THIS IS PERFECT OMG! | The Who - Baba O'Riley | REACTION

[@garyarnett1220]

You were blown away first listen in 2023. Now try to imagine how it was for us first time 52 years ago in 1971. There was simply nothing else like this around.

[@bedrosnersesyan6975]

Sounded like a UFO pulled up and rolled down the window! 😂

[@rebeccarose7405]

I’m so jealous of someone getting to hear it for the first time! It never gets old!

[@mimiv3088]

I saw The Who when they opened for Hermits Hermits. God soooo long ago. This one of my Who favorite

[@billyjack979]

I was born in 72, but my senior year in high school I listened to almost nothing but The Who. I also watched the movie Quadrophenia about 10 times.

[@allbottledup9513]

@@bedrosnersesyan6975 Lmao so accurate, I gotta use this now! Second best comment I’ve seen on Baba O’Riley was “Hearing this for the first time felt like your first kiss with your crush.”

[@jjflash1645]

It’s The Who. Nothing else to say. Not only one of their best but, one of the best over all.

[@gerardbyrnes5780]

Imagine being 15 years old, living on the streets, and hearing this song for the first time. It pretty much blew me away in 1971. I felt like he was talking to me directly.

[@steverakes6182]

It must have felt like a lightning strike.

[@gerardbyrnes5780]

@@steverakes6182 Kinda, yeah.

[@scottkeeler2306]

I can relate. I was right next to you brother.

[@kevinmarsh8922]

There are maybe two dozen truly great bands in history. The Who are one of those bands. They were amazing.

[@Wendy-ov5hu]

Stones, Who, Zep, Santana

[@michaelb2388]

Only 2 dozen? I think you must have been living under a rock.

[@RockChick63174]

Truly great. They're not wrong. ​@michaelb2388

[@leighs966]

​@@michaelb2388agreed

[@kensubala2793]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@wicky4473]

I was practically crying when I watched your reaction! Brilliant

[@stevejohnston8254]

I’ve listened to Baba thousands of times since I first heard it in 71….still so fresh, spine tingling, genius.

[@christopherking4932]

Definitely a timeless masterpiece

[@anthonyasart]

ABSOLUTELY !!!!!

[@jimsteele4017]

One Friday night in late 1979, I became a Who fan instantly by seeing them perform this song live on The Midnight Special (Shepperton Studios, 1978...same recording session as Won't Get Fooled Again). It's another song when they perform it LIVE...it's rock and roll at its best!

[@davescurry69]

Get into them, man. The Who are one of those acts who shaped or even changed the art form. Monumental is one way to describe their influence in rock music.

[@cynthiaschultheis1660]

THE WHO IN WOODSTOCK IS A GREAT PERFORMANCE!!!!👍👍👍👍

[@babylonsister118]

Pete Townsend does most of their songwriting. He is truly masterful.

[@davidburton9136]

Imagine being a 14-year-old kid putting this LP on the turntable for the first time. This song opens! And the whole album is actually this good!

[@harrykadaras9459]

I was listening to all music back then, and for me, hearing it when it came out was literally transcending.Those notes are so different from anything else at the time, including what LZ was playing,(which represented the tier of blues based hard rock, revolving around a repeating lick and super heavy beat). Many prefer that type of music more. I preferred this back then as it represented something totally different.

[@tomward6689]

Pete Townshend is the genius who arranges all these Who classics

[@classiclife7204]

For me, it's Daltrey's vocal on this one. The power and authority. As you said, "coming in hot" - and he stays there without hardly screaming (except for maybe "they're all wasted!"). Yeah this is one of the all-timers.

[@jacobsfoodreview]

Good old Leather Lungs.....what a voice

[@cmg6848]

A great example of why Keith Moon is held in such high esteem as a drummer.

[@dagmar.6954]

The Who are a great British rock band formed in London in 1964. They are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century & have sold over 100 million records worldwide. They have so many great songs such as "I Can't Explain", "The Kids Are Alright", "My Generation", "Won't Get Fooled Again", "Substitute", "Happy Jack", "I Can See For Miles", "Behind Blue Eyes", "Boris The Spider", "Pictures Of Lily", "Magic Bus", "Who Are You", "Pinball Wizard" etc.

[@jodij6280]

I think Pinball Wizard should be his next reaction. I always think of Elton John's 4 ft boots from the movie. I also like his cover of the song.

[@frshunter]

"Love, reign o're me" has to be in that list as well!

[@scottlaughlin9897]

@@frshunteragreed, and mind as well throw 5:15 on that list as well!

[@rebeccalipps23]

Hey, Dagmar!!

[@tomward6689]

Also The Real Me

[@reggievangleason9511]

Yeah, growing up in 60’s-70’s was like this. Week after week, great song after rock great song. It was wonderful.

[@lesscarmel5527]

Yeah, that’s pretty much the reaction we all had hearing that the first time. EPIC AND TRANSCENDENT!

[@petervermaak6447]

The Who appear as the theme songs for all the CSI franchises 1. The Who - Who Are You Opening theme of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000-2015) 2. The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again Opening theme of CSI: Miami (2002-2012). 3. The Who - Baba O'Riley Opening theme of CSI: New York 4. The Who - I Can See For Miles Opening theme of CSI: Cyber (2015-2016).

[@shemanic1]

great reaction, you obviously enjoyed it.

[@lenzielenski3276]

The "repeating sound" is an early digital synthesizer. No, not a keyboard, it is programmed using patch cords like an old Andy Griffith era telephone switchboard. Written and arranged by Pete Townsend.

[@dipsydoodle7988]

When the violin meets the drums...holy smokes. Definitely my favorite Who song.

[@haydeeze]

It is amazing song. I had forgotten that. Thanks for reaching and the reintroduction.

[@jasonyoumans9504]

The Who was a super group. Lucky to have seen them twice in person Bob O’Reilly ushered in young peoples power in a way that was different sort of sophisticated yet tribal at the same time another song of theirs that is good Is called we won’t get fooled again. Kind of apropos in our time still.

[@StatsJedi]

Glad you finally hit this one, now do "Won't Get Fooled Again", which pairs well with this one.

[@marianclough8577]

I grew up with the WHO and they were incredible. Still love listening to them. I was so blessed to have had the great music of the 60s 70s and 80s.

[@floorticket]

Like many/most of the Who's catalog this one just gets better with volume. Zeppelin's a garden party in an old castle, The Who is a pub brawl.

[@scm0717]

"Zeppelin's a garden party in an old castle, The Who is a pub brawl." LOVE THIS!!!

[@sillysod33]

Wow, yes! Deep Purple are cognac in dinner jackets and Sabbath are witches convening in a forest.

[@user-gu7kk5zk2b]

Zepplin CAN be a garden party in an old castle BUT usually they're a really nasty f**k with the expectation of another round...

[@黃鈺倫-t6d]

True lol, like they stated in the song “I fight for my meals”😅😅😂😂

[@brentgunderson1349]

If you've ever watched any of the CSI shows they all use Who songs as their theme songs. The original CSI and the reboot uses "Who Are You", CSI: Miami used "Won't Get Fooled Again", and CSI: New York used this one..."Baba O'Riley". Every time I hear one of the songs it always brings to mind the show it's on.

[@Brian-xu9di]

Live your reaction to this iconic song.

[@MichelleKavarnos]

One of my most favourite songs ever!!

[@LivingWatersUtube]

"Won't Get Fooled Again" MUST be next right alongside "Baba O'RIley"

[@stuarthastie6374]

Dave Arbus the violinist with East of Eden deserves a credit for the outrow.

[@glass2467]

This synth sound throughout this song was actually a Lowrey Berkshire Deluxe TBO-1 home organ, that Pete Townshend set to the Marimba Repeat setting. It sounds like a sequencer setting on a synthesizer.

[@walterw9829]

Great reaction!

[@hongfang2348]

My Generation is much earlier in the career of The Who. They have a few songs on par with Baba ORiley: Won't Get Fooled Again (from the same album) and Love Reign O'er Me (from the next album), both early 70s.

[@lauracondo8151]

I remember well when this came out! Thank you taking me back to great music.

[@DeborahPatch]

Love this and love your reaction

[@antarcticorb9197]

High school, standing outside, waiting for the doors to open, this song playing from some kids boom box...teacher yelling at him to turn it down! Us kids screaming " We're all wasted"! Then everything turns to laughter...

[@scottlaughlin9897]

Love Reign O’er me is their Magnum Opus. Can’t wait for you to hit that one!

[@always_b_natural703]

The Who did have producers for some of their albums, The Who being listed as producing this album. One of their producers (wish I could remember which one, lol) stated that when he worked with The Who, the band would run through the song, and he basically didn't do anything as Townsend's arrangements were perfect.

[@christopherking4932]

Awesome reaction.

[@davidschecter5247]

Townshend, Davies, Lennon, McCartney, Wilson, Lightfoot, and few others were among the greatest composers of the 20th century. All different, but incredibly prolific as well as brilliant.

[@MDElam]

Roger Daltrey is easily in the running for best rock vocalist ever!

[@annafitzgerald9913]

If you love this, do “Won’t Get Fooled Again” next.

[@christinespain6751]

Baba O'Riley is a brilliant song I love it ,always have

[@jakerazmataz852]

I love your reactions.

[@littlecitygirl]

I love your use of the word 'aura'. This song definitely has an aura around it and I don't think it's possible to get tired of it. It's just epic.

[@f.murphy8340]

"Anthemic" I believe might categorize it. I saw them the night after the Cincinnati stampede in 1979. This song seemed to have added impact when they played it (given the 11 deaths the night before)

[@famat161]

Everybody. Can you imagine how lucky he is to still have Tommy in his future?

[@brianshockledge3241]

My Generation was written when they were kids the live version is something else but this was written in their prime.

[@lugnut4848]

omg, i love your reactions so much!

[@maggieshevelew7579]

Ok! Here we go. The Who. My favorite band through my teen years in the 70’s. This is a deep dive! Each member is a genius in their talent. Roger Daltrey, one of the best rock vocalists of all time, Keith Moon, a beast on the drums, one of the best ever; John Entwistle, one of the greatest bassists of all time, and Pete Townshend (pronounced “send”, not “shend”), the mastermind behind most of the writing, arrangements, production, and a hell of a guitarist and keyboard player. Pete plays all the synths. The next song you listen to should really be “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, their most famous piece. Listen to each member separately in that song. Each one of them is absolutely incredible, like they’re all playing lead at the same time. “Who’s Next” is one of the best rock albums of all time. Not a bad song on it. But you can’t dive into The Who without experiencing their rock operas. The first being “Tommy”, from 1969 (later made into a movie with various musicians, from Tina Turner, to Elton John). Tommy was very experimental, and groundbreaking at the time. The second is “Quadrophenia” from 1973, many fans’ favorite album. Pete is simply a brilliant song writer. This is a deep rabbit hole. Enjoy! Looking forward to it!

[@joescott8877]

I agree with all you said, 'cept for Zeppelin being my fav in my teens, lol. it really is astonishing and almost scandalous (!) that SalvoG has not yet ridden on The Magic Bus! I couldn't agree more that "Wont get fooled again" should be next for him. Gobsmack him proper-like, right? SO much more after that as well, as you correctly point out with the two Rock Operas and then all the rest! Sal loves him some synth, so he'll especially dig the wild ones that Pete came up with!

[@maggieshevelew7579]

@@joescott8877 Funny you said that about Led Zeppelin. I remember in high school back then, there was always a friendly debate between the fans of Led Zeppelin and The Who, arguing which was better. I love them both now, but The Who holds a special place in my heart. And speaking of Magic Bus, “Live At Leeds” is another must hear album!

[@ivanalaff5346]

I Do like it as much as you…another GREAT Reaction!

[@kareng4658]

There's nothing like good, old rock and roll!

[@roddiener1235]

I'm so very fortunate to have been born in 1960, 60s and 70s was the soundtrack of my youth...brother, you ain't heard nothin yet!

[@cynergy4]

That's how most of us felt the first time that we heard it, and after hearing it a bizillion times since then, we can experience it for the first time again thru you. My favorite part is when Keith Moon comes in on those drums. My fave line would be "I don't have to fight to prove I'm right, I don't need to be forgiven". Great reaction. More Who would do ya some good. I'd suggest a song for ya but I would go insane trying to choose! All that I will say is, buckle up!

[@mandyjones3845]

Unquestionably, one of my ALL time favourite songs.

[@daves2058]

My favorite band! I love seeing someone discover them.

[@coopm3087]

They are definitely one of the GOAT bands Try Who are you or Behind blue eyes one day

[@ohfour-seven6228]

Yeah, this song is a masterpiece. This is one of the songs that helped push rock forward and a must hear for any serious music lover. Fortunately, there are many many 70's songs that are so important to understanding music that was to come. So glad you're enjoying this experiencing roots rock. It's quite a pleasant journey.

[@judyturner3850]

You cannot loose with any of the 70s music..It's a wonderful trip. 😊

[@ohfour-seven6228]

@@judyturner3850 I agree!

[@pamnicklas5536]

This is my favorite song of all time! My Baba O' Riley story...I was at a concert back in 1982. During intermission all of a sudden Baba O' Riley started playing. The crowd erupted in a huge roar and the sound engineers cranked up the volume. One of my best concert memories!

[@jtf2dan]

Classic tune.....the first time I heard it, I was floored.......and still am to this day....

[@gistechrep3816]

There is more perfection on their "Quadrophenia" album. It's a Rock Opera, so play it from beginning to end. The song "5:15" is a favorite! or "Love, Reign o'er Me" can't be passed over! React to and experience those tunes, you'll love it.

[@lisarhae9692]

Quadrophenia is my #1 Favorite Album!! A masterpiece!!!

[@hawkeyegeorge]

5:15 and The Real Me are masterpieces

[@grahambatchelor3576]

I concur.....

[@kamthornhill477]

Love Reign O'er Me will always have a special place in my heart... One of my favorite two concerts that I ever attended was the Who's 25th anniversary tour of Tommy (the other one was the 70s Superfest) anyway back to the Who it was held at the old Foxboro stadium in Massachusetts and the concert was delayed over an hour because of rain, there were distant rumbles of thunder and you could see puddles on various tarps with wires running across... Everyone was praying that it wouldn't be cancelled.... Anyway the rain stopped, they took the stage and launched into Love Reign O'er Me as a rainbow lit the sky ( an actual one not staged effects) An incredible beginning to a magnificent concert

[@ianbennett1491]

Wow. My older brother bought the album Who's next when I was a young kid. He played it constantly. I love it. Unbelievable.

[@natashab3412]

The use of this song in Spike' s Son of Sam. was brilliant. On my top 20 list. ~ Best use of song in film

[@chrisholland6052]

The seamless transitions in this song are an absolute tribute to Townsend's genius in songwriting.

[@rk41gator]

'Behind Blue Eyes' is a haunting Who masterpiece.

[@daviddemar551]

Fyi the "repeating sound "is a very early synthesizer not an organ. You are correct this song is a masterpiece. It's certainly levels above My Generation. Check out/react to Tommy, the first rock opera, composed and recorded by The Who c. 1967.

[@SG-js2qn]

Daltrey was an early rock screamer. Did a tremendous job. 1971, a time of some progressive songs in rock.

[@shebear7542]

does anybody else love this song as much as me? YESSSSSSSS

[@mikelafata1680]

This song and Behind Blue Eyes are my favorite Who songs. Simply awesome.

[@jmmurica2885]

The Who’s albums are storytelling from first song to last. Pete Townsend writes songs& plays guitar like the rock God he is

[@daytonarama]

Another epic song from the golden era of Rock music. Compare the amazing texture and complexity and pure musicality of this to anything being produced now. No contest. The Who was at the top of their game here.

[@julieholbrook5302]

Graduated High School in 1982. Formative years in the 70's. This album...especially this song was heavily played at Middle and High School parties and events. My senior year, our class decided to enter the auditorium to this song for our Fall senior assembly. To this day, I am transported to that moment, the adrenalin so thick, we walked on air. Next to graduation day, this memory, this moment, this song in September 1981 was a spiritual/formative event.

[@lisaharrod8386]

One of my favorite Who tunes...love the violin, but I'm A Kansas fan... love rock violin. Thanks for listening!

[@rcmorl6390]

I have known and loved 13:06 this song my whole life. Just heard it for the first time, again...loved your reactions. Find the rest of the great songs

[@gerrydantone6834]

The Who were one of the great bands of all time. Other masterpieces include "Love Reign O'er Me," "Won't Get Fooled Again," "Pinball Wizard" and for live performances, try the album "Live at Leeds."

[@dennisgschmidt6167]

Yup, the Live version of MAGIC BUS is one of my favorites.

[@paulstewart6203]

Keith Moon is one of the main pioneers of hard-rock drumming.

[@MarkChappell1]

Top 10 songs of all time for me. You've got it right, it's not one section or another, it's how it is structured and plays out. It's epic.

[@murrayjennex1377]

they have several perfect songs in addition to this: won't get fooled again, who are you, love reign over me and more

[@johntarnowski9086]

Greatest Rock Band Ever 😊

[@TTM9691]

You said "when you hear something special....you kinda just know it." Man oh man, you actually made me re-connect with how great this song is. I take it for granted! I've heard so many times since it came out, I barely can "hear" the song anymore, if you know what i mean. Man oh man, what a mindblower this is. This whole album is a great one, it's a lot like "Led Zeppelin IV", an album that's been played so much on the radio to the point of overplaying. And so watching a reaction like this brings me back to the fundamentals: this is a masterpiece. The LYRICS. The sound. The performances. THANKS, SALVO. You are a GREAT music reactor.

[@skygazer858]

The Who isn't my favorite band from the era, but it really should be. Their body of work is unmatched even in the era musical masterpieces.

[@MikeOstrowski-iq8wf]

Wow…. Brings back memories of when I was in high school in the late 70’s across the street there was this secluded spot with graffiti of bands painted on the10ft. high 60ft. long wall and ground. Zeppelin,Rush, The Who UFO,AC/DC etc. and in big colorful letters on top of the wall “Teenage Wasteland” back in those days smoking was permitted at school. Lol and many other types of smoke !!! Before school, lunch break, after school alway 50- 70 kids out with Boom box cranking this song 🔥❤️🤘🏼🎸🤗

[@patrickwalter2277]

So nice ! Eternally moving and so powerful. Looks as if you enjoyed it... a lot ! Welcome to the club 😉

[@PriestessOfNothing]

That organ throughout the song was always hypnotizing to me. Have you done "Pinball Wizard"??

[@jodij6280]

He should! Either The Who's or Elton John's version. They're both great.

[@PriestessOfNothing]

@@jodij6280 I think that's the logical next step!

[@noracora3962]

“Behind Blue Eyes” is another incredible song…but there are many Who songs you should hit.

[@spadams999]

Welcome to The Who. There are so many awesome songs. AND, they did a rock opera called Tommy. You REALLY need to listen to it from the beginning. It's epic.

[@KJ-4321]

Wow…. Loved your reaction… it really is fun to see reactions to simply amazing songs from an era when the musicians worked hard with melody and creativity. Such an obvious contrast to the newer…. “music.” There are still tons and tons of songs for you! I’ve noticed that you love keyboards. There’s a song from 1970 by a group called Sugarloaf. It’s called ‘Green eyed lady.’ They didn’t have a lot of hits but this song was awesome!!! It has a good organ solo in it that I know you would appreciate. Maybe someday you will give it a listen! Thank you for your reactions! 😀⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@jodij6280]

Judging from his reaction, he likes violin too. Dust in the Wind by Kansas would be a good one to listen to as well.

[@KJ-4321]

I think he would love that!

[@tomenrico6199]

Peter Townsend and the Who frequently sang about alienation among young people in the 1960s. It's one of the underlying themes of their great rock opera, “Tommy.” For an earlier take on the theme, listen to “My Generation,” considered by some to be the Who's signature song. It is also on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame list of 500 songs that shaped rock and roll, and it ranks #11 on the Rolling Stone list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. Try listening to the extended live version on their 1970 concert album, “Live at Leeds.” I must have worn out the grooves on my vinyl copy of that album in my teens.

[@joewhite6421]

And we are hearing a real PRO. Drummer... KEITH MOON .

[@carolinasbeauty]

Way to go SalvoG! You just reacted to one of my top ten 10 songs of all time! Love the musical arrangement from the first beat to the last and the lyrics (before their time), with headphones - was an experience not to be forgotten. This was an awesome choice and a fantastic reaction, so a huge THANK YOU...👍👏💖 So funny that "Baba O'Riley" is mentioned nowhere in the song. When I first heard this on an underground college radio station, I nearly went crazy trying to find out "who" the band was and the name of the song. The station played Classical music during the day and at midnight on the dot, they'd play uninterrupted rock. They'd tell you the band and album name, but played it non-stop (no ads or pauses), so if you were a minute late, you were out of luck. They'd pause only to announce the next band/album. Common FM stations were hard to come by in 1971, which was when this was released. You hit this one out of the park for me!

[@glendurlacher9589]

1969 1970, 1971, 1972 You're mainly listening to the rock and roll from these years, which was absolutely amazing!!

[@colinkaak9874]

You’ll keep hearing snippets of this song in many commercials, sporting events and as the intro to one tv series(CSI New York).

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

Gotta do this live at Shepperton. I promise it's even better.

[@patmccormick9972]

Greatest live show.

[@calrowles9790]

What you call an organ is actually an early synthesizer. It didn't have keyboard input like later synths, Pete Townshend had to program it to play those sounds. You can hear it too in Won't Get Fooled Again (there's a reason this is considered by some to be their greatest album). The Who is a good deep dive.

[@nazfrde]

Yes and no. The VCS 3, which he played on WGFA, *is* a synth, but the Lowery organ he used on this really was just an organ, set on a marimba stop to make it possible to play the eighth notes.

[@cuebj]

Teenage wasteland was the phrase that came to Townshend's mind when he looked out across the rubbish left behind at end of Isle of Wight pop festival in 1970 where The Who headlined with an epic show. Jimi Hendrix also there, died soon after

[@kevint9125]

There are so many songs from The Who, you couldn't possibly keep up with all the requests.Wherever you start it's all good...I Sing to every song they have created and don't care Who is around. I don't care what you listen to just as long as you remember Who's Next!

[@MalamuteX]

Definitely do more Who. Of Course. I would probably do "Who are you" because it is more in the same feel as Baba O'Reilly. Serious rocker. You can't can't stay in ur seat for this kind of music. :-)

[@adamelliott18]

One of the true rock "anthems"!!!