Pete Townshend is a genius. Time, you thief, who love to get sweets into your list, put that in.
As the principal architect of The Who, Townshend didn’t need to write another note after Who Are You to secure his musical immortality. But he did continue to write, and rewrite past works (e.g., the aborted Lifehouse), and has accumulated a wordy mass of works that represent an existential wrestling match between his best and worst tendencies as an artist.
Rough Mix (recorded with Ronnie Lane), Empty Glass and White City make for a fine supplement to the formal works of The Who. The rest of the recordings are too informal (the Scoop series) or overly formal (All The Best Cowboys, Psychoderelict, The Iron Man). Generally, Pete seems to waffle between being a songwriter and a playwright. Along the way, he has struggled with the usual demons of addiction, and his iconic stature has become a bit tarnished with age, but add that the muses have kissed him with genius.
The Discography
HAPPY BIRTHDAY (1970)
Content / Evolution / Day of Silence / Allan Cohen Speaks / Mary Jane / Allan Cohen Speaks / The Seeker // Begin The Beguine / With A Smile Up His Nose They Entered / The Loved Man / Meditation. Released on elpee in 1970 in the UK (Universal Spiritual League, USL 001) with gatefold cover and booklet.
I AM (1971)
Forever’s No Time At All / How To Transcend Duality And Influence People / Affirmation / Baba O’Riley // This Song Is Green / Everywhere I Look This Morning / Dragon / O’Parvardigar. Released on elpee in 1971 in the UK (Universal Spiritual Language, USL 002) with booklet.
WHO CAME FIRST (1972)
Pure And Easy / Evolution / Forever’s No Time At All / Let’s See Action / Time Is Passing / There’s A Heartache Followin’ Me / Sheraton Gibson / Content / Parvardigar. Released on elpee in October 1972 in the UK (Track, 2408 201), the US (Track, DL7-9189), Germany (Polydor, 2485 208), Malaysia (Track, 2498 201) and Mexico (Polydor, 16100) with gatefold cover and poster; reached #30 on the UK charts and #69 on the US charts. Re-issued on elpee in 1973 in the US (MCA, MCA-37137). Re-released on expanded, remastered compact disc and cassette in October 1992 in the US (Rykodisc, RCD/RACS-10246) with 6 bonus tracks. Re-released on extra-expanded, remastered compact disc in 2006 in Japan (Imperial, TECI-24346) with 9 bonus tracks. Re-released on 180g vinyl elpee in 2007 in Japan (Imperial, TEJI-34007) with gatefold cover and poster. Re-issued on extra-expanded, remastered compact disc in 2008 in Japan (Imperial, TECI-21459) with 9 bonus tracks.
My Baby Gives It Away (1977)
b/w April Fool. Co-credited to Ronnie Lane and released on 7-inch single in September 1977 in the US (MCA, MCA-40818).
ROUGH MIX (1977)
My Baby Gives It Away / Nowhere To Run / Rough Mix / Annie / Keep Me Turning / Catmelody // Misunderstood / April Fool / Street In The City / Heart To Hang On To / Till The Rivers Run Dry. Co-credited to Ronnie Lane and released on elpee and cassette on September 16, 1977 in the UK (Polydor, 2442 147), the US (MCA, MCA-2295) and Australia (Polydor, 3170 452) with gatefold cover; reached #44 on the UK charts and #45 on the US charts. US and UK versions feature different covers. Re-issued on elpee and cassette in the UK (Polydor Special Price Series, 2482 488), in 1983 in the UK (Polydor, SPELP 55) and the US (Atco, 90097-1/4) without gatefold cover. Re-issued on compact disc in the US (Atco, 90097-2). Re-released on expanded, remastered compact disc in 2006 in the US (Hip-O) with 3 bonus tracks. Re-released on 180g vinyl on March 21, 2007 in Japan (Imperial, TEJI-34008) and on 180g red vinyl elpee in 2017 (Polydor, 4780139).
Street In The City (1977)
b/w Annie. Co-credited to Ronnie Lane and released on 7-inch single in November 1977 in the UK (Polydor, 2058 944) with picture sleeve.
Keep Me Turning (1977)
Co-credited to Ronnie Lane and released as promotional 7-inch single in 1977 in the US (MCA, 40878).
THE SECRET POLICEMAN’S BALL (THE SONGS) (EP) (1979)
Live tracks: Drowned / Pinball Wizard / Won’t Get Fooled Again. Released on EP in December 1979 in the UK (Island, 12WIP-6598).
Rough Boys (1980)
b/w And I Moved. Released on 7-inch single in March 1980 in the UK (WEA, K-11460) and the US (Atco, 7318) with picture sleeve; reached #39 on the UK charts and #89 on the US charts (charted on November 15, 1980 for 4 weeks). Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1980 in the US (Atco, 7318) feat. A mono on flip.
EMPTY GLASS
Rough Boys / I Am An Animal / And I Moved / Let My Love Open The Door / Jools And Jim // Keep On Working / Cat’s In Th Cupboard / A Little Is Enough / Empty Glass / Gonna Get Ya. Released on elpee, cassette and 8-track in April 1980 in the UK (Atco, K50699), the US (Atco, SD/XTP 32-100), Germany (Atco, ATC 50699) and Yugoslavia (Atco, 450699) with lyrics innersleeve; reached #11 on the UK charts and #5 on the US charts (RIAA-certified platinum record). Re-issued on compact disc in 1984 in the US (Atco, SD 32-100). Re-issued on compact disc in 1994 (Atlantic, 82544). Re-issued on compact disc and cassette in October 1995 in the US (Atlantic, 82811).
Let My Love Open The Door (1980)
b/w Classified / Greyhound Girl (UK), And I Moved (US). Released on 7-inch single in the UK in June 1980 (Atco, K11486) and the US and Canada (Atco, 7217) with picture sleeve; reached #46 on the UK charts and #9 on the US charts (charted on June 14, 1980 for 19 weeks). Also released as promotional 7-inch in 1980 in the US (Atco, 7217) with A mono version on flip side. Re-released on 7-inch in the US (Atlantic Oldies Series, OS-13225) with “A Little Is Enough” on flip side.
A Little Is Enough (1980)
b/w Cat’s In The Cupboard. Released on 7-inch single in September 1980 in the US (Atco, 7312) and Canada (Atco, AT7312); reached #72 on the US charts (charted on October 11, 1980 for 4 weeks). Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1980 in the US (Atco, 7312) feat. A mono on flip.
Keep On Working (1980)
b/w Jools And Jim. Released on 7-inch single in October 1980 in the UK (Atco, K 11609) with picture sleeve.
Face Dances Part Two (1982)
b/w Man Watching. Released on 7-inch single in May 1982 in the UK (Atco, K 11734) and the US (Atco, 50889). Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1982 in the US (Atco, 7-99989) with picture sleeve feat. A mono on flip.
ALL THE BEST COWBOYS HAVE CHINESE EYES (1982)
Stop Hurting People / The Sea Refuses No River / Prelude / Face Dances Part Two / Exquisitely Bored / Communication // Stardom In Acton / Uniforms (Corps d’Esprit) / North Country Girl / Somebody Saved Me / Slit Skirts. Released on elpee and cassette in June 1982 in the UK (Atco, K/K4 50889), the US (Atco, SD/CS 38-149), Canada (Atco, XSD/XCS 38-149), Germany (Atco, ATC 50889) and Japan (Atco, P-11102) with gatefold cover and lyrics innersleeve; reached #32 on the UK charts and #26 on the US charts. Re-issued on compact disc in the US (Atco, 38-149). Re-released on remastered compact disc in October 1995 in the US (Atlantic, 82812).
Uniforms (Corp d’Esprit) (1982)
b/w Dance It Away. Released on 7-inch, 7-inch picture disc and 12-inch picture disc single in August 1982 in the UK (Atco, K 11751/P/PT) with picture sleeve; reached #48 on the UK charts. Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1982 in the US (Atco, 7-99973) feat. A mono on flip.
Bargain (1983)
b/w Dirty Water. Released on 7-inch single in April 1983 in the US (Atco, 7-99884).
SCOOP (1983)
So Sad About Us/Brrr / Squeezebox / Zelda / Politician / Dirty Water / Circles / Piano: “Tipperary” // Unused Piano: “Quadrophenia” / Melancholia / Bargain / Things Have Changed / Popular / Behind Blue Eyes // Magic Bus / Cache Cache / Cookin’ / You’re So Clever / Body Language / Initial Machine Experiments // Mary / Recorders / Goin’ Fishin’ / To Barney Kessell / You Came Back / Love Reign O’er Me. Released on 2LP in April 1983 in the US (Atco, 90063), Germany (Atco, 79 0063-1) and Japan (Pioneer/Warner, P-5627/8) with gatefold cover and innersleeves; reached #35 on the US charts. Re-released on 200g vinyl elpee in 2002 in the US (Classic/Eel Pie, EPR-006). Re-released on remastered compact disc in 2006 in Japan (Imperial, TECI-31354). Re-issued on remastered compact disc in 2008 in Japan (Imperial, TECI-28463).
Face The Face (1985)
b/w Hiding Out + Face The Face (long version), Won’t Get Fooled Again (live). Released on 7-inch, 7-inch shaped picture disc and three-track 12-inch single in October 1985 in the UK (Atco, U-8859/P/T), the US (Atco, 7-99590), Canada (Atco, 79 95907), France (Atco, 25 88597), Germany (Atco, 258 858-0) and Japan (Atoc, P-2051) with picture sleeve; reached #26 on the US charts (charted on November 9, 1985 for 16 weeks). Released on two-track 12-inch single in October 1985 in the US (Atco, 0-96833). Also releaesd as three-track promotional 12-inch single in 1985 in the US (Atco, PR-804). Re-released on back-to-back hits 7-inch single in the US (Atlantic Oldies Series, 7-84968).
WHITE CITY (1985)
Give Blood / Brilliant Blues / Face The Face / Hiding Out / Secondhand Love // Crashing By Design / I Am Secure / White City Fighting / Come To Mama. Released on elpee, cassette and compact disc in November 1985 worldwide (Atco, 252 392), the US (Atco, A2-90473), Canada (Atco, 79 904731) and Japan (Atco, P-13209) with lyrics innersleeve; reached #70 on the UK charts and #26 on the US charts (RIAA-certified gold record). Re-released on expanded compact disc in 2006 in Japan (Imperial, TECI-24350) with two bonus tracks.
Secondhand Love (1986)
b/w White City Fighting. Released on 7-inch single in January 1986 in the US (Atco, 7-99553) and Canada (Atco, 79 95537). Also released as promotional 7-inch and 12-inch single in 1985 in the US (Atco, 7-99553/863) feat. A only.
Give Blood (edit) (1986)
b/w Magic Bus (live) + Won’t Get Fooled Again. Released on 7-inch single and three-track 12-inch single in April 1986 in the UK (Atco, U 8744T), the US (Atco, 7-99577), Germany (Atco, 258 744-7) and Japan (Atco, P-2084) with picture sleeve.
PETE TOWNSHEND’S DEEP END LIVE! (1986)
Live tracks: Barefootin’ / After The Fire / Behind Blue Eyes / Stop Hurting People / I’m One // I Put A Spell On You / Save It For Later / Pinball Wizard / Little Is Enough / Eyesight For The Blind. Released on elpee, cassette and compact disc in October 1986 in the US (Atco, 90553) and Canada (Atco, 79 05531/4); reached #98 on the US charts.
PETE TOWNSHEND’S DEEP END LIVE! SAMPLER (EP) (1986)
Live tracks: After The Fire / Barefootin’ // I Put A Spell On You / Save It For Later. Released as promotional EP in 1986 in the US (Atlantic, PR 940).
ANOTHER SCOOP (1987)
You Better You Bet / Girl In A Suitcase / Brooklyn Kids / Pinball Wizard / Football Fugue / Happy Jack / Substitute / Long Live Rock / Call Me Lightning / Holly Like Ivy / Begin The Beguine / Vicious Interlude / La-La-La-Lies / Cat Snatch // Prelude #556 / Baroque Ippanese / Praying The Game / Drifting Blues / Christmas / Pictures of Lily / Don’t Let Go The Coat / The Kids Are Alright / Prelude, The Right To Write / Never Ask Me / Ask Yourself / The Ferryman / The Shout. Released on 2LP in July 1987 in the UK (Polydor, 839 350-1) and the US (Atco, 90539-1-G) with gatefold cover and innersleeves; reached #198 on the US charts. Re-released on 200g vinyl 2LP and audio DVD in 2002 in the US (Classic/Eel Pie, EPR-007/DAD-1036) with gatefold cover. Re-released on remastered 2CD in 2006 in Japan (Imperial, TECI-31356).
THE IRON MAN (1989)
I Won’t Run Anymore / Over The Top / Man Machines / Dig / A Friend Is A Friend / I Eat Heavy Metal // All Shall Be Well / Was There Life / Fast Food / A Fool Says… / Fire / New Life/Reprise. Released on elpee, cassette and compact disc in June 1989 in the UK (Virgin, V/TCV/CDV 2592) the US (Atlantic, 81996), Brazil (Virgin, 427038) and Germany (Virgin, 209 932) with lyrics booklet; reached #58 on the US charts. Re-released on expanded, remastered compact disc in 2006 in Germany (SPV, SPV-97722) and Japan (Imperial, TECI-24352) with 3 bonus tracks.
THE IRON MAN: THE INTERVIEW WITH PETE TOWNSHEND (1989)
Questions And Answers (Unbanded) / Answers Only (Banded). Released as promotional interview elpee in 1989 in the US (Atlantic, PR-2806).
A Friend Is A Friend (1989)
b/w Man Machines + A Friend Is A Friend (remix), Man Machines (extended mix), Real World (Can You Really Dance?). Released on 7-inch single, three-track 12-inch and four-track CD single in July 1989 in th UK (Virgin, VS/VST/VSCD-1198), the US (Atlantic, 0-86400) and Canada (Atlantic, PRO-88757).
I Won’t Run Anymore (edit) (1989)
b/w A Fool Says… + Dig (original demo version). Released on 7-inch, 12-inch and three-track CD single in November 1989 in the UK (Virgin, VS/VSTG/VSCD-1209). 12-inch single features gatefold picture sleeve and photos.
AN EYE FOR AN I (1989)
Questions And Answers / Questions And Answers (unbanded) // Questions And Answers (unbanded) / Answers Only (banded). Released as promotional interview 2LP in 1989 in the US (Atlantic, PR-2883).
PSYCHODERELICT (1993)
English Boy / Meher Baba M3 / Let’s Get Pretentious / Meher Baba M4 (signal box) / Early Morning Dreams / I Want That Thing / Introduction To Outlive The Dinosaur / Outlive The Dinosaur / Flame (demo) / Now And Then / I Am Afraid / Don’t Try To Make Me Real / Introduction To Predictable / Predictable / Flame / Meher Baba M5 (vivaldi) / Fake It / Introduction To Now And Then (reprise) / Now And Then (reprise) / Baba O’Riley (demo) / English Boy (reprise). Released on compact disc and cassette in June 1993 worldwide (Atlantic, 82494); reached #118 on the US charts. Released as promotional 2CD in 1993 in the US (Atlantic, 5103) with and without censored dialogue. Re-packaged as compact disc and cassette in September 1993 in the US (Atlantic, 82535) without the dialogue as Psychoderelict (Music Only).
English Boy (1993)
b/w Early Morning Dreams + Fake It, Psycho Montage, Flame (demo), English Boy (no dialogue), English Boy (censored dialogue). Released on 7-inch single, three-track CD single and four-track CD single in July 1993 in the UK (Atlantic, A7370/CD1/CD2). Also released as two-track promotional CD single in 1993 in the US (Atlantic, PRCD 5102-2).
INTERVIEW WITH A PSYCHODERELICT (1993)
Pete Townshend Psychoderelict Profile / Excerpted Answers Only / Bonus Answers. Released as promotional interview compact disc in 1993 in the US (Atlantic, 5161-2).
THE BEST OF PETE TOWNSHEND: COOLWALKINGSMOOTHTALKINGSTRAIGHTSMOKINGFIRESTOKING (1996)
Rough Boys / Let My Love Open The Door / Misunderstood / Give Blood / A Friend Is A Friend / Sheraton Gibson / English Boys / Street In The City / Pure And Easy / Slit Skirts / The Sea Refuses No River / A Little Is Enough / Face The Face / Uneasy Street / Let Me Love Open The Door (e. cola mix). Released on compact disc in April 1996 in the US (Atlantic, 82712).
Let My Love Open The Door (e. cola mix) (1996)
b/w Let My Love Open The Door + Rough Boys. Released on three-track CD single in 1996 in the UK (Atlantic, A5511CD), the US (Atlantic, 16200) and Germany (Atlantic, 85511).
PETE TOWNSHEND LIVE: A BENEFIT FOR MARYVILLE ACADEMY (1999)
Live tracks: On The Road Again / Anyway Anyhow Anywhere / A Little Is Enough / Drowned / You Better You Bet / Now And Then / North Country Girl / Let My Love Open The Door / Won’t Get Fooled Again / Magic Bus / I’m One // Magic Bus / Heart To Hang Onto. Released on compact disc + CD single in September 1999 in the US (Platinum, 9555). Re-packaged as Magic Bus Live From Chicago on compact disc in 2004 in the US (Compendia, 5707) feat. only 8 tracks in different order.
LIFEHOUSE ELEMENTS (2000)
One Note – Prologue / Baba O’Riley (orchestral version) / Pure And Easy / New Song / Getting In Tune / Behind Blue Eyes (new version) / Let’s See Action / Who Are You (gateway remix) / Won’t Get Fooled Again / Baba M1 / Song Is Over. Released on compact disc in 2000 in the UK (Eel Pie, EPR004-1).
Who Are You (gateway remix) (2000)
b/w Baba O’Riley (orchestral version). Released on CD single in 2000 in the UK (Eel Pie, EPR005-1).
SCOOP 3 (2001)
Can You See The Real Me / Dirty Water / Commonwealth Boys / Theme 015 / Marty Robbins / I Like It The Way It Is / Theme 016 / No Way Out (However Much I Booze) / Collins / Parvardigar (German Version) / Sea And Sand / 97-11-04 Arpeggio Piano / Theme 017 / I Am Afraid / Maxims For Lunch / Wistful / Eminence Front / Lonely Words // Prelude 97-05-19 / Iron Man Recitative / Tough Boys / Did You Steal My Money? / Can You Really Dance? / Variations On Dirty Jobs / All Lovers Are Deranged (Pete’s Version) / Elephants / Wired To The Moon (Part Two) / How Can You Do It Alone? / Poem Disturbed / Squirm Squirm / Outlive The Dinosaur / Teresa / Man And Machines / It’s In Ya. Released on 200g vinyl 3LP, 2CD and DVD in 2001 in the UK and the US (Classic/Eel Pie, EPR-0013/DAD-1038) with foldout cover. Re-released on remastered 2CD in 2006 in Germany (SPV, SPV-97742) and on August 29, 2006 in the US (Hip-O, 6472). Re-released on super high material 2CD on January 20, 2010 in Japan (Imperial, TECI-28597/8). Re-issued on remastered 2CD in 2017 in the UK (Universal, PTS3CD1).
GOLD (2005)
English Boy / Secondhand Love / A Little Is Enough / Heart To Hang Onto / Sheraton Gibson / The Sea Refuses No River / Brilliant Blues / Now And Then / I Won’t Run Anymore / Keep Me Turning / Let My Love Open The Door / Slit Skirts / A Friend Is A Friend / Let’s See Action / Street In The City / Empty Glass // Rough Boys / Give Blood / Exquisitely Bored / Jools And Jim / Crashing By Design / Don’t Try To Make Me Real / Face The Face / Uniforms (Corp d’Esprit) / My Baby Gives It Away / Outlive The Dinosaur / Keep On Working / White City Fighting / All Shall Be Well / Time Is Passing / I Am Afraid / Misunderstood / Pure And Easy / Parvardigar. Released on 2CD on November 15, 2005 in the US (Hip-O, B0005350-02).
THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION (2007)
Pure & Easy / Sheraton Gibson / Time Is Passing / Street In The City / My Baby Gives It Away / Misunderstood / A Little Is Enough / Let My Love Open The Door / Rough Boys / The Sea Refuses No River / Slit Skirts / Mary / Give Blood / Face The Face / A Friend Is A Friend / I Am Afraid / English Boy. Released on compact disc on January 23, 2007 in the US (Hip-O).
