First time hearing The Who "Eminence Front" Reaction | Asia and BJ

[@detomaso_6235]

Arguably their most epic song that you haven't done yet is "Love Reign O'er Me." Roger Daltrey's vocals are incredible on it.

[@scottNNJ]

The piano intro on that song is incredible as well.

[@scottlaughlin9897]

My fav. Hands down!

[@markdraine3571]

Agreed..Glad you mentioned it. I've thought about them that as well...Cannot do them all, but they want to hit that one for sure.. Maybe some early Who , as well, such as Can't Explain and I Can See For Miles .

[@joelliebler5690]

Oh so true.

[@afficial83]

thought pete sang that one?

[@ericsmith6615]

Wife here..My very favorite song from the Who..The instrumentation of this song is off the chain!!! Interesting fact: This was toward the end of their career toogether..But.., they would still come together to put on an amazing concert.."Imminent front" "a put on" FOR the fans...Notice in the end of this video they all ignore each other and get into separate cars to leave their concert..And Yes Asia ..,the funk of this song is 🔥FIRE!! And..BJ..You're so on point....Yes

[@bobschenkel7921]

One of the rare WHO songs where Pete Townsend takes the lead vocal, and Roger Daltry just does some backups, and actually does some rhythm guitar work on the song. The album was called "It's Hard", I think, because they were trying to still be The WHO without Keith Moon. Replacement Drummer Kenny Jones was a good professional drummer, but he was not Keith Moon, nobody else is or ever will be. I did see The WHO on this tour, and the show was awesome, but again, no Moon. The Eminence Front is all about the false fronts people put up, especially in the showbiz world, and how they are hiding their true selves for a public personna.

[@jhamler1]

It makes you wonder, though. Keith Moon was inimitable, of course, but we'll never know how this song would've sounded with him on the skins. Or vice versa for all their other hits. It makes you realize how important the drums/rhythm section are to a tune. Perhaps the MOST important aspect/foundation of modern music when you really stop and analyze it.

[@TheBatMav]

It’s not often you heard a Who track with Townsend on the vocals, but when he stepped up. You knew he was gonna blow you away. The greatest band to come out of West London. No questions asked, no quarter given.

[@blauer2551]

Didn’t Pete write this song?

[@bobschenkel7921]

@@blauer2551 Sure, he wrote most of them.

[@robertbreedon9137]

Saw them Dec 17, 1982 Maple Leaf Gardens Toronto, Canada I was 15yrs old only time I ever seen them live. This concert was broadcast live across Canada and United States it was also recorded for a double live album.

[@DanielFrost21]

The bass line is insane.

[@mneugent7658]

Trying to watch Entwistle's fingers can toss a brain into a seizure like back when kids would play pac-man for hours on end.

[@JohnsonTheReal]

@@mneugent7658 Don’t want to be the kill joy but this bass part really isnt all that impressive or difficult. Definitely extremely funky!

[@mneugent7658]

@@JohnsonTheReal I was referring to watching Entwistle in general. There obviously is no video footage of Entwistle in this reaction.

[@CHAUNCEY.GARDNER.]

@@JohnsonTheReal Lemmy and Geddy said the same thing about the OX,they loved his playing because he was BUSY,he took a basic line a funked it up and some spice,The Real Me,is just plain of the charts playing.

[@chopperdeath]

This is a vibe song.

[@jimfreeman2640]

Entwistle's bass in this song always gets me... Pete Townsend was doing some solo stuff around this time, with a similar sound.... You should check out "Give Blood", the live version with David Gilmour...

[@alexdrummer2175]

Yes! Give Blood "live" is amazing. Simon Phillips is a beast on drums!👍

[@jimfreeman2640]

@@alexdrummer2175 Every time I watch it I wish they would show more of Simon... He definitely kills it....

[@joelliebler5690]

Yes some good solo songs by Pete.

[@stewpot6998]

White City Fighting is the same song as Hope by Roy Harper and Jimmy Page. Same music different use. David Gilmour wrote it.

[@notgivennotgiven7776]

Yeah, Give Blood live is awesome

[@surlechapeau]

Asia & BJ, you'll love their "5:15" and "Love, Reign o'er Me" !!

[@Incomudro1963]

The bass line and snare are fantastic.

[@ViscountVile]

You're right - for some reason most people were not saying this in 1982, but the song now has the respect it deserves.

[@jeffrobar4055]

Entwistle's bass on this song is phenomenal, basically like everything he does.

[@Citizenesse8]

I know people have interesting thoughts on whether or not this is hardcore The Who but I love this song. You got to listen carefully to the words because as funky as the beat is, it's saying something really important. Glad you guys are really enjoyed it.

[@debjorgo]

To me, certainly up there in the Who's top 5. Eminence Front, it's a put on. You're putting on airs, pretending you are something you are not. And you are hiding who you really are at the same time. I always thought this should had been a CSI theme song too. "Dress yourself to KILL!"

[@TheBatMav]

They were going to make a CSI London and this would have been the theme song.

[@elegantirony78]

Eminence: a position of prominence or superiority. 2 : one that is eminent, prominent, or lofty: such as. a : a person of high rank or attainments -often used as a title for a cardinal. b : a natural elevation. So he is saying that these displays of power are a front or a put on.

[@patjackson8649]

Townshend is an underrated guitarist who rarely tops "expert" lists. Honestly, this intro guitar solo is so brilliant. It almost talks you into the feel, the anger, of the song before you hear a word. One of my favourite songs from one of my favourite bands. Really glad to see you enjoying it - ah! I was typing this during the intro and then you said what I was thinking :)

[@markallan5484]

Pete is a not a string-bending technique wizard, but he is brainy, passionate and inventive. That's a winning combo for me.

[@patjackson8649]

@@markallan5484 my favourite guitarist is Graham Coxon and you can see Pete's influence in how Graham plays; he has the same qualities. Extremely intuitive, individual, and dedicated to ensuring his playing is enhancing the feeling of the song more than showcasing his own skills (at least when he's with Blur)

[@AsiaandBJ]

Rock on!

[@sourdiesel9193]

that's because Townsend will tell you he the greatest, while shitting on everyone else ! Pompous Ass

[@petervandervlies6427]

My nr1 rockband. Saw them first time in Amsterdam, back in 1972. Best and loudest sound i've ever heard. Fan for life. Check out the LIVE AT LEEDS album,please. Still one of the best live albums ever. Great reaction 👍 👊❤😁from Holland

[@musicairplanes4884]

I can relate. They were my first concert in 1967 at the Hollywood Bowl along with The Association, Sopwith Camel, The Everly Brothers and The Animals. The Who headlined and broke up their instruments at the end of the show. After that I was totally hooked on live music. I am now 71 and still going to concerts.

[@petervandervlies6427]

@@musicairplanes4884 great, i still go to concerts too Four weeks ago i went to a Genesis concert in Amsterdam, with my daughter. Funny to see all the wheelchaires and walkers 😁👨‍🦼🧑‍🦯 1967 i was 12 years old, a little young for a big concert. Thank you for your reaction, Greetings from the Netherlands 👊😁👍

[@ugadawgs1990]

Loudest band is Spinal Täp, but The Who are a close #2.

[@petervandervlies6427]

@@ugadawgs1990 Spinal Tap's amps go up to eleven, that is verry loud 🤣🤣👍👊

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

Thanks playing the great song. It was released in 1982 (love to be 27 years old again). I remember listening to this and thinking... this is a "Life Time" hit.

[@sportslife5129]

The irony is that the Dallas Mavericks use this song for their starting lineup introductions.

[@Aldous944]

Best Who song ever. Bass line, Townshend's amazing guitar, vocals, endless heavy groove.

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

Yes it is. Big hit back in 1982. Still a hit in 2024.

[@chicagocubs71]

Asia & BJ, the first time I ever heard of Eminence Front was on the TV show called Miami Vice on one of their episodes they used that song. Check it out, I put it on ur show.

[@jeffjones6221]

Even as an 80's tune, this one still hung onto some 70s roots of the band.

[@jeffjones6221]

@@dolfin9879 yes a bit of a muff...and I'm old and should know better! I've listened to all of it, mostly in the 70s as a 10 to 18 yr old...they were a ground shaping band.

[@chuckconner3694]

Saw them in Lexington, KY in 1982 when they were supporting this song/album on Tour. It was their "farewell" tour and an awesome show. The funny thing is, they still tour today!

[@Wrangzilla]

Sometimes goodbyes take awhile….. lol

[@RandyHall324]

Ha! Similar story - saw them in 1989 for their 25th Anniversary Tour. Thought that was the end of their touring. Hell, the T-shirt I bought at that show is even older than that. It still fits - kinda.

[@ViscountVile]

And still playing this song at every gig!

[@raymondreid4987]

This bass player John Entwistle is one of the main reasons for picking up the bass. He stands like a statue but his fingers are constantly hitting theses flawless runs that just adds to Pete Townshend's lead work and Rodger Daltrey's rhythm work.

[@daleburkett4141]

John Entwistle drove this song with his bass riffs and driving bass. Long live Thunderfingers!!

[@jimbessett2392]

BJ you were asking what Eminence Front meant, this will give you an idea; A song by the rock group The Who about the facade one erects, or the pose one assumes, whether from pride, arrogance, insecurity or some other motive, in order to conceal his or her identity or essential self. The song lists various happenings, the pursuit or occurrence of which causes us to forget that we conceal ourselves as such. Eminence fronters: Name-droppers, power trippers, title proclaimers, bling wearers, etc.

[@tamelahardyman1876]

This particular WHO song takes me thru the journey of my 61 years....

[@jeraldkimball494]

The Who was one the best rock groups of all times in my opinion. This was my jams growing up. I was always listening to them.

[@krisdoggett483]

Love this song. Check out their songs "Bargain", "The Seeker", "Can You See the Real Me", and "This Song Is Over". The Who rock🤘

[@tomscott3]

Right on, bro and sis! That's my theme song right there! Used to play it once a day, every day, on the way to school/work. Best song ever written: the lead-in, the vocals, Pete's guitar work, the lyrics.....everything. Many things in life really _are_ an eminence front. They've done a live orchestral version with the NY Symphony Orchestra that's killer too, if you can find it. The guitar intro _and_ the outtro are unsurpassed. Pete puts so many half and full rests into the last 4 measures, it's extremely tough to play. The meaning in this tune is so deep on so many levels. Our legal system is the epitome of an "eminence front." Very Best Regards, Tom Scott Author ● Speaker ● World's Leading Expert on the Corrupt U.S. Legal System _Our American Injustice System_ _Stack the Legal Odds in Your Favor_

[@iliketowatch.]

In the song, Townshend sings about the delusions and drug use of the wealthy and hedonistic. The lyrics describe a party in which people hide from their problems behind a façade. Townshend has introduced the song in live performances with: "This song is about what happens when you take too much white powder; it's called 'Eminence Front'". -Wikipedia The Who's lyrics usually work on several levels at once. (This song is a good example of that; "party" is used to mean a festive gathering of people and also a political party.) A lot of their songs are hard for non-Brits to understand because they are about British politics and society.

[@MrJoseph6119]

This song just kicks butt! Love me some WHO! enjoy!

[@chrisa4695]

Their best song of the 80’s. Also their funkiest. This song features Pete Townshend on lead vocals and Roger Daltrey on rhythm guitar.

[@wayne8498]

Didn't realize how good this was till I got older. Good choice, good ear.

[@mikeg.4211]

It's not about forgetting people. It's about rich and famous people to using distractions to forget that they are hiding from their personal problems and from fear of death.

[@joekuul8769]

I always loved the video for this song, for some reason. Just the band members showing up at a gig, setting up, etc.

[@levpoplow7354]

Thank you for reacting to this song! I haven't heard it in a long time and had almost forgotten how great it is. The way the sounds are layered it's one of the most "musical" Who songs

[@kathleenarchacki7875]

Great group..Great song. These years were unbelievable with the talent of our musicians

[@robertreyna3913]

Can't believe BJ did not notice that this is the song the Dallas Mavericks come out on court to for years

[@abc456f]

This is my ring tone!!!! Great song.

[@alexwimmer3389]

Thanx to Asia & BJ. This is one of those songs that needs no introduction, just listen and fly...................

[@easyrolling]

This was a major musical change for The Who . The end of the disco era. , they touched on it with a little groove. Their best song of the 80s as they fizzled out as a band as the decade wore on. Townsend on lead vocals.. Try Give Blood as others suggested. Super reaction..

[@theheepster]

A totally atypical sound for The Who, but so great and very underrated. The Who could also do funky stuff. Love it. IMO one of the best Bands in Music History.

[@centuryrox]

This is one of those songs you play driving down the main drag of your city, 15 mph, windows down, at volume 10, on a warm summer night, as you take in the sights and smells of the city...and occasionally yelling "it's an eminence front!".

[@mattgarfinkle978]

🎯🎯🎯

[@redplanet9162]

Or cruising a big ass smooth highway like the Belt parkway in Brooklyn autumn evening windows down music pumping

[@bigbow62]

This one has Peter Townsend (lead guitar) singing this classic 🎤 😎 🎸

[@noneyabiz8225]

I will never forget hearing this song for the first time. Was 1988 and was driving a 5.0 mustang coupe on the beltway of Washington DC around 2 in the morning. Was passing people like they were sitting still. On the rock station, DC/101

[@IZZY_EDIBLE]

Drinking game for this channel: 1 sip every time Asia laughs. 1 gulp every time B.J. says, "In regards to. . ." I can personally get through about 3 & ⅔ reactions before I'm completely hammered. Cheers!

[@TheMkamix]

That guitar and the heavy base in this song are fantastic.

[@markallan5484]

I love writers who say a lot in few words. "I would have written you a shorter letter but I didn't have time" is a well-known Mark Twain quote. Laid-back jazzman Mose Allison (also a favourite of Pete Townshend) is a songwriter whose lyrics personify economy. "Sun shines; people forget" are four of the most impactful words ever set to music.

[@peteseegiii3201]

BJ's face froze when that bass first hit em. You know how you say, "Dude be frontin'."? That's what he's talking about. It's a front. A put on. A facade. An image. The things people hide behind.

[@andytraiger4079]

Well said! When this song first started playing on the radio I was a kid. I asked my mother what "eminence front" meant. She thought for a bit, and then even though she never heard the song she responded "It's a put on." Not knowing what a "a put on" meant I was completely confused how she had guessed the next lyrics to a song she never heard before!

[@keithosmond5730]

Always liked this song. I thought it was hilarious when GMC used it a few years ago in their ads - clearly they paid no attention to the lyrics. It's almost as ridiculous as the time Kraft used the song Psychotic Reaction as the music for a Kraft Dinner ad.

[@davidsmith5899]

John Entwistle was one of the greatest bass guitarists in rock history......Pete Townshend also a brilliant lead guitarist

[@tommaxfield6039]

Love hearing the guitar solo at the beginning of the song.......Amazing song by a great band!

[@raymondreid4987]

The master John Entwistle, Thunder Fingers ⛈ this song has one of the best lead bass that just builds.

[@markriobr]

Always been a Who big fan , was living in L A when they had a concert at The Coliseum . Was October 1982 and was right after they released this album . They played 3 songs , was already on cloud 9 when that one began . From the first note I knew was from the new record , and I was dancing even before the intro solo . When Pete start singing my mind had already explode and became my favorite Who song . Had all their songs in mind and Love reign on me was no longer my favorite . When the concert was over first record store I saw on the way back home bought the album and the K 7 . Got in the car put it on , volume all the way up and was one of the best time I had driving a car

[@kdbadk]

The beat drops HARD in this one. 👍

[@chuckyoneil2853]

A busy busy song ,the WHO were great,thanks...

[@debraconaway6763]

Must hear " .magic bus " the who live at leeds. You will totally dig it! I saw then in 1974..I think my ears are still ringing!

[@debraconaway6763]

Excellent jam "live at leeds magic bus!:

[@dnnymitc]

This has been the intro song for the Dallas mavericks just about since Cuban bought the team.

[@rickmenasco322]

And BJ's wearing a Mavs cap too!

[@patdonnelly9392]

Oh Yes! Haven't heard this in forever..This sends me right back to '82.I was 20 yrs. old, from Jersey living in Ca. and everything, especially the music, was cool and alive!! I'm 60 now, and tho the word is a big fat mess ..I'm glad I still find that spark of excitement in some things that I had back then.

[@F3502000]

This is one of my absolute favorites from back in the early MTV days!

[@ralphfiligenzi6180]

This is one of those songs that puts you in kind of a trance with the repetitious music and you just roll with the flow, great stuff.

[@suzanneanderson6921]

Yeah, that intro is bomb! And the bass....!Great song!

[@therealmillerman]

To me the lyrics are throw aways. The reason I love this song is the groove laid down by John Entwistle on bass and Kenney Jones on drums.

[@rullvox5912]

They were such an influential and eclectic band, and the bassist, John Entwistle, would hold the individual notes longer and with more resonance than other bassists did.

[@hampyonce]

About 20 years ago, I was out galavanting with a set of twins, about 12 years younger than I am, and this song came on the radio. They were jamming hard and wondered aloud who sang this song. I said "Who". They said "what". They refused to believe it.

[@dragonfire1842]

Love this song! Still on my playlist.

[@bapc3billneeley]

I love watching people react to great music they were never going to hear!

[@TheCornishCockney]

Funky as this is,the live version is such a blast.

[@Lyricalgodshit]

The beginning reminds ME of Phil Collins In The Air Tonight intro

[@mikeferris408]

This song n "you better, you bet" are my favorite! O.... n "behind blue eyes"

[@jax4538]

“They already had you invested in the song”… bj I’m a journalist at a daily newspaper. You really should start writing reviews. That line is classic. Contact me please.

[@holdtightadele8017]

Only John Entwistle can make such a simple baseline sound so amazing.

[@tammydean3003]

One of my favorites with Pete Townsend doing the lead vocals. ❤

[@evanmiller7795]

"Come and join the party. Dress to kill." The lyrics in this song are so cool

[@senseandsensibility3636]

My favorite WHO song…Rock + Funk = Perfection. It’s a great groove, right? Great reaction…thanks! :)

[@Ed9870]

The first song about "fronting". Great groove, bass riffs and an actual lead guitar by Townsend for a change.

[@akimali]

Admittedly I don't know many songs by The Who, but AS SOON AS I heard it in the movie Law Abiding Citizen during the jail scene, I was like "OH I GOTTA HAVE THAT SONG!" Love it!

[@greeneyesinfl9954]

There is an old TV show called Name That Tune, Asia reminded me of it. I can name that tune in two notes.....

[@andyboerger]

I'm not sure if Glyn Johns was the producer of this song, but he always performed magic with the Who when he produced their records. Fantastic production on this song, just an intense wall of sound.

[@ariesgirl9592]

The beginning of the song reminds me of Another Sad Love Song by Toni Braxton. The Who's song came out before her's did, though.

[@mrcoldshower2823]

How TRUE this song is; people put on .... They really jam live. I was a bartender at a sports arena in college and got to see the tail end of their concert; it was sold out. The staff commented at how polite the band was to everybody. Now their fans, lets say they are different, don't get me started. LOL

[@brycehongola2425]

It’s one of those songs that is eternal in its beat and quality ☮️🌵

[@bobkennedy5585]

Always one of my favorites from them. It modernized them in my mind.

[@mrbaddog4749]

One of my favorite Who songs. Sometimes when another band member steps up to the mic, you get a banger. Queen's drummer also has a banger with I'm in Love With My Car.

[@NebulizerChi]

Standout track from an otherwise lacking album ---indelible riff, solid groove, nice bridge...really holds up well now 40(!) years later

[@davidboivin7996]

Another great Who song with a funky vibe is Magic Bus the Live At Leeds version.

[@Agg1E91]

Just hit me: Wow! 40 years ago!

[@CybermanBill]

I love the feel of this song!! This was the first time together after their Drummer (and best drummer ever) passed away! Must have been hard! Imagine though.... With a hard a baseline this has and Pete's guitar yelling(to stop being fake) Imagine what Keith Moons Drum section would be on this?... Especially the instrument solos. Imagine all the different fills after every other vocal line that Keith would do!! I bet they did imagine!! It would have been amazing! So as I started this, it must have been sad

[@finalfrontier2376]

You should listen to the live version I remember going to see them back in 89 these guys kill

[@tbnobs]

There is something for everyone in this song a brilliant performance

[@craigmarkowski7156]

The very very beginning of this song sounds exactly like a song titled (Fool if you think it's over) by Chris Rhea , It's Identical !

[@mattfulgurite4746]

One of the hardest, smoothest blue eyed soul hits!

[@cadleo]

Good song. Their earlier stuff is incredible

[@litawells4264]

I just got through watching your reaction to Stranglehold by Ted Nugent and you seem to really love that driving guitar in that song so I thought I would introduce you to another group that has that driving guitar through out the entire song. The band is Great White and the song is (House of Broken Love) it is Rock infused with Blues it was released in 1989 at the end of the hair band era and beginning of Grunge Rock. I hope you react to this song it is truly amazing.

[@jeremygray1331]

This song has more of a groove than most all Who songs. I always think of it as a Pete solo offering backed up by his Who mates. Indeed some of my Who purists friends dislike it. I love it.

[@chrisa4695]

I love it and agree with everything you said. Given that Townshend wrote all The Who songs, I believe it was conceived for his solo album.

[@zq9m3xh8]

Something about Townsend's guitar in that opening intro section has a very Pink Floyd vibe to it.

[@somersetcace1]

I love Pete Townsends explanation of this song. "Eminence Front" was written around a chord progression I discovered on my faithful Yamaha E70 organ. I hesitate to try to explain what it was about. It's clearly about the absurdity of drug-fueled grandiosity, but whether I was pointing the finger at myself or at the cocaine dealers of Miami Beach is hard to recall."

[@joelliebler5690]

Great tune and a change in style just as the’80’s we’re kicking off!

[@johntarnowski9086]

Greatest Rock Band Ever 🤘 😎 🤘

[@bmw128racer]

You might want to check out the live version in Toronto, 1982... It's a banger. 👍

[@briancarlson592]

Love watching you 2 enjoy this gem by The Who. I'm a fan💯

[@jonstein9200]

My favorite who song . Reminds me of the pilot of Entourage when they are rolling up to premiere

[@donaldshaffer9275]

Pete Townsend was a genius utilizing the synthesizer in its earliest generation of technology