A misunderstood song. This song is not about Pete being gay and going after gay young boys. It is about the rough, tough kids in London when Pete was growing up.
This song is great. I remember MTV playing this back when they used to play videos. But thank God Pete Townshend didn't decide to base a rock opera around this song.
Pete wrote this song to make fun of the punk scene and Sex Pistols back in the late 70's, specifically Sid Vicous. At the time a lot of homosexuals were dressing in leather and chains, which was in direct contradiction to the "rough" image the Sex Pistols were trying to convey. He thought it was funny. I read this in an interview with Townshend way back in the 80's.
@ilovefreedom80 I'm just saying. Townshend had a lot of guts coming out about his sexuality. He is one of the greatest songwriters ever. And he wrote most of them without a collaborator. My only major criticism of Townshend's work is that The Who has done very little to add to their legacy with their many lackluster reunion tours with no new material. The next Who reunion tour and/or greatest hits package should be named "Who's Left?"
Pete was the spokesman for the young toughs growing up poor and in bad circumstances in London. "I Can't Explain" was the first of many songs to do so. The WHO were all about aggression and being pissed off at circumstances not of your own making...but having to deal with them. Pete said: "Music doesn't change the world...it helps you live IN the world." This song is Pete continuing in that direction.
@steviea427 I don't agree. Music changes the lives of ten thousands of people. The friends you make, the lovers you meet, hobby nr. 1 or even your income, ... It influences the world view of an entire generation, time after time and can mobilize them into one direction or the other. The music of the Beatles in the USSR, illlegal for many years kept the young people dreaming of a better life, and helped corrode the communist system, which finally collapsed in the eighties.
In several interviews I have read Townshend wrote this song after seeing his daughter going out on a date. The kid that came by to pick her up was basically a punk and he got the idea of writing about a "rough boy."
Love this. I was a teen when it came out and had zero idea that this was gay-themed. And now, I think it makes it only that much more brilliant & daring. Cheers Pete!
Pete and the boys from The Who are the best. No one can ever take away the fame and the fans they accumulated over the years. The Who FOREVER... Rock and Roll Will Never Die!!!!!!!
I wonder if Kenny Jones was a little worried when he was bending over the pool table and Pete Townshend was singing "Rough boy, I want to fight and kiss you?"
Pete has already admitted that he was gay... If that's his thing, then more power to him. There are so many musicians that are either bi or gay, that you'd most likely be shocked by it.
this is a great song,as for the contraversy everybody stirred up here,well my 2cents worth, petes sexuality is problamatic he himself has commented on that in past interviews and its something that is in who songs,but his issues was part of his attack on pedophilia in the 1st place,but this song is about punks being abiguous about sexuality but still trying to be "macho" and tough,but on the other hand,my policy on whether pete or anybody is gay,DONT KNOW DONT CARE,IT JUST DOESNT MATTER TO ME
-- Some people(haters) always want to bring down someone they don't like! Pete's sexuality has NO relevance here. His ability as an musician is self evident. This video sends a message-- Pete Townshend's guitar & songwritng skills are LEGEND!! Nuff said....
The chaotic violent freedom of punk rock reinvigorated Townshend, and he wrote it out in the most visceral terms possible: punk got him hard. If you can't handle that, best stay away from most of the Who's stuff. "I'm a Boy" would probably make your head explode. Speaking of which: the whole Cobain comment ruckus? With a grand total of three albums, he can go f**k himself. Oh wait... he did. Never mind.
I don't "get" the two haters... this is the official video... why the hell did they click on this for... to quote Sly and the Family, "ALL OF YOU SQUARES GO HOME!!!"
Okay, I am sure Pete is not gay. He has kids! It is just a song. I mean I am sure he wouldn't of had kids if he was gay... Townshend is not gay at all. God, Keith Moon (From The Who, RIP) would kiss roger and hug John. (That was real kinda odd.) Do you think thats gay. (Even if he was nuts.) People get a life... Pete wouldn't of never be gay, EVER!
@Shep9250 I know your comment is old, but I just wanted to say just because Pete has kids doesn't mean he couldn't be gay. Many gay men end up having kids and get married, for different reasons too. Like denial, fear or just trying to feel excepted or fit into what society considers "normal". He has admitted to fooling around with men before when he was younger, but I do agree with you, I don't think he's gay. But even if he was, would that even change your opinion of him and his music?
A lot of people who were molested as children, are drawn to a dark side, that doesn't mean they would act out on it. And I doesn't mean their sexuality is always in that deep scar in ones mind,
" I ' ve got a young girlfriend, I'm not gay. I'm not interested in men. I don't think I really have been. I've had a high sex drive all my life, which has actually been difficult sometimes to reconcile with some of my spiritual aspirations, which are just like a monk, I suppose." - TOWNSHEND
I was watching and listening to this back in the earl 80's when most of you morons were still riding your trikes!!! You were more than likely jamming to Queen now all of a sudden OMG Townsend's gay!!! Grow Up!!
Why do so many people think of sexuality as a black/white issue? Sexuality is fluid and multidimensional, and I think the only people who don't realize this are either a - insecure about it or b- really and truly 100% straight and/or gay - but I honestly think this is quite rare. Anyway, having a wife and kids really doesn't tell us much about a person's sexuality.
@caleb462 yeah i agree , he has said he had gay encounters when he was younger but the main thing is he has written some of the best songs of all time and is a legend ..so what if he likes a jumbo sausage now and then when he gets bored of some cod !!
A police sergeant arrested Glitter when he returned to collect his computer.
An initial examination of the computer revealed that it stored "the most appalling images" of very young children engaged in most humiliating sexual acts, said the QC.More than 4,000 such images, mostly of young girls but many of young boys, were found.Mr Royce said they showed "very young children, some appeared as young as two, in the main ranging from three, four, five and six up to possibly about nine or 10
Empty Glass is a ****ing fantastic album. I disagree that this would make a better Who album than Face Dances though. I just can't imagine Roger singing this song, Let My Love Open the Door or Keep On Working.
Pete really lost his mind when Nirvana came out. Kurt was the epitome of what the Who wanted to be, and Pete was crushed when Kurt said, "I hope I die before I turn into Pete Townsend". Really did a number on him, crushed him. He was quite bitter at Kurt after that, not sure if he ever recovered.
@BombJapan Well good thing Kurt was misrably wrong. Overrated suicidal early 90s shit music. If i was Pete i would have responded : Oh well, im glad im not Kurt, the killer of 80s glam rock and himself.
I remember the first time rocking out to this song and singing along "Rough boys come over here,I want to hug and ki. . . what?!" After that I stopped singing to it and just let Pete do the lyrics. lol
One of the hardest songs ever written without really trying to be a hard song. (Oh and yes I do see the pun there,so no comments on that needed.) lol
Pete was exonerated for pedophilia. They checked all his computers and found no evidence of pedophilia unlike gary glitter. He informed the police about a pedophile web site that he was trying to close down. He informed the police before he went on the website to try to gather evidence. The police forgot about it. Police later admitted they screwed up. Unfortunately the news media never mentions people being exonerated for crimes they were accused of.
The level of word play in this song didn't merely cross the line of what my mind could comprehend. It shattered the line into millions of microscopic fragments, and then desecrated the remains.
I think he played this song live w/the Who not long ago. Who's the brother in his 80's solo band (I think he's in the video here)? Is that Daryl Jones who now tours w/the Stones? Or is that Big Country's Tony Butler?
He was simply creating tension with the lyrics. It's got nothing to do with sex at all gay or otherwise. People nowadays are not used to this kind of word-play because the corporate music industry and radio discourage it in the interest of homogenization.
Pete's sexuality is only part of the song. I's about his relationship to the "punks" of that era and his relationship to himself -- seeing himself in them as well as his elder statesman role -- and his own "bitter mind." I'm not trying to diss anyone but to slough this off as "gay" really misses the point, alhtough I understand that aspect of it.
A powerful song, one of his best, and a great video.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Sounds like a confession Pete's a f-f-f-f-f--, uh that is
a qu-qu-qu--, I mean a p-p-p-p-p--.Okay, limp-wristed(offstage)!
Pete did admit in an interview years ago he'd "led a gay life",which I guess meant he'd led a bi-life.He also said "I know what it's like to be a woman because I AM a woman".Oh, "Petra"! But in later interviews he's tried to deny he ever had a gay/bi history!Sorry Pete,but we have your interview&song confessions where you make the truth all too clear,even detailed! F-F-F--!
@Bobjb999 Well done genius. This detracts from his music how? Do I need to send you some of his stuff? How about a copy of White City? You sound like you can't open your closet door.
Never said I dislike Pete's songs,guitar playing,or singing.I love lots of his music.Along with ('60s) Bob Dylan (but I don't include born-again-Bob),Pete, among other virtues,is gifted as a rare writer of compelling songs about spirituality/mysticism.
I just think Pete's inconsistent confessions&claims re. his sexuality are puzzling & worth poking a little fun at.!Admittedly, it's a trivial side issue,but where else would it be apropos to bring it up than in a comments thread for this song?
Great way to get the shit kicked outta yourself in about 10 seconds: take an electric guitar into a pool hall and pretend to be playing it while walking around and hassling all the players.
Man, I remember this song on MTV in the early days of the station, brings back some memories. Its so sad that music today is no where near this good despite a rich history to build on. Pete had a great run in the 80s with his solo stuff.
Just figured this tune out on my trusty Tele. with all the rising string section inversions at the end. ( i like to be thorough.) Then I called my buddy who's a Who fanatic and played it on his voicemail. Bet he'll get a real kick out of it. I sure as hell did rockin it into the phone!
Pete's sound. lyric's and on n off stage antics are the best! Talented or gifted just scratches the surface of what this man is. Long live Pete............
When this came out, I was familiar with Elton John of course, wasn't really aware of homosexuality in music, I just knew it was somewhat bothersome for me, being raised a Christian but loving Rock Music just the same. Now we know Pete had some tough issues involving sexual abuse growing up, the song explores the "fronts" people put on, that Tough exterior typically is not all that there is to the person, and the tune SQUARE ON ROCKS regardless! Empty Glass is a great LP, and yeah, I bought it.
He is brillant ..however about two years he was busted with male kiddie porn and was swept under the table ...I don't care what you obama butt kisser say .A pedifile is a piece of crap ... defend that, you liberals! Defend an action and that means you agree with it!
He is brillant ..however about two years he was busted with male kiddie porn and was swept under the table ...I don't care what you obama ass kisser say .A pedifile is a piece of crap ... defend that, you liberals! Defend an action and that means you agree with it!
He is brillant ..however about two years he was busted with male kiddie porn and was swept under the table ...I don't care what you obama ass kisser say .A pedifile is a piece of shit ... defend that, you liberals! Defend an action and that means you agree with it!
@blairdmoyers I'm a democrat and don't defend any pedohpiles(I even spelled it correctly!) so maybe you should direct your anger towards an actual PEDOPHILE, see correct spelling and an honest opinion..wow. You must be one of those dumb Tea Baggers.
I knew this song form Queer As Folk season three episode nine's ending theme... I love this song the first time I heard this song... It sound facinating...
@markyarsenal i know, theyre doing covers of 2 other songs too, "postcards from paradise" and "catch me now im falling", one of them is pre order exclusive, i just downloaded them today, i preorded the cd, i love the cd and the covers, theyre awesome, i love the goo goo dolls! :)
@markyarsenal ETA: the cd came yesterday, it said on the website they ship it so it arrives on or around the release date, so it arrived yesterday afternoon, i already imported the cd into itunes, its awesome, i love the goo goo dolls :)
Kurt Cobain - 'i dont wanna be like Pete townsend when i am 40 years old'.. He had a point
lovewhitsnikkers 5 days ago
dirty faggots
LesIieVanHouten 1 week ago
the point of an artist creation is to provoke a reaction...Townshend has always had that ability..when we are all long gone,he will be remembered.
kmars21 1 week ago
This VIDEO should have been used as evidence when they charged him for being a child molester-wannabe.
treid100182 1 week ago
A misunderstood song. This song is not about Pete being gay and going after gay young boys. It is about the rough, tough kids in London when Pete was growing up.
shelleyinthecity 1 week ago
get that! go pete!
peaceupondeath 3 weeks ago in playlist Liked videos
love it! love it! music theses days doesn't come close!
noodledwarf 4 weeks ago
This song is great. I remember MTV playing this back when they used to play videos. But thank God Pete Townshend didn't decide to base a rock opera around this song.
Jefgg 1 month ago
"I wanna fight and kiss you.. I wanna see what I can find." I had no idea when this was a hit about what it was about. Now I know. ; )
kennedy78757 1 month ago
HEY PETE I'LL BE YOUR SEX PISTOL
peaceupondeath 1 month ago in playlist Liked videos
I can't believe how old Townsend looks now. Daultry looks half the age of everyone else in the band.
abergethirty 1 month ago
31-32 years later this song still ... still stands!
EasilyWowed 1 month ago
So fucking good.
TheRealBozz 1 month ago in playlist Bozz's Greatest Hits
cheap and nasty mods in this video....
lolcrumo 1 month ago
Pete wrote this song to make fun of the punk scene and Sex Pistols back in the late 70's, specifically Sid Vicous. At the time a lot of homosexuals were dressing in leather and chains, which was in direct contradiction to the "rough" image the Sex Pistols were trying to convey. He thought it was funny. I read this in an interview with Townshend way back in the 80's.
raytant 2 months ago
What a great guitar solo!! So Pete. Fuck all the sex talk..this guy is a guitar player!
peanutavalon 2 months ago 4
Song was about the "Sex Pistols".
hamtrak 2 months ago
I think this was the first major hint that Pete Townshend is a poofta.
Jefgg 2 months ago
@Jefgg WHO CARES! I'm a straight woman and I think it's fucking HOT. Stupid PRUDES
ilovefreedom80 2 months ago 3
@ilovefreedom80 I'm just saying. Townshend had a lot of guts coming out about his sexuality. He is one of the greatest songwriters ever. And he wrote most of them without a collaborator. My only major criticism of Townshend's work is that The Who has done very little to add to their legacy with their many lackluster reunion tours with no new material. The next Who reunion tour and/or greatest hits package should be named "Who's Left?"
Jefgg 2 months ago
4 tough boys don't want Pete to bite & kiss them.
Fools.
kyouell 2 months ago 2
00:15 Pete gives the random finger.
Every song written by anyone has huge innuendos. (spelling?)
So take it any way ya wanna.
ridgeback69z 2 months ago
@ridgeback69z i saw that also!
mrjohnnyboy65 2 months ago
gay
kjmcm98 3 months ago
Pete has this angry energy when he plays guitar, it's great. So explosive. I love him.
DizziNY1 3 months ago in playlist More videos from Ryder276
@DizziNY1 Guys like Hendrix made love to the guitar , Pete fucks it.
AngusShanks 2 months ago 6
Comment removed
DizziNY1 3 months ago in playlist More videos from Ryder276
Townshends voice is so much better than daltrey's. just saying.
Evan42881 3 months ago
@Evan42881 I love Pete's voice. Much better that Roger's imo.
DizziNY1 3 months ago in playlist More videos from Ryder276
@HerbertWestIII Who cares when Nugent's music is a joke in comparison?
pgoindi 3 months ago
This was back when you could smoke in bars and pool halls LOL
UberKrispy 3 months ago 3
regardless of you sexuality, this video still rocks!
mottthehoople684 3 months ago
everybody is bisexual when the right person comes along..
joeblowthehot 3 months ago 4
Pete was the spokesman for the young toughs growing up poor and in bad circumstances in London. "I Can't Explain" was the first of many songs to do so. The WHO were all about aggression and being pissed off at circumstances not of your own making...but having to deal with them. Pete said: "Music doesn't change the world...it helps you live IN the world." This song is Pete continuing in that direction.
steviea427 4 months ago in playlist COOL 80's MUSIC 10
@steviea427 I don't agree. Music changes the lives of ten thousands of people. The friends you make, the lovers you meet, hobby nr. 1 or even your income, ... It influences the world view of an entire generation, time after time and can mobilize them into one direction or the other. The music of the Beatles in the USSR, illlegal for many years kept the young people dreaming of a better life, and helped corrode the communist system, which finally collapsed in the eighties.
Gordy1201998 1 month ago
Lyrics are lame.
platton123 4 months ago
Masterpiece!
What a kick-ass song after all these years -- damn!!!
Margaux177 4 months ago 4
In several interviews I have read Townshend wrote this song after seeing his daughter going out on a date. The kid that came by to pick her up was basically a punk and he got the idea of writing about a "rough boy."
EV1472002 4 months ago
Perfect music to teach American soldier boys how to completely fuck up English chumps on the street. I WANT TO SEE WHAT I CAN FIND!!!
tomthefunky 4 months ago
just rock out to the tunes if he is a poo hacker so be it who cares about peoples private lives he just better not be a ped or see you in hell pete
mike300406 4 months ago
Love this. I was a teen when it came out and had zero idea that this was gay-themed. And now, I think it makes it only that much more brilliant & daring. Cheers Pete!
vidiot9 4 months ago 2
This song was dedicated to Pete Townshend's, at that time, young sons who he loved and adored. Hence the "I wanna bite and kiss you" part.
kixxxter 5 months ago
Pete and the boys from The Who are the best. No one can ever take away the fame and the fans they accumulated over the years. The Who FOREVER... Rock and Roll Will Never Die!!!!!!!
setto69 6 months ago 4
BAD ASS JAM!!!
lopro091 6 months ago
it's "BITE and kiss you."
Roboburger 6 months ago
I wonder if Kenny Jones was a little worried when he was bending over the pool table and Pete Townshend was singing "Rough boy, I want to fight and kiss you?"
MrDukemeister 6 months ago
The original bronies. Hail Pete!
hailbot666 6 months ago
Was This his "coming out" song I wonder?
shumpie63 6 months ago
@shumpie63 yes
pjsbulldog67 6 months ago
good song, had no idea all these years that it was homo-erotic
SanaOvaisKhan 7 months ago
Despite what anybody says, GREAT Rock and Roll song..
hudooguru 7 months ago
whew... that was a close one..
joeblowthehot 7 months ago
what a song!
slowhand6565 7 months ago
Pete has already admitted that he was gay... If that's his thing, then more power to him. There are so many musicians that are either bi or gay, that you'd most likely be shocked by it.
aorphia 7 months ago
this is a great song,as for the contraversy everybody stirred up here,well my 2cents worth, petes sexuality is problamatic he himself has commented on that in past interviews and its something that is in who songs,but his issues was part of his attack on pedophilia in the 1st place,but this song is about punks being abiguous about sexuality but still trying to be "macho" and tough,but on the other hand,my policy on whether pete or anybody is gay,DONT KNOW DONT CARE,IT JUST DOESNT MATTER TO ME
fraterlucifer888 7 months ago
Pete was the original and first punk.
Mods, Rockers, Teds, Rude Boys... all of them were punks.
GREAT VIDEO!
TheBaconheart 7 months ago
-- Some people(haters) always want to bring down someone they don't like! Pete's sexuality has NO relevance here. His ability as an musician is self evident. This video sends a message-- Pete Townshend's guitar & songwritng skills are LEGEND!! Nuff said....
63weezer 7 months ago
@63weezer Although what you said doesn't need any backing, I'm gonna back it anyway: Townshend rocks, always has, always will, nothing else matters.
QuiltedPine 6 months ago 3
The chaotic violent freedom of punk rock reinvigorated Townshend, and he wrote it out in the most visceral terms possible: punk got him hard. If you can't handle that, best stay away from most of the Who's stuff. "I'm a Boy" would probably make your head explode. Speaking of which: the whole Cobain comment ruckus? With a grand total of three albums, he can go f**k himself. Oh wait... he did. Never mind.
mrosskelso 7 months ago
unfreakin real song and video...they don't write them like this anymore...
afterthefox 8 months ago
I don't "get" the two haters... this is the official video... why the hell did they click on this for... to quote Sly and the Family, "ALL OF YOU SQUARES GO HOME!!!"
diamondsammy12 8 months ago
Okay, I am sure Pete is not gay. He has kids! It is just a song. I mean I am sure he wouldn't of had kids if he was gay... Townshend is not gay at all. God, Keith Moon (From The Who, RIP) would kiss roger and hug John. (That was real kinda odd.) Do you think thats gay. (Even if he was nuts.) People get a life... Pete wouldn't of never be gay, EVER!
Shep9250 8 months ago
@Shep9250 I know your comment is old, but I just wanted to say just because Pete has kids doesn't mean he couldn't be gay. Many gay men end up having kids and get married, for different reasons too. Like denial, fear or just trying to feel excepted or fit into what society considers "normal". He has admitted to fooling around with men before when he was younger, but I do agree with you, I don't think he's gay. But even if he was, would that even change your opinion of him and his music?
louisBdemented 5 months ago
great song period
toodazegone1965 8 months ago
Butt-burglar. This is what K Cobain meant when he said 'hope I die before I turn into P townshend" -good song though
7mikethebike 8 months ago
A lot of people who were molested as children, are drawn to a dark side, that doesn't mean they would act out on it. And I doesn't mean their sexuality is always in that deep scar in ones mind,
TheGB1950 9 months ago
no, no, this is pete's explosive coming out song
discokidx1 9 months ago
" I ' ve got a young girlfriend, I'm not gay. I'm not interested in men. I don't think I really have been. I've had a high sex drive all my life, which has actually been difficult sometimes to reconcile with some of my spiritual aspirations, which are just like a monk, I suppose." - TOWNSHEND
bensimps123 9 months ago
I was watching and listening to this back in the earl 80's when most of you morons were still riding your trikes!!! You were more than likely jamming to Queen now all of a sudden OMG Townsend's gay!!! Grow Up!!
Hwood1959 9 months ago
Who cares if he's gay???
Hwood1959 9 months ago
@Hwood1959 i doubt he is gay , what with having couple of wifes and kids
bensimps123 9 months ago
Why do so many people think of sexuality as a black/white issue? Sexuality is fluid and multidimensional, and I think the only people who don't realize this are either a - insecure about it or b- really and truly 100% straight and/or gay - but I honestly think this is quite rare. Anyway, having a wife and kids really doesn't tell us much about a person's sexuality.
caleb462 9 months ago 16
@caleb462 yeah i agree , he has said he had gay encounters when he was younger but the main thing is he has written some of the best songs of all time and is a legend ..so what if he likes a jumbo sausage now and then when he gets bored of some cod !!
bensimps123 9 months ago 2
@caleb462 You sound like a fag.
orpheusband 4 weeks ago
So Pete might want to suck a dick? Who the fuck cares? He's a fantastic musician and artist! I could care less about his sexuality. This song ROCKS!
skippertee1 9 months ago 2
@skippertee1 yo, skip . . . just a suggestion, really;
The next time you say, "I could care less."
Be even better by saying, "I could NOT care less!
And what is your argument anyway? I f you could only read half as good as you could write you might've noticed a l'il statement by yours truly:
GREAT SONG NEVERTHELESS . . .
damn
muzikkraz 8 months ago
This song takes down names and kick asses superhard.
MegaPoone 10 months ago
I've enjoyed Pete's solo efforts but the I wanna fight and kiss you disturbs me a li'l bit..
Great song nevertheless.
muzikkraz 10 months ago
@muzikkraz kinda sounds like he's coming out of the closet
cocoadelete 10 months ago
@muzikkraz I always thought he was speaking symbolically, not physically.
TheGB1950 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
A police sergeant arrested Glitter when he returned to collect his computer.
An initial examination of the computer revealed that it stored "the most appalling images" of very young children engaged in most humiliating sexual acts, said the QC.More than 4,000 such images, mostly of young girls but many of young boys, were found.Mr Royce said they showed "very young children, some appeared as young as two, in the main ranging from three, four, five and six up to possibly about nine or 10
mesmerizeme 10 months ago
Empty Glass is a ****ing fantastic album. I disagree that this would make a better Who album than Face Dances though. I just can't imagine Roger singing this song, Let My Love Open the Door or Keep On Working.
GuyWithNoName67 10 months ago
Great song. Thanks for posting.
diamonddv1028 11 months ago
Pete really lost his mind when Nirvana came out. Kurt was the epitome of what the Who wanted to be, and Pete was crushed when Kurt said, "I hope I die before I turn into Pete Townsend". Really did a number on him, crushed him. He was quite bitter at Kurt after that, not sure if he ever recovered.
BombJapan 11 months ago
@BombJapan Well good thing Kurt was misrably wrong. Overrated suicidal early 90s shit music. If i was Pete i would have responded : Oh well, im glad im not Kurt, the killer of 80s glam rock and himself.
TheMasterOfSounds 11 months ago
@BombJapan yeah, you're an idiot
mikedgravity 10 months ago
@BombJapan I always felt it was Green Day who wanted to be The Who.
psychill22 10 months ago
I remember the first time rocking out to this song and singing along "Rough boys come over here,I want to hug and ki. . . what?!" After that I stopped singing to it and just let Pete do the lyrics. lol
One of the hardest songs ever written without really trying to be a hard song. (Oh and yes I do see the pun there,so no comments on that needed.) lol
CliftonPhotographer 11 months ago 3
high school parties were not complete without a few tunes from empty glass. love this vid!
georgeshrub 11 months ago
Fag or not? Pete is all boy.......True artist.
TheGravygun 11 months ago
i bet Roger's glad he didn't have to sing THIS one
otonkonushi 1 year ago
i bet Roger's glad he didn't have to sing THIS one
otonkonushi 1 year ago
Homosexual song. Pete's sexuality... yeah yeah
WHO cares? Listen to him chop on that Tele!
tommyrock69 1 year ago
Pete at his best. No other rock singer dared to open his personal life with a song. God bless him.
nybrutus 1 year ago
I had no idea this song was gay when it came out lol
itzjoeymac 1 year ago
good ass rock and roll song....................the Who survives without Pete..Imagine that
Lindseyup67 1 year ago
pete is a badass and this song kick's ass
5150zac 1 year ago 2
These lyrics have enough suggestive imagery to please any lurid mind...LOL!
cythera431 1 year ago
Wish I was mod...fuck with the Rockers and steal their bikes.
TheStutteringPrick 1 year ago 2
edgie song
batfrend 1 year ago
Pete was exonerated for pedophilia. They checked all his computers and found no evidence of pedophilia unlike gary glitter. He informed the police about a pedophile web site that he was trying to close down. He informed the police before he went on the website to try to gather evidence. The police forgot about it. Police later admitted they screwed up. Unfortunately the news media never mentions people being exonerated for crimes they were accused of.
dwati7 1 year ago 34
The level of word play in this song didn't merely cross the line of what my mind could comprehend. It shattered the line into millions of microscopic fragments, and then desecrated the remains.
stasgard 1 year ago 2
Pete is the Best !!!!
hockeyzan 1 year ago
I think he played this song live w/the Who not long ago. Who's the brother in his 80's solo band (I think he's in the video here)? Is that Daryl Jones who now tours w/the Stones? Or is that Big Country's Tony Butler?
bucky468 1 year ago
is his son?
ilikeyouallot 1 year ago
It's about him feeling himself to be the father of the Punk rockers, idiots. Listen.
markstbr 1 year ago 3
And he is indeed.
eil33nann 1 year ago
It's about him feeling himslef to be the father of the Punk rockers, idiots. Listen.
markstbr 1 year ago
@markstbr while th lyrics r kinda sugestive i'm inclined 2 agree wth u
batfrend 1 year ago
If nothing else Pete is one talented degenerate.
puckerfactor1 1 year ago
He was simply creating tension with the lyrics. It's got nothing to do with sex at all gay or otherwise. People nowadays are not used to this kind of word-play because the corporate music industry and radio discourage it in the interest of homogenization.
bookerdann 1 year ago
GREAT TUNE
amcanmike 1 year ago
Wow, our generation and we still are talking about his sexual preferences? Who gives a shit, he is a rock and roll God!
aarond63 1 year ago 3
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aarond63 1 year ago
you are a TWAT.
zimelectric 1 year ago
AMAZING SONG EVEN AFTER ALL OF THESE YEARS !!!!!
D123B123 1 year ago
forget the "influence", this song is one of the few that really kicks ass over and over and will continue 40 years from now
MultiGubgub 1 year ago
Pete's sexuality is only part of the song. I's about his relationship to the "punks" of that era and his relationship to himself -- seeing himself in them as well as his elder statesman role -- and his own "bitter mind." I'm not trying to diss anyone but to slough this off as "gay" really misses the point, alhtough I understand that aspect of it.
A powerful song, one of his best, and a great video.
MisterMojoSinkin 1 year ago 40
@MisterMojoSinkin you said it like it is,,,thanks
jdu6 11 months ago
@MisterMojoSinkin. well said.
eeedeebee 10 months ago
@MisterMojoSinkin hes a pedo
oiyabastard 4 months ago
@oiyabastard You're ignorant and wrong. He was researching for a piece he wrote. Quit trolling.
vidiot9 4 months ago
Pete....wow, awesome.
koestenbraumstar 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Sounds like a confession Pete's a f-f-f-f-f--, uh that is
a qu-qu-qu--, I mean a p-p-p-p-p--.Okay, limp-wristed(offstage)!
Pete did admit in an interview years ago he'd "led a gay life",which I guess meant he'd led a bi-life.He also said "I know what it's like to be a woman because I AM a woman".Oh, "Petra"! But in later interviews he's tried to deny he ever had a gay/bi history!Sorry Pete,but we have your interview&song confessions where you make the truth all too clear,even detailed! F-F-F--!
Bobjb999 1 year ago
@Bobjb999 Well done genius. This detracts from his music how? Do I need to send you some of his stuff? How about a copy of White City? You sound like you can't open your closet door.
RayD8or1 1 year ago
Never said I dislike Pete's songs,guitar playing,or singing.I love lots of his music.Along with ('60s) Bob Dylan (but I don't include born-again-Bob),Pete, among other virtues,is gifted as a rare writer of compelling songs about spirituality/mysticism.
I just think Pete's inconsistent confessions&claims re. his sexuality are puzzling & worth poking a little fun at.!Admittedly, it's a trivial side issue,but where else would it be apropos to bring it up than in a comments thread for this song?
Bobjb999 1 year ago
Great way to get the shit kicked outta yourself in about 10 seconds: take an electric guitar into a pool hall and pretend to be playing it while walking around and hassling all the players.
gorillabelly1 1 year ago
Quadrophenia continued; the Real Me revisited.
oldboyross 1 year ago 2
Pete's awesome, but this song is seriously gay!
NightBlazer37 1 year ago
I wonder if ROUGH BOYS was the CHILD PORNO Pete got busted for looking up on the internet years ago, lol!?
2JOHNNYT 1 year ago
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5150zac 1 year ago
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5150zac 1 year ago
the song just grabs you by the balls.
MegaPoone 1 year ago
This is such a Terrific, exuberant song, we can all overlook the fact that it is about cruising for male meat....
amcelt60 1 year ago
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jgyll8mt 1 year ago
Yeah Pete Sing...open our minds, we are not what we seem, but we at times are what we dream, yet fail
steele917 1 year ago
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What a Fucking Faggot! The Yardbirds were better.
Northernrebel666 1 year ago
Man, I remember this song on MTV in the early days of the station, brings back some memories. Its so sad that music today is no where near this good despite a rich history to build on. Pete had a great run in the 80s with his solo stuff.
ViciousAlienKlown 1 year ago 2
Empty Glass is a great album, better than the crap The Who realeased in the 80s!This album should have been a who Album!
JoeGuitarCenter 1 year ago
Just figured this tune out on my trusty Tele. with all the rising string section inversions at the end. ( i like to be thorough.) Then I called my buddy who's a Who fanatic and played it on his voicemail. Bet he'll get a real kick out of it. I sure as hell did rockin it into the phone!
RubHerSoul1 1 year ago
Pete's sound. lyric's and on n off stage antics are the best! Talented or gifted just scratches the surface of what this man is. Long live Pete............
ldrobarts 1 year ago
When this came out, I was familiar with Elton John of course, wasn't really aware of homosexuality in music, I just knew it was somewhat bothersome for me, being raised a Christian but loving Rock Music just the same. Now we know Pete had some tough issues involving sexual abuse growing up, the song explores the "fronts" people put on, that Tough exterior typically is not all that there is to the person, and the tune SQUARE ON ROCKS regardless! Empty Glass is a great LP, and yeah, I bought it.
MetallicBill 1 year ago
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5150zac 1 year ago
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He is brillant ..however about two years he was busted with male kiddie porn and was swept under the table ...I don't care what you obama butt kisser say .A pedifile is a piece of crap ... defend that, you liberals! Defend an action and that means you agree with it!
blairdmoyers 1 year ago
He is brillant ..however about two years he was busted with male kiddie porn and was swept under the table ...I don't care what you obama ass kisser say .A pedifile is a piece of crap ... defend that, you liberals! Defend an action and that means you agree with it!
blairdmoyers 1 year ago
@blairdmoyers read this from Fox news foxnews com/story/0,2933,75414,00 html replace spaces with dots (they kind of offer a defense for townshend
StylinRed 1 year ago
@blairdmoyers Learn to spell and use correct grammar first, you illiterate fuck.
rajbeast 1 year ago
He is brillant ..however about two years he was busted with male kiddie porn and was swept under the table ...I don't care what you obama ass kisser say .A pedifile is a piece of shit ... defend that, you liberals! Defend an action and that means you agree with it!
blairdmoyers 1 year ago
@blairdmoyers I'm a democrat and don't defend any pedohpiles(I even spelled it correctly!) so maybe you should direct your anger towards an actual PEDOPHILE, see correct spelling and an honest opinion..wow. You must be one of those dumb Tea Baggers.
ViciousAlienKlown 1 year ago
@ViciousAlienKlown He is.
rajbeast 1 year ago
I knew this song form Queer As Folk season three episode nine's ending theme... I love this song the first time I heard this song... It sound facinating...
warabutihum 1 year ago
Pete is a god!!!!!
6foothero 1 year ago
Pete is the Fucken MAN!!
Chicagoclee 1 year ago
PETE WORKING ON ALL LEVELS
Deep, thought provoking, satirical, fast and rockin! He can switch gears and make it all fit.
REAL MUSIC REAL ARTIST
GunGemini 1 year ago
when this came out, i did not think mr. T could outdo this piece of work.
Mrdianalynn 1 year ago
Pete Townshend getting away with homo eroticism before it was cool.
Uraniabce 1 year ago
@Uraniabce the signs were there!!
TheTzdope 1 year ago
your bitter mind!!!
davo2003hd 1 year ago
This is such an awesome song, especially the climactic brass bit at the end. Pete's solo stuff is bloody quality.
adam872 1 year ago 3
pete makes teles cool
surfinjohnnyq 1 year ago
kool the original vid.....klassik!!!!!!!
fluffydolly 1 year ago
You can't beat Pete!! Pete can't be beat!!!
dersh65 1 year ago 2
Oh Pete, I wanna buy you leather................
apollowoman 1 year ago 21
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5150zac 1 year ago
@apollowoman I'm straight...and I too wanna buy Pete leather.
lakeguild 1 year ago 2
I always wondered why he didn't use this in a Who album.
PupuTheClown 1 year ago 2
goo goo dolls are doing a cover for this =]
markyarsenal 1 year ago
@markyarsenal i know, theyre doing covers of 2 other songs too, "postcards from paradise" and "catch me now im falling", one of them is pre order exclusive, i just downloaded them today, i preorded the cd, i love the cd and the covers, theyre awesome, i love the goo goo dolls! :)
KDOGG331 1 year ago
@markyarsenal ETA: the cd came yesterday, it said on the website they ship it so it arrives on or around the release date, so it arrived yesterday afternoon, i already imported the cd into itunes, its awesome, i love the goo goo dolls :)
KDOGG331 1 year ago
a lyrics site says "bitter mind," but "your bed or mine" works.
brandys2 1 year ago
@brandys2 I always thought it was "bitter mind" too
Jeannified 1 year ago