I'M A BOY

Almost as a precursor to his concept albums, Pete Townshend penned this ditty for a concept album that would be scrapped, but fortunately the song survived and was released as a single (and on numerous compilations to follow). The song involves a futuristic setting in which parents can determine the gender of their children. In this particular case, the parents request four girls (God only knows why), but wind up getting three girls and a boy. The narrator is the hapless fellow who wishes to assert his masculinity, but his mother refuses him this dignity and pretends he is their fourth girl. Despite the bizarre topic, "I'm a Boy" is one of the best 1960s pop-rock songs ever written, as it contains a melody so catchy it can stay in one's heard for days, and the rhythm guitar work of the songwriter paired with Keith Moons drumming make for a fantastic instrumental bit. Using a deep brass and some excellent vocal harmonies, the B-side, "In the City" is fairly typical of the genre during the time. It is admittedly generic both musically and lyrically, but would give other guys something to dance to with our girls (I hope that reference isn't too groan-inducing).

'I'm A Boy' - The Who (Single)

Two pretty standard songs from the era, this shows a more conventional and pop leaning side of the Who. Even this early on in the game, the Who were rocking alot harder than most of their contemporaries. These two songs sound alot more like the other sort of stuff that was being performed around the Western World.

'I'm A Boy' is a fun song that has a bit of a depressing concept to it. The idea of being a boy, and having your own mother disdain you simply for your gender is sad, but the catchiness of the tune makes it a pretty upbeat number. The other song here 'In The City' is pretty forgettable but there's nothing utterly wrong with it.

Generic, if not decent 60's pop.