The Real Me (The Who song)

Infobox Single
Name = The Real Me


Artist = The Who
from Album = Quadrophenia
B-side = "Doctor Jimmy"
Released = January 12, 1974
Format = 7" single
Recorded = May 1972
Genre = Rock
Length = 3:30
Label = Track Records/MCA
Writer = Pete Townshend
Producer = The Who
Certification =
Chart position =
* #92 (US)
Last single = "Love, Reign o'er Me"
(1973)
This single = "The Real Me"
(1974)
Next single = "Postcard"
(1974)
Misc = Extra tracklisting
Album = Quadrophenia
Type = studio
prev_track = "I Am the Sea"
prev_no = 1
this_track = "The Real Me"
track_no = 2
next_track = "Quadrophenia"
next_no = 3"The Real Me" is a song written by Pete Townshend on The Who's second full-scale rock opera, "Quadrophenia" in 1973. This is the second track on the album. It concerns a boy named Jimmy, a young English Mod with four distinct personalities. The song describes how he angrily deals with several individuals to identify "the real me."

The song features an impressive bass performance by John Entwistle. According to a 1996 interview with Entwistle by Goldmine Magazine, the bass part was recorded on the first take. Entwistle claimed he was "joking around" when he played the part, but the band loved it and used it in the final version. ["The Quiet One Speaks! A Chat with The Ox, The Who's JOHN ENTWISTLE", Goldmine 416, July 5, 1996]

"The Real Me" is also featured on the 2002 Who compilation "The Ultimate Collection", with a slightly modified opening.

Townshend has always referred to it as "Can You See the Real Me", rather than the more accepted abbreviated title.

After not performing it for several years after John Entwistle's death in 2002, the band began including it in their live shows again in 2007 with the bass part, performed by Pino Palladino, being less prominent than the original version.

The song was covered by heavy metal band W.A.S.P. in 1989, along with a its own music video. It was also covered by Pearl Jam during The Who Tribute on VH1 in 2008.

References