"Tommy", released in 1969, was the band's first rock opera, reaching number two in the UK and number four in the USA. The 1975 film version featured a galaxy of stars, such as Tina Turner, Oliver Reed, Jack Nicholson and Ann-Margret. Elton John played the part of the "Pinball Wizard", and did a cover version of the song which reached number seven in the UK.
The Who's original version of the song did even better, making it to number four.
2. Boris the Spider
Answer: A Quick One
"A Quick One" was the band's second studio album, released in 1966. A number four hit on the UK albums chart, no singles were released from the record in Britain. "Boris the Spider" was written by bassist John Entwistle, who also provided the lead vocals. The song became a live favourite of the bands over the ensuing years.
3. You Better You Bet
Answer: Face Dances
The 1981 album "Face Dances" was The Who's first since the tragic death of Keith Moon, with Kenny Jones taking over on the drum kit. It reached number two on the UK album chart, with "You Better You Bet" getting to number nine on the singles chart.
4. Squeeze Box
Answer: The Who by Numbers
"The Who by Numbers" was the band's seventh studio album, released in 1975. "Squeeze Box" was the only single from the album, and made the UK top ten. The lyrics to the song contain a lot of sexual innuendo, although the BBC didn't ban it!
5. Bell Boy
Answer: Quadrophenia
"Quadrophenia", released in 1973, was the band's second rock opera, after Tommy. The 1979 movie adaptaion featured actors such as Phil Daniels, Sting, Toyah Wilcox and Michael Elphick. Sting played the part as the "Ace Face", who later gets a job as a bell boy at a Brighton hotel. Keith Moon contributes additional vocals to the "Bell Boy" song on the album.
6. Baba O'Riley
Answer: Who's Next
Released in 1971, "Who's Next" was the band's only UK number one album of the 20th century. "Baba O'Riley" is the opening track on the album, with the title coming from Meher Baba, an Indian spiritualist, and Terry Riley, an American composer. The track concludes with Dave Arbus on violin - this part of the song was substituted by Roger Daltrey on harmonica during live renditions.
7. Eminence Front
Answer: It's Hard
"It's Hard", from 1982, was the second, and last, The Who album to feature Kenny Jones on drums. It sold better in America, where it made it to number eight on the Billboard chart, than in the UK, where it stalled at number 11. "Eminence Front" was released as a single, and samples of the track have been used over the years by US sports team such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets during player introductions.
8. I Can See For Miles
Answer: The Who Sell Out
"The Who Sell Out" was a 1967 concept album, with radio commercials interspersed between the tracks. "I Can See For Miles", the only single off the album, hit the top ten in both Britain and the USA.
9. The Kids Are Alright
Answer: My Generation
Released in 1965, "My Generation" was The Who's debut album. "The Kids Are Alright" was released as a single, and although it just failed to crack the UK top 40 at the time, it became a live favourite of the band, and was used as the title of the band's 1979 rockumentary film.
10. Love is Coming Down
Answer: Who Are You
The 1978 album "Who Are You" was the band's last to feature Keith Moon on drums. It reached number six on the UK album chart, and number two in the USA. The title track was a hit single. I selected "Love is Coming Down" as the song from this album because it is one of my favourite tracks by the band; it features Rod Argent on piano and an orchestral string arrangement by Ted Astley.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor 1nn1 before going online.
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In this series of quizzes, you have to match a number of songs by a particular group or artist with the studio albums on which they originally appeared.
