20. ‘Join Together’, which was released as a single in 1972. The band played it as a show-closer in January 2011 alongside Debbie Harry, Jeff Beck and Bryan Adams at a charity show.
19. ‘Summertime Blues’ – This classic teen anthem was originally written and recorded by rockabilly artist Eddie Cochran back in the 1950’s. The Who performed a memorable version of it at Woodstock in ’69 and it continues to be a best loved cover.
17. ‘Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere’ – This 1965 release was composed by both Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey and is one of the first records to feature guitar feedback, creating a blueprint for rock ‘n’ roll in the decades to come. It has since been covered by the likes of David Bowie, The Flaming Lips and Ocean Colour Scene.
14. ‘Magic Bus’ – Despite moderate success at the time it was released in 1968 (it reached number 26 in the UK charts) it remains one of The Who’s most popular songs and is a live staple. On their first live album ‘Live at Leeds’, ‘Magic Bus’ lasts nearly 8 minutes, with Roger Daltrey joining the jam on harmonica.
11. ‘Squeeze Box’ – Brilliantly rife in sexual innuendo, this 1974 hit was originally planned for a Who television special that never aired. It reached number 10 in the UK at the time of release and unfortunately hasn’t been played live since The Who’s tour in 1982.
8. ‘Substitute’ – Apparently, Pete Townshend originally composed this 1966 hit with the idea in mind that the Who were a ‘Substitute’ for the Rolling Stones after being particularly enamoured with their song ‘I Can’t Get No Satisfaction’. In later years, however, Townshend claimed the song was about “nothing”.
7. ‘Behind Blue Eyes’ – In 1971, Pete Townshend began composing material for a second rock opera, a science fiction follow-up to ‘Tommy’. The project never came into fruition but many of the songs were released as part of their fifth album ‘Who’s Next’. This track was amongst them.
6. ‘The Kids Are Alright’ – This mod anthem was released in 1965 as part of their first album ‘My Generation’. It has since been used as the title of a 1979 documentary of the band as well as been covered by an extensive catalogue of musicians which includes the likes of Belle and Sebastian, Pearl Jam, Dropkick Murphys, Green Day, The Queers and Eddie and the Hot Rods.
