The Who - Who Are You (1978): Complete Album Guide
Artist: The Who
Album Type: Studio
Release Date: August 18, 1978
Label: Polydor Records
Genre: Rock, Hard Rock, Progressive Rock
Producer: Glyn Johns
Album Credits
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Vocals: Roger Daltrey
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Guitar & Keyboards: Pete Townshend
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Bass Guitar: John Entwistle
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Drums: Keith Moon
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Producer: Glyn Johns
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Engineer: Glyn Johns
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Artwork: Richard Evans
Tracklist
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"New Song"
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"Had Enough"
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"905"
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"Sister Disco"
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"Music Must Change"
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"Trick of the Light"
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"Guitar and Pen"
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"Love Is Coming Down"
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"Who Are You"
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"New Song (Reprise)"
Note: The album combines introspective lyrics with The Who’s signature hard rock sound, and it was the last album to feature Keith Moon before his death.
Most Popular Tracks
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Who Are You – Iconic title track, later used as the theme for CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
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New Song – Energetic opener reflecting Townshend’s critical view of the music industry.
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Had Enough – Features John Entwistle on vocals, highlighting his darkly humorous style.
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Trick of the Light – Progressive rock track with complex arrangements and layered instrumentation.
Fun Facts
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Who Are You was the last album recorded with Keith Moon, who died shortly after its release.
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The album was recorded at Ramport Studios, a studio owned by The Who themselves.
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Pete Townshend wrote lyrics reflecting personal struggles, addiction, and self-reflection.
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The album includes a mix of hard rock, progressive elements, and introspective ballads, showcasing the band’s versatility.
Trivia
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Keith Moon’s performance on the title track was chaotic yet brilliant, contributing to the song’s legendary status.
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The album was seen as a response to punk rock’s rise, with Townshend reflecting on the state of the music scene.
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“Had Enough” features Entwistle’s satirical take on rock stardom, adding a humorous counterpoint to Townshend’s seriousness.
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The title track Who Are You has been covered and referenced in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials.
Did You Know?
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The phrase Who Are You became synonymous with The Who’s identity in popular culture.
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Townshend’s lyrics often address self-examination and societal pressure, continuing themes from The Who by Numbers.
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This album was recorded during a turbulent period for the band, including Moon’s erratic behavior and personal struggles.
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Who Are You influenced later rock bands in the late 70s and early 80s, particularly in hard rock and progressive rock genres.
