Music

Tommy

Tommy was released in the UK on 23 May 1969 by Track Records (Track 613013/4) with a subsequent double CD (Polydor 800 077-2), followed by a remixed single CD (Polydor 531 043-2) in 1996 and finally a Deluxe Edition two-CD set SACD hybrid (Polydor 9861011) in 2004. It was released in the US on 17 May 1969 (Decca DXSW 7205), then as two CDs (MCA MCAD-10005), MFSL with a single disc remix in 1996 (MCAD-11417) and in the UK as a Deluxe Edition SACD hybrid (Geffen B0001386-36) in 2003. In 2014 Tommy was released as a Super Deluxe Edition (See BOX SETS). In 1969 Tommy reached #2 in the UK charts. In America it eventually reached #4 on re-entering the charts. Overall, it re-entered the Billboard charts several times for a total of 126 weeks, far longer than any other Who album.

TRACK LIST

  1. Overture
  2. It’s A Boy
  3. 1921
  4. Amazing Journey
  5. Sparks
  6. Eyesight To The Blind (The Hawker)
  7. Christmas
  8. Cousin Kevin
  9. The Acid Queen
  10. Underture
  11. Do You Think It’s Alright?
  12. Fiddle About
  13. Pinball Wizard
  14. There’s A Doctor
  15. Go To The Mirror!
  16. Tommy, Can You Hear Me?
  17. Smash the Mirror
  18. Sensation
  19. Miracle Cure
  20. Sally Simpson
  21. I’m Free
  22. Welcome
  23. Tommy’s Holiday Camp
  24. We’re Not Gonna Take It

Recorded at London’s IBC Studios between September 1968 and March 1969. Produced by Kit Lambert.

Cover design and paintings by Michael McInnerney
Photography by Barrie Meller

Avatar: Meher Baba

All songs written by Pete Townshend except 6: Sonny Boy Williamson, 8 and 12: John Entwistle, 23: Keith Moon

Deluxe Edition CD 2: Bonus tracks and Demos

  1. I Was
  2.  Christmas (Out-take 3)
  3. Cousin Kevin Model Child
  4. Young Man Blues (Version 1 – First released on The House That Track Built)
  5. Tommy Can You Hear Me? (Alternate Version)
  6. Trying To Get Through (An impromptu performance)
  7. Sally Simpson (Out-takes)
  8. Miss Simpson (A completed take under the original working title)
  9. Welcome (Take 2)
  10. Tommy’s Holiday Camp (Band’s version)
  11. We’re Not Gonna Take It (Alternate Version)
  12. Dogs Part Two (Stereo Remix)
  13. It’s A Boy (Pete’s Demo)
  14. Amazing Journey (Pete’s Demo)
  15. Christmas (Pete’s Demo)
  16. Do You Think It’s Alright? (Pete’s Demo)
  17. Pinball Wizard (Pete’s Demo)