THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

265-The Who-5.15.

1973-Number 20 single.

Best Bit-At 0.41. Quadrophenia is a word made up by Pete Townsend, it is similar to schizophrenia, but twice as bad.

The Who were formed in London, England, in 1964, the classic lineup consisted of Pete Townsend, (guitar and vocals) Roger Daltrey, (lead singer) Keith Moon, (1946-1978) (drums) and John Entwistle (1944-2002) (bass) with sales in excess of 100 million records they are one of the best selling acts of all time. One of the most famous questions asked in a Pop Quiz is how many UK Number 1 singles did the Who have? The answer surprisingly is none. The Who have released 12 studio Albums between 1965-2019, 16 live Albums, and 27 compilations. They have also issued 58 singles between 1964-2019, of which 24 have reached the UK top 40, with both ‘My Generation,’ (1965) and ‘I’m a Boy’ (1966) making Number 2.

In 1968 the Who had released their first ‘Rock Opera’ Album called ‘Tommy,’ (see also best songs 306) which was later made into a film in 1975. In 1973 Pete Townsend (see also best songs 891) wrote the bands second ‘Rock Opera,’ which was released as a double vinyl Album called ‘Quadrophenia,’ in 1973. Whereas ‘Tommy’ had been based on fantasy, this time the story was loosely based on the experiences of some of the Who’s real life fans from the 1960’s.

‘Quadrophenia’ is about two groups of rival gangs, ‘The Mods,’ and ‘The Rockers.’ The story follows a young Mod called Jimmy, and his realisation that being a Mod is not living up to the expectations he thought that the lifestyle would. The lyrics of ‘5.15’ describe Jimmy, who is high on drugs travelling by train to Brighton. Of the songs meaning Pete Townsend has said,’His train journey down to Brighton, sandwiched between two city gents is notable for the rather absurd number of purple hearts he consumes in order to wile away the time. He goes through a not entirely pleasant series of ups and downs as he thinks about the gaudier side of life as a teenager that we see in newspapers like the News of the World. ‘5:15′ was written in Oxford Street and Carnaby Street while I was killing time between appointments. I must try it again sometime, it seems to work!’

In 1979 ‘Quadrophenia’ was made into a film loosely based on the Who’s 1973 Album, but unlike ‘Tommy,’ ‘Quadrophenia’ is not a musical, and the Who (see also best songs 926 and 306) didn’t appear live in the film. The film starred the English actor Phil Daniels (see also best songs 256) as ‘Jimmy,’ and ‘Sting’ (see also best songs 1020 and 727) as ‘Ace Face.’ Although the Who do not perform live in the film, the writers teased us with a clip of the band performing ‘Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere,’ on the television programme ‘Ready Steady Go.’ Pictures of the Who, and a ‘Maximum R&B’ poster can be seen in Jimmy’s bedroom, while in the party gatecrashing scene the song playing in the background is ‘My Generation.’ The film is set in 1964, but a repackaged Who Album that was not available at that time is clearly seen.

‘Girls of fifteen sexually knowing. The ushers are sniffing, Eau-de-coloning. The seats are seductive, celibate sitting, pretty girls digging, prettier women.’