THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

306-The Who-Pinball Wizard.

1969-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 0.24. It’s highly unlikely that a deaf dumb and blind kid could play pinball, because he wouldn’t be able to find the slot to put the 50 pence into.

Pete Townshend (see also best songs 926-891 and 265) was born Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend on May 19th, 1945, in Chiswick, West London, England, he is the co-founder of the ‘Who,’ along with Roger Daltrey, and John Entwistle, (1944-2002) the recognised classic lineup was completed by Keith Moon (1946-1978) who joined the band in 1964. As a member of the Who he is their principal songwriter, guitarist, and second lead vocalist. Pete Townshend can play multiple instruments, being self-taught on the keyboards, banjo, accordion, harmonica, ukulele, mandolin, violin, synthesizer, bass guitar, and drums, these are instruments he plays on the Who’s Albums, and also on his own solo Albums. His many honours include being inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ as a member of the Who in 1990. He is considered to be one of the key figures in the development of feedback in Rock guitar, with many Rock guitarists citing him as an influence, among them Slash, (see also best songs 463 and 8) Alex Lifeson, and Steve Jones (see also best songs 576-92 and 27.)

The discography of Pete Townshend as a solo artist includes seven studio Albums released between 1972-1993, and 18 singles released between 1980-2023, there is also one soundtrack Album, two box sets, three official compilation Albums, and nine live Albums available. His most commercially successful solo Album is his 1980 third studio Album ‘Empty Glass,’ which reached Number 11 in the UK, and Number 5 on the American Billboard 200 Album chart. In the UK, his only top 40 solo charting single is his 1980 debut release ‘Rough Boys,’ which reached Number 39, while in America on the Billboard Hot 100, two of his singles have made the top 40, ‘Let My Love Open the Door,’ (1980-Number 9) and ‘Face the Face’ (1985-Number 26.)

By 1968 Pete Townshend felt that the Who’s shelf life was coming to an end, and if he didn’t take the band in a different direction then they may split. For the Who’s fourth studio Album ‘Tommy,’ Townshend wrote a concept ‘Rock Opera’ that tells the story about a deaf, dumb and blind boy, his life’s experiences, and his relationship with his family. Townshend came up with the concept of ‘Tommy’ after being introduced to the work of Meher Baba, (1894-1969) who was an Indian spiritual master, who claimed to be God in human form, and gained a following of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. The story of ‘Tommy’ was an attempt by Townshend to translate Baba’s teachings into music. Surprisingly Pete Townshend has always disliked his song Pinball Wizard, calling it, ‘The most clumsy piece of writing I’ve ever done.’ In the liner notes to the 2003 Tommy Album reissue, he said, ‘I’m embarrassed. This sounds like a Music Hall song. Sure plays a mean pinball. I scribbled it out and all the verses were the same length and there was no kind of middle eight. It was going to be a complete dud, but I carried on. I attempted the same mock baroque guitar beginning that’s on ‘I’m a Boy’ and then a bit of vigorous kind of flamenco guitar. I was just grabbing at ideas, I knocked a demo together and took it to the studio and everyone loved it.’

‘Pinball Wizard’ was the first of three singles released from ‘Tommy,’ the fourth studio Album by the Who, from May 1969, the song was written by Pete Townshend, with the production being by Kit Lambert (1935-1981.) ‘Pinball Wizard’ and it’s parent Album ‘Tommy’ have become one of Pete Townshend’s, and the Who’s most enduring works. In 1975 ‘Tommy’ was made into a film, with a not entirely, but similar story line, starring Jack Nicholson, and Ann-Margret, as well as vocal contributions from Tina Turner (1939-2023) (Acid Queen) (see also best songs 752-485 and 192) and Elton John (Pinball Wizard) (see also best songs 946-481-237 and 62.) A year later in 1976 Elton John’s version of Pinball Wizard was released as a single and reached Number 7 in the UK, the only time that a cover version of a ‘Who’ song has made the top 10. There is a famous story that Rod Stewart (see also best songs 965-565-206-179-70 and 34) had been offered the role to sing in ‘Tommy,’ and had asked Elton John if he should accept, to which Elton replied, ‘Don’t touch it with a barge pole.’ A year later the Who asked Elton John to sing the same song, Elton grabbed his barge pole and took up the offer. Years later Elton said, ‘I don’t think Rod’s quite forgiven me for that.’ ‘Tommy’ was also made into a ‘Rock Musical’ first opening in San Diego, California, in 1992. Other productions have been performed on Broadway, and in the West End.

‘Pinball Wizard’s’ lyrics are written from the perspective of a pinball champion called ‘Local Lad,’ who is astounded by the skills of the deaf, dumb and blind kid called ‘Tommy Walker.’ The ‘Local Lad’ always thought of himself as being the very best, but after watching Tommy, he has to concede that Tommy is better.

‘I thought I was the Baly table king, but I just handed my pinball crown to him. Even on my favourite table he can beat my best, his disciples lead him in and he just does the rest.’