- I'm a Boy
Single infobox
Name =I'm a Boy
Caption =
Artist =The Who
B-side = "In the City"
Released = August 26, 1966 (UK)
Format =Vinyl record (7")
Recorded = July 31-August 1, 1966 at IBC Studios, London, UK
Genre = Pop, rock
Length = 2:34
Label = Reaction 591 004 (UK) Decca (US)
Producer =Kit Lambert
Chart position =
* #2 (UK)
Reviews =
Last single = "The Kids Are Alright'"1966
This single = "I'm a Boy"1966
Next single = "La-La-La-Lies "1966 "I'm a Boy" is a
1966 rock song written byPete Townshend for his bandThe Who . 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 gender 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 the mistake. The song is often regarded as an early precursor to Townshend's epic
rock opera s later on inThe Who 's career, especially Tommy. The track was produced byKit Lambert atIBC 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 theUK 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.Fact|date=July 2007 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 ", though the song only appears on "deluxe" editions of the album.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 itschord progression and a part of its lyrics from the Who song.References
* [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:oudqoauabi5m "I'm a Boy"] at
Allmusic .
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