The Who at 50

The Who are celebrating their 50^th anniversary as a band this year.  They just released yet another compilation album called The Who Hits 50.  Besides it being their 50^th year, I thought this might be a play on words, that they might actually have a compilation with 50 songs on it.  I was wrong – it has only 42.  Close, but no cookie.  So… as is my wont, I compiled my own list of 50 Who songs that I like.  I did it with the Rolling Stones in 2012, so now it’s The Who’s turn.  Most of them were written by Pete Townshend, a handful were written by John Entwistle, and there is one cover.  I threw in one solo song from Pete Townshend [because I can, but there’s a reason].  Here they are, in chronological order:

Singles 1965-68

I Can’t Explain [1965]

My Generation [1965]
Substitute [1966]
The Kids Are Alright [1966]
Happy Jack [1966]
Boris the Spider [1967] [Entwistle]
I Can See For Miles [1967]
Magic Bus [1968]

Tommy [1969]
Overture/It’s a Boy
Sparks
Pinball Wizard
The Acid Queen

Live at Leeds [1970]
Summertime Blues

Who’s Next [1971]

Baba O’Riley

Bargain
My Wife [Entwistle]
The Song Is Over
Behind Blue Eyes
Won’t Get Fooled Again
Pure And Easy [2003 Deluxe Edition]
I Don’t Even Know Myself [2003 Deluxe Edition]

Singles 1971-72
Let’s See Action [Nothing Is Everything]
Join Together
Relay

Quadrophenia [1973]
The Real Me
The Punk and The Godfather
I’m One
Helpless Dancer
Is It In My Head?
5:15
Love Reign O’Er Me

Odds & Sods [1974]
Long Live Rock

The Who By Numbers [1975]
However Much I Booze
Dreaming From the Waist
Success Story [Entwistle]
In a Hand or Face

Who Are You [1978]
Had Enough [Entwistle]
Trick of the Light [Entwistle]
Who Are You

The Kids Are Alright [1979]
A Quick One
Young Man Blues

Empty Glass [Pete Townshend – Empty Glass, 1980 – Who band demo on remastered Who Are You]

Face Dances [1981]
Don’t Let Go the Coat
The Quiet One [Entwistle]
Another Tricky Day

It’s Hard [1982]
Eminence Front
Cry If You Want

Endless Wire [2006]
A Man in a Purple Dress
It’s Not Enough
Tea & Theatre