiven"
tommusicfan19 2 years ago
I didn't mean to imply that I think AQO is trash. It's just one of those songs that I'd love to hear the current incarnation of the Who do live. To my knowledge, it hasn't been done since way back then. As a fan (short for fanatic of course) I really have no idea what Pete meant by trash. I do know that he was disillusioned with his job at the time of Who By Numbers. Or maybe realizing that to him it really was just that. A job. Hence the title By Numbers, I suppose.
schmittelt 2 years ago
beautiful!! yea there all in love
Joseph364015 2 years ago
@Joseph364015yes had a album in the 70s by numbers yes.
Joseph364015 1 year ago
Goodbye all you punks- stay young and stay high.
drlarrymitchell 2 years ago 2
Squeeze Box was funny. Slip Kid was a rip off. The rest of the album is awesome.
soxfan1957 2 years ago
Rip off of what song?
SaraVaughanfan 2 years ago
Sorry "rip off" wasn't a good term. I felt that it was too similar to "Won't Be Fooled Again" especially in it's theme. It was still a good song but I preferred all the songs on the album more than the two I mentioned. Blue, Red, and Gray, and How Many Friends Do I Really Have are my all time favorites.
soxfan1957 2 years ago
How could Pete rip off one of his own songs? LOL Greatest live and John Entwistle vote BASSIST OF THE MILLENIUM IN 2000
MrTrajan69 2 years ago
when the pollen falls- it wreaks havoc on my sinuses. because of greedy lawyers i will never fall in love..more than 30 years since i learned
cshargeit 2 years ago
so beautiful makes me wanna cry.... ;)
Where do you walk, on a sunny times? when the river gleams, and the buildings shine.
How do you feel when the pollen falls?
gmcco5 2 years ago
teflon, if you liked townshend because he was NO hippie, then that is fine! he was a refreshing alternative to all that hypocritical smkoe filled smelly pseudo burgeois wannabe revolution of the rich spolit hippie kids out there! WE ´RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT, haha!
buchananstreet 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
gmcco5 2 years ago
no one has ever came near....nice wan
hampden12 2 years ago
one of the most wonderful songs of all times
buchananstreet 2 years ago 6
I think this an album much more appreciated if you can personally relate to it's lyrical content. I've struggled with addiction and the ravaging effects. Now in my mid 40's and I relate to many of the other songs also in a non-superficial way. Perfect '70's Album
speedbird49 2 years ago 8
This album has to be one of the most underrated albums in rock history and this song is a great song off of it.
LoveRegin1973 2 years ago 17
Amazingly, I "got" this album, when I was only sixteen. I may not have understood every nuance, but listening to it was and is a beautiful experience. Funny, I thought, how a "hippy", like Townshend, was basically saying a lot of the same things that my elders, from the WW II generation were saying, only differently, and with great music.
Teflon65 2 years ago
Teflon, Townshend was never a Hippie, in fact, he despised them, Mod was the exact opposite of hippiedom.
buchananstreet 2 years ago 2
buchananstreet: I knew there was something I liked about Townshend.
Teflon65 2 years ago
SUCH a beautiful and truthful song, still today ! - and they NEVER ever played it once on the radio, it is scandalously unbelievable this !
buchananstreet 2 years ago
Completely loved this album, pretty much every song is great....
maxineshell 3 years ago
Great song with Towenshend bearing his soul.
biff0101 3 years ago
This album feels like Pete is telling his fans all his own thoughts and concerns at the time. You really feel like he becomes a member of your extended family and someone close that you feel concened for.Emotional somg from a timeless album
suraboyo 3 years ago
So goodbye all you punks. Stay young and stay high. Just hand me my checkbook and I'll crawl off to die...Some of the most personal lyrics Pete ever wrote. The most soul baring song writer ever. My idol.
mtj8 3 years ago
Probably my favourite song from a great album
zeets93 3 years ago
A song that breaks my heart. A great underrated album.
toolmaker11160 3 years ago
Without a doubt The Who's most underrated album. This album defines the sound of a generation.
speedbird49 3 years ago
speedbird, it WASNT really the who´s most underrated album as the musical papers were thrilled and got professional ecstasy spasms when reviewing the record but for reasons best known to themselves apparently the " fans " did not know to appreciate the record! I have only heard once or twice that they played songs from this album on the radio and if I am correct it was SLIP KID and of course SQUEEZE BOX, 2 of the more uninteresting ones! NEVER would you ever hear BLUE RED & GREY
buchananstreet 2 years ago
I understand your point. Perhaps I should more accurately say that among who fans and You Tube commentaries people do not seem have the same appreciation for By Numbers. as for say Tommy, Next and Quad. Of course musical taste is very subjective. I suppose one reason may be that it was more mellow than the two previous albums. I appreciate your insight and will continue to savor the artistic greatness of all the songs on By Numbers. Thanks.
speedbird49 2 years ago
Maybe the fans didn't appreciate the music from the album as much as they did from Tommy, Who's Next, or Quadrophenia (spelled wrong) is because on all those albums Townshend used complicated sonic ideas like synthiziers and over laid rhythms and this album was just the basic vocals, guitar, bass, drums, and sometimes piano.
LoveRegin1973 2 years ago 2
I agree, good observation. Perhaps it's the simplicity of the music and the deep personal lyrics that make the album so good. I prefer Who songs played live, with the exception of this album. They never drew material from this album for they're live shows, I wonder why.
speedbird49 2 years ago
Maybe because they knew the album wasn't that popular as their earlier material like Baba O' Riley and Won't Get Fooled Again.
LoveRegin1973 2 years ago
Aw this is great! almost cried LOL
bigbeatlesfreak 3 years ago 2
what a song !
buchananstreet 3 years ago
Pete baring his soul on this song--his updated version of "hope I die before I get old"
HighNumber1 3 years ago
this album is criminally underrated
PhilCastro9851 3 years ago 22
@PhilCastro9851 YES!
Quin881 1 year ago
@PhilCastro9851
You got that right!!!
ylwf 1 year ago
Totally agree Jip .. =)
Dunwyche 3 years ago
like any old magazine
i'm telling you who by numbers best album of all time
Jiptheoptomist 3 years ago 6
where do you fit in pffft magazine?
Xoloscuinkle 3 years ago 4
"Zoot-magazine"...British fashion
beautiful song--Nicky Hopkins piano was brilliant!
HighNumber1 3 years ago 3