Sunday, February 07, 2010

Hope I Die Before I Get Old...

Isn't there something profoundly depressing about The Who appearing on the Super Bowl halftime show? I can't even completely put my finger on it...I mean, in the end we all sell out...I've been trying to sell out for years, but nobody wants me...sigh...it's kind of like listening to a medley of CSI opening themes...

The first time I saw The Who, they were opening for Herman's Hermits at a roller skating rink in suburban Memphis. When Peter Townsend kicked in the amps and tried to set his guitar on fire at the end of the set, I thought, "Henry the Eighth indeed! I may yet get laid this decade..."

There's nothing in the street
Looks any different to me
And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye
And the parting on the left
Is now the 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 me
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 get fooled again
No, no!

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss

I wish they'd played Squeezebox...hey, that could be the theme song for CSI: Wisconsin!

15 comments:

Damdoc said...

It was terrifying to see how much time has really gone by... Better than the alternative, though...

Eric said...

No, selling out was Roger Daltrey playing at the employee appreciation night at the Oracle Open World conference. Oh, how the mighty have fallen indeed.

Cemetery's Gun Blob said...

Do you have any photos you could share from that WHO show back in '67?

Pathfinder said...

I had forgotten about the game, was watching a movie. A friend pinged me about watching the game, so I popped over just as the half time show was getting started. I did not even recognize them or the song at first.

I listened to about the first 2 minutes of the song - Pinball Wizard - and turned it off. Absolute crappy rendition of the song, and woefully out of tune.

Selling out is one thing. Not being able to keep the music alive is another. Like Jagger prancing around a stage tripping over his wrinkles trying to pass off Satisfaction as meaningful.

Geezer rock sucks. If you want to relive your past, get the old CD and play it, or watch a video from back then.

Wolfe was right - you cannot go home again. It's embarrassing for us to watch when you try.

Anonymous said...

I think the song was originally supposed to have gone "I hope I die before I get old and play the Superbowl," but sadly all the words didn't fit.

nj_larry said...

Like Pathfinder I had a hard time connecting who these guys were. Were they some sort of cover band? I then went upstairs to the computer and fired up some vintage Wanda Jackson (Fujiyama Mama) and Etta James. Made me feel much better. God bless Youtube.

Bill Rushmore said...

My kids asked who "The Who" was and my wife answered they were from when grandpa was young. I think that says it all.

Sadltrmp said...

James Dean was ahead of me (I'm only 53) but he got it right if you're a rock star/celebrity. Go out when you are in the stratosphere.
Janis is still young and sexy, Jimmie is still pissing off the 'rents playing the SSB on his Strat. and Stevie Ray is never gonna play at some second rate venue!
A couple of my favorite old guys are still out there being true to the music, doing new stuff, and living by their own code, guys like Charlie Daniels and Ian Tyson, Wanda Jackson has a new CD out that they're playing on Outlaw Country on XM, and I hope that they are all getting rich from their royalties, for all the great times they soundtracked in my youth!
I'm gonna go listen to some Red dirt rock.
later ya'll

The Freeholder said...

Mrs. Freeholder called me in, as I wasn't watching the game.

Pete Townsend doing what appeared to be "air windmills"?! My eyes--they burn!!

Anonymous said...

There are so many great old bands and musicians who still have it that I feel embarrassed for The Who's performance.
They just sounded old ant tired.

Anonymous said...

It should have been billed;

A Few of the Who.

Sad, sad, very sad.

Ratcatcher55

CJS3 said...

For over 20 years, I have successfully found other things to do during the (guaranteed) crappy Super Bowl half time show. At some point in the future, Pro Football will again take control of half time festivities, and I will again be (willing &) able to watch half time. Hopefully this will happen before I die. I'm alresdy old.

Anonymous said...

I prefer the "Guess Who" myself.....and later B.T.O.

Rock on!

be603 said...

It had to happen. First golf, now the Seniors Tour comes to Rock 'n Roll.

KK said...

I loved it....in a world of slick marketing, there it was like a 50BMG