If you were to ask most people what is the best track The Who ever recorded, “Baba O’Riley“ might not be the first they come up with. However, it is a track that is one of the most popular amongst the Who fans, and, interestingly, appreciated by the band themselves.
So, I decided to take a look at the song and consider the meaning of “Baba O’Riley” by The Who. That might give us an idea as to just why it is so popular.
From The Station Hotel Harrow to the Hollywood Bowl and Beyond
When The Who got together in 1964 in London, no one could have imagined the effect they would have on music. Six decades later, they are still making an impact.
They had the reputation of being the loudest band on the planet. I can vouch for that. They were adopted by the ‘mods’ of the time as ‘their’ band, but they didn’t quite see it that way.
The performances were marked with great music. And they were renowned for the destruction of their equipment. If anything, they were too good. No one else at the time stood a chance.
An Amazing Journey
From a dingy room downstairs at a West London pub to some of the largest ventures in the world. As well as from hit singles to Rock Operas. And, from 100 people at the ‘Railway’ to thousands in arenas. The story of The Who is a phenomenon.
The music was outstanding, but it was always more than that. It was also the visuals that went with it. Daltrey swinging his Shure SM58 like a rodeo lasso. Moon intent on wrecking his drum kit, and the venue, with the power of his playing.
And then, you had Pete Townshend with his swirling right arm hammering chords out of his guitar. It’s a good thing John Entwhistle didn’t join in. Heaven only knows what would have happened.
History of “Baba O’Riley”
Originally, the song was part of an ambitious project that Pete Townshend was putting together called ‘Lifehouse.’ That was a Rock Opera that Townshend had been working on for some time and was to be the follow-up to Tommy.
After plenty of problems, the idea was scrapped. However, there were so many good songs already finished that were to be included in ‘Lifehouse.’ They couldn’t just be thrown away. So, they became the basis of the Who’s next studio album, Who’s Next.
Given the quality of the songs…
And, that Who’s Next is considered by some to be the best Who album, the Lifehouse project might have been special indeed. Who’s Next was released in 1971 and included tracks like the literary masterpiece “Behind Blue Eyes“, and the Rock classic “Won’t Get Fooled Again“. Also on the album is the song we are looking at. It was the opening track and was released as a single in October 1971.
The Introduction To The Song
Given what The Who had previously released, this was a little out of character if you are judging it by the opening few minutes. You would have thought that someone had discovered a new technology and got a bit over-excited.
The opening passage is one of the key parts of the song “Baba O’Riley.” It is built around what is known as “ostinato” or “repeating notes.” That technique has been around in music for a few hundred years. It is a musical phrase or a motif that is repeated persistently, usually in the same pitch and using the same musical style voice.
The instrument itself was not a new-fangled synth he had to play with. It was a Lowrey Berkshire organ, plain and simple. And he used the marimba repeat to generate most of the sound. This one instrument, and one musician’s minimalist approach, was an offshoot of the work that Terry Riley was producing. Townshend was known to be an admirer.
The Drama
It is an interesting contrast at the start of the song. The “minimalist” approach to the intro created something you could call the opposite. Throughout this introduction, you know the rest of the band is going to join in. The longer the intro goes on, the more the level of drama increases.
You are expecting Moon’s thundering drums. Probably, waiting for the thrashing Townshend arm followed by an ear-shattering “big” chord. However, it doesn’t happen.
The piano takes the chord lead as the song comes out of its intro. The original recording of “Baba O’Riley” was an epic 30 minutes long. It was edited down to what we have now at just over five minutes on the album, but often longer in live performances.
What Was The Inspiration Behind The Song
Townshend has often said that the idea for “Baba O’Riley” came from the Isle of Wight Festival in 1969. Not the festival itself or anything positive about it. Rather, from the devastation left behind afterward.
He says that after they had finished playing their set, their particular area of the field was covered in the trash left behind by people. He thought of it as a “Teenage Wasteland.”
A False Title?
Many people still think the song is called “Teenage Wasteland” and “Baba O’Riley” is just a false title or appendage. An easy mistake when considering the phrase ‘Teenage Wasteland’ is said several times during the song, and ‘Baba O’Riley’ is not said even once.
The “Baba O’Riley” title is a combination of the names of two people that inspired Townshend the most. Terry Riley, we have already mentioned. The other is Meher Baba, who was born in India of Iranian parentage.
The Deep Dark Meaning Of “Baba O’Riley” By The Who
Despite people’s attempts at creating such a sinister meaning to “Baba O’Riley,” it isn’t that difficult to interpret. It was intended to be the opening song of the Lifehouse project. Possibly played over the opening credits and visuals.
The song is, therefore, a prelude to the complete project. It would have set the scene for the state that the characters would have lived in. An imaginary (maybe looking at the world today, not so imaginary) society or state where there is great injustice and suffering. The song was never about getting “wasted,” as some have alluded to. That expression came along after.
It is not about the Vietnam War either…
Even though some people think every song that has been written is. Nor is it a celebration of the teenage spirit. In truth, it is the opposite. It is about the waste of a society, and that includes the waste created by it.
Townshend says it was his generation that started to complain about the state of the world, but then did nothing about it. He must shoulder part of that blame along with everyone else.
Lifehouse as a project never got that far, but it left us with songs like this. A song that strikes at the root of some of the problems we have. And it concisely does that in a song that only has a few verses.
And There Was More To Come
A song with a strange title, an extended, almost “detached” beginning, and a powerful wake-up call message. But that wasn’t everything about this extraordinary song. There is the ending.
The song moves into a very special closing section that includes a violin solo. It was originally played by Dave Arbus of East of Eden. Dave was recording in the studio next door when Keith Moon heard him play and invited him in.
The violin became a focal point…
And, it’s something that the band included the song in their live shows. Initially, Roger Daltrey played a harmonica part instead of the violin. But it was clear that despite Roger’s efforts, it needed that Violin.
International British Violin virtuoso Nigel Kennedy played the solo at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 2000 at a special concert. Since then, they have used the violin wherever possible. American Violinist Katie Jacoby is a regular extension of the band for this song at their live concerts in America.
And, when I say that at many live concerts for the last decade, this and not “Won’t Get Fooled Again” or “My Generation“ has been the closing song. You will understand how highly it is regarded not only by audiences but by the band themselves. Furthermore, it’s so highly regarded it was used in both the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2012 London Olympics.
Interested In the Meaning Behind Other Songs?
If so, check out our thoughts on The Meaning Behind “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon & Garfunkel, The Meaning Behind “Blackbird” by The Beatles, The Meaning Behind the Song Lyrics “Fancy” by Bobbie Gentry, The Meaning Behind “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond, and The Meaning Behind “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals for more song insights and analysis.
Of course, you need to listen to them. So, have a look at our reviews of the Best Headphones For Rock & Metal Music, the Best Headphones for Music, the Best Headphones Under $200, the Best Sound Quality Earbuds, the Best Noise Isolating Earbuds, and the Best Cheap Earbuds Under $100 you can buy in 2024.
Meaning of “Baba O’Riley” by The Who – Final Thoughts
It is a unique song by The Who in so many ways and is a tribute to Pete Townshend. Next time you see that 6-foot nearly 80-year-old still twirling his right arm into his Fender Strat, just remember something. You are seeing one of the great songwriters of our generation in action. It certainly has been a long way from the Station Hotel in South Harrow, West London.
Until next time, enjoy the music.
