A Legal Matter
"A Legal Matter" | ||||
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Instant Party " | ||||
Released |
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Recorded | 12–13 October 1965 | |||
Studio | IBC, London | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 2:54 | |||
Label | Brunswick (UK)
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Songwriter(s) | Pete Townshend | |||
Producer(s) | Shel Talmy | |||
The Who singles chronology | ||||
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"A Legal Matter" is a song written by
Composition
The subject of the song is
Atkins describes the two note guitar figure used in the introduction to the song as being "memorable and catchy."[4] He states that the song incorporates a "short, jolting rhythm" similar to that on their more famous song "My Generation."[4] Steve Grantley and Alan G. Parker state that "the band sound like they have been let off the leash and really let rip to create another early classic."[6] Segretto describes the melody as being "excellent."[5] Nicky Hopkins joins the band on piano, and Segretto claims that his "hyper piano runs contribute much amphetamine fuel to the song.[4][5]
Atkins also notes the "ironic humour" of the song.[4] Mason also finds the song "funny."[1] Segretto points out that the lyrics are surprisingly misogynistic coming from Townshend, but that is softened by the "playful tone and cute lines like 'Just wanna keep on doing all the dirty little things I do."[5] According to Townshend the song "is about a guy on the run from a chick about to pin him down for breach of contract. What this song was screaming from behind lines like 'It's a legal matter, baby, marrying's no fun/It's a legal matter, baby, you got me on the run' was, "I'm lonely, I'm hungry, the bed needs making.' I wanted a maid, I suppose."[3] Marsh suggests that the protagonist really doesn't want to marry because "he's terrified of discovering who he really is (boring, middle-class and conventional.)"[3]
Reception
Several commentators noted an influence from
References
- ^ Allmusic. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ ISBN 0711943060.
- ^ ISBN 0312071558.
- ^ ISBN 9781476606576.
- ^ ISBN 9781480361034.
- ^ ISBN 9781905139262.