My iPod #286: The Who - Doctor Jimmy

Happy Easter everybody.

The first post today marks the start of the "Doctor" trilogy. This particular song is not about someone who is in that line of work. The second post coming later on today, and tomorrow's are. Maybe tomorrow, 'cause I'll be at my friend's place. The next three songs all have the word 'Doctor' in them, basically.

"Doctor Jimmy" is the longest track on The Who's album "Quadrophenia", coming in at a hefty 8 and a half minutes. It only contains three verses and the "Is It Me?" segment that is meant to represent John Entwistle's personality. Apart from that are some rather long instrumental passages where the band jam and play off one another.

In terms of the album's concept, Jimmy - the main character - is pissed off with everything. The Mod life he believed in was all a lie. He starts drinking gin to see if it can 'hold [him] down', but instead the alcohol brings out the absolute worst. A bit like that story by Robert Louis Stevenson.

In the midst of it, he is still able to think about which one of the four personalities he possesses is actually his - hence the "Is It Me?" part. Overall, it's all too much to take so he steals a boat, heavily intoxicated and sails off into the sea.

Dramatic stuff.  Very tense.

Instrumentally, so much happens in the track that I don't think I could even describe it to you. It's The Who really, what more do you need.

My iPod #279: The Who - The Dirty Jobs

Maybe I should have tweeted that there wasn't going to be a post yesterday. It would save time in having to explain why. I was out, and for anyone that was desperately waiting for that usual update in their Twitter feed.... I am sorry. Dreadfully sorry. But it's here now, and will be followed by another one soon.

Here's one random question I want to ask..... Is it wrong to be young and really like The Who? This randomly came up as a thought when I was listening to The Who on shuffle, when I was on the train back to university from Liverpool. I think The Who are amazing (or were); "My Generation" through to "Who Are You" speak for themselves. But I've never met in person or seen on the internet anyone my age who feels the same way. I feel as if The Who's the kind of band who are only listened to by middle-aged men trying to make their name in the rock music business or something. You see, hear or research about new bands who say that they are influenced by The Beatles.... or material that the members went on to produce in their solo careers. But you never really see any new and talented vocalist say they are inspired by Roger Daltrey, or a bass player inspired by John Entwistle. I stress that this is new bands that I'm talking about here. There are loads of bands I listen to who admire each and every member. But.... I don't know. Maybe it's a generation thing..... That pun wasn't intentional.

That's something you guys can think upon.

But enough of that. Today's track is "The Dirty Jobs", a song from the band's second 'rock opera' "Quadrophenia". At this point in the album's 'plot', the narrator has left home and meets these workers who do 'the dirty jobs', such as looking after pigs and driving the miner bus. The narrator criticises them for not sticking the middle finger up to 'the man'. That sums the song up lyrically.

It's astonishing how though in this song - hell, through the whole album - it is the four members of The Who who play every instrument you hear. Except for the piano part that's played a session musician. I brick-walled the track using Audacity (something I still have polarizing feelings about now). It's very loud, mostly thanks to the constant cymbal thrashing and drum pounding from Keith Moon, but I can't listen to it any other way. Just everything about the song is brilliant. Awesome. Great. Fantastic. Can't think of superlatives to emphasise how good the track is.

Actually, just listen to "Quadrophenia". You must. You won't forgive yourself if you don't. Arguably The Who's creative peak as a group.

My iPod #227: The Who - Cut My Hair

"Cut My Hair" is the fourth track on The Who's sixth album and second 'rock opera' "Quadrophenia". It is sung by the main songwriter and guitarist Pete Townshend with lead vocalist Roger Daltrey providing melodies in the chorus.

"Quadrophenia" got me through some lonely times. Hearing it in Summer 2010 and being bored due to staying in my house all the time made me take pointless walks around the local area. Sometimes I would go to the shops or go to my aunt's house around the corner and just chill there until I felt like I wanted to get back home again.

Weather-wise, I distinctly remember that summer not being very great. Rain or slight overcast that turned into dark and gloomy clouds, and I would sing this song all the time when I went on my excursions. It got me through it.

Townshend decribed the song as: "A domestic interlude. The boy recalls a row with his folks that culminated in his leaving home. We also hear a news broadcast mentioning riots in Brighton between Mods and Rockers, events at which he was present the previous week."

I can say I cannot relate to any of that, I like my family a lot. The latter relates to the concept/context of the album which I won't go into. It's too much.

But yeah, the song's good. Have a listen. I'll be back tomorrow. 

My iPod #89: The Who - Bell Boy

Nice. A song by "The Who" that's not on "Who's Next" for me to talk about.

"Quadrophenia" was the first Who album I downloaded in 2010. It was that year when I randomly started to listen to them when I started watching videos on YouTube.

I had briefly heard of it before when I was 13, when a member on YouTube - 'sxewill2' I think was the name of the channel - uploaded the album in sepearate parts. I can remember listening to "The Real Me" for a few seconds, but at that time I was a naive and foolish boy and went onto a different video. That person's account was later terminated from the website later that year.

"Quadrophenia" is another concept album written by Pete Townshend. The story of the album follows the protagonist "Jimmy", a Mod with multiple personality disorder. It's not just two personalities, or three, but four, with each one representing the personality of one member of "The Who". Now you see where the "Quad" comes in the album title.

In regards to the story, "Bell Boy" comes in after Jimmy goes to Brighton to remember the good old fights between the Mods and Rockers and sees a notable Mod that he looked up to back in the day. However, this Mod now works as a... you might have a guessed, a bell boy, and Jimmy is pissed off and dissappointed. What does he do next? You have to listen to the album.

Townshend also incoporates all these musical 'leitmotifs' which occur at different points during the album, depicting the clashes between the personalities. "Bell Boy" is Keith's theme, noted for being 'a bloody lunatic' in the liner notes of the album. "Bell Boy" was the first song I really got into when I listened to the album for the first time. I think the fact that it contained lead vocals by Keith himself played a large part, but also because for me, it was the easiest one to memorise and it's just got this thumping beat to it that doesn't quit. Especially in the verses and the instrumental breaks.

That's about it, guys. Hope you liked the post. Give me feedback, tell me whether you like the song, whether you like the blog or not. Anything really.

Until tomorrow.

Jamie.