The Who – The Seeker

Good Who song that was not as well known as some of their others. In 1999 it was featured in the movie “The Limey”. This was The Who’s first single released after Tommy. This was also featured on their compilation album Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy.

In 1970 The Seeker peaked at #44 in the Billboard 100, #19 in the UK and #21 in Canada.

From Songfacts

Pete Townshend wrote part of the song in a swamp in Florida, drunk out of his mind. The swamp was covered in cockleburs that attached themselves to his hair and clothes, and stumbling along filled with frustration and pain he came up with “I’m looking for me, you’re looking for you, we’re looking at each other and we don’t know what to do.” Later on he denounced the song as not being one of his favourites, and said that “It sounded great in the mosquito-ridden swamp I made it up in – Florida at three in the morning, drunk out of my mind. But that’s where the trouble always starts, in the swamp.” >>
Roger Daltrey was not a fan of the song. He admitted to Uncut magazine: “I was never ever fond of ‘The Seeker.’ To sing that song, to me, was like trying to push an elephant up the stairs. I found it cumbersome, the first song we’d ever done where I thought, ‘Nah, this is pretentious.

 

“The Seeker”

I’ve looked under chairs
I’ve looked under tables
I’ve tried to find the key
To fifty million fables

They call me The Seeker
I’ve been searchin’ low and high
I won’t get to get what I’m after
Till the day I die

I asked Bobby Dylan
I asked the Beatles
I asked Timothy Leary
But he couldn’t help me either

They call me The Seeker
I’ve been searchin’ low and high
I won’t get to get what I’m after
Till the day I die

People tend to hate me
Coz I never smile
As I ransack their homes
They wanna’ shake my hand

Focusing on nowhere
Investigating miles
I’m a seeker
I’m a really desperate man

I wont get to get what I’m after
Till the day I die

I learned how to raise my voice in anger
Yeah but look at my face ain’t this a smile

I’m happy when life’s good and when its bad I cry
I got values but I don’t know how or why

I’m lookin’ for me
You’re lookin’ for you
Were lookin’ at each other and we don’t know what to do

They call me The Seeker
I been searchin’ low and high
I wont get to get what I’m after
Till the day I die

Author: badfinger20

Power Pop fan, Baseball fan, old movie and tv show fan... and a songwriter, bass and guitar player.

4 thoughts on “The Who – The Seeker”

  1. This is one of those songs where maybe I was happier not knowing what the artist thinks of it. The back story is interesting, that’s for sure. I’ve always liked the song. The only part of that makes me cringe a little, is the name dropping in the middle. But as a little kid back then, I thought it was cool when one singer would mention another one in his song. I wonder if Roger still feels that way about the song. Ironically, it is in their set list these days, and their live version sounds great.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I remember them doing it when I saw them a couple of years ago…Roger doesn’t like the song but I guess with it being on some movie soundtracks it got popular all over again so they do it.
      They didn’t do it in 89 when I saw them.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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