top of page

Music | The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again




"Won't Get Fooled Again" is a song by the English rock band the Who, written by Pete Townshend. It was released as a single in June 1971, reaching the top 10 in the UK, while the full eight-and-a-half-minute version appears as the final track on the band's 1971 album Who's Next, released that August.


Townshend wrote the song as a closing number of the Lifehouse project, and the lyrics criticise revolution and power. To symbolise the spiritual connection he had found in music via the works of Meher Baba and Inayat Khan, he programmed a mixture of human traits into a synthesizer and used it as the main backing instrument throughout the song.


The Who tried recording the song in New York in March 1971, but re-recorded a superior take at Stargroves the next month using the synthesizer from Townshend's original demo. Ultimately, Lifehouse as a project was abandoned in favour of Who's Next, a straightforward album, where it also became the closing track. It has been performed as a staple of the band's setlist since 1971, often as the set closer, and was the last song drummer Keith Moon played live with the band.


As well as being a hit, the song has achieved critical praise, appearing as one of Rolling Stone's The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It has been covered by several artists, such as Van Halen, who took their version to No. 1 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. It has been used for several TV shows and films (most notably CSI: Miami), and in some political campaigns.





Lyrics


We'll be fighting in the streets With our children at our feet And the morals that they worship will be gone The men who spurred us on Sit in judgment of all wrong They decide and the shotgun sings the song

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution Take a bow for the new revolution Smile and grin at the change all around Pick up my guitar and play Just like yesterday Then I'll get on my knees and pray We don't get fooled again

The change it had to come We knew it all along We were liberated from the fold that's all The world looks just the same And history ain't blamed Cause the banners, they are flown in the last war

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution Take a bow for the new revolution Smile and grin at the change all around Pick up my guitar and play Just like yesterday Then I'll get on my knees and pray We don't get fooled again

No, no! We don't get fooled again

I'll move myself and my family aside If we happen to be left half alive Get all my papers and smile at the sky Though I know that the hypnotized never lie Do ya?

There's nothing in the street Looks any different to me And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye The parting on the left Is now parting on the right And the beards have all grown longer overnight

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution Take a bow for the new revolution Smile and grin at the change all around Pick up my guitar and play Just like yesterday Then I'll get on my knees and pray We don't get fooled again

Don't want to get fooled again No, no!

Meet the new boss Same as the old boss




Songwriters: Peter Townshend

Won't Get Fooled Again lyrics © Abkco Music Inc.






Comments


bottom of page