Let’s see action
Let’s see people
Let’s see freedom
Let’s see who cares
I had the Hooligans greatest hits double album when I was 13 and I first heard this song then. Pete originally wrote this for the Lifehouse project.
This was the first of three singles featuring material left over from the Lifehouse sessions. Let’s See Action’s working title was ‘Nothing Is Everything’ and features Nicky Hopkins on piano.
This was originally written by Pete Townshend for his aborted Lifehouse project, which was intended to be a Rock Opera similar to The Who’s Tommy and Quadrophenia. Many of the songs Townshend wrote for Lifehouse ended up on the 1971 Who’s Next album.
“Let’s See Action” was recorded for the album, but didn’t make the cut. Instead, it was released as a single in the fall of 1971 in the UK peaking at #16. In the US it remained unreleased until its inclusion on the Hooligans compilation album in 1981.
Pete Townshend released a under the radar solo album in 1972 from his demos. One of songs was Let’s See Action. Townshend’s version from Who Came First, is both longer and more energetic than the version by the band.
Roger Daltrey: “Pete was going through a terrible bitterness about the fact that Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp hadn’t got behind making Lifehouse as a film. But the reason they didn’t get behind it was because they couldn’t get to grips with the narrative, and I still feel to this day…even though Pete’s done his Lifehouse Chronicles box and done it as a radio play – well, I’m sorry but though there’s some incredible music in there and some sparks of theoretical and theological ideas, I think the narrative thread of the story is about as exciting as a f—ing whelk (snail) race!
But I always liked ‘Let’s See Action.’ It’s got that texture of explosive rock’n’roll bits mixed in with a laid-back, almost country feel. I still love the sentiment behind it, too.”
Let’s See Action
Let’s see action
Let’s see people
Let’s see freedom
Let’s see who cares
Take me with you
When you leave me
And my shell behind us there
I have learned it
Known who burned me
Avatar has warmed my feet
Take me with you
Let me see you
Time and life can meet
Nothing is
Everything
Everything is
Nothing is
Please the people
Audiences
Break the fences
Nothing is
Let’s see action
Let’s see people
Let’s see freedom
In the air
Let’s see action
Let’s see people
Let’s be free
Let’s see who cares
Let’s see action
Let’s see people
Let’s see freedom
In the air
Let’s see action
Let’s see people
Let’s be free
Let’s see who cares
Give me a drink boy, wash my feet
I’m so tired of running from my own heat
Take this package and here’s what you do
Gonna get this information through
I don’t know where I’m going
I don’t know what I need
But I’ll get to where I’m gonna end up
And that’s alright by me
Let’s see action
Let’s see people
Let’s see freedom
In the air
Let’s see action
Let’s see people
Let’s be free
And see who cares
Let’s see action
Let’s see people
Let’s see freedom
In the air
Let’s see action
Let’s see people
Let’s be free
Let’s see who cares
Nothing, nothing, nothing
Every, every, every, every
Every, every, every, every
Nothing, nothing, nothing
Nothing, nothing, every
…
I don’t know if I’ve ever heard the song before, but I’m quite liking the Townshend version I’m listening to now.
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The Townshend version is stronger…Keith wasn’t Keith in this song…he sounded like any other drummer…
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When The Who packed it in back in 82 a buddy of mine bought Hooligans and I thought that was a great comp!
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It was my first Who album…I loved it.
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I need to track down a copy on vinyl!
If your around tonight we are streaming at 7pm EST which is 6 pm if u are around
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I’ll be there man if I get home on time… Yea man that compilation is great…it got me on the Who
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I don’t think I’ve ever heard this. I like it!
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Wow 2-2! I like Petes version best…it’s above the Who video
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OOPS. Missed that. I saw two videos…then, got distracted. It’s Friday night pizza/Jersey Mike’s night. And, wine. LOL!
Not to change the subject but, I just read this:
https://tomluongo.me/2020/09/18/market-friday-we-house-arrested-some-folks/
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I’ll reply with an email…just a few…yahtzee! lol…I’m halfway through reading it now
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I like both!
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You are in rare form tonight! I can’t believe I’m batting 1000 tonight
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Planetary alignment. And, wine helps…
KIDDING.
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LOL…oh yea…the wine is kicking in!
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*buuurrrp* LMAO!
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LOL… Homer! it’s coming….
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It’s got a great groove doesn’t it.
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It does…I like Petes version….maybe a little more.
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Some of versions and demos on the Scoop records are thoroughly likeable as well! He’s always had a tremendously musical touch
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This was my reintroduction to The Who after Pinball Wizard – we went to live in Singapore, and I dont recall hearing a single track of theirs for 2 years till this charted in the UK. Join Together was even better when that came out in 1972.
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First heard it on Pete’s solo record then the band version later. Both fantastic to my ear.
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