Substitute

The Who

About Substitute

"Substitute" is a song by the English rock band The Who, written by Pete Townshend. Released in March 1966, the single reached number five in the UK and was later included on the compilation album Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy in 1971. In 2006, Pitchfork ranked "Substitute" at number 91 on the "200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s".


Year:
1968
154 
#1

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You think we look pretty good together
You think my shoes are made of leather

But I'm a substitute for another guy
I look pretty tall but my heels are high
The simple things you see are all complicated
I look pretty young, but I'm just back-dated, yeah

(Substitute) your lies for fact
(Substitute) I can see right through your plastic mac
(Substitute) I look all white, but my dad was black
(Substitute) my fine linen suit is really made out of sack

I was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth
The north side of my town faced east, and the east was facing south
And now you dare to look me in the eye
Those crocodile tears are what you cry
It's a genuine problem, you won't try
To work it out at all you just pass it by, pass it by

(Substitute) me for him
(Substitute) my coke for gin
(Substitute) you for my mum
(Substitute) at least I'll get my washing done

I'm a substitute for another guy
I look pretty tall but my heels are high
The simple things you see are all complicated
I look pretty young, but I'm just back-dated, yeah

I was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth
The north side of my town faced east, and the east was facing south
And now you dare to look me in the eye
Those crocodile tears are what you cry
It's a genuine problem, you won't try
To work it out at all you just pass it by, pass it by

(Substitute) me for him
(Substitute) my coke for gin
(Substitute) you for my mum
(Substitute) at least I'll get my washing done

(Substitute) your lies for fact
(Substitute) I can see right through your plastic mac
(Substitute) I look all white, but my dad was black
(Substitute) My fine-looking suit is really made out of sack

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The Who

The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica), Pete Townshend (vocals, guitar, keyboards), John Entwistle (vocals, bass) and Keith Moon, (drums, vocals). They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction. The Who have sold about 100 million records, and have charted 27 top forty singles in the United Kingdom and United States, as well as 17 top ten albums, with 18 Gold, 12 Platinum and 5 Multi-Platinum album awards in the United States alone. more »

9 fans

Written by: Peter Townshend

Lyrics © T.R.O. INC.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Origin
"Substitute" is a song by the English rock band 'The Who', written by Pete Townshend, the band's primary songwriter.
Release Info
The song was released in March 1966 initially in the UK.
Unique Release
"Substitute" is one of the songs which was released with different B-sides on its initial release. In the UK, the B-side was "In The City," a track written by Keith Moon and John Entwistle. In the US, the B-side track was "Waltz for a Pig," recorded by The Who's managers.
Lyrics Disputes
A lyric in "Substitute" - "I look all white, but my dad was black" - was altered to "I try going forward but my feet walk back" due to its sensitive racial context during the '60s.
Chart Success
The song reached number 5 in the UK charts and is regularly placed in lists of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time.
Influence
The opening line "you think we look pretty good together" was a not-so-veiled jab at the Rolling Stones, who had a hit with "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction."
Tour Highlight
"Substitute" has remained a staple of The Who's live performances, being played at almost every concert since its release.
Contribution to the British Rock Canon
"Substitute" is often cited as one of the songs that helped establish the aggressive, power-chord driven rock sound that became a defining characteristic of the British Rock Invasion.
Other Versions
The song has been covered by several artists over the years, including The Ramones and Sex Pistols. One of the most famous interpretations is a reggae cover by Jamaican artist Gregory Isaacs.
Legal Controversy
There was a legal dispute over the song's rights. The producer of The Who's early records, Shel Talmy, claimed ownership but after a lengthy legal battle, Pete Townshend was identified as the rightful owner.

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