You gotta take a couple of seconds to watch this live. At seven minute, fifty second mark, Pete does a slide during Roger's scream that is one of the greatest moments in rock video.

Nobody had more fun playing drums than Keith Moon.

This was a classic song made to play loud. Yes, it was about revolution-but a cautionary one. Every regime that promises change gets caught up with the trappings of power and become just as bad as the old guard. Just as applicable today as 50 years ago!

I honestly believe that The Who played with more intensity than any other band.

From ‘68-73 they were the greatest live rock band in the world. As amazing as their albums were, their concert stage presence and energy were simply unmatched. Great take on their working class roots and viewpoint. They were the leaders of a whole movement called Mod in the early 60’s, then became anthem writers and standard bearers for the entire counterculture. The Who were as revolutionary as anyone, and deeper than most.

i''ve always felt blessed i grew up in the 60s and 70s when the music was so awesome!

Unrivalled in what they do, revolutionary. This has been my favourite song since I first heard it. Excellent choice from an excellent band. Great work mate!!

Don't forget the brilliance of John Entwistle, with Moon on drums, John had almost sole responsibility for rhythm. Love Reign O'er Me next!

This is one of my favorite Who songs. I have seen them perform it twice in concert. They are my favorite live band.

Several people shouting: "Don't turn it down now!"

This is peak rock 'n' roll. Raw emotional intensity, a rebellious spirit, passion channeled through drums and guitar. Roger Daltry's scream before the song's coda is a moment of pure perfection: a hypnotic synth solo gives way to Keith Moon's crescendoing drum fills, then you've got Roger Daltry pouring his soul's fire into the microphone while Pete Townshend electrifies the air with crashing chords... It genuinely doesn't get much better than this.

Pete Townsend wrote a large number of The Who's song, including this one and had a brilliant solo career, as well. I think he is in my top five favorite songwriters! He is extraordinary!

Brilliance. What a different time. So glad I was a part of it. So lucky.

I watched Daltrey in the studio showing how they recorded it. He dropped all instruments apart from his vocal and moon. Keith was playing drums to the vocals on one of the verses or choruses. Moon wasn't a time keeping drummer in the true sense, hence so unique. What a guy. Who fan favourite next has to be love reign O'er me. Daltrey vocals and the production is epic. So powerful.

I like your intellectual analysis of this time period in music. I think it is quite accurate. The problem I find today with music for the most part is that it is missing soul. As well as sophistication, playfulness, and many other aspects of human emotions, etc. And I see that a good, healthy percentage of teenagers and college students are digging this up stuff up (classic rock and so forth) once they hear some of it. And react like they are quite blown away because of course they never heard music like this before.

Meet the new boss... same as the old boss

Another great song on the Who's Next album is "Bargain". Absolute banger of a song with amazing lyrics.

That Synthesizer bridge slowly hypnotizes you. It get narrower and narrower, then closes to zero. Then it drops you out of a plane while Keith Moon does what he wants to you. Then you hit the ground, with the scream. It's a HUGE shock to everyone who hears it for the first time. After that, you can't be shocked, because, you won't get fooled, AGAIN. Pete Townshend is a GENIUS. Every second of it was on purpose.

First of all, no song is over ‘til it’s over! That scream you almost missed is the greatest in rock music! During their live shows, the long synthesizer solos were part of a laser show. Pretty impressive back then. I was a teen in the 70’s and The Who was the soundtrack of my life back then. I first heard of them when I was blown away by their first rock opera “Tommy”. I was hooked for life. I remember in the 70’s, the two bands everyone wanted to see live were The Grateful Dead, and The Who. A great documentary about the group, called The Kids Are Alright, gives an incredible look at their stage presence. Their Live At Leeds album is one of the best live albums ever, and Quadrophenia, their other rock opera, is probably their most popular album. Songs not to be missed: “Love Reign O’er Me”, “The Real Me”, “5:15”, and “Behind Blue Eyes”.

This reactor gets the Who... the lyrics, the power. It's all why the Who is the number one classic rock band.

Keith Moon was the king of ADD, and he would ingest anything that came his way. He once took elephant tranquilizers, unbeknownst to him, at a live show in California. There is video of this on KZfaq. Pete had to ask if there were any drummers in the audience, and he found a kid that made his dream a reality that night. Meanwhile, Moon was carried off to the doctors.

the more things change, the more they stay the same was always my takeaway from this epic tune.

This song is timeless and relevant still. They are amongst the best ever. To hear another amazing track, try from their classic Live at Leeds, the My Generation jam, 15 minutes of the most searing, primal rock you will ever hear in your life, I kid you not. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎹🎶

You have to watch the WHO LIVE to see the energy! They were Rock'N'Roll...

Don't overlook John's fantastic bass playing

It was the combination of the drums and the bass. John Entwistle, the bassist was amazing and deserves his share of the credit.

To get his signature organ sound on this tune, Townshend began with feeding a Lowery organ through an EMS VCS3 synthesizer and investing hours and hours to get the harmonics, sequencing and samples. The EMS was very rudimentary at the time; very difficult to program. For the rest of the tunes on "Who's Next", Townshend used the ARP 2500 and 2600 synths; again, very new and difficult to program... At a time when the synthesizer was still very much a melodic novelty item, Townshend pioneered a cyclic synthesizer rhythm track upon which songs such as ‘Baba O’Riley’ were based. In 1971 this was a radical, indeed, unprecedented breakthrough, with only Stevie Wonder working along the same lines at the time....

The Who's best song IMHO. A rock anthem that stands up today! Saw them live in 1973 -- Great show.

Always felt it was an anti-government song personally. We're living it now in the States now, IMO.

While The Who can perform songs like this that are pure power, if you listen to other songs from them you'll find they can also perform songs of pure beauty.

Love Reign O’er me has got to be next! To me their best track. IMHO

My only complaint. The newer music doesn’t have any patience to just let the music develop and expand. The Who had the greatest intros out there. Very original and creative. Perfect transitions and meaningful lyrics. Roger Daltry had that great screaming voice. And what can you say about Keith Moon. Back in those days the holy trinity of drummers was John Bonham, Neil Peart and Keith Moon. Bill Ward was right there with the greats as well.

They lifted America’s spirit when they passionately performed this for the surviving first responders shortly after 9/11 at The Concert for New York.

Break the song down by instrument and each individual performance is unbelievable, put them all back together and it's transcendent.

Great analysis!

You nearly checked out too soon and missed the greatest scream and final line in rock history . . LOL . . great channel.

The Who''s signature song. What they end all their concerts with. An all-time great classic among the classics.

Keith Moon was one of the few musicians who could swagger while sitting down.

"See me,Feel me" from Woodstock, is a good one!

This song is about one step forward 2 steps back. It’s kinda how we humans unfortunately operate. One of the greatest songs ever written 🤘🏻✌🏻

You nailed it as the people’s band. And when you said you could turn it down and talk over the end , I laughed hard knowing what was to come! You’re great.

With Classic Rock NEVER Assume that the track is over until the time runs out, you never know what might come before the end.

Just started watching your reactions and I love your insight into the music and lyrics. I was lucky to have been going to college in the early 70's and being immersed in the golden age of rock! The Who have been GREATLY underrated over the years.

It's a lot more fun listening to the music of my youth than it was living through it

Brilliant!!! Great Great job again 👏

The Summer, when this song was released, I was 16 working as a lifeguard in Chicago, & all radios would be tuned to the same station, & this & all the other music of the day would ring out across the beach for all to hear. Our living soundtrack. ✌️❤️🎶

I'll never forget the who singing this song at the concert for new York right after 9-11. They were great and the song was perfect for the time. Favorite memory .

You need to show the live versions 🙏. I heard that you can show live versions of groups with out having you having to cover them up. Much love to you and your family 💕Brandi Modrak 💕❤

Great great reaction as usual mate.!

Really excellent analysis

The Who are one of the GREATEST bands of all time!! They aren't under rated at all. But you did hit the nail on the head with the "working man" reference. Case in point, check out the song "5:15" More great Who songs to check out: "The Real Me" (are rare rock song with a lead BASS!); "Squeeze Box"; "Long Live Rock"; "Magic Bus"; "Pinball Wizard", "Love, Reign o'er Me"; "Bargain"; "Behind Blue Eyes"'; "Going Mobile"; "The Acid Queen"; "We're Not Gonna Take It"; "I Can See for Miles" ; "Happy Jack"; "Pictures of Lily"; "Substitute" ; "Boris the Spider"; "My Generation"; "The Kids Are Alright"; and so many more....

The best scream in a rock and roll song and you nearly missed it.

This song (and entire album for that matter) is a masterpiece. Keith Moon was the reason I started playing the drums over 40 years ago. He’s still on my top 10 list of favorite drummers. Nobody else played like him. I see him as a tragic hero who’s life of excess cut him down way too early.

A joy to watch!

I know that 'The Who' are a UK band, but I think this song applies to today's situation in the United States.

Great reactions!! Keep it up.

This was the first time I have seen you react to anything. I am now a subscriber. Great reaction. You can expect comments from me for your older ones I will now listen to. Cheers.

You have great insight on music fir a young man. Bravo to you!

This song is about revolution; revolutions promise change and then it's just: meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

Nobody ever knew what Keith Moon was on at any given time - multiple things perhaps, but the best of all was he was high on positivity and attitude - life of the party.

I love how you broke it down. Stones were the "bad Boys". Beatles were, "the cool boys", Pink Floyd were "Esoteric boys". The Who were "The everyman boys." Well done.

Pete’s solo performance from the “ Secret policeman‘s ball” is amazing. Just him and a guitar.

If you have ever read George Orwell's "Animal Farm", that is basically the meaning of the song.

You should hear the live version from 1978 on the soundtrack of 'The Kids Are Alright' (1979 documentary). They absolutely flamed it! Glad you're loving The Who!

You have to watch the live version of this......Shepperton Studios, The Who. The band live is incredible....

Formed in 1963...The Who along with The Beatles and Rolling Stones are one of the most Influential and Iconic Rock groups in Music history. I will see these legends on October 26, 2022 at The Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento, CA. And BTW ....The members were on drugs!!!!

You absolutely nailed it. I love your intelligent commentary. You need to hear all of Quadrophenia. It's about young men coming of age in Britain, exactly like you, but it speak to everyone. It's an absolute masterpiece.

The Moody Blues do a great song in a similar vein, "I'm just a singer in a rock 'n roll band". Great song by a great band.

“I think I can turn this down no-“YEAAAAAAAAH” never mind”

Pete is primarily talking about cultural change. The 60's was a time of riots (mostly about Vietnam), and a lot of social upheaval. The last line says it all anytime a society goes through that sort of unrest. And there is no one who can match Keith on drums in that day.

Glad you liked this - it's a great bit of writing/playing. What was Moon on? Everything, apparently :) The Constitution/revolution seems to point to America, but the point is relevant to us in the UK now as then. We are open to being duped and are willing to be by those in power. We need to change our perspective. Cheers mate. Stay in tune!

Keith Moon and Ginger Baker with the Jazz and blues influence particularly double bass drums revolutionized rock drumming.

He Rodger also had a go at acting playing John McVicar an armed robber who escaped from prison and became a journalist who just passed away a few months ago of a heart attack It was realised by the WHO Films Ltd worth checking out he was surprisingly good in it .

'in the streets with the people' - well said - I've often thought of them as mirrors for the human condition - 'The Who' will take you on a lyrical journey if you let them

Zeppelin, Stones, then the Who. That's a solid foundation of favorites.

My joy is watching your joy as you were listening. The 'synthesiser' is actually an engineered organ chord and the use of this sound in the song is absolutely unique and transfixing. Everything came together on this song, guitars, drums, singing, lyrics etc - unsurpassable.

Solid, astute review; your comments capture much of what made The Who great for those us lucky enough to live through and appreciate the musical creativity that era. And much of their stuff is timeless: do yourself a favor and watch the band 30 years later at the Concert for New York City six weeks after 9/11 (it's on KZfaq). Moon was dead (playing the drums was Zach Starkey, Ringo Starr's son), and the set was John Entwistle's last performance in the US (he died less than a year later). In 27 minutes onstage halfway through the show, a few 50-somethings (Zach was younger) turned a nice, serene, let's-all-get drunk-and-mourn-our-friends event into a defiant, fist-pumping, screaming crowd of fired-up Americans ready to go to avenge what had happened to our country. That's what The Who's music could do - their songs could be taken into battle.

These two songs were from an aborted project called Lifehouse. It was supposed to be another rock opera with a film and a live component. Pete Townsend ended up doing the full Lifehouse proper for radio in the 2000s and released it on his website.

Classic... great number.

This is epic as long as the radio producer doesn't cut it in parts, like they usually do... 🤣

I was fortunate enough to see The Who with all their original members.

Everything you said plus one of the greatest R&R screams ever when they come back from the quieter interlude. Daltry sounds like he's ejecting his insides out.

no synths employed, good old fashion Hammond organ with the tremolo maxed.

Used to try to hold in a bong hit during synthesizer part. Nailed it many times.

Another gem by the Who. What is the "Main Channel"? For the next Who reaction I suggest "Magic Bus" on the "Live at Leeds" album. Get to hear the boys live. Quite a treat. I suggest another bit of work from around the same time period - "Every Picture Tells A Story" by Rod Stewart. This is prime Rod Stewart - not the "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" crap.

The Who was always my favourite band. They were referred to as "the Band's Band" which meant they were always going to be relevant.

You nailed it again. They did write and perform from perspective of working class man. They were primarily a teenage and young man's band, hence their version of Young Man's Blues, expressing frustrations and confusions and joys - from Substitute onwards through Quadrophenia. Perhaps more than their peers, they were a voice of their generation - of blue collar men rather than higher educated wordy hippy students of music from a different mythology. Now, I think they still speak for us 60+ year olds in a way that their surviving male peers don't quite manage. There's more empathy with their audience rather than putting on a show for an audience

I think you should play young man blues live at the Isle of Wight next this is one of their best performance’s

Could be my favourite song on this album, its long but never gets boring.

My first concert was The Who & The Small Faces at Sydney Stadium in 1968. I was 16. The Who's early catalogue was loud and fantastic too. 'My Generation', 'Substitute', 'Happy Jack', 'I'm a Boy', 'Magic Bus' and 'Pictures of Lily' to name but a few. They were a lot shorter so you may want to pair them up for a listen. Thanks Syed, great comments. Love the music anyway. Small Faces also had some great tracks. 'Tin Soldier', 'Here Come the Nice', Itchycoo Park' and 'Afterglow' worth a listen.

Let the synthesized keyboard section play in the background while you talk? That's like, with heart pounding, pulling out of your woman just before climax, leaving the room to go watch TV. Listen to this song 100 times, and appreciate something new every time. Epic.

Pete Townshend is one of the very few real geniuses in rock music.

I loved this. Kind of a typical reaction to the last piece of the song (I guess you can call it an outro). Eyebrows raised in reaction to the first scream and then "I guess it will be the synthesizer to the end of the song". In my head I'm saying..."just be patient". On the first listen, people are just never prepared for the drim solo then the second YEAH!!!!!

Either you have forgotten or have yet to experience 3 more as important legendary bands of that era in YES, Emerson, Lake, And Palmer(ELP), And Genesis,( Gabriel And Phil Collins), superb progressive rock bands.

This song is the ultimate rock anthem. So glad you love it too.

All-time great song and album. Great reaction/analysis. ;>D

Glad you didn’t stop it at the end.

World War 1 = 25 million dead then 20 years later came WW 2 = 50 million dead. On and on it goes. The Who are of the post WW 2 generation and to me this song expresses the disillusionment of the false promises of peace and love we see repeating endlessly.

"I wonder if the rest is just synthesisers?" Um - no... Never overlook The Ox's immense bass playing.

If anything could encapsulate the youth angst of the '60s, it would be Roger Daltry's scream at 13:15.