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The Who — I'm One
Album: Quadrophenia
Avg rating:
7.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 932









Released: 1973
Length: 2:35
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Every year it's the same
And I feel it again
I'm a loser - no chance to win
Leaves start falling
Comedown is calling
Loneliness starts sinking in

But I'm one
I'm one
And I can see
That this is me
And I will be
You'll all see that
I'm the one

Where do you get those blue blue jeans
Faded, patch secret so tight
Where do you get that walk oh-so lean
Your shoes and your shirt all just right

But I'm one
I'm one
And I can see
That this is me
And I will be
You'll all see that
I'm the one

I got a Gibson without a case
But I can't get that even tanned look on my face
Ill fitting clothes and I blend in the crowd
Fingers so clumsy
Voice too loud

But I'm one
I'm one
And I can see
That this is me
And I will be
You'll all see that
I'm the one
I'm the one
Yeah, I'm the one
Comments (89)add comment
 bluematrix wrote:
Not the biggest who fan for many years. Though as a kid, Tommy literally rocked my world and inspired me in so many ways to what rock could be and the song's ability to touch and effect lives. Confess to never having heard this song before, not a bad little ditty, 7 it is.
. . .
 
I listened to both Tommy and Quadrophenia regularly in my formative years.  After a while it became clear that Tommy was for kids and Quadrophenia was for adults.  The energy of Tommy comes from a child vs. adult (parent) conflict, while Quadrophenia is about a troubled youth confronting an uncaring world.  Tommy was entertaining enough, but Quadrophenia touched my soul.
Do do do do.  I just played this a couple of minutes ago from the vinyl of the original album, not the soundtrack album.  Halfway thru Side 2 now.

Hmmm.  After reading all the comments, I now wonder if the versions are the same on both albums, the original and the soundtrack.  Somewhere I have the soundtrack album.  A mystery that needs solved.  But if anyone knows the answer, it will save me a lot of time.
Now this is rock n roll
I am the one fun Who
 Lazarus wrote:

Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked all over the world like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...  love this song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...

 

Always fun to read your comments but leave out the "drugs". They suck. They kill.
The beach at night with a cassette player, a bond fire, and a few beers.   Amazing album.
 Skydog wrote:
add me to the list
 
You're on the list . . . of Rick Astley fans.
I never tire of hearing cuts from Quadrophenia, and it always makes me want to head home and put on the entire album.
Not the biggest who fan for many years. Though as a kid, Tommy literally rocked my world and inspired me in so many ways to what rock could be and the song's ability to touch and effect lives. Confess to never having heard this song before, not a bad little ditty, 7 it is.

Also the comment below stating it's not actually recorded in quadraphonic (I actually prefer Steve Martin's Googlephonic ;) made me laugh.

Lastly, a friend gave me tickets to finally see them live a coupla years ago... hearing Daltry sing "hope I die before I get old" in a husky old mans voice sitting on a stool was really sad for me. Pete had the flu and couldn't sing, but still played a mean guitar though.
Totally awesome - thanks Bill.
 
 rdo wrote:
I am starting to think The Who is The Hoax.  I like Baba O'reilly.  That's about it. 

  
ritingon wrote:


Glad I'm not the only one.

 
add me to the list
Took my 15 year old son to see the Who a couple weeks ago.  He was impressed.
I bought this amazing LP, in September 1980. I was just 13 years old that time. It was a spontaneous decision, just after i watched the movie of "Quadrophenia" in a summer Kino in the small village of Metamorfosi - Halkidiki - North Greece!!!!!
It was for me the beginning of starting to collect everything that "The WHO" created in the ROCK Musik. I am still a big - big fun of them... I feld really very sad about the sudden death of the amazing bass player, John Entwistl. Keith Moon, the previous drummer of the group, died back in 1978, just after the "Who are you" album...he was the craziest drummer in the rock history...." LONG LIVE ROCK" my friends!!!!!! 
 rdo wrote:
I am starting to think The Who is The Hoax.  I like Baba O'reilly.  That's about it. 

  ritingon wrote:


Glad I'm not the only one.

 
You two make a nice couple.
When I hear this I'M STILL an angry young man ready to rail at the nonsense that passes for justification for the craziness in the world!
 ski19570 wrote:
OK..  So who out there had just bought into the new Quad system at the time. Mine from Quaduflex. A true four channel system that this album was probably the first that truly brought out the systems NEW capabilities!! And now look at us.. 

 

I bought a new quad system in 1974 or so.  Marantz I think.  Really awesome in it's day.
This is one of my all-time favs from this incredible album.  
 rdo wrote:
I am starting to think The Who is The Hoax.  I like Baba O'reilly.  That's about it. 

 

Glad I'm not the only one.
 ski19570 wrote:
OK..  So who out there had just bought into the new Quad system at the time. Mine from Quaduflex. A true four channel system that this album was probably the first that truly brought out the systems NEW capabilities!! And now look at us..
 
Pete wanted to record the album using quadraphonic technology but finances and the lack of a quad studio were prohibitive.
The album title "Quadrophenia" was a reference to the lead character's multiple personalities.
One of the bands that managed to produce rock that seems timeless
much of the Who's catalogue never grows old  
OK..  So who out there had just bought into the new Quad system at the time. Mine from Quaduflex. A true four channel system that this album was probably the first that truly brought out the systems NEW capabilities!! And now look at us.. 
 robotbass wrote:

My wife hates a lot of music that I love, and I say millions of people love this. Music is subjective. She love Taylor Swift (gag me), and millions of people love Taylor. IMHO the Who were one of the greatest rock bands ever.

 

A lot of moronic jerk-offs here say "if you do not have anything nice to say, do not say anything at all",  this thug loser pa-TROLL is the first to rise up and scream "damnation" any time someone like Taylor Swift is played.

I respect anyone's right to not like Swift, just like I don't really care for The Hoax and jazz music in general.  Wait, I must correct myself, I fucking hate jazz.
Quadrophenia is a brilliant album.  Townshend perfectly captured the adolescent struggles and tribulations in a timeless manner.
 robotbass wrote:

My wife hates a lot of music that I love, and I say millions of people love this. Music is subjective. She love Taylor Swift (gag me), and millions of people love Taylor. IMHO the Who were one of the greatest rock bands ever.

 
Interestingly, they are *still* one of the greatest rock bands ever. Zak Starkey (Ringo Starr's son) isn't Moon, but the band can still rock pretty damn hard.
"The Who"   - greater than the Rolling Stones ever.

 


TRUE FACT

{#Drummer} 

 

 



Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked all over the world like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...  love this song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...

 bb_matt wrote:
Awesome. That is all.

 
Indeed. Great choice for a deep track from Quadrophenia.
Awesome. That is all.
There are very few stations where one could ever hope to hear a Quadrophenia gem like this one. Thanks Bill.
 robotbass wrote:
... the Who were one of the greatest rock bands ever.
 
TRUE FACT

{#Drummer} 

 
 Grammarcop wrote:
I'm one, too.
 
I'm one two...
 rdo wrote:
I am starting to think The Who is The Hoax.  I like Baba O'reilly.  That's about it. 
 
My wife hates a lot of music that I love, and I say millions of people love this. Music is subjective. She love Taylor Swift (gag me), and millions of people love Taylor. IMHO the Who were one of the greatest rock bands ever.
I'm one, too.
 (former member) wrote:

Just finished showing this series to my 15 yr old. He got most of it, but I always get all misty eyed at the end, as our heroine gets off the bus and meets her new friends, the Deadheads. What brilliant and heartfelt writing.

And, back on topic, that was some kinda great scene with Shandling/Shore/Starr/Quadrophenia. Fantastic stuff. 
 
Because of your comment, I am a new member of the "Freaks and Geeks" club.  Show was brilliant!  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

 
I am starting to think The Who is The Hoax.  I like Baba O'reilly.  That's about it. 
 coloradojohn wrote:
Wow, this seems to be a really kick-ass recording here — way sharper, more distinct Tele/ Schecter, soft but clear vocals, nice drums and bass but not rumbling out the rest of it...really NICE, and I think, better than even on my old LP...I see some Japanese disc cover on the album info page, maybe this is a rare version! anyway, thanks Bill and Rebecca and RP — keep it rockin' and a rollin'!
Za Fuu  Kuwadorofeiniya wa mada saikoh desu, yo!
 
I don't think Schecter Guitar Research existed in 1973.  
Remastered box set comimng in November including 8 tracks mixed in 5.1 surround.
It looks like there will be 2 versions coming out in November.

A super deluxe box https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quadrophenia...vglnk-uk-c3-21
as well as a 2 CD deluxe version https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quadrophenia...vglnk-uk-c3-21.

ti-triodes is offline   


 treatment_bound wrote:
...It was portrayed as the tour immediately after the ill-fated Cincy gig in late '79, when 11 fans were trampled to death in a massive door-rush, and The Who were every Middle-American parent's worst nightmare.  Millie's mom shows up and unsuccessfully attempts to lure her daughter away from the concert goers who are obviously "on the pot"...
 
Cincy here. {#Wave}
Just drove past The US Bank Center yesterday with a friend from Chicago (it was Riverfront Coliseum in '79). I recounted the sad story.


Keith... playing lead ....
Sounds so fresh to me!
 h8rhater wrote:

Quadrophenia is ONE song.  This is part of it, as is Love Reign O'er Me.  They are, I mean IT IS, all 9-10.

 
I agree. This is one of those rare recordings that can't really be separated and analyzed. One must just listen to the whole thing from beginning to end and if analyzation is necessary, analyze the whole thing.

Dang - it took me twenty years to figure this out... Thanks, h8rhater! {#High-five}
 Pharlap wrote:
I had this record but I can't even remember this song. I guess I wasn't there
 
Have I met you?
Listen to that drummer! {#Cowboy} He's smokin.
 FrankMc wrote:
Well, glad you're willing to admit that it might be your fault. Impossible to say a fecund genius like Townsend never got anything right.
 
"Fecund" isn't the word I'd use about Townsend and The Who, though a similarly-sounding word usually escapes my lips whenever I hear a Who number intro before I leap for the mute. As in "sh1t, it's the feckin' Who again" ;(


Townshend is God. :)

A great song live: Pete did a great version from his solo Live at the Deep End.  My 9 is based on my 1st impression from his live performance of this song.
I had this record but I can't even remember this song. I guess I wasn't there
 crockydile wrote:
Ratings are run by nostalgia...this song so highly rated?!! I've never heard it before and think I wasn't missing much. Love, Reign o'er me...now that's a great song. This? Hah!{#Snooty}

 
Quadrophenia is ONE song.  This is part of it, as is Love Reign O'er Me.  They are, I mean IT IS, all 9-10.

So great.
 anotherlistener wrote:
Without doubt one of the all time top ten albums.  Amazing!
 
And without a doubt, one of the all time top ten 8-tracks for me!!!

Yes, definetely, I'm one, since !
 anotherlistener wrote:
Without doubt one of the all time top ten albums.  Amazing!
 

agree
Ratings are run by nostalgia...this song so highly rated?!! I've never heard it before and think I wasn't missing much. Love, Reign o'er me...now that's a great song. This? Hah!{#Snooty}

 robco1 wrote:

That Cincy show was the main reason my mother would not let me go to the show when they came to Baltimore (or D.C.) later that spring. Still a little pissed about that . . .

 

I saw that tour in St. Paul in early 1980.  Good Times!!

The only downside was they played mostly stuff from Who's Next (an album I surely do like), and Face Dances/Who Are You (2 that I don't), but very little from my personal fav. Quadrophenia (I think we only heard 5:15 and Love, Reign o'er Me).

The only other thing I can distinctly remember almost 30 years later is the tremendous rush you got from the opening number—-Rabbit Bundrick's intro. synth riff from Baba O'Riley played live & cranked to 11 can never be beat.


 conglif wrote:

Hey, guys:

Just think of it kinda like you would about a commercial on FM (except not nearly as annoying).

Somebody else (like me) just might think its just so damn cool that they just have to shoot a few bucks to RP.

(I think that's a pretty good deal, myself.)
 
Damned right. I like my music eclectic, and I like the way Bill mixes it up. {#Clap}
 SmackDaddy wrote:

 manzanitafire wrote:
I know I'm in the minority here, but I can't get into The Who, and never have.
If there's a song on RP I don't like, chances are it's them.
 

Don't worry about it, I feel the same about the Beatles. Wouldn't bother me one bit if I never heard a Beatles song again in my life.
 
Hey, guys:

Just think of it kinda like you would about a commercial on FM (except not nearly as annoying).

Somebody else (like me) just might think its just so damn cool that they just have to shoot a few bucks to RP.

(I think that's a pretty good deal, myself.)


treatment_bound wrote:
Used to great effect in a fantastic "Who themed" Freaks and Geeks episode "Dead Dogs and Gym Teachers", with a geeky Martin Starr as a 1980 latchkey kid laughing and eating cereal while watching an early Garry Shandling routine on what looks like The Dinah Shore Show.

Later on, we see James Franco next to his rented "Magic Bus" at a freaks gathering spot for a pre-Who concert party, where Seth Rogen does his best "Pete Townshend circa 1965" impression and smashes Jason Segel's guitar.

It was the portrayed as the tour immediately after the ill-fated Cincy gig in late '79, when 11 fans were trampled to death in a massive door-rush, and The Who were every Middle-American parent's worst nightmare. Millie's mom shows up and unsuccessfully attempts to lure her daughter away from the concert goers who are obviously "on the pot".

Somehow, it all made sense.


That Cincy show was the main reason my mother would not let me go to the show when they came to Baltimore (or D.C.) later that spring. Still a little pissed about that . . .

I got a Gibson
Without a case
But I can't get that even tanned look on my face.

Ah, takes me back . . .

 manzanitafire wrote:
I know I'm in the minority here, but I can't get into The Who, and never have.
If there's a song on RP I don't like, chances are it's them.
 

Don't worry about it, I feel the same about the Beatles. Wouldn't bother me one bit if I never heard a Beatles song again in my life.
Well, glad you're willing to admit that it might be your fault. Impossible to say a fecund genius like Townsend never got anything right.

That said, I prefer the version of this song found on "West End Live" to this Quadrophenia rendition. Pete's in extraordinary voice on that one and the more or less straight unplugged instrumentation seems to work better.

 
manzanitafire wrote:
I know I'm in the minority here, but I can't get into The Who, and never have.
If there's a song on RP I don't like, chances are it's them.
 


 manzanitafire wrote:
I know I'm in the minority here, but I can't get into The Who, and never have.
If there's a song on RP I don't like, chances are it's them

     Similar to me, but this song is the exception : I really like it.
Awesome. Pete  says it all!
I know I'm in the minority here, but I can't get into The Who, and never have.
If there's a song on RP I don't like, chances are it's them.
Used to great effect in a fantastic "Who themed" Freaks and Geeks episode "Dead Dogs and Gym Teachers", with a geeky Martin Starr as a 1980 latchkey kid laughing and eating cereal while watching an early Garry Shandling routine on what looks like The Dinah Shore Show

Later on, we see James Franco next to his rented "Magic Bus" at a freaks gathering spot for a pre-Who concert party, where Seth Rogen does his best "Pete Townshend circa 1965" impression and smashes Jason Segel's guitar. 

It was portrayed as the tour immediately after the ill-fated Cincy gig in late '79, when 11 fans were trampled to death in a massive door-rush, and The Who were every Middle-American parent's worst nightmare.  Millie's mom shows up and unsuccessfully attempts to lure her daughter away from the concert goers who are obviously "on the pot".

Somehow, it all made sense.


 anotherlistener wrote:
Without doubt one of the all time top ten albums.  Amazing!
 

I have recently come to the conclusion that it is probably in the top 5. And I'm not a huge Who fan. Superb album from start to finish.
Wow, this seems to be a really kick-ass recording here — way sharper, more distinct Tele/ Schecter, soft but clear vocals, nice drums and bass but not rumbling out the rest of it...really NICE, and I think, better than even on my old LP...I see some Japanese disc cover on the album info page, maybe this is a rare version! anyway, thanks Bill and Rebecca and RP — keep it rockin' and a rollin'!
Za Fuu  Kuwadorofeiniya wa mada saikoh desu, yo!


One of my favorite tracks from my favorite Who album.  
Without doubt one of the all time top ten albums.  Amazing!
Have to agree with the general theme here.  Possibly some of The Who's best work on this one.
This song was way ahead of it's time. I used to listen to this album over and over again. Never thought I would hear it on RP. Has kind of an Austin City Limits raw sound to it.{#Notworthy}
 aflanigan wrote:
Can't believe this gem hasn't played on RP before. Unlike other standout tunes on Quadrophenia, this one took a few listenings to grow on me. Now I consider it one of the best songs on the album.
 
I had the same experience.  It's my favorite on the album.  My kids even like it.

The Who's masterpiece.  A top ten alltime album.  Crank it up.{#Roflol}
Mike Morrison on stage at Gazarri's in Hollywood . . . August 5th, 1981 opening up my birthday party with this song solo acoustic . . . AWESOME!
I'm Two. Nice to meet you! Love this film, album, opera, music, characters, everything.
The positive posts say it all...undeniable greatness!
Holy crap--Keith Moon was amazing!
I'v got a Gibson with a case! #9 Happt New Year!
Makes me think out loud that one of these days Bill may want to give us the integral version of Tommy with the London symphonic orchestra. Anyone to upload it ? I don't have it ? Is there any one-shot airing of this kind of pieces doable on special occasions ? Just asking.
Can't believe this gem hasn't played on RP before. Unlike other standout tunes on Quadrophenia, this one took a few listenings to grow on me. Now I consider it one of the best songs on the album.
This pretty much sums up 16.
bcfnd wrote:
Pete is my God, Quad is my Bible - 'nuff said.
:D
My senior year overseas study in Italy (1979). I never tire of this...
Pete Townsend is god...
Get outta town! I am underscored.
Pete is my God, Quad is my Bible - 'nuff said.
veegez wrote:
Pete's got a Gibson, without a case. :)
But he can't get that even tanned look on his face.
Pete's got a Gibson, without a case. :)