We Close Tonight - The Who

Odds & Sods is an album that consists of studio outtakes and rarities by British rock band The Who released by Track Records in the United Kingdom and Track/MCA in the United States in 1974.
It reached #10 in UK Album Charts.

[@jimperry1013]

A rarity in every sense of the word - both Entwistle & Moon doing lead vocals on a Townshend-penned song.

[@cynthia.marina]

Keith's voice in this song, would fit so well in a late 70's punk song

[@johnarnold95]

absolutely love this album.....how can't you?

[@Manito275]

Always dig Entwistle's voice! And also his bass playing! :D

[@ToolahTheGreat]

Yes!!! I agree with both statements! John was the man!

[@truthmonger5791]

I'm a longtime Who fan but I've never heard this song before. So much to love about it. I've got the original version of Odds and Sods which didn't have all this extra great stuff.

[@Eirikr430428]

This song speaks to me. It is all the angst I experience when it comes to girls fit into under three minutes. Just when I am cooling off to them, The Who remind me exactly why they are my favorite band!

[@booeyats1]

Thanks for posting Joe, what a great song off Odds And Sods!!!!

[@steviea427]

This sounds like a track that was originally written for Quadrophenia. It sounds like Jimmy the Mod speaking and the back vocals sound like those from "Cut My Hair." That's just what I hear. Also that particular rolling drum sound of Keith's was very prevalent on Quadrophenia.

[@bobsmith6543]

It was written and recorded for Quad but left off.

[@mikedavies395]

Fantastic - hint of glam rock too !

[@l.salisbury1253]

This is finally getting an official vinyl release- an extended two LP version of "Odds & Sods" for Record Store Dat 4/18/20!

[@theman4884]

What does it say about The Who that is album, which I love, is a collection of outtakes? "Long Live Rock" should be Rock's anthem and it is on a collection of out takes. There are so many other good songs on the album, "We Close Tonight", "Pure and Easy", "Put the Money Down", "Faith in Something Bigger"...

[@Luileadolfo]

Years ago i did read a Pete Townshend interview. He said John Entwistle penned one song that was rejectef because it was like a Quadrophenia resumen.

[@biff0101]

A great Quadrophenia track left off the original LP!

[@smokinjz]

How can I explain how I feel I'm like a little kid running at her heel She's giving me looks like she thinks I'm a snappy dresser How can I tell what I should plan I've never kissed a girl or held her hand She's waiting for me to move, I've got to impress her I play guitar in a mainstream band I've got three red jackets and a Fender jazz I've got Charlie Parker's autograph The girl I moved with's turned up on grass She moved her seat next to mine But I'm just playing for time I ain't got the guts to let her see the real me My confidence eroded away Over hearing what children say So I'm trying to make myself seem more appealing I know your man is in to playing jazz bass I tried that myself but I need more space Like to soar and fly like the big Birdman When I met him last week he shook my hand Every lie I tell weaves another spell, another road that ends up blind The Bird that shook my hand was a wanted man, I think you knew that all the time I came so close to having you for me But I lost you in the fantasy I pretended to myself that you were mine already You waited but deep in your eyes You were watching me so worldly wise Then you changed the subject and talked about going steady I've got two hundred records and a big hi-fi I sit and listen to Ella and Basie all night I played modern jazz of every variety You could come and listen but we close tonight

[@shame69]

"The Bird that shook my hand was a long dead man, I think you knew that all the time"

[@timscott6081]

The walrus was Paul.... The 'Birdman' was Pete... Well, Pete used to do that 'bird dance' in the early years.. Who knows ..Who's Next.. Who's on first ?

[@harryfrezza2563]

I believe Mr Moon shares vocals with Pete.

[@bobsmith6543]

It's actually John Entwistle and Keith Moon alternating vocals. Townshend did write it though.

[@willkomnath2560]

John’s voice was similar to Pete’s, probably why their harmonies always sounded so great.

[@johnbuie966]

It's John and Keith on vocals.

[@craynation]

Definitely a track from Quadrophenia and Definitely the Ox's tune... His best song in my opinion is When I was Young

[@barthill6310]

Like Keith Moon's drums on this track.

[@bedrosnersesyan6975]

Wow sounds like Peter though...but it's John sing ing...cool

[@shoegeezr]

Is it true that the Who versions of this song and “Four Faces” were left off of super deluxe Quad? That would be sad.

[@sneakerino]

enstwistle's song? seems to be its unique style...

[@bobsmith6543]

Townshend wrote it but Entwistle and Moon alternate lead vocals.

[@QuarrellaDeVil]

So how did the character singing meet The Big Bird Man -- Charley Parker -- "last week" when Parker died in 1955?

[@highnumber9494]

QuarrellaDeVil The time and place of the lyric is never firmly established. Also, it appears that the bird man is a bass player in a local band (read the lyrics closely). This could very well be about a 10 year old Pete observing his parents jazz friends as his parents were in a Big Band act when Pete was young.

[@baldman7738]

QuarrellaDeVil the line right after says that the big bird man was a long dead man. The point is that Jimmy is lying.

[@smokintony628]

What's so special about having Dolly Partons autograph?😁

[@theman4884]

The line is actually "I've got Charlie Parker's autograph".

[@tricorn1776]

This is a Pete song and he sings most of it

[@bobsmith6543]

Entwistle and Moon sing it. Townshend doesn't sing on this track at all.

[@davidkieltyka9]

Pete sings all the lyrics on his demo version, but this is all John & Moon.

[@javier86050]

Nooooo. Here Townshend doesnt sing at all