I was a soldier at 13 but they cancelled the revolution. I saw these guys in 1972 at Saratoga Springs, New York. My ears rang for a week. And when I talk about the good old days... I mean it!
Does anyone know the lyrics in the parts where they are hard to understand? Like on the fadeout? Those lyrics? Either Pete or Roger is singing something but I have never been able to get it.
i prefer townshend......townshend is one of the best showman on the hisstory of rock, the best songwriter....only rhytim guitarrist? i dont thin so...he have amazing solos
@csjh1 I used 2 wear all the clothes i had a boating blazer that i got from carnaby street & i wore my dads parker it was an original 60,s 1 loved being a mod xxx
Great stuff, you can spend a long time listening to Quad before you really absorb it all. I think it"s slightly better than Tommy, which is a little more linear. IMO Quad is heavily influenced by Thick as a Brick, if you've thoroughly listened to both, it's unmistakable.
@PeterPavlonis Just about how the old generation of leaders is done, their way of leadership is on the way out and that the new generation are the ones telling them what's next. The middle section (the slow melody) is about Jimmy getting fed up with the mod way of life.
Great song, but I have one problem with your description. The Who were in fact Mods. They were grown as a Mod band because Kit Lambert had a philosophy that the Mods were the next big thing. The Who (including Pete) have ALWAYS been Mods. Well, maybe not so much really anymore (because the Mods are gone for the most part), but basically up until Moony died, they were complete Mods.
I love this song, and these are good observations. But I think you have the roles reversed. When I was younger, working my way through the music/radio business, I really thought there was some sort of meaning to it all. I then listened to this song, and realized the Godfather was/is the record business saying we are the ones who made you, etc. Kids listen to music thinking its profound, but "they only became what they made you".
i was an extra in the film, lots of sitting around so a friend and i dragged a couple of deck-chairs down to the sea and skinned up, suddenly phil danniels turned up and sat with us and shared the spliff...classic.
I wore out this track on cassette! then, I brought the cd, many years later! Great! My wife says, your 65, why are you playing this & not slippers & pipe type perry como?
@unclemort1960 Ah, the young! Bless em! Caught my 10 yrs old grandson, singing Queen songs. My daughter says, I should put some Beatles & The Who on a cd, to get him away from some of todays songs, as he sings on the way to school, in her car!.
Okay, I would have not made it through high school without The Who. Seriously, no joke. High school was pure indoctrination as i have found the hard way. We Whofanatics have to stick together. Love ya' all!!! Oh yeah, and I love this song and everything from Quadraphenia for that matter!!! Keep postin red777photo!!!! Cheers!!!
One of my favorites amongst so many great Who songs to choose from. I can't help but apply these lyrics to politicians who are nothing more than puppets of international banking elites. Thanks very much for posting this.
@TheMusicismyair I love the movie with Tommy being a close second. I remember listening to 45s of The Who on my Fisher Price record player when I was 5 yrs old. Even then I knew they were the greatest
Every song on this Album is a masterpiece by itself.. As I said earlier. Townshend is a freakin' Genius and , like all Geniuses he is crazy like a horse.
It's all about powerplay. The Godfather is the motivational force for the punk : Jimmy. Who is so full of anger to see he is being used. He has become the tool of a bigger man. No matter how he feels he is exercising his own will. At the time Quadrophenia the film came out (1976) punk was at its height. The album had been out since '73. There had been the Film 'The Godfather' '72. The film was a draw for many years. So the title tapped into these two disparate but compatible roles.
I take it that the "Punk" are the Who at the show Jimmy's visiting, mocking the crowd for buying the image that they're selling. The "Godfather" is the older, wiser Pete who sings that he can't preach, but sees that the cliquish behavior the younger band was promoting only lead to violence. That's my take on it, anyways.
youve got the meaning of the song all wrong and youve got the punk and godfather parts mixed up ,you have to take the song in the context of the whole concept
Poor Jimmy, he's all torn up because his friends, his family, his heroes are all FULL OF SHIT! Everyone is a hypocrite, everyone lies, everyone wants a piece of you. Grow up Jimmy........it's called life.
@pacosuave64 yeah it's a good lesson. You can trust no one but yourself. Let's face it - you come alone on this world and you go alone and in the meantime you should stick to yourself.
love quadrophenia the move love the album im 14 and one of my frends dads is in quadrophenia when there haveing the riuot on the beach and whene jimji jumps down in the club love quadrophenia all of it
@lormesher hi yer i am a mod when im 16 geting a scooter i need to get a new parkra my old one got setonfare in school by some dick ass boy coz he hates black people and one of my frands is jmacken and i toled him to piss of so yer he got a liter and lite it
@3100merlin: John Bindon (the actor playing the 'Godfather' in this clip) was a South London London Gangster around at the same time as the Krays. He then became an actor and associated with the 1960s aristocracy, as did the Krays. He famously holidayed on the island of Mustique with Princess Margaret. And I forget, he had a huge cock!
Brilliant video, thank you for posting. The last frame at 4.51 is a classic 60's working-class neighbourhood with the antics to go along with it - perfect accompaniment to this track.
Growing up I used to sleep to this on 8 track, over and over. It speaks volumes about that certain age, where everything you had turns to shit, and everything you have waiting for is already shit. Nowhere to turn, nothing to do, except get obliterated and rage against the machine. Thanks for posting this. I'm a teacher now, and I try to help kids with this.
It was the Mods Vs the Rockers at that time. A Class struggle for the streets. Vespas Vs the "Cafe Racers" motorbikes. This song exemplifies a resignation to your Lot, when he sang, "I have to be careful not to preach, I can't pretend that I can teach" still carries heavy weight with me to this day, 35 years after it was recorded. Goddamn GOOD words!
I love The Who. Love quadrophenia. however, I think Tommy has the better rocking songs. Watch the woodstock version of "see me feel me" F'ng awesome! watch the flaming lips vh1 honors Tommy" medley
The Who had gone on and on to their operatic effect, remained south of the Watford! Northern Soul in its ever grow gave them fond kiss goodbye. Just ask whose lasted?
The "punk with a stutter" is a Mod. The studder is caused by the Pep Pills (meth) the Mods took.
THe "Godfather" is a Rocker, the 1950's gen that lived through the war and reconstruction. He is the old guard, the Mod is the new.
The Rocker is telling the Mod that they aren't anything new, the Rockers had done it all before "You see I"ve lived your future out, smashing stages like a clown."
I saw the Who in Tampa, they did the whole album. The meaning is very clear when you see it live.
but isn't it also about the Who's 60s generation themselves (godfather) with prophetic vision talking to the punks who were still a few years away"
'And yet I've lived your future out
By pounding stages like a clown'
Think also about Eddie Vedders quote, sth like 'the only thing we hate about the Who is they smashed their way through the corridors of rock with so much destruction that they left almost nothing to do for future generations'
I just don't see how they could have felt that way when the song was being written.
People get distracted by the work "punk." It had a long history before the sex pistols. It had always meant a low grade criminal. Not a gangster, just a punk. It was an insult. Something a rocker, who rode a big motorbike, would say to a mod, who had a little scooter. "You're just a little punk. Not a real hardcase like me" Just my take on it.
I see your point and you may well be right that there's really nothing in this 'punk' idea of mine. But I keep wondering about the 'pounding stages like a clown' line - did rockers use to do that? it just seems to fit Pete himself so much
The Who came to the "British Invasion" after the Stones and The Beatles. They had to carve out their musical identity and be as or more innovative than The Kinks or The Animals. Townshends songwriting genius gave The Who an edge and they took advantage of it. You put that together with Keith's amazing drumming, The Oz's virtuoso bass playing, and Daltrey's vocals, and you have a power rock band that overwhelmed England and the US. They had incredible competition to overcome, they did it.
It is about a lot of things. It is a metaphor for rock and roll, religion, parenthood, school and about any other social institution you can name.
The Godfather says he could school the punk on his own mistakes but realizes the punk will ignore him and make the same mistakes and learn the same lessons. In a last grasp of control or self delusion that he is still respected, the godfather points to the utterly worthless numbered seats in empty rows and claims it as a prize "It all...
I have to be careful not to teach, preach or give a Rocker a bloody nose! Thanks for your correct psychological insight in to the world of Quadrophenia. Pete T is a genius but mad at the same time; a great combination for creativity,
The literal meaning of it is that Jimmy goes to a concert, and feels like he's been blown off and let down by rock and roll. But, if you want to look deeper, it's about conformity, and The Who themselves. The "punk"-representing culture-is telling the "godfather" how to live, what to do, and that they are living off of each other. "breathe the air we have blown you", "only earn what we gave you", and that Townshend wields an "axe of dying nation".
They said Binden became a recluse and never acted again after being aquitted for the murder of that south london villain in 1978(Ch4 last night 9.2.09), when was Quadrophenia made?
Believe me he never became a recluse. He lived his life to the full and was the best cousin a person could have he was hilariously funny and could entertain a crowd as good as Billy Connelly could. Don' believe the shit that is written about his gangster days. The people who say this are trying to big themselves up. He was and always willbe a top man.RIP John. Alan
Yes I have just read the book on John Bindon as my papa knew of him. I would have loved to have met him, he seemed like some guy! Yes he was a Top Man. RIP John. Deborah from Glasgow
You are right about Bindon killing the enforcer for the mod Cliner, but it was outside a pub. He was supposedly paid to take this guy out and he did just that, suffering a few stabs wounds of his own and taking off for Ireland to flee Scotland Yard. He was tried and acquitted for the murder with his friend the actor Bob Hoskins as a character witness. Bindon had a reputation as a real swordsmith as well, reputed to have bedded Angela Bowie as well as Princess Margaret among a few other notables.
Bindon killed a mob enforcer in a brawl at a British Yacht club, I believe in '78. The mob's 'enforcer' got enforced. Bindon beat and stabbed the guy to death. The mob man fucked with the wrong dude. Some guys have a touch guy persona and that's all it is, but I've heard and read enough about this John Bindon character to come to the conclusion that he was the real deal and like someone else said, a real nutter.
What happened in that pub was a south london gangster got knocked out by john's mate, the south londoner then stabbed him and John joined in and got stabbed twice and he pulled out a blade from his boot and killed the man and then a couple of his pals helped him flee to ireland to go to the hospital cos of the old bill!!!!
I was a soldier at 13 but they cancelled the revolution. I saw these guys in 1972 at Saratoga Springs, New York. My ears rang for a week. And when I talk about the good old days... I mean it!
POBulkhead 1 day ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I photographed The Who in 76. To see the shots go to 70srockphotos (.com)
mrianmark 6 days ago
This could be the greatest night of our lives, but you're gonna let it be the worst!
npspec34 2 weeks ago
Does anyone know the lyrics in the parts where they are hard to understand? Like on the fadeout? Those lyrics? Either Pete or Roger is singing something but I have never been able to get it.
steviea427 3 weeks ago in playlist THE WHO
A Mod is for life, not just for Christmas.
largeal69 1 month ago
townshend or page?
i prefer townshend......townshend is one of the best showman on the hisstory of rock, the best songwriter....only rhytim guitarrist? i dont thin so...he have amazing solos
juan13579run 1 month ago
this music is perfect man...
killer riff and powerchordss by townshend
awesome rhytim base by moon and jhon
and powerfull voice by daltrey
and the lyrics uffff.....eargasm
juan13579run 1 month ago
Pet se inspiro en el argentino Vitico para escribir esta cancion, creo q todabia lo odia..
criss1975 1 month ago
THE WHO + QUADROPHENIA = MODS LIVE FOREVER
csjh1 1 month ago 4
@csjh1 I used 2 wear all the clothes i had a boating blazer that i got from carnaby street & i wore my dads parker it was an original 60,s 1 loved being a mod xxx
jazzielltia 2 weeks ago in playlist Mod Music
@jazzielltia Nice one, once a mod always a mod, its a way of life. Peace
csjh1 2 weeks ago
Comment removed
csjh1 1 month ago
Follow this bass line if you can..haha..
formaface 3 months ago 5
@formaface trying to learn it at the moment. not going that well :/
8down10 1 month ago
this is a song that belong to me since I was tewlte. Since been a long time but... great
JUANLUISDIAZSIRGO 4 months ago
the who will never die!
MrTeignskate 5 months ago
Great stuff, you can spend a long time listening to Quad before you really absorb it all. I think it"s slightly better than Tommy, which is a little more linear. IMO Quad is heavily influenced by Thick as a Brick, if you've thoroughly listened to both, it's unmistakable.
idiotwinder 5 months ago
This song quotes from "My Generation" even though it sounds rather unintelligible.
ClassicTVMan1981X 5 months ago
@PeterPavlonis Just about how the old generation of leaders is done, their way of leadership is on the way out and that the new generation are the ones telling them what's next. The middle section (the slow melody) is about Jimmy getting fed up with the mod way of life.
camarorider67 5 months ago
Great song, but I have one problem with your description. The Who were in fact Mods. They were grown as a Mod band because Kit Lambert had a philosophy that the Mods were the next big thing. The Who (including Pete) have ALWAYS been Mods. Well, maybe not so much really anymore (because the Mods are gone for the most part), but basically up until Moony died, they were complete Mods.
MrHeitz17 6 months ago
@MrHeitz17 Mod's aint gone...
TheWolfmoon21 2 months ago
@MrHeitz17 naa not cuz of kit lambert, actually pete meaden
Bapewatch01 1 month ago
@Bapewatch01 thank you for correcting me, Pete Meaden had this philosophy
MrHeitz17 1 month ago
@PeterPavlonis Nope.
camarorider67 6 months ago
geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig
geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldiggeweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldiggeweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig geweldig, Lenhard
ldouwes 6 months ago
MUST be played LOUD! I use me headphones, so as not to upset partner & neighbours!
eddyfinkful 6 months ago 2
that bass works something in my soul...too
CF77777 6 months ago in playlist The Who - The Punk And The Godfather
Fuck it. I've decided just now, this'll be the song playing as I'm on the conveyer belt to become ashes!
babyshambler 7 months ago
I love this song, and these are good observations. But I think you have the roles reversed. When I was younger, working my way through the music/radio business, I really thought there was some sort of meaning to it all. I then listened to this song, and realized the Godfather was/is the record business saying we are the ones who made you, etc. Kids listen to music thinking its profound, but "they only became what they made you".
MisterOceanCity 7 months ago
10/10
JACK46147 7 months ago
This album and movie kicked so much ass it wasn't funny. Quadrophenia hands down over Tommy any day.
QJby1Hod 7 months ago
Just remembering wat a great darned band they were...
seanreillyireland 7 months ago
it all belongs to me you know....EPIC DRUM SOLO!!!!
jiltedkiller 7 months ago
i was an extra in the film, lots of sitting around so a friend and i dragged a couple of deck-chairs down to the sea and skinned up, suddenly phil danniels turned up and sat with us and shared the spliff...classic.
paulthepill 7 months ago 2
@paulthepill Greatest comment ever.
Fenderwolf95 7 months ago
best riff ever
thewhochilipeppersU2 7 months ago
hands down one of the best songs ever written
Ajhkatsumoto 8 months ago
Good comments, uploader.
koenan1 8 months ago
It's no wonder I can't listen to new music. They don't make it like this anymore.
mtcjoseph 9 months ago
I wore out this track on cassette! then, I brought the cd, many years later! Great! My wife says, your 65, why are you playing this & not slippers & pipe type perry como?
eddyfinkful 10 months ago
@eddyfinkful a few years ago my 10 year old step-daughter asked my partner if `-----(me) was alright` cos she caught me playing air-guitar aged 48.
unclemort1960 6 months ago 2
@unclemort1960 Ah, the young! Bless em! Caught my 10 yrs old grandson, singing Queen songs. My daughter says, I should put some Beatles & The Who on a cd, to get him away from some of todays songs, as he sings on the way to school, in her car!.
eddyfinkful 6 months ago
@unclemort1960 I do the whole Moony thing, puffed out cheeks and all.
johnbarry1965 6 months ago
Nice job on the vid--you hit it out of the park!
25and6 10 months ago
Great song,,I like the live version with PJ Proby playing the godfather,,,typical Proby over the top!
GILLYRUTH 10 months ago
is this song about about scotty walker?
fullmooney1 10 months ago
Okay, I would have not made it through high school without The Who. Seriously, no joke. High school was pure indoctrination as i have found the hard way. We Whofanatics have to stick together. Love ya' all!!! Oh yeah, and I love this song and everything from Quadraphenia for that matter!!! Keep postin red777photo!!!! Cheers!!!
8DoverNJ 10 months ago
@8DoverNJ I know from where you speak....The Who saved music for me.....The greatest band that ever ever ever was
31531552 10 months ago
One of my favorites amongst so many great Who songs to choose from. I can't help but apply these lyrics to politicians who are nothing more than puppets of international banking elites. Thanks very much for posting this.
8DoverNJ 11 months ago
Fr allyou young uns google john binden(the actor talking to jimmy)He was a real Hard case villian in real life.
helltopay1 11 months ago
nice video man
EnzoBernardes 11 months ago
no comment...
best wishes to to Egypt...
aka "We won´t get fooled again"...
i´m not a cynic
only know the truth about retro-sexual mankind...
MrSKINFLICK 11 months ago
Fn' awesome song! I seen the quad. tour in chicago in 96' . amazing show ,billy idol as the bellboy , oh yeah!
hvyfnmetalman1031 1 year ago
I will never get tired of listening to this song!
FoxFan12 1 year ago
you only became what we made you.............. fucking love this song
paranoidandroid10 1 year ago 2
your axe belongs to a dying nation...
bluesage10 1 year ago
Hands down GREATEST album EVER made!!!!!
joanne3623 1 year ago 52
@joanne3623 Without doubt !
merman153 1 year ago
@joanne3623
so true baby
TheGeorgiebaby1 8 months ago
its epic!!
great film as well also The Who in general is my all time favorite band!! the first band to get me in to rock and roll when i was 7 years old =D
TheMusicismyair 6 months ago
@TheMusicismyair I love the movie with Tommy being a close second. I remember listening to 45s of The Who on my Fisher Price record player when I was 5 yrs old. Even then I knew they were the greatest
joanne3623 6 months ago
jimmy gets riiped off buying blues and they do the guys motor.
3rk4u 1 year ago
I have to be careful not to preach
I can't pretend that I can teach,
And yet I've lived your future out
By pounding stages like a clown.
And on the dance floor broken glass,
The bloody faces slowly pass,
The broken seats in empty rows,
It all belongs to me you know.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>FUCK THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!<<<<<<<<<<<<<<,
MrJaybee61 1 year ago 11
love this song. beautiful
yefool 1 year ago
Greatest Rhythm section of all time!!
look at the controll Keith has with the drums! he plays them like a Lead Instrument.
he was first Drummer to play a entire songs melody on a drum set!
and the exact same for John! they were both Equally as talented. they both worked as one team! and one force!!
GrungeRocker1000 1 year ago 2
Every song on this Album is a masterpiece by itself.. As I said earlier. Townshend is a freakin' Genius and , like all Geniuses he is crazy like a horse.
Burt472 1 year ago
It's all about powerplay. The Godfather is the motivational force for the punk : Jimmy. Who is so full of anger to see he is being used. He has become the tool of a bigger man. No matter how he feels he is exercising his own will. At the time Quadrophenia the film came out (1976) punk was at its height. The album had been out since '73. There had been the Film 'The Godfather' '72. The film was a draw for many years. So the title tapped into these two disparate but compatible roles.
hoppinonabronzeleg 1 year ago
@hoppinonabronzeleg The film was out in '79. Punk wasdead!
Regards.
dominiccarter77 1 year ago
john and keith see u at the great stage in the sky
TheMoosehead147 1 year ago 2
john and keith we miss u
TheMoosehead147 1 year ago
I take it that the "Punk" are the Who at the show Jimmy's visiting, mocking the crowd for buying the image that they're selling. The "Godfather" is the older, wiser Pete who sings that he can't preach, but sees that the cliquish behavior the younger band was promoting only lead to violence. That's my take on it, anyways.
twalling 1 year ago
Beautiful drumming.
DustOnTheRoad 1 year ago 2
loved the movie
TheBeck666 1 year ago
no need to make sense..if you understand it ....you just do!!
glensar1 1 year ago
i love this song and album. i understand most of the songs but this one doesnt make full sence to me
SuperSlinkyDudeWHO96 1 year ago
if the punk represents culture than what is the godfather?
SuperSlinkyDudeWHO96 1 year ago
youve got the meaning of the song all wrong and youve got the punk and godfather parts mixed up ,you have to take the song in the context of the whole concept
reksub10 1 year ago
I love this album... my favorite by the Who.
imtxsmoke 1 year ago 2
@imtxsmoke :D ME TOO.
Koda924 1 year ago
greatest rock and roll band to walk this planet, EVER
drummerfaggot12 1 year ago
Poor Jimmy, he's all torn up because his friends, his family, his heroes are all FULL OF SHIT! Everyone is a hypocrite, everyone lies, everyone wants a piece of you. Grow up Jimmy........it's called life.
pacosuave64 1 year ago
@pacosuave64 yeah it's a good lesson. You can trust no one but yourself. Let's face it - you come alone on this world and you go alone and in the meantime you should stick to yourself.
0live0wire0 1 year ago
THE WHO !
nadasafari 1 year ago
I'm in my 40's ..what band now has lyrics (stories) like The Who Long live Rock
tomsmom4444 1 year ago
@tomsmom4444 i know im 14 and a mod too and i think this too
Mods130 1 year ago
"I'm the punk with the stu...tter".
BartA22 1 year ago
never mind it is all about the rock that ya stumbled over on your way here u moron
CaptainDuke71 1 year ago
One of my favs on Quadro. The rock sea and sand, had enough, dr jimmy cut my hair OH nevermind. ITS ALL GOOD!
AntiTraci 1 year ago
This movie is my life and so are The Who and everything Pete writes is a masterpiece ..Like Tommy Pete is The Real Messiah
cjf799 1 year ago
i went to see quadrophenia as a play it was amazing i would recommend it to any fans of the who or quadraphenia
lormesher 1 year ago
love quadrophenia the move love the album im 14 and one of my frends dads is in quadrophenia when there haveing the riuot on the beach and whene jimji jumps down in the club love quadrophenia all of it
Mods130 1 year ago
@Mods130 im 15 and love it man i love the movie and the who , its just a really good movie everything about it is amazing.Are you a mod
lormesher 1 year ago
@lormesher hi yer i am a mod when im 16 geting a scooter i need to get a new parkra my old one got setonfare in school by some dick ass boy coz he hates black people and one of my frands is jmacken and i toled him to piss of so yer he got a liter and lite it
Mods130 1 year ago
The whole album is great.
tommag82 1 year ago
Such a good song.
Have to get this album again. Someone has nicked it.
Entwistle and Moon were at the top of the games for this album.
I listened to it a lot when I was 18/19.
allyourworth 1 year ago 2
This song quotes from "My Generation," but the quotation sounds rather unintelligible when filtered on a guitar, doesn't it?
ClassicTVMan81 1 year ago
i loved seein ol Jon Binden in this film, propper cockney gangster.
Loge91 2 years ago
John Bindon had a huge cock and Princess Margaret liked nothing more than having it slapped across her chops.
t0mme1981 2 years ago
CHEEKY!
TaraTownsend 1 year ago
@t0mme1981 who is john bindon
3100merlin 1 year ago
@3100merlin: John Bindon (the actor playing the 'Godfather' in this clip) was a South London London Gangster around at the same time as the Krays. He then became an actor and associated with the 1960s aristocracy, as did the Krays. He famously holidayed on the island of Mustique with Princess Margaret. And I forget, he had a huge cock!
Check out his Wikipedia entry.
t0mme1981 1 year ago
Surely, one of the greatest rock albums ever made.
willt65 2 years ago
Miss the soundtrack version's drum intro.
MrGb1965 2 years ago
top video takes me back to the good old days.we are the mods
MrMoysey22 2 years ago
I miss Phil Daniels on Eastenders, why did they have to kill him off?!
TaraTownsend 2 years ago
Brilliant video, thank you for posting. The last frame at 4.51 is a classic 60's working-class neighbourhood with the antics to go along with it - perfect accompaniment to this track.
TaraTownsend 2 years ago
@TaraTownsend are you by any chance related to the GREAT Pete Townsend? regards from Rio, Brazil
claudiomend 1 year ago
Sorry to say no I'm not, just a surname coincidence. Greetings from Vienna to Rio - what a brilliant city Rio must be!
TaraTownsend 1 year ago
Actually he's called Pete Townshend, not Townsend.
WorldOpener 1 year ago 3
@WorldOpener its actually spelt peter GOD townshend lol
wanabsedated 1 year ago
Growing up I used to sleep to this on 8 track, over and over. It speaks volumes about that certain age, where everything you had turns to shit, and everything you have waiting for is already shit. Nowhere to turn, nothing to do, except get obliterated and rage against the machine. Thanks for posting this. I'm a teacher now, and I try to help kids with this.
knotyoutub 2 years ago 12
great song, love to crank up the bass. these lyrics mean so much more than all of the pop on the radio today.
beatleledwho 2 years ago 14
Quad is the Shit....it still rocks just as hard today...
demonsbutterfly 2 years ago 2
tru dat
Fradazzeled 2 years ago
It was the Mods Vs the Rockers at that time. A Class struggle for the streets. Vespas Vs the "Cafe Racers" motorbikes. This song exemplifies a resignation to your Lot, when he sang, "I have to be careful not to preach, I can't pretend that I can teach" still carries heavy weight with me to this day, 35 years after it was recorded. Goddamn GOOD words!
Mosparx78 2 years ago
The Seeker is an awesome song, as well.
ilovejourney1 2 years ago
I love The Who. Love quadrophenia. however, I think Tommy has the better rocking songs. Watch the woodstock version of "see me feel me" F'ng awesome! watch the flaming lips vh1 honors Tommy" medley
ilovejourney1 2 years ago 2
nah nah not ere san
mod69 2 years ago
contains such great bass work from john!!!!!!
rajbeast 2 years ago 5
favorite song off my favorite album by my favorite band
Anticrombie918 2 years ago
Amazing song.♥
MurderCityCenturyGD 2 years ago
I'm the guy in the sky
Flying high flashing eyes
No surprise I told lies
I'm the punk in the gut-ter!
I'm the new president
But I grew and I bent
Don't you know? Don't it show?
I'm the punk with the stut-ter!
That's what I call good songwriting, today's rock bands lack that.
mistersunlight 2 years ago 3
my dad thought that lyric was "i'm a popular sculptor" until he heard me sing "i'm the punk with the stutter".
modsrockershippies 2 years ago
The Who had gone on and on to their operatic effect, remained south of the Watford! Northern Soul in its ever grow gave them fond kiss goodbye. Just ask whose lasted?
mikris50 2 years ago
The "punk with a stutter" is a Mod. The studder is caused by the Pep Pills (meth) the Mods took.
THe "Godfather" is a Rocker, the 1950's gen that lived through the war and reconstruction. He is the old guard, the Mod is the new.
The Rocker is telling the Mod that they aren't anything new, the Rockers had done it all before "You see I"ve lived your future out, smashing stages like a clown."
I saw the Who in Tampa, they did the whole album. The meaning is very clear when you see it live.
josephgioielli 2 years ago 2
but isn't it also about the Who's 60s generation themselves (godfather) with prophetic vision talking to the punks who were still a few years away"
'And yet I've lived your future out
By pounding stages like a clown'
Think also about Eddie Vedders quote, sth like 'the only thing we hate about the Who is they smashed their way through the corridors of rock with so much destruction that they left almost nothing to do for future generations'
Any thoughts?
marinushj 2 years ago
I just don't see how they could have felt that way when the song was being written.
People get distracted by the work "punk." It had a long history before the sex pistols. It had always meant a low grade criminal. Not a gangster, just a punk. It was an insult. Something a rocker, who rode a big motorbike, would say to a mod, who had a little scooter. "You're just a little punk. Not a real hardcase like me" Just my take on it.
josephgioielli 2 years ago
I see your point and you may well be right that there's really nothing in this 'punk' idea of mine. But I keep wondering about the 'pounding stages like a clown' line - did rockers use to do that? it just seems to fit Pete himself so much
marinushj 2 years ago
The Who came to the "British Invasion" after the Stones and The Beatles. They had to carve out their musical identity and be as or more innovative than The Kinks or The Animals. Townshends songwriting genius gave The Who an edge and they took advantage of it. You put that together with Keith's amazing drumming, The Oz's virtuoso bass playing, and Daltrey's vocals, and you have a power rock band that overwhelmed England and the US. They had incredible competition to overcome, they did it.
dougalmac54 2 years ago
you mean the ox not the oz
jpkayfabe83 2 years ago
This is such a great album. I used to listen to it religiously when I was 18/19. Sweet memories.
matrags 2 years ago
Strange that I'm 18 now and I'm starting to listen to it religiously, haha.
tyrone199 2 years ago 5
This has been flagged as spam show
same man 18 aswell cant get enough of this song....
hoganator999 2 years ago 3
PH Moriarty & John Bindon.. Diamond geezers!
serjanus 2 years ago
blinder
swayzey 2 years ago
Hard to believe it has been 31 years since Keith Moon died.
ComfortInnBishop 2 years ago
OUTSTANDING! Thanks for posting.
73TRANSAM455 2 years ago
all of there skin are changeing colors i think they are trying to show wat a acidtrip is like lol!!!
boomernickel1178 2 years ago
Yeah especially at 0:52 haha
Robelli1717 2 years ago
real rock and roll right here
standsimo9999 2 years ago 27
@standsimo9999 ----- 2011 NY mets without oliver perez will go all the way , this song is there rally cry .
fourcups123 10 months ago
John Entwistle was a treasure.
dano1965 2 years ago 26
@dano1965 Pete said he was the Jimi Hendrix of the bass guitar :-)
Ruraljohn 1 year ago
@dano1965 i thought he was a bass player
1960unclemort 1 year ago
Brooklyn NY..1969 - 1977 this said it all
Babs5802 2 years ago
good music never die thank you pete
Keithmoon32 2 years ago 8
Long life The Who.
They will never die.
xpridex1990 2 years ago 7
Comment removed
xpridex1990 2 years ago
NICE FRED PERRY!
CasualsACAB91Oi 2 years ago 2
at 31 secs ,the main drug dealer in the film, is called john bindon,he was a gangster,torturer,murderer and lover of princess margret in real life
rockman124 2 years ago 2
I guess you know of his famouse trick with 5 pint glasses? lol
jonbert123 2 years ago
stage show at kings theatre glasgow for 1week in june
j6h9p 2 years ago
No you little rock noob that was tommy
keith moon actually came from the moon because only the moon can create something with so much raw power
HippieHairproduction 2 years ago
is this adapted as a stage show?
jnb1092 2 years ago
perfection
Sita70 2 years ago
qulaity song!!
loftyjack 2 years ago 2
This is one of my favorite songs from Quadrophenia. Man do i love The Who.
laptop322 2 years ago 3
It is about a lot of things. It is a metaphor for rock and roll, religion, parenthood, school and about any other social institution you can name.
The Godfather says he could school the punk on his own mistakes but realizes the punk will ignore him and make the same mistakes and learn the same lessons. In a last grasp of control or self delusion that he is still respected, the godfather points to the utterly worthless numbered seats in empty rows and claims it as a prize "It all...
DM1MC 2 years ago
I have to be careful not to teach, preach or give a Rocker a bloody nose! Thanks for your correct psychological insight in to the world of Quadrophenia. Pete T is a genius but mad at the same time; a great combination for creativity,
Wink Jones
windfallproductions 2 years ago
What is this song about?
rcmusic2 2 years ago
The literal meaning of it is that Jimmy goes to a concert, and feels like he's been blown off and let down by rock and roll. But, if you want to look deeper, it's about conformity, and The Who themselves. The "punk"-representing culture-is telling the "godfather" how to live, what to do, and that they are living off of each other. "breathe the air we have blown you", "only earn what we gave you", and that Townshend wields an "axe of dying nation".
red777photo 2 years ago 6
Aka, read the description. -.-
joelycolbourne 2 years ago
@rcmusic2 Best would be to look up the movie "Quardophenia" its Cult!
cyrus76hb 1 year ago
No question...best song on the entire album.
DaNoid1 2 years ago 2
They said Binden became a recluse and never acted again after being aquitted for the murder of that south london villain in 1978(Ch4 last night 9.2.09), when was Quadrophenia made?
MarkB1ngham 3 years ago
Made in '79, I think...
vinwoo84 3 years ago
it was made in 78
come out in 79
kipper309 2 years ago
Believe me he never became a recluse. He lived his life to the full and was the best cousin a person could have he was hilariously funny and could entertain a crowd as good as Billy Connelly could. Don' believe the shit that is written about his gangster days. The people who say this are trying to big themselves up. He was and always willbe a top man.RIP John. Alan
alinalderholt 2 years ago
Yes I have just read the book on John Bindon as my papa knew of him. I would have loved to have met him, he seemed like some guy! Yes he was a Top Man. RIP John. Deborah from Glasgow
deborasherry 2 years ago
Johnny Bindon had a 12 inch cock !!!!!
fattossa 3 years ago
the side this song is on is probably the best side in my opinion
minimyles2323 3 years ago
agreed
nunurox 3 years ago
my fav song from this FABULOUS album.
Wenindoubtukisscraig 3 years ago
hell yeah!!!
poemsbytom 3 years ago
You are right about Bindon killing the enforcer for the mod Cliner, but it was outside a pub. He was supposedly paid to take this guy out and he did just that, suffering a few stabs wounds of his own and taking off for Ireland to flee Scotland Yard. He was tried and acquitted for the murder with his friend the actor Bob Hoskins as a character witness. Bindon had a reputation as a real swordsmith as well, reputed to have bedded Angela Bowie as well as Princess Margaret among a few other notables.
ravenshire43 3 years ago
THX ravenshire, you again tell me something already then post a comment to say same thing lol ;-)
Cliner97 3 years ago
Bindon killed a mob enforcer in a brawl at a British Yacht club, I believe in '78. The mob's 'enforcer' got enforced. Bindon beat and stabbed the guy to death. The mob man fucked with the wrong dude. Some guys have a touch guy persona and that's all it is, but I've heard and read enough about this John Bindon character to come to the conclusion that he was the real deal and like someone else said, a real nutter.
Cliner97 3 years ago
What happened in that pub was a south london gangster got knocked out by john's mate, the south londoner then stabbed him and John joined in and got stabbed twice and he pulled out a blade from his boot and killed the man and then a couple of his pals helped him flee to ireland to go to the hospital cos of the old bill!!!!
1988MILLWALL 3 years ago
apparently John Binden..the guy jimmy bought the fake blues off (0:31) was, in real life, a bit of a nutter that had a huge shlong......
mcmaximon1 3 years ago