Pete Townshend's exploration of expanded consciousness
View background statusThe Who
4 catalog entries, grouped by year.
The Who: a curated listening guide
Move from tightly wound singles to expansive album performances, with one later recording opening a door into the continuing catalog.
25 selections with release evidence; 21 beyond the yearly lists.
About The Who
The Who moved between concise singles and larger connected album works. Tommy appeared in 1969, while Pete Townshend's Lifehouse project provided the starting point for Who's Next in 1971. The double album Quadrophenia followed in 1973. After Keith Moon's death, the group recorded Face Dances with Kenney Jones on drums. Roger Daltrey and Townshend continued the studio catalog with later musicians, including on WHO in 2019. The official discography distinguishes those group recordings from demos, member solo work and later concert versions.
Artist background sources
Tommy - The Who official original album history
Explicit original 1969 album release and original tracklist. Original regional releases are distinguished from later CD remixes, deluxe bonus material and live performances. The selected recording uses year precision; earlier singles are reviewed separately where needed. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Who's Next - The Who official original album history
Explicit original 1971 album release and original tracklist. Original regional releases are distinguished from later CD remixes, deluxe bonus material and live performances. The selected recording uses year precision; earlier singles are reviewed separately where needed. Separately identifies the original album, Record Plant alternate recordings and Young Vic live performances; describes the reduction of Townshend's Lifehouse concept to this album. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Quadrophenia - The Who official original album history
Explicit original 1973 album release and original tracklist. Original regional releases are distinguished from later CD remixes, deluxe bonus material and live performances. The selected recording uses year precision; earlier singles are reviewed separately where needed. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Face Dances - The Who official original album history
Explicit original 1981 album release and original tracklist. Original regional releases are distinguished from later CD remixes, deluxe bonus material and live performances. The selected recording uses year precision; earlier singles are reviewed separately where needed. Documents Kenney Jones joining after Keith Moon's death; the original album and later live bonuses are separate. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
WHO - The Who official original album history
Explicit original 2019 album release and original tracklist. Original regional releases are distinguished from later CD remixes, deluxe bonus material and live performances. The selected recording uses year precision; earlier singles are reviewed separately where needed. Documents the 2019 Roger Daltrey/Pete Townshend-led group recording and later 2020 live and remix additions. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Profile reviewed: 2026-10-17. Artist background does not establish a song's creative origin or release date.
1967
1971
This hard rock anthem, with its famous scream, became one of The Who's most recognizable songs.
View background status1976
The Who moved between concise singles and larger connected album works. Tommy appeared in 1969, while Pete Townshend's Lifehouse project provided the starting point for Who's Next in 1971. The double album...
View background status1981
The lead single from the band's "Face Dances" album.
View background statusBrowse by year
1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.