However Much I Booze - The Who

[sidedoorjohnny]

That has to be one of the coolest album covers of all time. 

[clifbuel]

Nothing like being a well F**ked Sailor.Quote Pete Townshend. Great song none the less!!!!

[Frankiarmz]

Listening to these great songs reminds me that I forgot to remember all these fine tunes of my youth.

[GreenhouseEffectGE]

When I first heard this album when i was like 15 in 1980,..i hated it,...then in 1982, i heard it being played by Uncle Joe Bensen at Klos Los Angeles Seventh Day at 17 and the unhappy cold lyrics of this entire record moved me so much that this album became by far my favorite Who album ,... the misery in this album is even more chilling and ominous than Quadrophenia,......"Who by numbers' is the Who's BEST ALBUM ! and Pete's guitar on it is amazing !

[juan13579run]

men pete is really underrated....one of the best guitarrist of all time but he work in the songs are just amazing

[Pawlzee]

songgod 40 .fuck you.

[777jonah888]

My favorite song on this LP.......Classic!!

[songgod40]

How come the radio stations don't play cool songs like this anymore?

[777jonah888]

@songgod40

Because they suck!!........;-)

[BuddyT]

A strange Who album for sure. This song is the best to come out of it. The rest are bizarre as far as Who album standards but yet still great? Does anyone else out there know what I'm sayng? What an odd Who album.

[posstockhoarder]

@BuddyT

Hope this doesn't post twice (got zapped the first time). I love this Who album. A lost gem (except to a few fans).

[777jonah888]

@BuddyT

I know EXACTLY what your saying!! From the freaky connect the dots LP cover by Entwistle to the bizarre mix of tunes. This LP should have been called Odds and Sods? I just stared at it the first time I saw it at Music World and didnt know what to think of it on first listening. Second was the charm and it has been close to my heart ever since...

[matco24]

@BuddyT good music is good music

[455Transam]

@BuddyT I think there's a lot of good tunes on this album. "Slip Kid" one of my favs. "Squeeze Box", "Dreaming from the Waist", This tune ect.......not sure what you mean by "strange album"??

[DanielJ919]

@BuddyT Strange? ....Different for the Who...It's Pete stretching out thats all....it's kinda like my favorite Van Halen album... Diver Down.....totally different from what they were doing but great....

[BuddyT]

Greatest Pete voice song.

[ThaKunzlermichael]

A theme from 1964 on thrue 1978 in the who's music

star and fan are one

[777jonah888]

@ThaKunzlermichael

'It's the singer not the song,

That makes the music move along,

I want you to join together with the band,

This is the biggest band you'll find,

It's as deep as it is wide,

Come on and join together with the band '.....so true and nicely said.

[BleekerSoL]

Pete's voice is majestic on this track.

[Skaternick911]

Bijou Drains is a genius of rock. Everything he writes is pure gold. I'm glad he's still here. ( even though this song is clearly about suicide).

[MilSepic60]

Townsend, brilliant as he is most of the time. I still wish he'd go back and just complete Lifehouse the way it should have been. After all, Brian Wilson did finally get out Smile so why not re-visit the concept.

Thanks for the posting Seeker.

[dizzyisme]

I love The Who, but I feel like I'm one of the few people who likes them more than The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. To be honest I'm not a fan of The Beatles or Stones at all. But that's off topic... this song is awesome :)

[evilemperordude]

@dizzyisme I like the Beatles and the Stones, but I like The Who more.

[455Transam]

@evilemperordude The WHO were a "deeper" band and Townshend wrote mote complex tunes.......The Beatles really broke ground but THE STONES to me were always REALLY overrated and compared to The Who not nearly as talented at any position (Drums,Vocals, Bass and writer/Lead Guitar)

[VinylShellacLover]

Since it's not one of their best albums, it is, by definition, underrated. Still very good.

[jnmud]

@VinylShellacLover politely disagree. Love this album start to finish. 

[massiveham]

it's all here on the vinyl.......pete, thank you

[joeypolanski]

Few will agree with my opinion that this (By Numbers) was The Who's greatest album.

[zerotolerance4u]

@joeypolanski That is a pretty tall order but I played the hell out of it when it came out. Great studio work!

[MyCasper4]

@joeypolanski how can you differentiate? to many great albums to choose from! Who's Next is touted by many as the best but I struggle to actually say thats better or this one is it! fantastic all I say!!

[joeypolanski]

@MyCasper4 I hear ya. And I hate having to argue AGAINST any Who album, as The Who was a R&R MARVEL from beginning to end. But BY NUMBERS exhibits a MATURITY that was not seen before or since. Who's Next had its 3 outstanding songs, but had a few forgettables as well; and Who Are You got way too heavy into synthesizers. BY NUMBERS, I'd argue, was a tour-de-force--not to mention Daltrey at his absolute BEST, vocally. But to you saying it's impossible to select a BEST Who album, I say "I HEAR YA!"

[Lexcoaster]

@joeypolanski Who's Next has NO forgettables. Every song emulates power, passion en energy.

During this album, Pete, who wrote the songs, was going through a tough depression. Theme wise, that's what makes this album more mature than their early 60's stuff for e.g.

[cbellomy]

and the night comes down like a cell door closing  *sigh*

[cbellomy]

and the night comes down like a cell door closing  *sigh*

[pbrick6301]

greetings from north korea and we down are to this new music. hey now get of this homeboy. rock and roll rock and roll.

[rj689]

the who sell out, quadrophenia are my favorite who albums but this was also a great

[selenajezewskihill]

my favorite who album by far and thats a hard call, theyre all great! goosebumps everytime i hear this song

[DAVINOENTERPRISES]

"i just can't face my failure, I'm nothing but a well fucked sailor."

This may well be at the pinnacle of Townshend's verbiosity.

[carmaj156]

TOTALLY UNDERRATED album. I hate when people demands always the same from an artist and if he/they get out of the track for a little then they claim they suck. This album is incredible and I love it, because it gives us a little breath of fresh air from opera rock masterpieces: Tommy and Quadrophenia (wich I personally this is their best album).

[danocallaghan1985]

and there are probally hundreds of songs we havent heard from this song writing extraordinaire

[insanejane1980]

been there....yup. brilliant lyrics.

[seanoco7]

can i weigh in? i got his album for chistmas , i loved it and got it early in life, i mean seriously i was 8 or 9 years old and i i thought there is no way out it -served me well, i'm sort of happy , but who is? i reflect on the lyrics a lot, i have fond memories of this record , and at the time i knew thewy were not a their peak,

[buubacous]

Thank god I don't Booze anymore ! Thanks Pete , I found a way out !!

[Ungadewey]

@buubacous yes, thank the gods for surviving... this could be my theme song.

[thajr]

This isn't a 'bad' who song? if u have bought in to the Euro song writing style then this kind of self-examination can't be avoided. Pete was an alcoholic. He used it to avoid the fact the his previous view of his career had been overtaken. He then grew. If you are a who fan then u r a Pete fan and u have decided to take the ride, because you have decided that he is an artist worth following...up and down...BS and great...i am willing to take the ride. I have granted that few song writers

[schmittelt]

@thajr May I suggest an American fellow named Bob Mould. In case you're not familiar with him or his music (there is an insane amount of the growth you mentioned) he was a heavy punkster in the 80s with Husker Du, a popster in the 90s with Sugar and both plus quiet sadness (he's apparently struggled with depression) while solo ever since. I don't know your musical taste so you may not like all of it. But definitely a travel worth taking.

[thajr]

@schmittelt

Hey! Thanks!I will look in to your suggestion. Regardless of the expression or whether it appeals to me its still the struggle of the artist and drug that gives relief but also stands in the way....

[Exilemainstreet]

"down to him or me" is a direct reference to fighting against Daltrey for control of the band. Daltrey apparently hit Townshend and knocked him out in studio while recording this record, and I read somewhere it was captured on film, but that could be rumour.

[DarkMage965]

this albums great, im lovin keiths killer drummin as usual.

[solimiansky]

GOT TO TRUST MYSELF IN BRANDY! man i remember at 19 i always had a bottle of brandy in school

[jarilima]

@solimiansky

It's actually "Got to DRENCH myself in brandy, in sleep I'll hide". Just thought I'd clear that up.

[cosmicrider287]

townshend in trouble.makes wonderful art with the mighty who out of it.

[loislombardo]

@cosmicrider287 great song thanks love the who

[WeLikeOurFeet]

Am I the only one who likes Pete's voice more than Roger's?

[basspfosten]

@WeLikeOurFeet I was just thinking the same thing.

[spartanwarrior340]

@WeLikeOurFeet both have fantastic voices. Many times greater than mine.

[ShotGunAnd]

@WeLikeOurFeet Even though i prefer Rogers voice, Petes voice is great too.

[crankie72]

This LP was known as Pete's Suicide LP

[modsheff1]

how ever much i booze......england.....are still rubbish.....and it's still 4-1 ;(

[722erodz]

great song brings back memories good & sad : ]

[BertAtkin]

Brilliant. Townsend is a pure pure Genius. I knew that when I heard Quadrophenia as a teen and my opinion hasn't changed.

[gasaholic47]

This is without a doubt, Townshend's most introspective song, imho. He bares himself even more so than normal. It was written at the time of his sliding deeper and deeper into alcoholism, and is a real masterpiece.

"My ego will just confuse me/some day it's gonna up and use me

Dish me out another tailor made compliment/tell me about some destiny I can't prevent."

Brilliant!

[MrCorbett26]

This is one of my favourite songs, reminds me of when I was caught in the grip of a Special Brew habit, 4 cans a night on an empty stomach. And then the night comes down like a cell door closing, fucking right it does. There was a way out though.

[Exilemainstreet]

@MrCorbett26 Going thru that now, but with vodka. I hope you've come out the other side intact.

[eaglestalon92]

Pete should have sang more songs he's really good

[whoszappa]

GREAT composer of music Pete Townshend is touched the soul of millions just by writing about himself...God Bless you Pete and thank you for many years of enjoyment... There once was a note listen!

[88napolitano]

Imagine if THUNDERFINGERS were still alive!Damn.

[hockeyzan]

Pete ..thank you..!!!!!!!

[sweetitis]

I wasnt finished..... god damn Bill Gates (hic)... as I was saying before my drunken fingers betrayed me....... From Woodstock to this Years Super Bowl ,a ribbon of great lyrics and strum chords + though Pete will never be mentioned with Pete Frampton, Carlos or Eric as a great lead guitarist , no qustion that this is Rock Royalty to be breathed with "John Lennon" Elvis, Mick + Keith, I raise my "Empty Glass and salute Pete! Great Stuff!!!

[sweetitis]

From Woodstock to Super Bowl 2010, Pete has rockede rocked and dug these lyr

Qics as n

q 1AZ\

[Tubernaut]

Dish me out another tailor made compliment and tell of destiny I can(can't)? prevent. Some truly poignant lyrics that pull you into Pete Townshend's not so pleasant world.

As Cillian Murphy said in The Dark Knight. "I said my stimulants would take you places but I didn't tell you what kinds of places".

[666767]

one of thare best albums and one of the best EVER

[johnflaherty]

Great song, indeed. But... Before I read the lyrics, I actually thought, instead of "give me the key", he was saying "giggity-giggity"... ^^;

[kostasgreece1994]

great tune,awesome song

[MrTrajan69]

Greatest live band and John Entwistle voted BASSIST OF THE MILLENIUM in 2000

[speedbird49]

I can personally relate to this song. Townshend is the only lyricist that tells the true tale. I think this may be their best album. Townshend brings to life the psyche of his generation. This is really a blues album with a rock undertone. Absolutely brilliant offering by Townshend and The Who. The only Who album that is best in its album form as opposed to everything else they do.

[Dunwyche]

Well said! The best they did and a personal fav imo...I can also relate.

D~

[clashlc]

Ive probably said it before on this vid,,,and now I will say it again,,,this is probably the most prolific Pete song ever written. The song not only is fantasticaly brilliant on its own merit (meaning musicaly and lyricaly) but the depth and meaning transends the music itself! "Now the walls are all clawed and scratched like by some soul in sin....I take no blame" are probably the most honest and able to identifiy with lyrics in all of rock! God Bless the Who!

[Joseph364015]

@clashlc i agree i heard this years ago.

[Joseph364015]

@clashlc

[jalan17]

I think its "like some soul insane" either way the point is definitely made. Its one of his most emotionally powerful songs.

[clashlc]

your probably right! I would have loved to have seen all the alums have lyrics. But you have to admit both of our interpritations sound very close!!!!

[Dunwyche]

I always thought that also, but I think it is "soul in sin"..

D~

[eakme]

Clawed and scratched, like by some soul insane.

[clashlc]

I stand corrected and i appreciate you letting me know the true lyrics. In sin & insane...two vowels off...but yet kinda mean the same thing...I kinda like my version better LOL

[eakme]

Just one of my fav lyrics, not trying to be a dick. And yes, similar in meaning and sound.

[clashlc]

me too!

[rayterry]

I love this song, too, my man, but I think you probably need to look up the word "prolific!" You've gotten the wrong idea about what it means.

[clashlc]

To be quite honest I never knew the exact meaning of the word or looked it up. I know it is most often tied to a person of greatness. Pete Townshend is a prolific song writer. John Cameron is a prolific film maker. I thought it was a reference to high quality and not high quantity. I stand corrected. I guess what I meant to say is that i find this to be one of Pete's most profound songs. Having said that go "word police" elsewhere you twat! look that one up!

[rayterry]

Well, it's just that if you're trying to make a statement, it helps if it makes sense. That's all. I know what "twat" means, and can be counted on to use it correctly.

[BlueRednGrey]

intro is fucking amazing.

[dersh65]

Pete gives me such Joy!!! I love you brother!!!

[dersh65]

Haven't heard this one in a while. Damn, Pete is the fucking best!!! LONG LIVE THE WHO!!!!!!!!!

[attributionerr]

love this one

[wolfgar50]

smokin thaistick n jammin to the who.never be days like that again

[Tubernaut]

There was nothing like the original lineup of The Who. These songs still sound fresh 34 years after the original release and always will to these ears.

[Tubernaut]

Won't somebody tell me how to get out of this place?! Pete Townsend, lyricist extraordinaire. Thank goodness he's still with us.

[BertAtkin]

A brilliant lyric from The best song writer of them all. Roger refused to sing this as it was too personal. Thanks for posting. I have loved the Who for 30 years and I never tire of the Music. Music for every occasion.

[adamtzsch]

You, at home, can easily decide what's right

By glancing very briefly at the songs I write...

[adamtzsch]

But, it don't help me that you know there ain't no way out.

[adamtzsch]

Now the walls are all clawed and scratched

Like by some soul insane

In the morning I humbly detach myself

I take no blame

I just can't face my failure

I'm nothing but a well fucked sailor

[adamtzsch]

I lose so many nights of sleep

Worrying about my responsibilities.

[adamtzsch]

my ego will just confuse me

someday, it's gonna up and use me

dish me out another tailor-made compliment -

tell me about some destiny i can't prevent

[panacea999]

This is one the greatest rock songs. I've never seen such a self-lacerating, honest song ever: "I'm nothing but a well-fucked sailor.."! A masterpiece.

[ChristianPaul75]

Hands down the best song on the torment of alcoholism I´ve ever heard. Townshend knows what he´s talking about.

[Ungadewey]

I live this, Behind Blue Eyes, and Naked Eye, DAILY! The soundtrack to my torture.

[johnwolcot]

Easily the best song on the album. The rest of it isn't really that good.

[thewhofan99]

there really isn't a bad who song

[modsheff1]

here here! the who effin rule!

[hampden12]

there aint no way out....exactly

from the maker they are

[dersh65]

You got that right!!! Greatest band EVER!!!!

Pete is a musical genius!!!

[BlueRednGrey]

GO PETE!!!!!!!! GENIUS!

[5150zac]

@thewhofan99 or album

[Echrick]

Too many songs settle for lazy, predictable rhymes, but NOT PETE! Also most underrated riff in the history of rock. Brilliant song all round!

[scandiman68]

let's face it the man is a fucking genius!

[buchananstreet]

no one has ever again written a song with such direct and sincere lyrics, as far as I know - musicians today lack all courage

[hampden12]

nice wan big yin

yi know...gawn aboot ma daily exsistence the words just jump intae ma heid..cannae explain it....who daft since wee....but this resonates

heid up floatin' ..then

[speedbird49]

As good as anything Townshend has done. I love the live rendition from the '75 show at the Houston Summit. He had a lot of courage writing songs that were so personal and poignantly honest. Rock is an extremely vulnerable genre for the raw emotion of personal defeat and sheer misery. Don't think there will ever be someone to continue in his tact.

[Nrosebush2]

a great song about the depression of drug and alcohol addiction

[PETEtownsend19]

is he talking about himself

[theseeker23]

yes he is. It's why Roger doesn't sing the song -- too personal.

[ns927]

@theseeker23 I never noticed that it was just him singning

[acrsurfing]

@theseeker23 but wouldn't Pete have wrote the song? or did Roger write it?

[MrAntIbarra]

@acrsurfing This song is basically autobiographical ( at the time). It was so personal that Roger REFUSED to sing it. SO instead we got this great PT vocal. Pete and Neil Young are 2 greats who can speak volumes with just a few notes. Maximum Rock and Roll.

[5150zac]

@PETEtownsend19 ya i think he say's it in the live verson

[ManiacDrummer1212]

a very sad, but very brilliant song. roger actually couldn't sing this because it was so personal for pete.

[Spectres]

Best song on this album!!!

[Gowron54973]

Great song!

[txeire]

thanks bro. good choice.