We love The Who. Of all the forefathers of rock, the world's loudest band rarely gets the credit of some of its colleagues like The Stones, Beatles, or Led Zeppelin. And sure they're really old and half of them are dead, but with a new album coming out and their influence being heard in so many of today's top rockers (The White Stripes, Green Day, The Killers), we thought we'd give them a little love and offer up five great Who songs you may not have heard already on a Greatest Hits CD, commerical or CSI episode:
I'm One
Quadrophenia is the lesser known rock opera released by the legendary quartet (a few years after Tommy). "I'm One" is a quiet acoustic number from the album, that while slightly less angry than say "Behind Blue Eyes," still evokes that simmering power almost always evident in Roger Daltry's amazing voice.
Drowned
The Who's range doesn't quite get the respect it deserves. They were equally equipt with horns ("We're Not Gonna Take It") as they were with the electric guitar. "Drowned," also off Quadrophenia, shows the band's effective use of the piano in the opening chords, but it's the familiar driving beat of Keith Moon's drums that makes this one memorable.
Naked Eye
When an artist compiles all their B-sides and discarded songs from previous albums, it's rare that the result is anything more than a curious one-time listen. And while The Who's "Odds and Sods" definitely has a couple tracks that leave little to be desired ("Cousin Kevin Model Child" is awful), the live version of "Naked Eye" should have a spot on even the casual Who fan's iPod.
Getting in Tune
Big Who fan, Cameron Crowe used "Getting in Tune" effectively in Jerry Maguire (a revamped "Magic Bus" also opened the film). Crowe, as he usually does, picked a good one. "Getting in Tune," a lesser known Who hit, is a great example of Daltry and Pete Townsend's voices harmonizing as one.
Blue, Red and Grey
Off The Who By Numbers, it's easy to see how "Blue, Red and Grey" may have slid under the radar without their trademark changing tempos, raging guitars, Daltry's voice, or even Moon's drums. It's just Pete Townsend singing softly over the strum of a ukulele. Sounds potentially bad, but trust, us it's not.
As usual, Five Songs for Your Mix or iPod
"What Makes Me" - Jesse Harris and The Ferdinandos
You'll remember Jesse Harris for writing all of those Norah Jones songs that won Grammies a couple years back. Norah repays the favor singing back-up on this folky tune with Harris and his band. Not just a writer, this nice little song proves Harris can sing too.
"The Sun Shines Down on Me" - Guster
Guster recently released an album on iTunes with a group called The Meowstrings. One bad iTunes purchase later, and we found out The Meowstrings actually just "meow" instead of singing words. So if you're a Guster fan, and you're looking for some good new music, avoid the Meowstrings, and check out their moving cover of this Daniel Johnston song.
"Blue Eyes" - Cary Brothers
You can find this rootsy pop-ballad on the solid Garden State soundtrack and also in a karaoke scene on a quality Scrubs episode. Or, if you're a single girl with blue eyes, you'll probably find it on the very next cheesy mix CD you receive. Wherever you find it though, you'll probably listen to it on repeat.
"Pirate Looks at 40" - Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson first made his name as a professional surfer, so it seems quite fitting that he would cover a beach music pioneer. Johnson's voice and plucking guitar provide for a touching rendition of this Buffett classic.
"The New Kid" - The Old 97s
The Old 97s have actually been around for six albums, always remaining on the fence between fame and obscurity. "The New Kid" is a highlight from their Americana rock album Drag it Up. Think The Jayhawks with more guitar and less harmonies.
