The early Who singles were first heard in the UK much more than America. They were really exciting and raw and different from anyone else. I first heard this song on the great compilation album Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy. The album was made up of singles and many of them were not heard in America much at all when they were originally released.
It was released both as the B-side to “The Kids Are Alright” in the U.S., and as the A-side of a single that peaked at #32 in the UK in 1965. Both singles were released by Shel Talmy without the permission of the Who and were a result of a legal dispute between Talmy and the band at the time and an attempt to sabotage the release of the band’s chosen single “Substitute”.
This was the first song that Pete Townshend took the lead vocal on.
Pete Townshend on 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.”
A Legal Matter
I told you why I changed my mind
I got bored by playing with time
I know you thought you had me nailed
But I’ve freed my head from your garden rails
Now it’s a legal matter, baby
You got me on the run
It’s a legal matter, baby
A legal matter from now on
My mind’s lost in a household fog
Wedding gowns and catalogs
Kitchen furnishings and houses
Maternity clothes and baby’s trousers
Now it’s a legal matter, baby
Marryin’s no fun
It’s a legal matter, baby
A legal matter from now on
I told you why I changed my mind
I got bored by playing with time
I know you thought you had me nailed
Well, I’ve freed my head from your garden rails
Now it’s a legal matter, baby
You got me on the run
It’s a legal matter, baby
A legal matter from now on
You ain’t the first and you ain’t the last
I gain and lose my women fast
I never want to make them cry
I just get bored, don’t ask me why
Just wanna keep doing all the dirty little things I do
And not work all day in an office just to bring my money back to you
Sorry, baby
…
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That WHO Sell Out deluxe looks crazy with 114 tracks. Crazy they have sitting on that stuff for 54 years lol
That many songs is a career to some bands…Some of those bands must have recorded a lot more than we think.
The album is a great concept
…. and so is the cover with Moon and the Heinz Beans! lol
The pre-Tommy Who- vastly overlooked stuff! Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy one of my favorite compilations.
I had the Who Hooligans compilation but when I got this one…out of ignorance I thought it was a studio album…I thought this must be one of the best albums ever! Then I started to read about it and realized…duh….but it is one my favorites also.
First time hearing this, I guess I missed a lot of the Who.
Nice to see Max is also going into the 1960s with the Who. “A Legal Matter” doesn’t sound quite mature for me, but there is nice piano groove and guitar towards the end.
That guitar is what I really like.
I think it’s brand new to me too. I am a rebel but I think I like Townshend’s voice better than Daltrey’s.
I know some people who do…it depends on what the song calls for…for me. Lets take Won’t Get Fooled Again…Pete would sound good but not with the power that Daltry brought….but I love Goin’ Mobile and the others Pete would sing.
Absolutely love early Who and I love hearing Pete Townshend singing his own songs and taking over on lead vocals.
I’be never really got into The Who. Just never really clicked with me. Certainly when it comes to albums. I always considered them more of a great singles band and I think Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy really confirmed that for me (I heard it for the first time a few years ago not knowing it was a compilation… a pal pointed out that’s probably why I liked it).
All of those singles that were not really introduced in America at the time…the early ones are experimental with feedback and twidling knobs.
As far as albums…I do like Who’s Next, Tommy, Quadrophenia, and The Who Sell Out. The odd thing is…they never had a number 1
Pretty good early tune by The Who. I had never heard it before. Townshend’s voice wasn’t bad at all – sure, not as powerful as Daltrey. Still pretty good!
Some songs I do like hearing Pete sing…but like I told Dave…some songs like Won’t Get Fooled Again is made for Roger.
Agree. There’s no doubt Roger is the more powerful vocalist. Another tune that comes to my mind is “Love, Reign o’er Me.” There’s just no way Townshend could sing that. Still, it’s always nice to hear Pete on lead vocals every now and then!
Oh yea…that is a great example. I do like to hear him sing some but the song is usually changed to fit his voice of course.
Never heard this before. It’s catchy. I’m hearing hints of the Stones’ ‘The Last Time’ in it.
Seems like a similar train of thought to Neil Young’s ‘A Man Needs A Maid’ in that Townshend quote.
This song probably made a lot of people quake in their boots. A sentiment as old as time but presented openly.
With The Who, I’ve always really been a singles man. I need to go deeper in their catalog. I think I only have one Who album and a greatest hits. Shame on me.
Who’s Next and Quadropheia is probably their best…but you have heard most of Who’s Next on classic radio.
Yeah, Who’s Next is basically a greatest hits album on its own.
Led Zeppelin 4 and Who’s Next were released within a few months of each other…those two albums built classic radio almost.
That is a powerful 1-2 punch.
This has been spinning in my head for many moons. Love when Pete takes the vocals. Like the Kinks they always had a sense of humor.
Yea man I like Pete’s voice…it fits this one perfect…that intro will stay with you.
You nailed it with no one sounded like them. They had those hard rockers then came up with cuts like this.