This song is on the album Tommy about the deaf, dumb, and blind kid. This is not a Christmas song you will hear on the radio at this time of year…it’s just part of the story of Tommy. It’s one of my favorite songs on the album along with Sally Simpson.
Tommy’s father has concerns about his son on Christmas morning. Tommy is deaf, dumb, and blind, and doesn’t appear to have much of a future, but that Christmas, he gets a game of pinball and his life changes when he becomes the Pinball Wizard. This was written by Pete Townshend and it fits perfectly on that album.
It’s the backup vocals that always catch my attention. Also the drums by Mr. Moon plus Townshend’s slashing guitar. They also go into the refrain of “Tommy Can You Hear Me” and “See Me Feel Me.” The song is powerful and also very catchy. I always listen to it around Christmas.
I don’t think any band in rock could have touched them during this time live. On the tour of Tommy is where Live At Leeds came from and it is the tightest I’ve heard a rock band.
Tommy peaked at #2 in the UK, #4 on the Billboard 100, and #6 in Canada in 1969.
Christmas
Did you ever see the faces of children
They get so excited.
Waking up on Christmas morning
Hours before the winter sun’s ignited.
They believe in dreams and all they mean
Including heavens generosity.
Peeping round the door
to see what parcels are for free
In curiosity.
And Tommy doesn’t know what day it is.
Doesn’t know who Jesus was or what praying is.
How can he be saved?
From the eternal grave.
Surrounded by his friends he sits so silently,
And unaware of everything.
Playing poxy pin ball
picks his nose and smiles and
Pokes his tongue at everything.
I believe in love
but how can men who’ve never seen
Light be enlightened.
Only if he’s cured
will his spirits future level ever heighten.
And Tommy doesn’t know what day it is.
Doesn’t know who Jesus was or what praying is.
How can he be saved?
>From the eternal grave.
Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me?
How can he be saved?
[Tommy:]
See me, feel me
Touch me, heal me.
See me, feel me
Touch me, heal me!
Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me?
How can he be saved?
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one of my sister’s favs
She has great taste!
I heard this on the radio on Christmas for the first time. It really caught my ears.
I never heard it before on the radio….that is great.
That’s a very cool pick, Max. I didn’t recognize the title, but once I started listing, I knew it immediately. “Tommy” is an interesting album, which to me oftentimes sounds like it wasn’t quite finished. That gives it a unique charm!
And, man, this live clip is great. The Who had such incredible stage dynamic. Oftentimes, it feels each member was fencing for themselves, which you kind of would think would be a recipe for disaster, but somehow, it all came together!
It’s like they were competing…Cream also…but yea it all worked out… and man where they tight!
Cream is another great example in this context. Competing with each other really seems to defeat the idea of performing as a band, but for these two groups, this approach worked out amazingly well!
It just worked for them! The Who sounded so tight but yet if you take the isolated parts…they were all over the place…but put them together and they were magic!
Tommy is a complex story, but it does have great music.
Not quite the same seasonal exposure as say ‘Rockin Around the Christmas Tree’, but interesting. I’ve heard it once or twice in passing & never really realized it was a Christmas one. Good pick for December.
It’s a good one….just never played because it’s more of a rock song.
When I think of the Who Xmas my thoughts are, The Ox sitting in the corner being the (ahem) quiet one while Angry Pete complains that the ham is too cold. Grumpy Roger complains about kids smoking too much dope while Moon drinks the liquor cabinet dry and is passed out by 4pm.
Thats my Who Xmas!
I need to listen to this album again. Thanks for the heads up!
LOL…I would join that party!
I think we all would…haha
That’sh a very merry Chrishtmash…
I only remember the title of this song but I did listen to the whole Tommy so I must have heard it. It’s a great song for the alt-Christmas list.
Thats how I view it as well…it’s also a “Christmas” song that can be heard anytime of the year.
Kinda like “River”
The live clip was them at the top for sure. A tune out of left field. Good one.
This one and Sally Simpson are good songs that don’t get played…those are the kind I like to do. Thanks CB
I love story songs and Tommy was one long story song. I spent hours with that record when i was younger.
(I had a fleeting thought about doing some takes on “Story Songs”. Shane McGowen just passed away and he had a few with the Pogues. Something I’ve been thinking about for awhile)
I really like the Pogues If I Should Fall From Grace With God…. a lot of good songs.
Yea The Kinks would fit that territory also.
Yes the Knks. So many other good ones. I guess most songs tell a story.
Yes, a very tight Who then.
They had a lot of guts to do Tommy and it got the word out and in the spotlight about victims of sexual abuse. Tommy as a victim that the whole world could not ignore.
Pete was abused some as well and that is where that part came from.