Daniel, I give you 5 stars for your analysis and interpretation of Tommy (and life). You are really only 17? A bright future for you indeed. Thanks for sharing your intellect and heart!
@@firebird7479 Tommy tells the better story but musically Quadrophenia is the better album. Every song on it falls somewhere between great and timeless masterpiece. Quadrophenia is the greatest achievement in rock and roll history if you ask me.
RE: Sally Simpson --- you ought to watch the Beatles documentary, "Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years". You'll see a plethora of Sally Simpsons. Those crazed teenage girls are now grandmothers and great-grandmothers.
45:34 Holiday Camps are common vacation spots in the UK. Self-contained entertainment, etc. Ringo Starr cut his teeth as a drummer for Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. They were working the summer of 1962 at a Holiday Camp when the Beatles asked him to join the group.
It wasn't until you were going through your analysis that I finally saw Tommy not as a literal story, but as an allegory for musicians, rock stars, and even popular figures in general. Repressed, abused, and misunderstood by society on a whole, trapped in their own inner world of music, longing for touch and connection. Until one day it happens, the mirror breaks, and all the music that was inside can come out. They can finally bask in their newly found fame, hailed as a messiah by the masses. But that's just another form of control, as the disenchanted crowd tells him "We're gonna rape you. Let's forget you, better still."
I think, this again is just me, the intent of him becoming a "messiah" is that he went from a child whom no one loved to a figure everyone around him loves, then loses it all and is back to asking for love. Townshend was very intrigued by hero worship, the so called "teenage wasteland" he saw, and his disgust with it. Last comment, it seems like he finds a way on most every song on this album to put in that Bsus to B chord change, the one that leads off Pinball Wizard after the intro. Thank you very much for doing this Daniel putting your heart out there, it was very touching and moving.
I believe you are thinking of the Twisted Sister song of the same title. This is my personal favorite along with I'm Free. Loved your reaction to the return of Uncle Ernie who was played by Keith Moon in the film btw.
the film is awful lol a cult classic for years not sure why when i watch it now . but the album rocks i actually wonder if the movie gave me chronic nightmares as a kid.....but i digress ...
The one thing that is impossible to recreate is what was going on musically in 1969 when this album came out. Your reaction is similar to the way many of us reacted except we were surrounded by different music so we came from a different background. Although a case could be made that Moody Blues had concept albums it wasn't the same as Tommy which told a continuing story like an opera. Since you can't un-hear music you have already heard the closest thing that I can suggest to give you an idea of what it was like is to look up the date that Tommy was released and then go to a website and see what was playing on the top 40 as well as the albums that were being played on FM radio at the same time. Albums like Tommy, Sgt. Pepper, Days of Future Passed, which were all ground breaking albums have lost some of their impact because they were a case of "you had to be there at the time" to fully understand the effect they had and the changes they made in music as well as for us as listeners.
Sometimes, context is everything. I've noticed in a lot of reaction channels hosted by teens and college-aged adults that they are sometimes a bit underwhelmed by music that was/is more important than they realize.
1969 was also the year of Abbey Road. In fact, there was so much excellent music around that Tommy wasn't quite appreciated as much as it could have been at the time. In my view.
I would say also Let It Bleed because that had a lot to do with the Vietnam War and anti-war protesting and free love( Let It Bleed, live with me) especially Gimme Shelter classic to this day I would say the Rolling Stones best album and subsequent 1969 tour basically blew the whole love and peace atmosphere away.
being a who fan forever i was afraid to read negative comments....but you guys are cool......tommy was an amazing album ....spoon fed to me as a kid. pete towshend is an amazing rythym guitar player songwriter and arranger . and john entwhistle literally changed the way the bass is played ....keith moon ...what hasnt been said...what a beast of a band
" What is the moral? There must be a moral! Morals for everything in sight! Moral tomorrow. Comedy tonight!" -- Stephen Sondheim A Funny Thing Happened On My Way To The Forum Or words to that effect (aging slushware gettin' kind of glitchy).
@@DiconDissectionalReactions You should watch the Funny Thing Happened movie sometime - it's one of my brain candy regulars. Zero Mostel at his finest, wee bab Michael Crawford, and Buster Keaton's last film performance. (Being a movie, it did cut several songs from the play version, but it's still wonderful.)
The recurring themes in this album is incredible. Bits and pieces of the music and/or the lyrics throughout the songs intertwines and connects everything to keep the plot together.
the whos manager kit lambert an opera buff of sorts had alot of input to the album and story line.....he was an aspring movie maker but never got his shot with tommy he died before it was made
Really fine job young man. And to think you figured out something that takes many people a lifetime if they ever do, at 13.Thank you again for doing this I really enjoyed it. Listening to you, I get the music......and so much more!
The earplugs, blindfold, and cork are similar to a sensory deprivation chamber. I tried a float tank, where it’s dark, quiet, and you float near weightless in a large salt laden water. After some time, the mind gets upset without inputs, and starts to give visions, hallucinations, etc, if you let your mind go. Similar in some ways to dreams. These can lead to moments of clarity, creativity, and fantasy.
I love the Woodstock performance. They fought through some really difficult circumstances. As a musician that has played live, their performance at Woodstock is epic.
Hi Daniel, during 1968 The Who played a concert with the Doors at the Singor Bowl. While the Doors were on stage Townshend witnessed a girl getting quite badly injured and he wrote a song about it, hence Sally Simpson.
The chronological issue with the song "I'm Free" was corrected in the movie Tommy. In the movie, it appears immediately after his mother smashes the mirror and he is cured. Fantastic reaction, by the way. Amazingly insightful for someone your age. This came out when I was 10 years old so do the math. All your reactions are really, really good! This was, I think, your best.
London Coliseum ‘69. The Who perform Tommy in its entirety mid-set, in a classic opera house, complete with hilarious intro banter from Pete and Keith. You’ve got the studio framework- now do yourself a real favor and watch them bring it to life on stage. Absolutely spellbinding.
Well this was certainly a treat hearing Tommy for the first time in almost forever.. Thanks for the post comments well done Dr. Phil er I mean Dr. Daniel.👨🏻⚕️
I think I like Daltrey's I'm free from the movie more than this album. It has more push I think. Daniel have you listened to Jesus Christ Superstar? I'm thinking that I saw Tommy the movie and Superstar the rock opera stage show at much the same time. Anyways.. Thanks for Tommy. Good going back there. :)
Jesus Christ Superstar was a good movie. Saw it in the US then when stationed in Germany. I thought it would be dubbed. It had German translation CC at the bottom. Really good.
The original Broadway version has Ian Gillian of Deep Purple as Jesus--- his vocals were incredible. A bit more powerful than Ted Neely in the movie version.
@@lisarainbow9703 The Australian cast had Jon English as Judas. And I thought he was amazing. I recently watched a broadcast on youtube of a recent version with Tim Minchin as Judas. Different tack. Really worth the watching. (Re Gillian...Do you remember The Butterfly Ball? I did see an amateur production of it once...)
Back at that time Columbia House Records (remember them, the 10 albums for a penny guys) was constantly pushing the four "Rock Operas": Tommy, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, and Hair.
to be honest, I was too young when this came out and didn't comprehend the story or what Townsend was saying ... then when Quadrophenia came out, it was more of an approachable story (and I was a few years older); so I've tended to listen to Live at Leeds and Quadrophenia and Who's Next, rather than Tommy ... so thank you for going through the entire Tommy, and providing the lyrics .. even now, I may not listen to it more, but now understand it better
Tommy was a make or break album for The Who, by the late 60s they were treading water, had it flopped they would have very likely have gone their separate ways. It wasn't so much the studio album that saved them but their live performances of it. Throughout 69/70 they took it on the road extensively in USA/Europe often to ecstatic reviews. Live at Isle of Wight 1970 perfectly illustrates this period, it is regarded as one of, if not the greatest gigs they ever did.
So, you liked I’m Free? That was always one of my favorites. Favorite line: “ If I told you what it takes To reach the highest high You'd laugh and say nothing's that simple. But you’ve been told many times before, Messiahs pointed to the door; no one had the guts to leave the temple.”
Excellent breakdown to the 4 album sides! Daniel, if something has to slip off your radar let it be the movie. Others will probably disagree with me but many (myself included) didn't think much of it when it originally came out. Only the story was The Who, everything else was out of their control, and it shows. DO watch a live performance of Tommy from the 70s. Best of luck! 👍✌️
I think 'emotionally stunted' fits what Tommy was. Amazing Dissection! It's cool that you found and listened to this early on in your quest, as now you have another masterpiece to compare all else to. Looking forward to Quadrophenia!
Ultimately, they agreed with Daniel - The Who did add a "musical crescendo" to the version of "We're Not Gonna Take It" they played live, notably at Woodstock.
Have enjoyed this record for many many years but have never dived so deep into it. Fantastic exploration. Can't wait for you to get your teeth into Quadrophenia. Should be one heck of a ride!
You`ve hit the nail on the head Daniel everybody has their own take on everything. In his writing Townshend purposely leaves it up to the listener to make their own mind up he doesn`t claim to have all the answers making the critics "obscure plot" criticism redundant. Ken Russell the director of the film set it 30yrs into the future swopped the murder around and tried to fill in what he thought was all the gaps. Townshend obviously hoped the album listeners could work it out for themselves and wouldn`t need it handed to them on a plate.
Yes, and I agree more with Daniel's interpretation at the end than the critics as reflected in Wikipedia. Tommy is singing "Listening to you .." at the end, but so is the multitude. It seems they have all learned from this experience. It works from both perspectives. Both have learned what Daniel learned at 13, namely that everyone has their own take on everything, and though different from one another, can be just as valid. There is universal enlightenment, good and bad. From those different opinions Tommy and the multitude get the story. It may be a different story, but they get it nonetheless. Also, the tie-in with music idolatry and religion in general is brilliant. (Tommy still always talks about the day the disciples all went wild). Daniel's interpretation was something I had not thought about specifically as it relates to the Tommy album, but it totally makes sense. I suspect Daniel is an old soul.
When I first heard my brother’s record of Tommy at 10 years old it immediately transformed me into a rock and roll fan forever, and of course a WHO fan!i had not seen them in their original formation though did see them finally a year and a half ago at Madison Square Garden .👍🏻❤️☮️✌🏻🎤🎼
You really impress me. For your age, you're far more astute than most. I know people decades older than you with experience and accomplishments that don't hold a candle to your ability to decipher and explain things. Good on ya. I have no doubt that you'll accomplish much and influence and help many, many people. Thank you!👍🤗
"I was a teenager when I finally realized that" Oh, Daniel, you are waaaay ahead of most people who *never* figure that out. I’m impressed that you figured it out at 13, I was in my 20s before that truth started to occur to me! And I still ‘forget’ sometimes and assume someone else knows what I know and feels what I feel and believes what I believe.
That was fantastic, its been many years since I first listened to Tommy in its entirety, I agree with you on the conclusion, Tommy seeing the light and finding a place for himself in the world.
The holiday camp aspect of the story is a reference to a very British phenomenon of the 20th century, particularly in the postwar era, and it's interesting how Pete Townshend used it as the setting for a religious cult. Check out this Wikipedia article for details on British holiday camps: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday_camp. Live entertainment was one of the features of holiday camps, and many British musicians found work in them. Ringo Starr was playing with Rory Storm & The Hurricanes at a Butlin's holiday camp when The Beatles called him to join them permanently. Pete Townshend's father Cliff was a professional musician and undoubtedly would have played at holiday camps. The camps also had a reputation for being places where people let loose, similar to Vegas - what went on at Butlin's stayed at Butlin's, so to speak.
Thanks for doing these reactions to Tommy. I haven't heard this for many years. Watching you listening to this brought back memories of my first hearing of it many years ago.
If you become a public figure or 'celebrity' many people start to think they know you personally. They don't, of course, but the better you are at projecting your public persona, the more some people feel you are talking directly to them. And then there are some people who start to feel they own you in some way. Mostly that's just annoying, but it can also become dangerous if an individual seriously loses their sense of objectivity. Mark Knopfler once said that fame is the unfortunate byproduct of success. Our celebrity culture can encourage young people to seek fame for its own sake, rather than striving for authentic personal achievement, but such shallow fame can just become a very public prison.
Thanks for doing this album. I listened to it when it first came out. I was 14, thanks older sister. Went to Minneapolis to see my sister and I had my choice to go see the"Tommy" Movie that just came out or this concert of an up and coming singer that was just starting to get popular. The lines were going around a few city blocks so I chose the movie. The singer was Bruce Springsteen, boy did I mess up! I could have seen the movie anytime.
Not asking you to go through it in your posts, but the London Symphony version is great, with The Who, Steve Winwood, Maggie Bell, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart and others playing the characters. The orchestra adds oomph and emotion to an already incredible work. I recommend a listen.
Since part 4 didn’t come out yesterday (I know it’s the sabbath day), so I wound up listening to the whole album! Great reaction to this album! My sophomore year in high school (1970) our English teacher played it for us over a two day period!
That was a couple of days you made sure you were in your class room. This is one of the greatest albums ever. PETE TOWNSHEND MUSICAL GENIUS. NOTHING MORE TO BE SAID
@@lantose love at leads that's a great album am not positive first life album. As for my albums my x wife the super PIG 🐷 through all my shit in the trash everything.
When John Lennon once said that the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus", he didn't mean it in a positive way, nor was he bragging about it. But what he said was taken out of context by primarily the US press, and it lead to a massive backlash against the band, with people holding record burnings. The problem with pedestals is that it's precarious up there.
He specifically said there were more people going to their concerts than were going to church. So he supposed it meant The Beatles were more popular than "God", meaning religion.
I think the end opened up an even higher level of his awareness, as you see him in the movie climbing up the mountain at the end, as though the shock of his parents' deaths and rebellion of his followers jolted him into a state of enlightenment. It's saying that going through hell may be necessary in order to experience the opposite, afterwards.
When they perform it, The Who has always accelerated and amplified the last verse into a transcendent crescendo. It really is rousing and hopeful, especially in comparison to the calmer studio recording. Great jog on this, Daniel!
"I heard that in the overture" was probably the best line you said as far as I am concerned. Never worry about length of videos. If anyone complains about that, let them make their own and show the rest of us "how it's done".
DS9, this my friend is by far one of your greatest reactions yet. Not to say I don't enjoy all your videos but you certainly conveyed the message "what the song means to you" in this one. I for one really enjoyed that. I find your ideas and thoughts on a lot of these song to be very well thought out and intelligent. While I might not agree with everything it certainly is uplifting to watch and here your steadfast thoughts on this great music and on life in general. And to think your only 17! BRAVO MY FRIEND!
Thank you bringing this innovative album from 50years ago back to life with your very good and clever analysis. So glad you enjoyed it. I wonder if in 50 years time young guys will be analysing the albums of today ? You have a good head on you that is much older than your actual age! Don’t agree with your criticism of the last part of the album . I love that and The Who nearly always finish off their live set with it and it is very moving . Don’t forget that ‘Dark Side of the Moon ‘ came out three years after ‘Tommy’ Over all loved your four parts of dissecting this album . Well done!
I just found your reaction to Tommy. When this album was released in 1969 I was 22 years old. It was a huge sensation. We all ran out and bought it as soon as we heard it. I remember many times playing it all day long. There was even a ballet created to the music which we went to in Chicago. I haven't listened to it in several few years but just now reliving it with you I got that old thrill. Thank you for doing this really good and thoughrtful reaction.
I just wanted to say I really enjoyed your reaction and your analysis of the album, which I thought was spot on. I really hope this will be the first of many Who albums that you cast a critical eye (or should that be ear) too. Excellent work. PS: don't forget LIVE AT LEEDS.
This album came out when I was 10, but I didn't actually hear the entire thing end-to-end until sometime in '75, though certain tracks proved radio-friendly, so I had heard parts of it. In fact, I think I heard the album in its entirety at about the time the movie came out. At that time, I was a huge Elton John fan, and he had a part in the movie (I won't spoil it in case you are going to react to it.) Anyway, I don't recall whether I heard it shortly before or shortly after, but the movie led to listening to all four sides. Epic reaction series here, Daniel! Thanks.
I met my idol, Chris Chambliss, on the Yankees' first trip to Boston in 1977. He was in line getting off a plane and onto a bus and ignored me as I called him by name twice. (To put this into context, look up video of Chambliss from the previous October.)
Your interpretation of "Tommy" is one interpretation (a good and fair one). Over the years, I have talked about this album with many people and have heard many interpretations. I think it's like anything else...different people interpret things differently depending on many things (e.g. happenings in their lives, taking drugs (especially in the 60's; etc.)). That's the fun of it. That's part of the genus of the album (sound track). I would be interested to know who wrote this...it had to be more than just the band members of The Who. I remember when this album came out; I was in the Army stationed in SE Asia, and it was blowing people's mind. We had just seen the movie; "Woodstock" and recognized one of the songs on the Album (soundtrack) that was performed at Woodstock ("See me, Feel me"). This was a crazy time to be alive (wish I could go back). Thank you for doing this...it was a good walk down memory lane.
He was exploited then cured but his followers did not want it when they had to go through his experience but in the end he is rejected and still left wanting. Loved when you realised by the music Uncle Ernie was back.
I'm very glad that you have found this amazing work. I hope you listen to it many times in the future, because it is profound and majestic. There are only a few things like it in any artistic medium. Tommy is undone by his followers, disappointed and bored by his message. Good morning, campers! Ha ha!
If it has not already been established, what you may be thinking is "We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted Sister. I heard that melody when you sang the phrase.
At 38:40 you start to comment about I'm Free and Tommy finally experiencing reality. That was foreshadowed a while ago by the doctor in Go to the Mirror when he said 'Imagine though the shock from isolation, when he suddenly can hear and speak and see.' 11:05 in Part 3. In We're Not Gonna Take it, I think the line 'gonna rape you' refers to what happened to Tommy before he was cured. Sort of a flashback to his past. Love the album, love your reaction and breakdown of the lyrics. Who's Next and Quadrophenia sometime in the future please ??
Very good reaction and analysis. A couple years later Lou Reizner did a great cover version of this with the London Symphony and multiple guest singers including Steve Winwood as Capt Walker, Sandy Denny as mother, Rod Stewart as the city kid singing Pinball wizard, Ritchie Havens as the Hawker , the incredible Richard Harris as the Doctor and Ringo Starr as Uncle Ernie. Definitely worth a listen if you can find it.
About the strange track listing of "I'm Free". When Pete took the musical to Broadway, in '93, he put the song properly right after "Smash the Mirror". I wonder if there is a recorded version of the staged musical. Sounds like there were some excellent plot changes that only improved the story. I'd loved to have seen it!
When I saw the title, "We're Not Gonna Take It!" I thought, "He's reacting to a song by Twisted Sister?" 😏 (No disrespect to TS - That video, in particular, is hilarious!) 😂 However, I'm so glad it's *The Who* ! 🥁 🎸 Can't wait to see what is coming next?!?! Great job, DS9! 💜💫✌🏼🎵
This is the album that made me love this band! Love SALLY SIMPSON & AMAZING JOURNEY/SPARKS. I still can't listen to it in pieces; I have to hear it from beginning to end as a true ROCK OPERA. This LP is the first of 4 straight albums that marked the band at their absolute peak. ( TOMMY, LIVE AT LEEDS, WHO'S NEXT, QUADROPHENIA) Very few bands have 4 truly EPIC albums, let alone 4 in a row! 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Gotta do full album reviews of the next 3 albums; you won't be sorry! Enjoyed this alot! Well done! 👏
The soundtrack along with far more elaborate instrumentation, sound effects and orchestrations has Daltrey fully matured into his soul screaming rock god vocal capacities and its tremendously effective.
I was 9 in 1969 when this came out, and definitely did not hear it until after the movie was released. In 1975, my then boyfriend and I took a 90 minute city bus ride each way to the nearest theater showing the movie. Up until that point, I was a bubble gum pop/Top 40 radio listener, so I didn't really know The Who, or any of the guest artists in the movie, except I did know Elton John for Crocodile Rock. Elton, amazing. Tina Turner, mesmerizing. Keith Moon as Uncle Ernie, creepy. Uncle Ernie throughout the film, and Ann Margaret's bean scene = nightmares for weeks. It was a very quiet, uncomfortable 90 minute bus ride back home. I think neither I nor my boyfriend knew how to digest it on first viewing. The only other movie I recall hitting me in that way as a teen was The Legend of Billy Jack. That one opened my eyes to a lot of things going on in society at the time my parents had striven to shelter me from.
Thanks Daniel for reacting to Tommy in it's entirety. I was thirteen when I first purchased this album after hearing the Woodstock album and seeing the film. My friends and I spent hours listening and then discussing the meaning and merits of this release. Disclaimer - Our perception was always altered so not much was really discerned but we did have fun! I enjoyed watching you "get it" during certain parts. The musical composition and story is quite brilliant. I would second all the recommendations for Quadrophenia and other Who albums. I would also recommend Snow by Spock's Beard in it's entirety as a concept album that shares much with Tommy. I think you would really like it as it is progressive rock through and through and has a spiritual theme. There is a performance of it on YT as well that is outstanding.
Great reaction I really learned a lot and your insights are right on. In those days people sought out gurus and others had developed psychological messianic complex’s, this probably irked Townsend enough to write songs about it. Check out “Estimated Prophet” by the Grateful Dead, it’s a song about a person like that. Thank you for such an honest and thorough reaction. ✌🏻
In the late 60’s kids were leaving their homes with their old-fashioned, materialistic values to live life among the hippies and bohemians, so Sally reverberated with a lot of people.
The way it ends - It is just you. Like the underture, it's intended to be listened to & digested continuously with these moments serving as a pause to catch your breath with the story thus far. But when you react in segments, & analyze each side in a vacuum, the whole experience sometimes gets lost. Who watches a movie 20 min a day & still have the same thoughts then if it were just watched all the way through without interruption? Just my 2 cents. You always do a great job!
It's OK to put heroes on a pedestal as long as you know that it's you doing it. We all need someone to look up to, but we also need to know they are only inspiration, not the Answer!
I loved this series! definitely a new subscriber who is sticking around :) one album I haven't seen mentioned in the comments (apart from Quadrophenia, which I'd love to hear your thoughts on) is Arthur by The Kinks. I didn't see any Kinks numbers covered on your channel, but they're wonderful and influenced Pete Townshend's work! ☺️ just if you end up needing another classic rock album with a storyline to listen to, give that one a go~ ✌️
I love this album, i like this music and their voices.. Tengo este album en mi casa, lo compré hace unos 20 añosy no pasa mucho tiempo pars volver a escucharlo. Saludos desde Chile... grande The who 👍👍👍
The only way to listen to Tommy is live. Pull up the 1970 isle of white concert and watch them perform it live. It's truly one of the greatest rock performances ever. They were untouchable when they played live.
Love the little details and lyrical / musical nuances you bring to light. I have to admit my best friend next door neighbor had the original Tommy album. I had Live at Leeds and that's what I listened much more than the original. Thanks for exposing me to this again. Will look forward to your future return one day for other versions. I read a comment here that I thought was the best. "The Album was so good The Who covered it twice themselves..."
Very perceptive analysis. The film goes into more detail, there are added lyrics as we see Tommy's parents living off of his pinball fame and wealth. Once Tommy comes out of his mental state and opens his house to his followers his parents and Uncle Earnie need money to keep things going, they go on TV, they sell Tommy records so people can hear him speak. Ernie sells them the eye shades, earplugs and corks as well as stickers, t-shirts and mirrors to smash. The converts sing: These pricey deals don't reach us Your freedom doesn't reach us Enlightenment escapes us Awareness doesn't shape us. How can all this trivia Take us to the goal you reached? We came here to be like you Find the world you preached. I'm glad you liked 'Sally Simpson' I've always felt it was underrated. Not only does it give us a respite from Tommy's angst and focus on how his followers perceive him it also gives a glimpse into the future: Tommy always talks about the day, The disciples all went wild.
So there's a couple of things to keep in mind. One of the questions popularly explored in the late 60s and early 70s through works such as Tommy, Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar, and other lesser known works, was "What shape would the second coming (of the Savior) take in modern times? And would most people even recognize him/her?" More specific to Tommy though, some of the larger, overarching themes conveyed in the culmination of this work are: a) Idolatry in any form is usually not a very good idea (for some obvious reasons in this work!) and b) When any movement (religious or otherwise) becomes less about lofty goals such as Be A Decent Human Being, Do Unto Others..., etc, and more about a series of ritualistic behaviors in order to be considered a "follower," "devotee," or "acolyte," demanding such hoops be jumped through while offering little other than a cult of personality in return, the masses of followers will generally, at some point, turn away from their leader, leaving all but the zealots behind. And zealotry too, is usually not good either, as it too can lead people to behave in ways that make them not very decent human beings. And if you think about it, it's those ritualistic behaviors that are the very divisions between the world's major religions ‐certainly the Abrahamic religions‐ or the various sects within those 3 major players. It's not the Do Unto Others... which all on the surface seem to share. Or, in perverted cases, Do Unto Others WE Consider (usually through strict adherence to rituals) To Be One Of US... Also, never underestimate the human capacity for total denial of reality, e.g. Tommy relying on Uncle Ernie as a business partner.
I must say you provided a great review of this album. I watched all 4 parts, which allowed me to re-listen to this incredible album for the first time in long time. What alway struck me was how well it was mixed. i remember listening to it with regular speakers and could hear sound coming from above and all around me. (No I was not stoned at the time) Not bad for an album recorded mostly n 1968. (also not bad for a 23 year old Pete). Anyways GREAT job. I goes without saying that you will now have to watch the 1975 movie, if you haven't already. (it was really successful and had some of the biggest stars in it at the time.) As well as some of the live performances (1969 Colosseum, Woodstock, as well as The Filmore West is a killer) Ok onto Quadrophenia.....
Daniel, I give you 5 stars for your analysis and interpretation of Tommy (and life). You are really only 17? A bright future for you indeed. Thanks for sharing your intellect and heart!
Check out the Who singing We're not gonna take it at Woodstock
And all of Live at Leeds.
@David Bradley Well said, such a great line it perfectly captures the message!
Don't let Quadrophenia pass you by, it's great as well.
Greater!
I prefer Quadrophenia to Tommy. Tommy is sort of psychedelic whereas Quadrophenia is hard rock. Love it.
@@firebird7479 Tommy tells the better story but musically Quadrophenia is the better album. Every song on it falls somewhere between great and timeless masterpiece. Quadrophenia is the greatest achievement in rock and roll history if you ask me.
I like "Tommy," "Who's Next?" and "Quadrophenia," in that order.
RE: Sally Simpson --- you ought to watch the Beatles documentary, "Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years". You'll see a plethora of Sally Simpsons. Those crazed teenage girls are now grandmothers and great-grandmothers.
Yes! Keith Moon is a beast throughout this album.
Yeah agreed. Like an exclamation point on every phrase comes thunder from the drum kit..,. Like no other.. Keith Moon the loon
45:34 Holiday Camps are common vacation spots in the UK. Self-contained entertainment, etc. Ringo Starr cut his teeth as a drummer for Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. They were working the summer of 1962 at a Holiday Camp when the Beatles asked him to join the group.
It wasn't until you were going through your analysis that I finally saw Tommy not as a literal story, but as an allegory for musicians, rock stars, and even popular figures in general. Repressed, abused, and misunderstood by society on a whole, trapped in their own inner world of music, longing for touch and connection. Until one day it happens, the mirror breaks, and all the music that was inside can come out. They can finally bask in their newly found fame, hailed as a messiah by the masses. But that's just another form of control, as the disenchanted crowd tells him "We're gonna rape you. Let's forget you, better still."
Exactly! And that's why Uncle Ernie comes back with his awful holiday camp. It's just another form of exploitation.
excellent!
I think, this again is just me, the intent of him becoming a "messiah" is that he went from a child whom no one loved to a figure everyone around him loves, then loses it all and is back to asking for love. Townshend was very intrigued by hero worship, the so called "teenage wasteland" he saw, and his disgust with it. Last comment, it seems like he finds a way on most every song on this album to put in that Bsus to B chord change, the one that leads off Pinball Wizard after the intro. Thank you very much for doing this Daniel putting your heart out there, it was very touching and moving.
He's a good one 😍
Yes, similarly, Pink Floyd’s “The Wall”
Compares rock stardom to fascism
I believe you are thinking of the Twisted Sister song of the same title. This is my personal favorite along with I'm Free. Loved your reaction to the return of Uncle Ernie who was played by Keith Moon in the film btw.
Moon, also sang the part on this record...
Twisted sister. We’re not gonna take it
I was gonna say - "not to be confused with Twisted Sister's We're Not Gonna Take It" :D :D
@@doplinger1 just goes to show ya all the best songs have been written....titles too
the film is awful lol a cult classic for years not sure why when i watch it now . but the album rocks
i actually wonder if the movie gave me chronic nightmares as a kid.....but i digress ...
The one thing that is impossible to recreate is what was going on musically in 1969 when this album came out. Your reaction is similar to the way many of us reacted except we were surrounded by different music so we came from a different background. Although a case could be made that Moody Blues had concept albums it wasn't the same as Tommy which told a continuing story like an opera. Since you can't un-hear music you have already heard the closest thing that I can suggest to give you an idea of what it was like is to look up the date that Tommy was released and then go to a website and see what was playing on the top 40 as well as the albums that were being played on FM radio at the same time. Albums like Tommy, Sgt. Pepper, Days of Future Passed, which were all ground breaking albums have lost some of their impact because they were a case of "you had to be there at the time" to fully understand the effect they had and the changes they made in music as well as for us as listeners.
Sometimes, context is everything. I've noticed in a lot of reaction channels hosted by teens and college-aged adults that they are sometimes a bit underwhelmed by music that was/is more important than they realize.
😍
Well stated as I loved The Moody Blues Days of Future Past though it did not tell the same kind of story or rocked out as this one does!
1969 was also the year of Abbey Road. In fact, there was so much excellent music around that Tommy wasn't quite appreciated as much as it could have been at the time. In my view.
I would say also Let It Bleed because that had a lot to do with the Vietnam War and anti-war protesting and free love( Let It Bleed, live with me) especially Gimme Shelter classic to this day I would say the Rolling Stones best album and subsequent 1969 tour basically blew the whole love and peace atmosphere away.
being a who fan forever i was afraid to read negative comments....but you guys are cool......tommy was an amazing album ....spoon fed to me as a kid. pete towshend is an amazing rythym guitar player songwriter and arranger . and john entwhistle literally changed the way the bass is played ....keith moon ...what hasnt been said...what a beast of a band
" What is the moral?
There must be a moral!
Morals for everything in sight!
Moral tomorrow. Comedy tonight!"
-- Stephen Sondheim
A Funny Thing Happened On My Way To The Forum
Or words to that effect (aging slushware gettin' kind of glitchy).
Is that the writer of Sweeney Todd?
EDIT: I looked it up, yes it is, love this quote:)
@@DiconDissectionalReactions You should watch the Funny Thing Happened movie sometime - it's one of my brain candy regulars. Zero Mostel at his finest, wee bab Michael Crawford, and Buster Keaton's last film performance. (Being a movie, it did cut several songs from the play version, but it's still wonderful.)
The recurring themes in this album is incredible. Bits and pieces of the music and/or the lyrics throughout the songs intertwines and connects everything to keep the plot together.
😍
the whos manager kit lambert an opera buff of sorts had alot of input to the album and story line.....he was an aspring movie maker but never got his shot with tommy he died before it was made
"Forget you better still." The worst thing you can do to a superstar cult leader or rock star - being forgotten.
Don't you know that you are a shooting star?
All the world will love you just as long
Long as you are
A shooting star
Thanks for all your work on this - I've always been inspired by the story and the lyrics of Tommy - it's genius 🌈✌
Really fine job young man. And to think you figured out something that takes many people a lifetime if they ever do, at 13.Thank you again for doing this I really enjoyed it. Listening to you, I get the music......and so much more!
blane: 👍🏽
Waited all weekend...you sly devil...Monday 7am. You know what you're doing :)
Daniel is actually a wizened 40 y/o, residing in a young man's body.
@@lesliesylvan Yes he is, isn't he
The earplugs, blindfold, and cork are similar to a sensory deprivation chamber. I tried a float tank, where it’s dark, quiet, and you float near weightless in a large salt laden water. After some time, the mind gets upset without inputs, and starts to give visions, hallucinations, etc, if you let your mind go. Similar in some ways to dreams. These can lead to moments of clarity, creativity, and fantasy.
Impossible not to think about the raw, whacked out woodstock performance listening to this.
I can’t believe they performed the whole thing for Woodstock.
I love the Woodstock performance. They fought through some really difficult circumstances. As a musician that has played live, their performance at Woodstock is epic.
Keith Moon . .. . Beyond incredible ! 🥁
Keith Moon was the greatest drummer ever ever and he is still the greatest drummer ever.
Now onto "Quadrophenia" maybe my favorite album of all time. "Tommy" is great....but I'll let you judge
Hi Daniel, during 1968 The Who played a concert with the Doors at the Singor Bowl. While the Doors were on stage Townshend witnessed a girl getting quite badly injured and he wrote a song about it, hence Sally Simpson.
The chronological issue with the song "I'm Free" was corrected in the movie Tommy. In the movie, it appears immediately after his mother smashes the mirror and he is cured.
Fantastic reaction, by the way. Amazingly insightful for someone your age. This came out when I was 10 years old so do the math. All your reactions are really, really good! This was, I think, your best.
London Coliseum ‘69. The Who perform Tommy in its entirety mid-set, in a classic opera house, complete with hilarious intro banter from Pete and Keith. You’ve got the studio framework- now do yourself a real favor and watch them bring it to life on stage. Absolutely spellbinding.
Well this was certainly a treat hearing Tommy for the first time in almost forever.. Thanks for the post comments well done Dr. Phil er I mean Dr. Daniel.👨🏻⚕️
I think I like Daltrey's I'm free from the movie more than this album. It has more push I think. Daniel have you listened to Jesus Christ Superstar? I'm thinking that I saw Tommy the movie and Superstar the rock opera stage show at much the same time. Anyways.. Thanks for Tommy. Good going back there. :)
Jesus Christ Superstar was a good movie. Saw it in the US then when stationed in Germany. I thought it would be dubbed. It had German translation CC at the bottom. Really good.
The original Broadway version has Ian Gillian of Deep Purple as Jesus--- his vocals were incredible. A bit more powerful than Ted Neely in the movie version.
@@lisarainbow9703 The Australian cast had Jon English as Judas. And I thought he was amazing. I recently watched a broadcast on youtube of a recent version with Tim Minchin as Judas. Different tack. Really worth the watching. (Re Gillian...Do you remember The Butterfly Ball? I did see an amateur production of it once...)
Back at that time Columbia House Records (remember them, the 10 albums for a penny guys) was constantly pushing the four "Rock Operas": Tommy, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, and Hair.
@@lisarainbow9703 funny, much as I love Ian Gillian, I prefer Ted Neely in this role. Either way, highly recommended.
to be honest, I was too young when this came out and didn't comprehend the story or what Townsend was saying ... then when Quadrophenia came out, it was more of an approachable story (and I was a few years older); so I've tended to listen to Live at Leeds and Quadrophenia and Who's Next, rather than Tommy ... so thank you for going through the entire Tommy, and providing the lyrics .. even now, I may not listen to it more, but now understand it better
Tommy was a make or break album for The Who, by the late 60s they were treading water, had it flopped they would have very likely have gone their separate ways. It wasn't so much the studio album that saved them but their live performances of it. Throughout 69/70 they took it on the road extensively in USA/Europe often to ecstatic reviews. Live at Isle of Wight 1970 perfectly illustrates this period, it is regarded as one of, if not the greatest gigs they ever did.
These 3 Tommy reaction videos are my favorite of yours! You got so involved in the story. Great!
So, you liked I’m Free? That was always one of my favorites. Favorite line: “ If I told you what it takes
To reach the highest high
You'd laugh and say nothing's that simple. But you’ve been told many times before, Messiahs pointed to the door; no one had the guts to leave the temple.”
Excellent breakdown to the 4 album sides! Daniel, if something has to slip off your radar let it be the movie. Others will probably disagree with me but many (myself included) didn't think much of it when it originally came out. Only the story was The Who, everything else was out of their control, and it shows. DO watch a live performance of Tommy from the 70s. Best of luck! 👍✌️
Jack; Yep; skip the movie. Time lost, one can never recoup! lol
My oldest brother had this album and would play it from cover to cover multiple times a day. It never got old
I think 'emotionally stunted' fits what Tommy was. Amazing Dissection! It's cool that you found and listened to this early on in your quest, as now you have another masterpiece to compare all else to. Looking forward to Quadrophenia!
Always a pleasure to listen to this Rock Opera again, made more pleasurable seeing Daniel experience it for the first time.
Ultimately, they agreed with Daniel - The Who did add a "musical crescendo" to the version of "We're Not Gonna Take It" they played live, notably at Woodstock.
I have had a few copies of this and it is always borrowed and never comes back. Oh well time to buy another...
I went out of my way to find (and pay for) an original Decca pressing of Tommy and Who's Next. The MCA reissues are prone to vinyl cancer.
Never lend books or albums. They never come back. Trust me.
Have enjoyed this record for many many years but have never dived so deep into it. Fantastic exploration. Can't wait for you to get your teeth into Quadrophenia. Should be one heck of a ride!
Brilliant reaction, Daniel. The best so far. Thank you.
Alright! Waiting all weekend for this, thank you Daniel.
You`ve hit the nail on the head Daniel everybody has their own take on everything. In his writing Townshend purposely leaves it up to the listener to make their own mind up he doesn`t claim to have all the answers making the critics "obscure plot" criticism redundant. Ken Russell the director of the film set it 30yrs into the future swopped the murder around and tried to fill in what he thought was all the gaps. Townshend obviously hoped the album listeners could work it out for themselves and wouldn`t need it handed to them on a plate.
Yes, and I agree more with Daniel's interpretation at the end than the critics as reflected in Wikipedia. Tommy is singing "Listening to you .." at the end, but so is the multitude. It seems they have all learned from this experience. It works from both perspectives. Both have learned what Daniel learned at 13, namely that everyone has their own take on everything, and though different from one another, can be just as valid. There is universal enlightenment, good and bad. From those different opinions Tommy and the multitude get the story. It may be a different story, but they get it nonetheless. Also, the tie-in with music idolatry and religion in general is brilliant. (Tommy still always talks about the day the disciples all went wild). Daniel's interpretation was something I had not thought about specifically as it relates to the Tommy album, but it totally makes sense. I suspect Daniel is an old soul.
When I first heard my brother’s record of Tommy at 10 years old it immediately transformed me into a rock and roll fan forever, and of course a WHO fan!i had not seen them in their original formation though did see them finally a year and a half ago at Madison Square Garden .👍🏻❤️☮️✌🏻🎤🎼
The best Rock Opera or dang best double Rock album EVEEEEEER!!!
How can anyone be the same, after hearing this . . . Thank you, Daniel
The ending crescendo you wanted ( justifiably) is in the film.
A must!
You are so right how people want someone to put on a pedestal because they are not happy with their own life!
You really impress me.
For your age, you're far more astute than most.
I know people decades older than you with experience and accomplishments that don't hold a candle to your ability to decipher and explain things.
Good on ya.
I have no doubt that you'll accomplish much and influence and help many, many people.
Thank you!👍🤗
TOMMY. AMAZING. ♥️♥️ 🎼🎶🇨🇦
"I was a teenager when I finally realized that" Oh, Daniel, you are waaaay ahead of most people who *never* figure that out. I’m impressed that you figured it out at 13, I was in my 20s before that truth started to occur to me! And I still ‘forget’ sometimes and assume someone else knows what I know and feels what I feel and believes what I believe.
We're Not Gonna Take it is a Twisted Sister song
That was fantastic, its been many years since I first listened to Tommy in its entirety, I agree with you on the conclusion, Tommy seeing the light and finding a place for himself in the world.
The holiday camp aspect of the story is a reference to a very British phenomenon of the 20th century, particularly in the postwar era, and it's interesting how Pete Townshend used it as the setting for a religious cult. Check out this Wikipedia article for details on British holiday camps: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday_camp. Live entertainment was one of the features of holiday camps, and many British musicians found work in them. Ringo Starr was playing with Rory Storm & The Hurricanes at a Butlin's holiday camp when The Beatles called him to join them permanently. Pete Townshend's father Cliff was a professional musician and undoubtedly would have played at holiday camps. The camps also had a reputation for being places where people let loose, similar to Vegas - what went on at Butlin's stayed at Butlin's, so to speak.
Thanks for doing these reactions to Tommy. I haven't heard this for many years. Watching you listening to this brought back memories of my first hearing of it many years ago.
I listen to this whole album like 3 or 4 times a year. Overture and Underture are 2 of my favs. You're doing a great job Daniel.
If you become a public figure or 'celebrity' many people start to think they know you personally. They don't, of course, but the better you are at projecting your public persona, the more some people feel you are talking directly to them. And then there are some people who start to feel they own you in some way. Mostly that's just annoying, but it can also become dangerous if an individual seriously loses their sense of objectivity. Mark Knopfler once said that fame is the unfortunate byproduct of success. Our celebrity culture can encourage young people to seek fame for its own sake, rather than striving for authentic personal achievement, but such shallow fame can just become a very public prison.
Thanks for doing this album. I listened to it when it first came out. I was 14, thanks older sister. Went to Minneapolis to see my sister and I had my choice to go see the"Tommy" Movie that just came out or this concert of an up and coming singer that was just starting to get popular. The lines were going around a few city blocks so I chose the movie. The singer was Bruce Springsteen, boy did I mess up! I could have seen the movie anytime.
Not asking you to go through it in your posts, but the London Symphony version is great, with The Who, Steve Winwood, Maggie Bell, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart and others playing the characters. The orchestra adds oomph and emotion to an already incredible work. I recommend a listen.
Since part 4 didn’t come out yesterday (I know it’s the sabbath day), so I wound up listening to the whole album! Great reaction to this album! My sophomore year in high school (1970) our English teacher played it for us over a two day period!
That was a couple of days you made sure you were in your class room. This is one of the greatest albums ever. PETE TOWNSHEND MUSICAL GENIUS. NOTHING MORE TO BE SAID
@@jimwelsh997 Still have the album! It is a classic, as are all the Who’s albums. My first album of theirs was The Who Live at Leads in 1970!
@@lantose love at leads that's a great album am not positive first life album. As for my albums my x wife the super PIG 🐷 through all my shit in the trash everything.
When John Lennon once said that the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus", he didn't mean it in a positive way, nor was he bragging about it. But what he said was taken out of context by primarily the US press, and it lead to a massive backlash against the band, with people holding record burnings. The problem with pedestals is that it's precarious up there.
I think he said "more popular than Jesus", not "bigger than". He meant that it was silly for people to put them ( The Beatles) on a pedestal.
@@sjw5797 you're right, it was "popular". Thanks
He specifically said there were more people going to their concerts than were going to church. So he supposed it meant The Beatles were more popular than "God", meaning religion.
I think the end opened up an even higher level of his awareness, as you see him in the movie climbing up the mountain at the end, as though the shock of his parents' deaths and rebellion of his followers jolted him into a state of enlightenment. It's saying that going through hell may be necessary in order to experience the opposite, afterwards.
When they perform it, The Who has always accelerated and amplified the last verse into a transcendent crescendo. It really is rousing and hopeful, especially in comparison to the calmer studio recording. Great jog on this, Daniel!
"I heard that in the overture" was probably the best line you said as far as I am concerned.
Never worry about length of videos. If anyone complains about that, let them make their own and show the rest of us "how it's done".
DS9, this my friend is by far one of your greatest reactions yet. Not to say I don't enjoy all your videos but you certainly conveyed the message "what the song means to you" in this one. I for one really enjoyed that. I find your ideas and thoughts on a lot of these song to be very well thought out and intelligent. While I might not agree with everything it certainly is uplifting to watch and here your steadfast thoughts on this great music and on life in general. And to think your only 17! BRAVO MY FRIEND!
Thank you bringing this innovative album from 50years ago back to life with your very good and clever analysis. So glad you enjoyed it. I wonder if in 50 years time young guys will be analysing the albums of today ?
You have a good head on you that is much older than your actual age!
Don’t agree with your criticism of the last part of the album . I love that and The Who nearly always finish off their live set with it and it is very moving . Don’t forget that ‘Dark Side of the Moon ‘ came out three years after ‘Tommy’
Over all loved your four parts of dissecting this album . Well done!
In 1969 I got this album for my 12th birthday. I never knew music could be like this.
Really enjoyed watching you consume "Tommy" as I did as a young adult. Good job on your analysis and thankyou for sharing this journey with us.❤
At the end Tommy is alone/isolated once again and he pleads to "see me, feel me....".
Absolutely essential to hear this live. Much more powerful.
I just found your reaction to Tommy. When this album was released in 1969 I was 22 years old. It was a huge sensation. We all ran out and bought it as soon as we heard it. I remember many times playing it all day long. There was even a ballet created to the music which we went to in Chicago. I haven't listened to it in several few years but just now reliving it with you I got that old thrill. Thank you for doing this really good and thoughrtful reaction.
I just wanted to say I really enjoyed your reaction and your analysis of the album, which I thought was spot on. I really hope this will be the first of many Who albums that you cast a critical eye (or should that be ear) too. Excellent work.
PS: don't forget LIVE AT LEEDS.
When you read "We're Not Gonna Take It" you were probably thinking about Twisted Sister's 1984 hit song, a completely different thing.
This album came out when I was 10, but I didn't actually hear the entire thing end-to-end until sometime in '75, though certain tracks proved radio-friendly, so I had heard parts of it. In fact, I think I heard the album in its entirety at about the time the movie came out. At that time, I was a huge Elton John fan, and he had a part in the movie (I won't spoil it in case you are going to react to it.) Anyway, I don't recall whether I heard it shortly before or shortly after, but the movie led to listening to all four sides. Epic reaction series here, Daniel! Thanks.
I met my idol, Chris Chambliss, on the Yankees' first trip to Boston in 1977. He was in line getting off a plane and onto a bus and ignored me as I called him by name twice. (To put this into context, look up video of Chambliss from the previous October.)
Your interpretation of "Tommy" is one interpretation (a good and fair one). Over the years, I have talked about this album with many people and have heard many interpretations. I think it's like anything else...different people interpret things differently depending on many things (e.g. happenings in their lives, taking drugs (especially in the 60's; etc.)). That's the fun of it. That's part of the genus of the album (sound track). I would be interested to know who wrote this...it had to be more than just the band members of The Who. I remember when this album came out; I was in the Army stationed in SE Asia, and it was blowing people's mind. We had just seen the movie; "Woodstock" and recognized one of the songs on the Album (soundtrack) that was performed at Woodstock ("See me, Feel me"). This was a crazy time to be alive (wish I could go back). Thank you for doing this...it was a good walk down memory lane.
See the cover to the film soundtrack. It shows Tommy wearing the eyeshades/earplugs/mouth cork.
He was exploited then cured but his followers did not want it when they had to go through his experience but in the end he is rejected and still left wanting. Loved when you realised by the music Uncle Ernie was back.
I'm very glad that you have found this amazing work. I hope you listen to it many times in the future, because it is profound and majestic. There are only a few things like it in any artistic medium.
Tommy is undone by his followers, disappointed and bored by his message.
Good morning, campers! Ha ha!
I have been listening to this album since 8th grade and it is still amazing. Beautifully played and sung.
If it has not already been established, what you may be thinking is "We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted Sister. I heard that melody when you sang the phrase.
At 38:40 you start to comment about I'm Free and Tommy finally experiencing reality.
That was foreshadowed a while ago by the doctor in Go to the Mirror when he said 'Imagine though the shock from isolation, when he suddenly can hear and speak and see.' 11:05 in Part 3.
In We're Not Gonna Take it, I think the line 'gonna rape you' refers to what happened to Tommy before he was cured. Sort of a flashback to his past.
Love the album, love your reaction and breakdown of the lyrics.
Who's Next and Quadrophenia sometime in the future please ??
Definitely this side is the highlight of this epic album!👍🏻❤️☮️✌🏻
Very good reaction and analysis. A couple years later Lou Reizner did a great cover version of this with the London Symphony and multiple guest singers including Steve Winwood as Capt Walker, Sandy Denny as mother, Rod Stewart as the city kid singing Pinball wizard, Ritchie Havens as the Hawker , the incredible Richard Harris as the Doctor and Ringo Starr as Uncle Ernie. Definitely worth a listen if you can find it.
About the strange track listing of "I'm Free". When Pete took the musical to Broadway, in '93, he put the song properly right after "Smash the Mirror". I wonder if there is a recorded version of the staged musical. Sounds like there were some excellent plot changes that only improved the story. I'd loved to have seen it!
When I saw the title, "We're Not Gonna Take It!" I thought, "He's reacting to a song by Twisted Sister?" 😏
(No disrespect to TS - That video, in particular, is hilarious!) 😂
However, I'm so glad it's
*The Who* ! 🥁 🎸
Can't wait to see what is coming next?!?!
Great job, DS9!
💜💫✌🏼🎵
This is the album that made me love this band! Love SALLY SIMPSON & AMAZING JOURNEY/SPARKS. I still can't listen to it in pieces; I have to hear it from beginning to end as a true ROCK OPERA. This LP is the first of 4 straight albums that marked the band at their absolute peak. ( TOMMY, LIVE AT LEEDS, WHO'S NEXT, QUADROPHENIA) Very few bands have 4 truly EPIC albums, let alone 4 in a row! 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Gotta do full album reviews of the next 3 albums; you won't be sorry! Enjoyed this alot! Well done! 👏
The soundtrack along with far more elaborate instrumentation, sound effects and orchestrations has Daltrey fully matured into his soul screaming rock god vocal capacities and its tremendously effective.
I was 9 in 1969 when this came out, and definitely did not hear it until after the movie was released. In 1975, my then boyfriend and I took a 90 minute city bus ride each way to the nearest theater showing the movie. Up until that point, I was a bubble gum pop/Top 40 radio listener, so I didn't really know The Who, or any of the guest artists in the movie, except I did know Elton John for Crocodile Rock.
Elton, amazing.
Tina Turner, mesmerizing.
Keith Moon as Uncle Ernie, creepy.
Uncle Ernie throughout the film, and Ann Margaret's bean scene = nightmares for weeks.
It was a very quiet, uncomfortable 90 minute bus ride back home. I think neither I nor my boyfriend knew how to digest it on first viewing.
The only other movie I recall hitting me in that way as a teen was The Legend of Billy Jack. That one opened my eyes to a lot of things going on in society at the time my parents had striven to shelter me from.
Thanks Daniel for reacting to Tommy in it's entirety. I was thirteen when I first purchased this album after hearing the Woodstock album and seeing the film. My friends and I spent hours listening and then discussing the meaning and merits of this release. Disclaimer - Our perception was always altered so not much was really discerned but we did have fun! I enjoyed watching you "get it" during certain parts. The musical composition and story is quite brilliant. I would second all the recommendations for Quadrophenia and other Who albums. I would also recommend Snow by Spock's Beard in it's entirety as a concept album that shares much with Tommy. I think you would really like it as it is progressive rock through and through and has a spiritual theme. There is a performance of it on YT as well that is outstanding.
Great reaction I really learned a lot and your insights are right on. In those days people sought out gurus and others had developed psychological messianic complex’s, this probably irked Townsend enough to write songs about it. Check out “Estimated Prophet” by the Grateful Dead, it’s a song about a person like that. Thank you for such an honest and thorough reaction. ✌🏻
In the late 60’s kids were leaving their homes with their old-fashioned, materialistic values to live life among the hippies and bohemians, so Sally reverberated with a lot of people.
The way it ends - It is just you. Like the underture, it's intended to be listened to & digested continuously with these moments serving as a pause to catch your breath with the story thus far. But when you react in segments, & analyze each side in a vacuum, the whole experience sometimes gets lost. Who watches a movie 20 min a day & still have the same thoughts then if it were just watched all the way through without interruption? Just my 2 cents. You always do a great job!
It's OK to put heroes on a pedestal as long as you know that it's you doing it. We all need someone to look up to, but we also need to know they are only inspiration, not the Answer!
I loved this series! definitely a new subscriber who is sticking around :)
one album I haven't seen mentioned in the comments (apart from Quadrophenia, which I'd love to hear your thoughts on) is Arthur by The Kinks.
I didn't see any Kinks numbers covered on your channel, but they're wonderful and influenced Pete Townshend's work! ☺️ just if you end up needing another classic rock album with a storyline to listen to, give that one a go~ ✌️
I love this album, i like this music and their voices..
Tengo este album en mi casa, lo compré hace unos 20 añosy no pasa mucho tiempo pars volver a escucharlo.
Saludos desde Chile... grande The who
👍👍👍
The extended version of Who's Next is nothing short of total awesomeness.😝
The only way to listen to Tommy is live. Pull up the 1970 isle of white concert and watch them perform it live. It's truly one of the greatest rock performances ever. They were untouchable when they played live.
Love the little details and lyrical / musical nuances you bring to light. I have to admit my best friend next door neighbor had the original Tommy album. I had Live at Leeds and that's what I listened much more than the original. Thanks for exposing me to this again. Will look forward to your future return one day for other versions. I read a comment here that I thought was the best. "The Album was so good The Who covered it twice themselves..."
Very perceptive analysis. The film goes into more detail, there are added lyrics as we see Tommy's parents living off of his pinball fame and wealth. Once Tommy comes out of his mental state and opens his house to his followers his parents and Uncle Earnie need money to keep things going, they go on TV, they sell Tommy records so people can hear him speak. Ernie sells them the eye shades, earplugs and corks as well as stickers, t-shirts and mirrors to smash.
The converts sing:
These pricey deals don't reach us
Your freedom doesn't reach us
Enlightenment escapes us
Awareness doesn't shape us.
How can all this trivia
Take us to the goal you reached?
We came here to be like you
Find the world you preached.
I'm glad you liked 'Sally Simpson' I've always felt it was underrated. Not only does it give us a respite from Tommy's angst and focus on how his followers perceive him it also gives a glimpse into the future: Tommy always talks about the day, The disciples all went wild.
The other concept album by the Who that you would enjoy reacting to and analyzing is "Quadrophenia.
So there's a couple of things to keep in mind.
One of the questions popularly explored in the late 60s and early 70s through works such as Tommy, Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar, and other lesser known works, was "What shape would the second coming (of the Savior) take in modern times? And would most people even recognize him/her?"
More specific to Tommy though, some of the larger, overarching themes conveyed in the culmination of this work are:
a) Idolatry in any form is usually not a very good idea (for some obvious reasons in this work!) and
b) When any movement (religious or otherwise) becomes less about lofty goals such as Be A Decent Human Being, Do Unto Others..., etc, and more about a series of ritualistic behaviors in order to be considered a "follower," "devotee," or "acolyte," demanding such hoops be jumped through while offering little other than a cult of personality in return, the masses of followers will generally, at some point, turn away from their leader, leaving all but the zealots behind. And zealotry too, is usually not good either, as it too can lead people to behave in ways that make them not very decent human beings.
And if you think about it, it's those ritualistic behaviors that are the very divisions between the world's major religions ‐certainly the Abrahamic religions‐ or the various sects within those 3 major players. It's not the Do Unto Others... which all on the surface seem to share.
Or, in perverted cases, Do Unto Others WE Consider (usually through strict adherence to rituals) To Be One Of US...
Also, never underestimate the human capacity for total denial of reality, e.g. Tommy relying on Uncle Ernie as a business partner.
I must say you provided a great review of this album. I watched all 4 parts, which allowed me to re-listen to this incredible album for the first time in long time. What alway struck me was how well it was mixed. i remember listening to it with regular speakers and could hear sound coming from above and all around me. (No I was not stoned at the time) Not bad for an album recorded mostly n 1968. (also not bad for a 23 year old Pete). Anyways GREAT job. I goes without saying that you will now have to watch the 1975 movie, if you haven't already. (it was really successful and had some of the biggest stars in it at the time.) As well as some of the live performances (1969 Colosseum, Woodstock, as well as The Filmore West is a killer) Ok onto Quadrophenia.....
That’s the insane Keith Moon playing Uncle Ernie!