I'm a Boy
Encyclopedia
"I'm a Boy" is a 1966 rock song written by Pete Townshend
for his band The Who
. The song, like other early recordings by the band, such as "I Can't Explain
", "The Kids Are Alright
" and "Happy Jack
", centers around the early power pop
genre. The song was originally intended to be a part of a rock opera called 'Quads' which was to be set in the future where parents can choose the sex of their children. The idea was later scrapped, but this song survived and was later released as a single.
The family in the story asked for four girls, but instead got three girls and one boy. This song is the boy's lament at his mother's refusal to acknowledge that he is a boy. The song is often regarded as an early precursor to Townshend's epic rock opera
s later on in The Who
's career, especially Tommy
. The track was produced by Kit Lambert
at IBC Studios
around July 31-August 1, 1966, and released just over three weeks later on August 26, 1966 with "In the City" as the B-side. The single was successful, reaching number two on the UK singles chart
. It failed to repeat that success in the USA.
The original recording (as released as a single), which featured John Entwistle
's French horn arrangement prominently in the mix, is available on the album Who's Missing
. The version that has been included on most compilations since is exactly the same recording but with the French horns removed.
A different, slower version was recorded in London in the week of October 3, 1966 and was intended for an early version of A Quick One
titled Jigsaw Puzzle but was later released on Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy
in 1971. Another similar version was released on a bonus disc of The Ultimate Collection in 2002 and is unique to that album.
The song was performed at The Who's legendary concert at Leeds
, released in album format as Live at Leeds
.
On the Live at Leeds album, Pete Townshend
comments on the song by saying:
The single's B-side, "In the City", inspired The Jam
's song of the same name. The latter borrows its chord progression
and a part of its lyrics from the Who song.
Pete Townshend
Peter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend is an English rock guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and author, known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for the rock group The Who, as well as for his own solo career...
for his band The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
. The song, like other early recordings by the band, such as "I Can't Explain
I Can't Explain
"I Can't Explain" is a song by the English rock band The Who, written by Pete Townshend, and produced by Shel Talmy. The song was issued as a single in December 1964 in the United States and on 15 January 1965 in the United Kingdom.-Background:...
", "The Kids Are Alright
The Kids Are Alright (song)
"The Kids Are Alright" is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who. It appears as the seventh track on the group's first album, My Generation . It was not released as a single until more than six months after it first appeared on the LP, first in the United States, and in the UK the following...
" and "Happy Jack
Happy Jack (song)
"Happy Jack" is a rock song from British rock band, The Who, released in December 1966 in the UK and peaking at #3. It was their first top forty hit in the USA, released in March 1967 and peaking at #24. It was included on the USA version of their second album...
", centers around the early power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
genre. The song was originally intended to be a part of a rock opera called 'Quads' which was to be set in the future where parents can choose the sex of their children. The idea was later scrapped, but this song survived and was later released as a single.
The family in the story asked for four girls, but instead got three girls and one boy. This song is the boy's lament at his mother's refusal to acknowledge that he is a boy. The song is often regarded as an early precursor to Townshend's epic rock opera
Rock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...
s later on in The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
's career, especially Tommy
Tommy (rock opera)
Tommy is the fourth album by English rock band The Who, released by Track Records and Polydor Records in the United Kingdom and Decca Records/MCA in the United States. A double album telling a loose story about a "deaf, dumb and blind boy" who becomes the leader of a messianic movement, Tommy was...
. The track was produced by Kit Lambert
Kit Lambert
Christopher "Kit" Sebastian Lambert was a record producer and the manager for The Who.-Early life:Kit Lambert was the son of noted composer, Constant Lambert...
at IBC Studios
IBC Studios
The IBC Recording Studios were recording studios in 35 Portland Place, London, England. After the Second World War it was the address of the leading independent studio in London and the British Isles...
around July 31-August 1, 1966, and released just over three weeks later on August 26, 1966 with "In the City" as the B-side. The single was successful, reaching number two on the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. It failed to repeat that success in the USA.
The original recording (as released as a single), which featured John Entwistle
John Entwistle
John Alec Entwistle was an English bass guitarist, songwriter, singer, horn player, and film and record producer who was best known as the bass player for the rock band The Who. His aggressive lead sound influenced many rock bass players...
's French horn arrangement prominently in the mix, is available on the album Who's Missing
Who's Missing (album)
Who's Missing is a compilation of rare and previously unreleased songs by The Who. Its second part Two's Missing was released on 11 April 1987.-Track listing:Side one#"Shout and Shimmy" – 3:18...
. The version that has been included on most compilations since is exactly the same recording but with the French horns removed.
A different, slower version was recorded in London in the week of October 3, 1966 and was intended for an early version of A Quick One
A Quick One
A Quick One is the second album by English rock band The Who, released in 1966. The American record company executives at Decca Records released the album under the title Happy Jack, rather than the sexually suggestive title of the original UK release, and due to "Happy Jack" being a top 40 hit in...
titled Jigsaw Puzzle but was later released on Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy
Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy
Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy is a compilation album of singles by British rock band The Who, released in 1971 as Track 2406 006 in the UK and as Decca DL 79184 in the US. It entered the US Billboard 200 chart on 20 November 1971, peaking at #11, and the UK chart on 3 December 1971, peaking at #9...
in 1971. Another similar version was released on a bonus disc of The Ultimate Collection in 2002 and is unique to that album.
The song was performed at The Who's legendary concert at Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, released in album format as Live at Leeds
Live at Leeds
Live at Leeds is The Who's first live album, and is the only live album that was released while the group were still recording and performing regularly. Initially released in the United States on 16 May 1970, by Decca and MCA and the United Kingdom on 23 May 1970, by Track and Polydor, the album...
.
On the Live at Leeds album, Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend
Peter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend is an English rock guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and author, known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for the rock group The Who, as well as for his own solo career...
comments on the song by saying:
The single's B-side, "In the City", inspired The Jam
The Jam
The Jam were an English punk rock/New Wave/mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. They were formed in Woking, Surrey. While they shared the "angry young men" outlook and fast tempos of their punk rock contemporaries, The Jam wore smartly tailored suits rather than ripped...
's song of the same name. The latter borrows its chord progression
Chord progression
A chord progression is a series of musical chords, or chord changes that "aims for a definite goal" of establishing a tonality founded on a key, root or tonic chord. In other words, the succession of root relationships...
and a part of its lyrics from the Who song.