The Who - I'm A Boy Promo HQ

Found this while lurking WHO-related links. The picture was a bit squashed so I re-proportioned it. The audio was atrocious, so I re-synced it using the track found on the "Then & Now" compilation. Notice how the stereo mix is similar in style to how Beatles' stereo LPs were being done at the time, with voices coming out of one speaker & the backing track coming out of the other. The question is: if you just listen to the backing tracks without the voices, were they flippin' lousy? Listen & decide!!
For best results, watch in HQ with headphones on (or really good speakers!)

[@rustyme1122]

This song is more relevant today than it ever was in 67.

[@Amaterasu_990]

Love this! Reminds me weirdly of Talking Heads!

[@stevepaul6955]

Love Pete's guitar.

[@EM-ox4po]

Pete: the other one's me 👁️👃👁️

[@z-rex6068]

Ignore them below you, they’re bots

[@cm8312]

The other ones me 😈

[@yesman2755]

I’ve loved The Who for 55 years already. Wish I could love ‘em for another 55. Greatest band in the universe by far.

[@sacheverelle]

Play guitar while posing in front of a full length mirror. 🤣

[@bonniebluebell5940]

ABSOLUTELY!!!

[@roybennett9284]

My name is Bill ..and I'm a head Case!!!

[@jackfitzpatrick8173]

Keith Moon....greatest rock drummer of all time!

[@johnlannikk2701]

Pete was/is such a good writer/musician an astounding band to have grown up with. I love the way he muted the chords in the middle added tension

[@josephezra4249]

I know it is pretty randomly asking but does anyone know a good website to watch newly released series online?

[@eliankalel856]

@Joseph Ezra Flixportal :P

[@josephezra4249]

@Elian Kalel thank you, signed up and it seems to work :) I really appreciate it !

[@eliankalel856]

@Joseph Ezra Glad I could help =)

[@andreichivu7653]

John...the greatest bassist of all time ! RIP !

[@Fuzzbrain61]

Nothin's flippin' lousy about this. Pure genius - chord break in middle is innovative- great guitar sound and probably performed more or less live on 4 track.

[@onemexican1973]

and didn't Townshend influence ...just how many guitarists? Love the Spanish sound to the break..brilliant back then..better now..if that's possible.

[@DJBuglip]

Yeah, those 10 thumbs-down must be friggin' deaf.

[@zootsoot2006]

I assume you're quoting Pete's verdict on the Beatles ;)

[@ashratempel5094]

Never gets old.

[@fenderguitars6050]

THERE ARE NO OTHER BANDS THIS GREAT !! THE WHO RULE ROCK WITH EASE !!

[@henrybyrd5402]

Travelled quite well this song!

[@wellsy1954]

There are several versions/different mixes of this song. One with a lot of John's French Horn, another with less. This one is the hit version, with very little French Horn and more of Keith's brilliant drumming. An absolute Classic.

[@IANSANITYSONGS]

I am Glad I now know all the lyrics..... Great find !!! Love this period of The Who.

[@PAULLONDEN]

CLASSIC ! They don't make 'm like this anymore.

[@MannyMarr]

That rickenbacker sounds beautiful!

[@fmprogg1288]

You mean, John Entwistle recorded with Rickenbacker bass and in the video appears with Fender!

[@69zenos1]

That is the VOX amp that sounds so good. Not the guitar.

[@MannyMarr]

69zenos1 although Vox amps sound beautiful as well, Pete rarely used them. In most songs (including this one) and shows, Pete would use exclusively Marshall amps. I have a Rickenbacker 330 and a Vox AC30, which I did not have at the time when I made my first comment, that being said, that beautiful sound is definitely the Rick, not the amp lol.

[@69zenos1]

@@MannyMarr Fair enough...then it was the celestion speakers. Not the Ric.

[@MannyMarr]

69zenos1 not too sure if your pulling my leg or serious... I mean the rickenbacker guitar is known for its beautiful clean and jangly guitar sound which is showcased in this song. Amps play a part in the sound but if I plug in a crappy $100 guitar into a badass amp with good celestion speakers, it’s not gonna automatically make it sound good 🤔

[@ashratempel5094]

Timeless classic

[@simonhoddinott7243]

Happy birthday Roger daltrey many happy returns of the day have a good one

[@jimwelsh997]

Damn from the very very beginning the WHO was and still are THE GREATEST ROCK BAND EVER EVER. Keith Moon is the greatest drummer ever. Thank God I discovered the who when I was a little rug rat. Back in the 60s they have always kicked ass.

[@MajorWolfgangHochstetter]

I saw The Who in 1968 at Westbury, NY and again in 1971 at Forest Hills!

[@jimwelsh997]

@@MajorWolfgangHochstetter So how was it. I know it had to be two of the greatest concerts ever.

[@feraounepatrice3826]

Yes 4 boys making great songs! I never seen this clip before Thank you

[@andreashering875]

Herrlich , wie die Songs von The Who immer wieder eskalieren .

[@StewartNicolasBILLYCONNOLLY]

Keith Moon - never bettered, the finest, most inspirational drummist of his and my. generation. Not the technician, the competitive best or any bullshit, Keith was and always will be Keith - a star streaking across the musical firmament. 🌟❤️

[@racketman2u]

Even more relevant today!

[@clarkthesharkshow9944]

LOVE THE WHO FOREVER !!!

[@aprillear4537]

What a knockout record my favourite who song

[@ianharwell7500]

always a phenomenal rhythm section... with the Who. Great chord work too.

[@Berniewahlbrinck]

Pete came up with this highly unusual chord sequence - AA - E4 - E - incredible!

[@GrumpyBand]

excellent timepiece

[@BIVVIEDUP]

THE WHO. No one comes close !

[@AA-sn9lz]

Who?

[@Dkeosjwp]

Beatles Better than Who 😆

[@BIVVIEDUP]

@@Dkeosjwp Nooooo haha

[@raphaelanthes]

The Who is the Best.

[@user-fe7do9bu7d]

amen

[@sascharottmann2268]

yes, Petes Rickenbacker is great! And the WHO original-lineup, is top!

[@fenderguitars6050]

The who ; always the innovators !!! leading the Way !!!

[@howardsix9708]

classic......havent heard this for the best part of 50 years.......well done..thank you for the upload........h6uk

[@Alanoffer]

Surprisingly great mix I’ve been re listening to it , it’s so different from how today’s music is mixed but also it’s a great song and band

[@davidd515]

What a great find! Thanks for posting it.

[@roselynwest2604]

Great job. The footage is terrific! Thank you.

[@DMSProduktions]

A very PRESCIENT song for our times!

[@nickterrett6613]

sadly😶

[@DMSProduktions]

@@nickterrett6613 ;o)

[@dominysynclair]

Nice job cleaning it up Leo, thanks. Always looking for Who stuff I haven't seen before.

[@mikecaine3643]

I heard this on British T.V. on Juke Box Jury - it was a jury of older people who heard this and said it was dreadful - I was sat there thinking - I Love This - I was only a kid then and I'm 70 years old now and I still love it - that and Happy Jack sold me on The Who .

[@AndyJarman]

I couldn't understand Tommy when it came out, but fifty years on I think its a bloody masterpiece, Oliver Reid, Elton John, revenge and salvation from childhood trauma and self emancipation. This song and Tommy are anthems to all the kiddy fidlers trying to gain acceptance in the presds today.

[@nickterrett6613]

two tracks that i wouldnt have been immediately "sold" on initially but get better and better each listen..the more obvious fair such as My Gen, anyhow anyway, Substitute, Cant explain are what "sold" me..now i just dig it all..superb group..wish i could have been there during that time.

[@mikecaine3643]

@@nickterrett6613 I love Keith Moons drumming on Happy Jack - early days when they were recorded - The Who just got better and better as their music progressed .

[@nickterrett6613]

@@mikecaine3643 moonies drumming on all tracks🤪 was something to behold..yes i find when you revisit old tunes you appreciate them even more than 1st time round..im finding that with old Small faces stuff aswell.

[@tombell6066]

You always knew when this band were 'pretend' playing. They never had leads connected into the guitars and Moony always hammed the drumming up.

[@unmea69l8er]

Moon did it on purpose.

[@user-iu5uc4vx7b]

THE BEAST BAND EVER

[@drstevie]

Genius....

[@yorukaadams940]

this music is so t-boy swag

[@gunillasaaid6883]

Love the who forever ❤

[@myriamwizzard3825]

Pete 😍 the other was me :D

[@SteveCounsel]

Good job with the sync well done!

[@paullicciardo]

The best you better believe it!

[@strawberrylemonadekristina]

So cool to see footage of the Who from 1966, even if they are just miming. Check out the sideburns on John Entwistle! One of my all time Who faves! Such a progressive and thought provoking song for 1966. If this song came out today it would be controversial. I'm surprised the record company authorized its release. I feel so bad for Bill. Poor kid, talk about forced feminization! The song addresses a key aspect of gender identity. You are born with a male or female spirit. If your mind and spirit are male no amount of living as a female will change that or vice versa. Kudos to Pete for making a song about this.

[@AndyJarman]

Bollocks, mums want to live out their fantasies and disappointments through their kids. Fuck all to do with 'spirits'. He's a boy and his mum wont admit it. Like so many entitled narcissists, if you aren't happy with what you've been given, its YOUR problem nobody else's.

[@TJGornik61]

James Younger.........Townshend saw this coming back in 1966.....brilliant!

[@jabax999]

This HQ recording is actually very clear which I do like,listening with headphones I don’t know why it would have all the vocals mix to one side nearly all the way through, this to me is a bit odd but not totally unusual for the 60s. I think Pete must behind this mix, the guitar sounds great. I also think the drums sounded better on the single. Fab song.

[@aliceborealis]

Brilliant!

[@eltonmiriyoga2792]

The Who were the pioneers of music videos This basically the first music bideo

[@drstevie]

Brilliant !!!!!!!!!!!

[@Dang...]

Good job, thanks.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Thankyou !

[@fenderguitars6050]

THE WHO !! ROCK'S HALL OF FAME NUMERO UNO !!

[@jrewing3718]

Using that studio track really shows how Keith Moon totally drives the song, the drums are too muted in recordings of their live performances.

[@jabax999]

This HQ listed recording sounds great to me but I think the drums may be a little muted compared to other versions of the same recording I have. I agree the drums are extremely important to the who. I guess I should listen with headphones, come to think of it I’ll do that now.

[@AndyJarman]

@@jabax999 agreed, the studio produced recordiongs give you the impression the band is accompanying the drums. Keith was portrayed as the drummer Animal on the muppet show, what a tribute to a glorious mad man.

[@jabax999]

@@AndyJarman Moon added that extra splash of colour to an already great group of players. I love their hits, they were the standouts for me, Substitute, I’m a Boy, Pictures of Lili, My Generation and the list goes on.

[@martinramsdale99]

I've never seen this promo clip see summat new does pop up from time to time then

[@benrogers3311]

Watch, then weep Beatle's.

[@fizmath935]

prophetic

[@calvinguile1315]

I always favored pre-Tommy Who..

[@basiledekoch9624]

Pre-, OK, but don't forget the post- ! In "Who's Next", 2 visionary electronic masterpieces in which Pete, once more, opened a new way for everybody.

[@pipeandslippersman]

lovely upload, thank you very much for your efforts! you're clearly a committed fan... 'flippin' lahsey', indeed! not many would get that connection and, am i right in thinking that pete's in the same togs as he is in that interview? also - just my tuppennyworth - but moonie actually seems to be making an effort to mime properly in this...

[@onemexican1]

great clip.....there is another floating around....same as the substitute clip.???....just great stuff

[@petermaxwell2965]

Nice clear drum bass and guitar ..🎸🎵

[@nickterrett6613]

"Who'd" have thought Keith Moon could get any louder..just give him a pair of big bangers and WHHaamm BAAmm💥💥💥💥💥

[@mikephalen3162]

When I was a kid, I thought the lyric went "...ride my bike across the sea..." Which I still think is cooler than "across the street," lol.

[@ryanbuckley2288]

GOLD

[@user-bd4ce9ux2r]

love from japan

[@onemexican1973]

great then...bloody brilliant now...

[@billgarguilo5518]

Always loved this tune...cuz "My Name is Bill and I'm a Head Case"

[@gabbycattell9030]

very nice but being deaf in one ear i have to keep swapping headphones around to hear full song

[@racketman2u]

it's a strange mix, that's for sure.

[@TuckerSP2011]

This reminds me of little James in Texas whose mom wants to make into 'Luna'.

[@harryhackney6416]

WOULDNT be able to go anywhere without hearing this blaring out at full volume especially my home parents shouting turn it down or I will put my foot through the bloody thing 😂😂 my mum liked her music and I was the only one in the household to own a record player and let no one else use it. I used to take the needle stylus out before going to work only my mother knew where it was { in her purse } many times my father came in while she had it on nothing said about the volume then. ? No volume NO OATS 😂

[@ShoeGazer]

avanti anni luce

[@drstevie]

Immense.

[@brookcrowley4254]

This classic dirty reminds me of Tim Cooper, Carla Werner and Lindy Morrison!!

[@lydiakrohn4991]

Toller Song Besonders gut gefällt Mr. TOWNSHEND bei seinen Springen Heute leider ein alter Mann

[@Toto-dd4hj]

THE WHO!!!

[@MadBiker-vj5qj]

You tube seems to be delivering this in mono; so I can't do the listening test that you suggest. :-(

[@chrisburr9124]

Sounds like Ma’s the head case here!

[@gregbernstein6430]

Pete can sing just as good as Roger!

[@AndyJarman]

My name is Bill and I'm a head case, in fact THEY'RE making up on MY face!

[@tilesetter1953]

No mics, dead giveaway! Also shorter version, check out the original one on MBB&Bouncy. But this is the one they always played live (????).

[@cm8312]

0:19

[@thomasknief7557]

Maybe 65/66/67/68 was their best period. Fresh and provocative ear-deafening hard BEAT music.

[@z-rex6068]

This would get cancelled today 😂

[@MajorWolfgangHochstetter]

I love to watch Keith Moon play drums! For me, after Keith died The Who ceased to exist!

[@VirreFriberg]

I always get a good laugh seeing Moon mime his drum playing. He never put in serious effort into it

[@90mrlennon]

Years 60s Bands Invasion English: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Animals, The Cream, The Dave Clark Five, The Yardbirds, [{( THE WHO )}] ......

[@onemexican1973]

yep they belong with them all

[@Jhonnybeatgun]

BLEND RUNNER

[@VirreFriberg]

Where did this stereo mix come from? Never heard it before

[@eddieshif]

Double bass in 67

[@garymclaughin]

Not that she won't admit, rather she doesn't like it.🤠

[@manuelaroncancio4610]

0:19 xdxdxd

[@Freemelon07]

John: why do I keep doing this?

[@grengeg7373]

No amps?

[@johnwinston6873]

Haben sie dem armen Keith Moon Schlagstöcke mit Wattebausch aufgedrückt👿

[@TheGramit]

My name is billy and I m a headcase

[@emoryramsey2756]

I am a boy

[@JohnBrown-ob8nx]

They did it first- and better.

[@MsChris402]

the problems of boyhood.