“Behind Blue Eyes" & "Going Mobile" by The Who (Drummer Reacts)

[@arizrich]

My favorite Who album by far!

[@kweile4339]

Behind Blue Eyes is haunting.

[@jonathanmurphy3141]

I drove a rental car around the U.K. for two weeks in May 1990. I had a few cassette tapes to listen, as I drove. Yet, in Wales, I switched to the BBC radio, and they had an audio documentary about the album "Who's next" with interview of the member of The Who. And, "Going Mobile" came on -and it was a perfect time, to me, driving through wonderful Wales, mobile 😁

[@TerryKrysinski]

I had the pleasure of visiting S. Wales twice in my life. It certainly is full of majestic scenery! I totally get your imagery.. :-) T

[@BillBitterman-ny2jl]

Behind Blue Eyes still sounds great. Pete's acoustic is just awesome. In concert at their peak, Pete played electric on Blue Eyes. I really think the acoustic sections are the major difference between studio and live. Then when the whole band kicks in....WOW. In concert, they used to send Keith off stage because he couldn't hold back with vocals or drums. There's a video somewhere on KZbin where Roger listens then comments about Keith's drum break. When the drums stop Roger just simply says..."brilliant". Final thought, after taking part with you on the Quadrophenia, I questioned whether I may like the Rock Opera a little better but after this segment hearing Who's Next nearly complete...It's still Who's Next. Still my favorite album of all time. There's lots of albums not only from the era but just 1971 that are full start to finish must listen records, Who's Next is perfection. No weaknesses.

[@BlinDefender]

I was 13 years old in 1971 when this perfect album came out. I remember listening to it on my 8 track tape deck every morning before school. You can't choose a "best song" on this album; they are all excellent!

[@markmurphy558]

Pete once told a journalist that The Who had "a lead singer, a lead bassist, a lead drummer, and a lead guitarist."

[@mickell241]

going mobile..... the worlds my home..... beep beep🎶🥁🎸🌍🌎🌏🛻

[@garandjunkie1046]

some of moons best work ...whos next is one of the best rock albums ever,,,,,,,,

[@tireshredderjoe8894]

You could be from my generation “61 years old”the way you react and enloy this great music. These were great times indeed. Love your reactions!

[@dawntucker5052]

He is such an old soul ❤

[@robotronrichard]

Thank you Lee! These songs and this album are very special to me. The album got me through a lot of life stuff in my teens and gave me a framework to view the world. While this song hit me hard, it let me know I wasn't the only person it the world that felt this way. No one knows what it's like To be mistreated, to be defeated Behind blue eyes And no one knows how to say That they're sorry and don't worry I'm not telling lies But my dreams, they aren't as empty As my conscience seems to be ☮❤🎶

[@Coquinagirl]

❤

[@Kerazen123]

I haven't heard going mobile in at least 40 years. That was a "BANGER" as you so eloquently put it sometimes 😂

[@cindyclark9619]

Good God. I haven’t heard this in forever and had forgotten how fricken cool it is. And I never knew it was about a mobile home. How FUN!

[@davidmckenzie420]

Behind Blue Eyes is my favorite song on this great album.

[@scottyhotty1003]

Two of my favorite Who Tracks❤❤ Who's Next one of their BEST Albums💯❤🎶

[@shirleybhs9zd6li5i]

Agree 100%

[@diverdown631]

The guitar sounded like it had an envelope filter on it, amongst other effects

[@ColeenU]

I love this song, "Behind Blue Eyes."

[@DrStrangelove3891]

Behind Blue Eyes is a villain's monologue. "My love is vengeance".

[@carolynschmidt5467]

Yes...a villain who feels like a victim.

[@RayEvans-j1q]

Who’s next is a great album! It was 1971! A new decade! A perfect time to put out a perfect album! Very pivotal for the career of the Who!

[@alrivers2297]

2 more great songs from a great album

[@thewalrus6833]

I wasn't into the Who that much but this album is a classic. Definitely in my top ten favourite albums.

[@stuBdoc]

I never realized it, but I think that Pete Townshend is the singer on Going Mobile. Behind Blue Eyes is so classic! Great acoustic part, fantastic lyrics, and the middle section kills it. Keith Moon doesn't just play drums, he does fills throughout the entire song (whatever song he's playing). That weird guitar sound is made using the wa-wa pedal. If you like Pete's voice, check out his solo song Let My Love Open Your Heart. Great song with great vocals.

[@markallen2984]

Yes. It's Pete. He's kinda foreshadowing/describing the whole current "van life" phenomenon

[@allanalogmusicat78rpm]

It's "Let My Love Open the Door," from EMPTY GLASS, though Pete did a remake/remix thing with it for his Greatest Hits disc, Cool Walking, Smooth Talking, Straight Smoking, Fire Stoking."

[@stuBdoc]

@@allanalogmusicat78rpm Thanks, my memory let me down on that one.

[@dawntucker5052]

Behind Blue Eyes is one of my favorite Who songs 💙

[@corawheeler9355]

Great songs

[@JohnLancaster-fh3oc]

I like "Going Mobile" but "Behind Blue Eyes" is a masterpiece.

[@joelliebler5690]

Both are masterpieces though I do have blue eyes so,,,!

[@briannewell6064]

My favorite line? "No one bites back as hard on their anger as I do".

[@dawnschneider187]

Awesome reaction! Thank you for all that you do Lee. Great songs!

[@mattreynolds612]

Behind Blue Eyes, may be their best. IMHO

[@YESFan1971]

One of my Top 25 albums of all time.

[@SnoopySnoops1]

Behind Blue Eyes

[@79BlackRose]

Behind Blue Eyes is one of the best power rock ballads ever. Beautifully written and performed. My favourite song of theirs.

[@Fuphyter]

I think it's the only power ballad. ❤

[@murff625]

It's guitar being sent to a triggered filter on his Arp synthesizer on the first song.

[@joelliebler5690]

Love these 2 and the rest of this monumental historical album representing the pinnacle of rock and roll!!!

[@CliffordLake]

I listened to "Going Mobile" on a desktop and realized that as a result, everything in the universe has been replaced by an exact replica.

[@robotronrichard]

You crossed the streams Cliff, don't cross the streams! 👻💥🌌

[@JoeSlish-q2e]

ok

[@mike-jm9rs]

Steven Wright, great comedian.

[@Coquinagirl]

Beep Beep!😀Pete ❤️ The Who🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Immediately liked Mobile the first time I ever heard it. And I never get tired of hearing it, including just now again. I cranked it up and rocked out. I like every song on this album though but that one has remained a favorite for a long time.

[@ROUGHSEES]

No way, it's about a mobile home... no way. Pete really is the mosty down to earth rockstar ever.

[@brianshockledge3241]

Pete bought a mobile home to travel around the UK for The Who`s 1970 British tour and wrote Going Mobile as a consequence.

[@dsomerville5293]

The two underrated cuts on this top 5 rock LP of all time for me.

[@Fuphyter]

Love Reign Oer Me is my fav Who ballad, this is great too! My ex boyfriend played this on the phone for me as a teen.

[@richardjacobs7632]

Nice pick! An album that’s a must for your collection! Thanks

[@mattreynolds612]

Volume Wednesday lol. I think these jams are awesome 💯 can't wait to see you react!!! Keep it rockin' Now 🎶🎶🎵🎶🔥💯🕺💃☮️✌️🕊️

[@stevepas1]

Top 10 album❤

[@shiannesmith6877]

Thank you for Who Wednesday, Lee ❤ YOU rock ❤

[@glenndespres5317]

He really does. He rocks with us and for us!

[@Bonzo57601]

Listen to Mountain, Mississippi queen

[@vicprovost2561]

Nantucket Sleigh Ride, too!

[@danevans5823]

I bought this album in 73' and it remains one of my all time favorites.My neighbors,I'm not sure how much they enjoyed it

[@damonhines8187]

'Going Mobile' is another oddly overlooked banger, though p'raps not so strange for an album that astounds track after track, that leaps from strength to strength. '... Blue Eyes' suffers no such neglect. It was an amazing listen off the top that's never gotten old. Cheers, mate. 🖖😁🎶♥️🍁♥️✨🕊️

[@shirleybhs9zd6li5i]

Love this album. "Behind Blue Eyes" is my favorite, the harmonies are fantastic, the melody so haunting. This has been a wonderful journey, so thanks ,Lee. Blessings all.

[@MikeOstrowski-iq8wf]

I got to see them for my 1st time July 14th 1989 Sullivan Stadium Foxboro Mass. They played 39 songs in 2 sets with 2 encore’s !!! Was absolutely Amazing ! Here’s the Setlist …….. Set 1 1) Overtime 2) 1921 3) Amazing Journey 4) Sparks 5) The Acid Queen 6) Pinball Wizard 7) Do You Think It’s Alright 8) Fiddle About 9) I’m Free 10) Tommy’s Holiday Camp 11) We’re Not Gonna Take It 12) I’m One 13) A Little Is Enough 14) A Friend Is A Friend 15) I’m A Man 16) I Can’t Explain 17) Substitute 18) I Can See For Miles 19) Trick Of The Light 20) Boris The Spider 21) Who Are You 🔥 22) Too Much Of Anything Set 2 23) Magic Bus 24) Baba O’Riley 🔥 25) My Generation 26) Face The Face 27) 5:15 28) Love Reign O’er Me 29) Love Hurts 30) My Wife 31) Sister Disco 32) Rough Boys 33) Join Together 34) You Better You Bet 35) Behind Blue Eyes ❤️ 36) Won’t Get Fooled Again Encore 1 37) Hey Joe (The Leaves Cover) 38) Dig (Pete Townshend Song) Encore 2 39) Summertime Blues …….this was the 1st time out of 6 times that I’ve seen live. This is in my Top 3 concerts of the 100’s that I’ve seen in my lifetime.

[@cynergy4]

"Just a hippie gypsy" Having blue eyes myself, I've always loved "Behind Blue Eyes" and the song resonates anyway

[@johnshahbazz8945]

WAH WAH PEDDLE

[@realbser1956]

I love this album soooo much. Almost every song could be included on a greatest hits album. Behind Blue Eyes = 🔥. Going Mobile = 🌋

[@markmurphy558]

Pete really upped his game with the effects for WHO'S NEXT to compete with ELP and Yes introducing the Moog Synthesizer in the early 70s.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

I can't remember which of their earlier stuff you may have done, but there are several notable earlier hits that are so cool and have so much personality and it's just easy to fall in love with them. They're always so catchy. Pictures of Lily Boris the Spider Happy Jack Magic Bus etc. In fact, a great album reaction would be to their early greatest hits album that is such a fan favorite, "Eatie Meaty Big and Bouncy", lol. It's a really important and entertaining and just really fun experience at understanding where they came from before they started exploding in heavy rock a few years later.

[@yes_head]

One of the many great things about this album is the production (another Glyn Johns masterpiece), and how well they take advantage of all 24 tracks Olympic Studios had to offer. The early 70s was when 24 track studios started to appear, which resulted in classic albums like this, 'A Night at the Opera', and Led Zeppelin 4, all recorded at Olympic Studios. I think on "Going Mobile" Pete's guitar is run through the VCS synthesizer, which was how they also produced the synth-y effect from a Hammond for "Baba O'Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again". Oh, and Pete Townshend on acoustic is always sublime.

[@Richard2003]

Saw them when it was just Roger and Pete

[@jamesvomsaal]

I’m an ex trucker air conditioned gypsy. So Going Mobile is my song but this a great 2some

[@Coquinagirl]

❤ Ferocious love “And if I swallow anything evil put your finger down my throat”

[@Kerazen123]

I totally forgot how great this album was. Daltrey sounds amazing here. I need to hear it again 😂❤

[@MarkChappell1]

Top 10 albums of all time for me.

[@dawntucker5052]

Easily their best album ❤❤ I love Keith's drumming on the first song ❤

[@janicez2630]

One of the best albums ever! Shaped my appreciation of fine music at 9 when it came out, thanks to my brother asking for this album at Christmas!

[@chitownlee]

There's a great version of Behind Blue Eyes with just Roger with the Irish band The Cheiftains from the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

[@genegarrett3372]

The Thought For Today-- "History is fascinating to read about. But, infuriating to live through". Happy Election Day Next Tuesday!

[@ColeenU]

Don't forget to vote, no matter who it is...VOTE!! It is a Privilege.

[@genegarrett3372]

@@ColeenU I have in EVERY election since I turned 18 in '72

[@ColeenU]

@@genegarrett3372 I have voted in every election since I turned 18!!! Good for you. Mailed mine last Wednesday.

[@genegarrett3372]

@@ColeenU I vote on Tuesday My polling place is a half block away

[@tomedmonson501]

Thanks, Lee, great reaction. I guess as a carryover from the LP days, I can’t listen to Behind Blue Eyes without looking forward to the beginning of Won’t Get Fooled Again. Those two songs together are a tremendous way to end an album.

[@RadCenter]

I think my big brother about wore out the grooves in this album. I'd forgotten how great these songs are!

[@paulehney4581]

This is an album that I have worn out four copies of over the years. What a blessing it was to get the 💿

[@DavidRold-pt3ng]

One of the greatest albums ever made. Lee i grew up in this era of music & it was & still is fantastic. And it's true, the musicianship & the writing was just incredible. And it wasn't about just having a hit single, they wanted to make great albums. If you haven't done Tommy, then of course it should be that. But i really like Who By Numbers & Who Are You albums.

[@sanddab]

This album is The Who at their peak (IMO).

[@brendamilloy2557]

Going Mobile is my favorite Who tune.

[@carolynschmidt5467]

I'm here for Behind Blue Eyes.Thank you.

[@fastcakes]

It could be argued that "Going Mobile" is the weakest song on the album, but even then, it's way above 99% of anything else outside this album. A stone cold 10/10 classic album.

[@MikeWalsh-f1g]

I'm with you Lee. Who's Next is almost like a greatest hits album. Amazing! Taking out the two behemoths, I'd probably go with Bargain too. You need to check out The Kids Are Alright. Maybe the Who's best album really captures the joyous, rebellious energy of the band's early years.

[@sharondavid-melly1498]

Fabulous... mobile gypsy ❤️ ...behind blue eyes💔

[@nikosalmpanis-ty3jt]

The best record of The Who🤘

[@alphajava761]

Amazing album! Love it! The Who are timeless.

[@chriswheeler9358]

The Who--Maximum R&B

[@terrycunningham8118]

Townshend ran his guitar through an effects channel on an ARP synthesizer for that weird wah break in "Going Mobile".

[@andrewwhite7868]

It was said that Neil Smith of Alice Cooper and Keith Moon competed to see which could get the biggest kit (and play it of course). I like both more than I can say. Keith was chaos, though. The very definition of "chaos".

[@jamessomers8808]

That solo sounded like he was playing through a Wawa pedal, but with something else turned up with a lot of feedback in it or possibly an early rotating Leslie effect.

[@patrickdoake6022]

The who were mods when they started out, youth cult in uk, mods and rockers. Mods rode scooters (lambretta, vespa) rockers motorcycles (bsa, triumph, norton etc) mods went to seaside towns during holidys like eastet, travelled in big groups, met rockers, big fights result! Mods flash dressers, rockers leathers and grease! Quadraphenia film by the who plus lp, soundtrack.

[@patrickdoake6022]

So going mobile he is on a scooter!!

[@jellyrollnorton]

I love the harmony, too. Not used much after Tommy.

[@philsmith2444]

You really need to listen to the 1995 reissue, it has “Pure And Easy”, which follows “The Song Is Over” and a bunch of others, some live. And the alternate version of BBE.

[@profjohnfrinks]

If you listen to a song like this, it's easy to think how the who could have been the best power trio of their day. Id say, in a way, more similar to rush than cream.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Oh that's definitely his guitar in that part you are talking about. Listen to it again and pay very close attention to the guitar right when it enters, and never take your attention off of it, at some point he goes down to that lower frequency and he's using a wah pedal it sounds like to me, and possibly even a ring modulator, which was a very simple to make but kind of edgy effect that was kind of popular at the time to get some real grit into stuff Beyond just the wah pedal. But it may just only be a wah pedal I don't know. He goes down into that middle section of the guitar solo, and then comes back up out of it, and it's clearly his guitar, and you can hear it the whole way. He's probably doing a lot of stuff like scraping his pick back and forth on the string and stuff like that while playing with the pedals.

[@CH3NO2Semonious]

Thank you.

[@jraben1065]

Interesting What-If about "LifeHouse"? "Who's Next" is one of my favorite albums, every song is GREAT, with no wasted space. In contrast, most double-albums have a meandering complexity,, and are less popular with a mass-audience. Double-albums (back in the day) were also significantly expensive. Real Who-Fans love "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia", but these albums were not usually in the typical record collection. Likely, the simple perfection of "Who's Next" turned the Who into a mega-popular Band in 1970s-80s. Alternatively, "LifeHouse" might have kept the Who as an important but 2nd-ranked art-rock band.

[@robotronrichard]

Couldn't agree more jraben! Keeping this album short made it way more accessable and let me play it way more times than I would have otherwise. This cassette tape and later CD were a constant companion in my car for a long time, because there wasn't any fluff and the high ratio of awesome driving songs. ☮❤🎶

[@jraben1065]

​@@robotronrichard Thanks for that. I did feel awkward arguing in favor of "accessibility", but in the case of "Who's Next" it seemed to make sense. As a kid I was hugely impacted by "Tommy", but "Who's Next" was my gateway to becoming a die-hard Who Fan. I also suspect that the failure of "LifeHouse" forced Townshend to keep his feet on the ground when creating "Quadrophenia", not letting it get too artsy and complex. And thus the story is more understandable and accessible.

[@p-dru2205]

LOL - "I'm glad Roger Daltrey wasn't on My Wife!" I must admit that while I liked the hits from The Who, I did not buy any of their albums except a greatest hits collection. But I enjoyed "Going Mobile" a lot. "Behind Blue Eyes" was quite possibly my favorite of their hits - the acoustic guitar in the beginning and end, the driving drums from Keith Moon in the middle, and the harmonies throughout. And not for nothing, when Ringo Starr's oldest son, Zak, was born, Ringo was asked if he was going to teach his son to play drums. Ringo said no, Uncle Keith (Ringo's best friend) was going to. Ironically, Ringo tried to dissuade Zak from going into the music business, but somehow music reached out to Zak anyway ... and after Keith Moon's passing he went on to play with The Who quite a bit. The other members thought Zak was the best fit after trying out a couple others. Their set at the Concert for New York City in 2001 was epic, and Zak looked so much like his dad behind the kit. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6PYdX5retJ0opo

[@russallert]

Check out this clip on Keith Moon, which includes a playback of just Roger's vocal and Keith's drumming on Behind Blue Eyes. Despite his seemingly crazy drumming style, he actually knew where he was at all times and often accentuated parts of the lyrics, especially on "And if I swallow anything evil". kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX2wlGmAbs1mo7c Personally, I think Lifehouse was better off left unfinished. Based on interviews with various band members over time (especially with Pete's detailed explanations of the plot line), I get the feeling that it was becoming an albatross around the band's collective neck and bogging down in the details. The use of the synthesizer was supposed to include getting volunteers from the audience to submit biofeedback into a synthesizer and having it compose a tune on the spot based on their vital signs, which was somehow supposed to work into the plot of the opera (which itself involved some kind of futuristic totalitarian society). As Keith Richards once said to his face, "Pete, you think too much".

[@leannlaplante3643]

I'm feeling 13 again listening to this.

[@courtneywallace871]

Going Mobile is one of my absolute favorite The Who songs. Check out Pete’s version of Behind Blue Eyes from Deep End Live. You need to do some of Pete’s solo stuff. Off of Empty Glass I recommend Cat’s in the Cupboard and Gonna Get You. Gotta go with Quadrophenia as their best.

[@Ttoc143]

It's Pete's guitar though a wah-wah pedal. Roger has a rock god voice.

[@TMullins123]

Wow, I'm 75 and I agree with you, Bargain. You were born much too late.

[@edwinawilcox663]

Pete actually had a motor home for a while and traveled when between touring with his young family around the UK. 🚐...........

[@woodyheywood8792]

Excellent insight and reaction Sir!! Always fun to come into your channel

[@L33Reacts]

You are too kind, my friend! Thank you for watching

[@dalemcmillan7231]

Phenomenal ❤

[@davidmorgan5312]

Lee, I'm sounds like Pete was using a Wah-Wah pedal on Going Mobile.

[@fenderchamp8241]

There's a great alternative version of BBE with keyboards. Good, different.

[@DocSardo]

You should check out an album of Pete Townshend demos called "Scoop", which includes demos of Behind Blue Eyes and Bargain. I haven't seen anyone react to this album before. It's got some really interesting stuff.

[@shiannesmith6877]

I love the who 😊

[@VincentAgostino-gy6hr]

Someone needs to request something from Pete Townsend’s solo albums… Cats in the Cupboard would be a good start…