Success Story

Album: The Who By Numbers (1975)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is a cynical autobiography of The Who. It was written by John Entwistle and uses his trademark dark humor.
  • The line, "I'm your fairy manager" is an allusion to The Who's gay manager Kit Lambert, who they were in the process of suing.
  • The line, "I may go far if I smash my guitar" is a reference to how, in their early years, The Who would end their concerts with Pete Townshend smashing his guitar on stage.
  • The verse at the end about the preacher becoming a rock musician is a jab at Pete Townshend, who worked spirituality into his songs.
  • This song was featured in a scene in the rockumentary The Kids Are Alright, which was about The Who. In the scene, John Entwistle uses gold records for skeet shooting. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jon - Tucson, AZ, for all above

Comments: 4

  • Charles from CanadaAxl Rose had revealed in a Rolling Stone interview that a very drunk John Entwistle admitted to him that they weren't his actual gold records that he shot up in The Kids Are Alright.

    "I'll let you in on a secret, mate... Those were old Connie Francis records I painted gold. I F--kin' stole 'em! I'm not gonna shoot up my own gold records, am I?"
  • Guy from Benson, NcThe records he shot were Roger's. LOL!!!
  • Ken from Oswego, IlThe reference to the preacher is regarding Little Richard who did leave R&R (in 1957) to preach then return to R&R ('62-63). Hence his conversion to the new religion.
  • Brian from Dennis, Mathis was the best scene in the kids are alright, i laughed hard when John shot up the record with the tommy gun
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.