Substitute (The Who song)
"Substitute" | ||||
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Single by the Who | ||||
B-side |
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Released | 4 March 1966 | |||
Recorded | 12 February 1966 | |||
Studio | Olympic, London | |||
Genre | Power pop, hard rock[1][2][3] | |||
Length | 3:47 (UK)
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Label | Reaction (UK) | |||
Songwriter(s) | Pete Townshend | |||
Producer(s) | Pete Townshend | |||
The Who singles chronology | ||||
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Audio sample | ||||
"Substitute" |
"Substitute" is a song by the English
Inspiration and writing
"Substitute" was primarily inspired by the 1965 soul single "The Tracks of My Tears" by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Pete Townshend became obsessed, particularly, with the line, "Although she may be cute/She's just a substitute." This had then led Townshend "to celebrate the word with a song all of its own."[6]
For the American single, released in April 1966, a different vocal take was used that changed the line in the chorus, "I look all white but my dad was black", to "I try walking forward but my feet walk back."[4] The complete second verse and chorus were also edited from the US release, reducing the track's length to two minutes and fifty-nine seconds.[7]
Reception
In 2012, Paste ranked the song number 13 on its list of the 20 greatest The Who songs,[10] and in 2022, Rolling Stone ranked the song number 11 on its list of the 50 greatest The Who songs.[11]
Performance history
The song remains a familiar fan-favourite and was performed at most of their concerts.[3] "Substitute," along with "I Can't Explain," have served as the group's opening numbers since 1971.[12] It appears on the Live at Leeds album, as well as Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970.[13]
On the album Live at Leeds, Townshend comments on the song by saying:
We'd like to play three hit singles from our past for ya. Three selected hit singles, the three easiest. There's "Substitute," which we like. [crowd cheers] Thank you. That was our first number four [crowd laughs]...[14]
In 1976,
Cover versions
Sex Pistols played "Substitute" live on numerous gigs during 1976. A studio version, also recorded in 1976, was released on the 1979 double album The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle.[citation needed]
The
Car Seat Headrest created a cover for their 2020 EP MADLO: Influences.
Personnel
- Roger Daltrey – lead and backing vocals
- Pete Townshend – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, backing vocals
- John Entwistle – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Keith Moon – drums, percussion
Chart performance
Weekly charts
Chart (1966) | Peak position |
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Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[17] | 17 |
Finland ( Soumen Virallinen)[18]
|
29 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[19] | 2 |
5 | |
West Germany (Official German Charts)[21] | 13 |
Chart (1976) | Peak position |
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UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[22]
|
7 |
References
- ISBN 978-0-472-03470-3.
- ^ Moerder, Adam (16 August 2006). "The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s – Part Three: #100-61". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on 14 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ^ Rovi.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7864-0609-8.
- Pitchfork Media. Condé Nast. Archived from the originalon 14 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ^ "Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, 'The Tracks of My Tears'". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. 7 April 2011.
- ISBN 978-1-4803-9252-6.
- ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 9 April 1966. p. 18. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ "Singles Reviews" (PDF). Record World. 9 April 1966. p. 6. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ Tremml, Brian (7 November 2012). "The 20 Best Songs by The Who". Paste. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ "The Who's 50 Greatest Songs". Rolling Stone. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ISBN 978-1-84449-428-6.
- AllMusic. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ISBN 978-1-908538-83-3.
- ISBN 0-8306-9268-1.
- ^ "Great White - Substitute (1984 Video)". YouTube.
- ^ "The Who – Substitute" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
- ^ "The Who – Substitute" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Who – Substitute" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 26 March 2019. To see peak chart position, click "TITEL VON The Who"
- ^ The Who – Official Chart History