My Wife
Encyclopedia
"My Wife" is a song by British
rock
band The Who
, written by bassist
John Entwistle
. It was originally released in 1971 on Who's Next
, and later as the b-side
of the popular single "Baba O'Riley
" on November 6, 1971 in the United States
by Decca Records
.
Unusually, this song does not feature a guitar solo, which is most likely because Entwistle could only "write on bass guitar or in my head, just transfer it to manuscript paper, or piano," and did not play the guitar. Instead of a guitar solo, in the longer breaks between verses there is a horn solo by Entwistle. At the end of the song Roger Daltrey
comes on singing "she's comin', she's comin'". This song is in the key of B major.
. This version was recorded live and released on The Kids Are Alright. What is rare about this version is that it was the only song released from The Who's 1977 concert at the Kilburn State Theatre in London. The rest of the songs were not released until 2008 on the The Who at Kilburn: 1977 DVD. The song is unlike the studio version as it has a guitar solo by Townshend but no piano or horns and different lyrics during Daltrey's part.
. A live version of the song was featured on the two-disc compilation album So Who's the Bass Player? The Ox Anthology
which was released on March 22, 2005.
described "My Wife" as "the best new rock number on the album[Who's Next]."
Critic Mark Deming called "My Wife" the "comic relief" on "Who's Next".
Because of excessive live performances John Entwistle wrote "The Quiet One" to replace this song, although he would still perform the song for his solo career and his later performances with The Who.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
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...
, written by bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
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...
. It was originally released in 1971 on Who's Next
Who's Next
Who's Next is the fifth studio album by English rock band The Who, released in August 1971. The album has origins in a rock opera conceived by Pete Townshend called Lifehouse. The ambitious, complex project did not come to fruition at the time and instead, many of the songs written for the project...
, and later as the b-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
of the popular single "Baba O'Riley
Baba O'Riley
"Baba O'Riley" is a song written by Pete Townshend for the English rock band The Who. Roger Daltrey sings most of the song, with Pete Townshend singing the middle eight: "Don't cry/don't raise your eye/it's only teenaged wasteland"...
" on November 6, 1971 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
.
Background
"My Wife" was the fourth track on "Who's Next" and was recorded at Olympic Studios sometime in May 1971. While it did appear on Who's Next it was thought that it was not a part of the Lifehouse project which was confirmed in 2000, when it was not included in Pete Townshend's Lifehouse Chronicles box set.Lyrical Meaning
The song is about a man who went out and got drunk and was gone for a period of time (due to being locked up in the drunk tank) and is in fear of his wife because she thinks he was gone because he was spending time with another woman. The song describes all the things he needs or needs to do to protect himself from her wrath.Song Structure
"My Wife" is arguably John Entwistle's highlight on "Who's Next" being that he takes on the lead vocals, bass guitar, piano, and horn section.Unusually, this song does not feature a guitar solo, which is most likely because Entwistle could only "write on bass guitar or in my head, just transfer it to manuscript paper, or piano," and did not play the guitar. Instead of a guitar solo, in the longer breaks between verses there is a horn solo by Entwistle. At the end of the song Roger Daltrey
Roger Daltrey
Roger Harry Daltrey, CBE , is an English singer and actor, best known as the founder and lead singer of English rock band The Who. He has maintained a musical career as a solo artist and has also worked in the film industry, acting in a large number of films, theatre and television roles and also...
comes on singing "she's comin', she's comin'". This song is in the key of B major.
Personnel
The Who- John EntwistleJohn EntwistleJohn 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...
– lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, brass, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Pete TownshendPete TownshendPeter 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...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s - Roger DaltreyRoger DaltreyRoger Harry Daltrey, CBE , is an English singer and actor, best known as the founder and lead singer of English rock band The Who. He has maintained a musical career as a solo artist and has also worked in the film industry, acting in a large number of films, theatre and television roles and also...
– vocals - Keith MoonKeith MoonKeith John Moon was an English musician, best known for being the drummer of the English rock group The Who. He gained acclaim for his exuberant and innovative drumming style, and notoriety for his eccentric and often self-destructive behaviour, earning him the nickname "Moon the Loon". Moon...
– drumDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
s, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
The Kids Are Alright Soundtrack Version
In 1979 "My Wife" was again released as a b-side single, this time to Long Live RockLong Live Rock
"Long Live Rock" is a single by The Who, written by Pete Townshend during the Lifehouse period. It was not included in the Who's Next album, as it wasn't recorded until 1972. It was later performed by Billy Fury's character in the film That'll Be the Day featuring Keith Moon...
. This version was recorded live and released on The Kids Are Alright. What is rare about this version is that it was the only song released from The Who's 1977 concert at the Kilburn State Theatre in London. The rest of the songs were not released until 2008 on the The Who at Kilburn: 1977 DVD. The song is unlike the studio version as it has a guitar solo by Townshend but no piano or horns and different lyrics during Daltrey's part.
Live and Compilation Appearances
The song was performed first on the Who's Next Tour and quickly became a live staple until Entwistle's death in 2002. It is featured on the following live and compilation albums by The Who:- Blues to the BushBlues to the BushBlues to the Bush is a live album by The Who that was sold exclusively from the now defunct MusicMaker.com. It was recorded at the House of Blues in Chicago on 12 and 13 November 1999, and at the Empire Theatre, Shepherd's Bush on 22 and 23 December 1999....
- The Who Live at the Royal Albert Hall
- View from a Backstage PassView from a Backstage PassView from a Backstage Pass is a live compilation by The Who. This double album was released on 5 November 2007, available only to new subscribers of ....
- Who's Greatest HitsWho's Greatest HitsWho's Greatest Hits is a 1983 greatest hits compilation album from The Who. It includes the rare track "Relay", presented here in its original full length...
- Thirty Years of Maximum R&BThirty Years of Maximum R&BThirty Years of Maximum R&B is a box set by British rock band, The Who released by Polydor Records internationally and by MCA Records in the US; since 2003, it has been issued in America by Geffen Records...
- The Ultimate Collection
John Entwistle Solo Versions
In November 1973, John Entwistle re-recorded the song and released it on his third solo album Rigor Mortis Sets InRigor Mortis Sets In
Rigor Mortis Sets In is the third solo album by John Entwistle, bassist for The Who. Co-produced with John Alcock, it consists of rock and roll classic covers, new versions of Entwistle songs and new tracks....
. A live version of the song was featured on the two-disc compilation album So Who's the Bass Player? The Ox Anthology
So Who's The Bass Player? The Ox Anthology
So Who's The Bass Player? The Ox Anthology is a 2CD collection of the work of the late The Who bassist, John Entwistle. It features rare recordings of his songs, spanning from the mid-60's until his death in 2002...
which was released on March 22, 2005.
Reception
During an interview Pete TownshendPete 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...
described "My Wife" as "the best new rock number on the album[Who's Next]."
Critic Mark Deming called "My Wife" the "comic relief" on "Who's Next".
Because of excessive live performances John Entwistle wrote "The Quiet One" to replace this song, although he would still perform the song for his solo career and his later performances with The Who.
See also
- "Heaven and HellHeaven and Hell (The Who song)Heaven and Hell is a song by English rock band The Who written by group bassist John Entwistle, who also sings the lead vocals. The studio version , which appeared on the b-side of the live "Summertime Blues" single, is currently available only on the Thirty Years of Maximum R&B boxed set, though...
" - "Boris the SpiderBoris the Spider"Boris the Spider" is a song written by The Who's bassist, John Entwistle. It appears as the second track of their 1966 album, A Quick One. This song is claimed to be John's first composition. The song was a live staple...
" - "The OxThe Ox (song)"The Ox" is an instrumental piece by The Who. It was on their debut album, My Generation. It was improvised by Pete Townshend , John Entwistle , Keith Moon and keyboardist Nicky Hopkins. This track appears as the b-side of "The Kids Are Alright" on the single's UK release...
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