You're OK listening to "Pinball Wizard" alone. This song was played on the radio when "Tommy" came out so, for a lot of us, we heard this song long before we could spring for the album.
Most of us at the time heard this song on the radio before we heard the album, so you're not committing any sort of error of etiquette by listening to it now,. 🙂 When a movie was made of Tommy the rock opera, Elton John played the Pinball Champion that is the narrator in this song, and his recording of it for the movie is what you saw referenced before starting the music.
Played a LOT of pinball growing up. My grandmother bought me a Pinball Wizard t-shirt not knowing it was a song. Even when video games came on the scene, I stuck with pinball. Love the song, but when watching "Tommy", it was a whole new experience. Watching Elton John play pinball in 7 1/2" platform shoes was a nice touch.
The group's 1969 concept rock opera album "Tommy" included this single "Pinball Wizard". A film was made based on the "Tommy" album in 1975 & Elton John sings "Pinball Wizard" in the film. The Who have so many great songs such as "I Can't Explain", "The Kids Are Alright", "My Generation", "Substitute", "Happy Jack", "I Can See For Miles", "Behind Blue Eyes", "Boris The Spider", "Pictures Of Lily", "Magic Bus", "Who Are You" etc.
You need to see how this song fits into the Rock Opera. That Album was a masterpiece that has never been duplicated. One of the last times they played the entire opera live was right here in Albany N.Y, I was there and will never forget.
You really need to check out My Generation from their Live at Leeds album. One of the most EPIC live performances ever and for some reason flies under the radar of most. RAW and POWERFUL!!!
This is the single version. The album version and the movie soundtrack version (sung by Elton John) conclude differently. There's also a stage musical version that is quite good.
Towser found out one of the money men at the original record company exec's was a big pinball fan. The Who needed an influx of cash to finish the album so he went home wrote Pinball Wizard in one night and presented the song in rough form and wound up incorporating the song into the story. The rest is Rock and Roll history
Great reaction! You make it fun to hear these songs again! Thank you for bringing back great memories for those of us who were teenagers and saw the movie when it came out!
Tommy was made into a film, as others have said. In the 1990s, however, Pete Townsend turned the album into a fully staged Broadway musical, and Townsend won a Tony Award for Best Score, sharing the award in a tie with musical legends John Kander and Fred Ebb. Pinball Wizard ends the first act of the show. Three actors of different ages play Tommy Walker. Look it up. There are several videos on TH-cam of the original production, including the Tony Awards telecast segment.
Such a great song! I got to see The Who do Tommy when they were touring to support the album when I was in high school. Such a great concert and great memory!
Love how you react and flow through your channel! Awesome job! Always look forward to your next reaction! I get excited to channels playing music from my generation! Glad you appreciate the music as so many of us old folks do!
One of the greatest bands ever. So many fantastic songs. If you haven't seen it I recommend watching them having fun in the studio on the video of "Who Are You".
I saw the stage musical Tommy in Seattle at the Moore Theater (famous as the venue for all the grunge bands in the early 90’s) around 1972. It was quite an evening.
Watching you react to this for the first time brings back all the JOY! ...as well as the anticipation of a longer recording... My older bro had the album, and man, I played the Hades out of the whole thing!
Rock operas were big, and big on my list, in the 70s. The Who won me over with the Pinball Wizard. I have seen that you recognize good music, and I really enjoyed your reaction to Tommy. For me, it was a welcome bit of nostalgia as well. I will never forget the album. Thank you for putting this through the polls!
Elton John does this song too and its much more exciting, Elton was in the movie with them and appeared on stage sometimes to do the song and another song with them! Check it out or even better watch the movie, its grreat and sad at the same time but a happy ending!
Probably the Whos most famous song.I was a huge pinball fan staarted plaaying them in the 50s and won lots of tornaments and seeing as the Who are my favorite rock band this song was special to me and stillis. In fact so is the whole album. The song makes even more sense when listned to in context. Un fortunately Tommy is running 2nd in the poll again. IM dying to see you react to the entire masterpiece
I've only seen it once, but Tommy is one of the creepiest movies ever made. I remember specifically an indoor pool scene that still haunts me. The pool had a rolling hard cover that covered it up at the push of a button, thereby trapping the waterrrrr under it. Hmmm creepy scene.
Somewhere, a lot later, Townshen said he'd put ''Behind Blues Eyes' as one of his top three. It is very different from Pinball, but you can get his point. He was - is - a lyricist and composer, which is important to him. And a showman, ot course.
I don't comment on a lot of reaction videos. I'm pretty new to this. But I have to say, I love watching you listen to music. You read the history of the songs. Get to know the artist's names. You have a love of music that is obvious. Even to a deaf, dumb & blind kid. As for this song, shortly after it came out the restaurant I worked at got in a Tommy pinball machine! My friends and I played that machine until we'd spent all our tip money. So excited when the movie came out. No idea if anyone has told you but Pete Townsend was NOT happy they casted Roger Daltrey in the role. We thought he was the perfect choice. Keep rockin' ✌💖😁
I’m one of the people who prefers the Elton John version over the original, likely because I heard it first and had the movie soundtrack before I got the Who’s album. But I still love The Who’s Tommy.
It is as magical a tune from this classic story telling operatic rock album. You will eat this album alive!Sometimes musical geniuses are their own worded critics. It is one of the best story telling albums of all time ! Even though Quadraphenia has some incredibly memorable songs on it this songs seem to be much more cohesive!
*TOMMY* movie all star cast: Roger Daltrey - Tommy (the deaf, dumb and blind kid) Elton John - the Pinball Wizard Ann Margret - Tommy’s mother Tina Turner - the Acid Queen Eric Clapton - the Preacher Jack Nicholson - the Doctor and so many more…hurry…HURRY… *HURRY*
When I was in pharmacy school, I had 2 fifth year students as roommates one semester. I was second year. I also worked with one of them as a pharmacy technician and his nickname was pinball wizard. He was mostly deaf, and just sweated all the time, which I could relate to because I do too. His first name is Tom. I hope he is well. ❤️❤️❤️
Sometimes doing a cover it’s like what were you thinking in the case of Elton John‘s cover it’s really good I mean really really good. Don’t take a vote. Just listen to Elton John‘s version. You will not be disappointed.
If I remember correctly, this was the first Who song I'd heard, and I must've not even been 10 (in 1980). I liked it a lot straight away 😊 I did eventually discover that they have even _better_ ones 😁 'Substitute' is one of my Who favourites 😀👍
“Chaotic and clumsy” I suppose could summarize the outro… in the last few seconds the instrumentals seem to go off-key and out of time from one another, though I’m sure that’s entirely intentional.
To hear Tommy and Jagged Little Pill in the same sentence is just crazy. Tommy is an epic and incredible rock opera that sets the bar in the prog rock genre. Jagged is a good album, albeit a bit whiney and narcissistic. I cant frickin wait for Tommy and this song is a good choice for a one off. One vote, what the hell is wrong with half of you?
Please watch quadrophenia the film and tommy also has a film Roger Daltrey plays tommy .my favourite is quadrophenia. It brought the music to a new in the audience in the 70s.
I think you'd enjoy doing the comparison reaction to Elton John's version... it too has a good video and his version is fairly true to this one... definitely worth the comparison...
HEY SALVO! 😊YOU SHOULD DO ( ELTON'S ) VERSION, IT'S MUCH BETTER AND MUCH MORE ROCK STYLE OF COURSE WITH ELTON SLAMMING THOSE KEYS! 💯AND AFTERALL ELTON IS THE PINBALL WIZARD 😊 IT'S ON HIS GREATEST HITS VOL 2 👍
I think they messed up one lyric, it's supposed to be "body table king", not bally. Outside of the Stones and Kinks, this band rules as far as longevity. Seems like they've been around for about 90 years.
You will not ruin it listening to some of the best songs, but at some time listen to a 3 albums start to finish. You will have to amerce yourself in the story of the lyrics. I burnt through 3 8-tracks in my car and still own the original 3 album set.
You're OK listening to "Pinball Wizard" alone. This song was played on the radio when "Tommy" came out so, for a lot of us, we heard this song long before we could spring for the album.
Most of us at the time heard this song on the radio before we heard the album, so you're not committing any sort of error of etiquette by listening to it now,. 🙂 When a movie was made of Tommy the rock opera, Elton John played the Pinball Champion that is the narrator in this song, and his recording of it for the movie is what you saw referenced before starting the music.
Played a LOT of pinball growing up. My grandmother bought me a Pinball Wizard t-shirt not knowing it was a song. Even when video games came on the scene, I stuck with pinball. Love the song, but when watching "Tommy", it was a whole new experience. Watching Elton John play pinball in 7 1/2" platform shoes was a nice touch.
The group's 1969 concept rock opera album "Tommy" included this single "Pinball Wizard". A film was made based on the "Tommy" album in 1975 & Elton John sings "Pinball Wizard" in the film. The Who have so many great songs such as "I Can't Explain", "The Kids Are Alright", "My Generation", "Substitute", "Happy Jack", "I Can See For Miles", "Behind Blue Eyes", "Boris The Spider", "Pictures Of Lily", "Magic Bus", "Who Are You" etc.
You dare to put "Baba O'Riley" as an etc? Harrumph - turn in your Who fan club card, inexcusable.
You need to see how this song fits into the Rock Opera. That Album was a masterpiece that has never been duplicated. One of the last times they played the entire opera live was right here in Albany N.Y, I was there and will never forget.
You really need to check out My Generation from their Live at Leeds album. One of the most EPIC live performances ever and for some reason flies under the radar of most. RAW and POWERFUL!!!
Outstanding! The video with Elton John tho, well worth 3 minutes of your time. Ooooft!
I linked it. I hope Salvo sees it.
I hope he sees it too. It is a highlight of the movie. @@jodij6280
He’s deaf, dumb, and blind, Tommy. Hence the plays by smell. Classic song and track by the amazing Who.
And it ends like that, because the album goes on! You’ll love the whole thing when you get to it. ❤️🎶
This is the single version. The album version and the movie soundtrack version (sung by Elton John) conclude differently. There's also a stage musical version that is quite good.
Such a great opening to any tune. The Who were part of my musical up-bringing.
Towser found out one of the money men at the original record company exec's was a big pinball fan. The Who needed an influx of cash to finish the album so he went home wrote Pinball Wizard in one night and presented the song in rough form and wound up incorporating the song into the story. The rest is Rock and Roll history
They are actually bringing the musical this album inspired to Broadway next season.
I saw it many years ago when it was first on Broadway. Good times.
Great reaction! You make it fun to hear these songs again! Thank you for bringing back great memories for those of us who were teenagers and saw the movie when it came out!
Tommy was made into a film, as others have said. In the 1990s, however, Pete Townsend turned the album into a fully staged Broadway musical, and Townsend won a Tony Award for Best Score, sharing the award in a tie with musical legends John Kander and Fred Ebb. Pinball Wizard ends the first act of the show. Three actors of different ages play Tommy Walker. Look it up. There are several videos on TH-cam of the original production, including the Tony Awards telecast segment.
The term "dumb" has been replaced by the more understandable term "mute", which is the only acceptable term now.
The Who… so many classics for you to cover!
I have seen this rock opera live on stage. ❤
Such a great song! I got to see The Who do Tommy when they were touring to support the album when I was in high school. Such a great concert and great memory!
Love how you react and flow through your channel! Awesome job! Always look forward to your next reaction! I get excited to channels playing music from my generation! Glad you appreciate the music as so many of us old folks do!
One of the greatest bands ever. So many fantastic songs. If you haven't seen it I recommend watching them having fun in the studio on the video of "Who Are You".
" Tommy " the film is a must watch.
I saw the stage musical Tommy in Seattle at the Moore Theater (famous as the venue for all the grunge bands in the early 90’s) around 1972. It was quite an evening.
You definitely should watch Elton’s cover and video!❤ This is definitely a great song!!🎵👍
Thanks for the reaction!❤❤❤
Watching you react to this for the first time brings back all the JOY! ...as well as the anticipation of a longer recording... My older bro had the album, and man, I played the Hades out of the whole thing!
Rock operas were big, and big on my list, in the 70s. The Who won me over with the Pinball Wizard. I have seen that you recognize good music, and I really enjoyed your reaction to Tommy. For me, it was a welcome bit of nostalgia as well. I will never forget the album. Thank you for putting this through the polls!
You need to watch Elton John’s performance from the movie Tommy
Elton John was great in Tommy. His version of the song is also a classic.
Elton John does this song too and its much more exciting, Elton was in the movie with them and appeared on stage sometimes to do the song and another song with them! Check it out or even better watch the movie, its grreat and sad at the same time but a happy ending!
Elton John was great in Tommy. His version is also a classic.
Probably the Whos most famous song.I was a huge pinball fan staarted plaaying them in the 50s and won lots of tornaments and seeing as the Who are my favorite rock band this song was special to me and stillis. In fact so is the whole album. The song makes even more sense when listned to in context. Un fortunately Tommy is running 2nd in the poll again. IM dying to see you react to the entire masterpiece
Yep. Classic fun song. Right up there with Uriah Heep "The Wizard" for kick@ss songs about wizards. Great fun playing pinball.
I've only seen it once, but Tommy is one of the creepiest movies ever made. I remember specifically an indoor pool scene that still haunts me. The pool had a rolling hard cover that covered it up at the push of a button, thereby trapping the waterrrrr under it. Hmmm creepy scene.
I remember the white scene with the chocolate..
B7, B7m, B7, B7m, A7, A7m.... This song is a forearm killer, but is a lot of fun to play.
This album is fantastic.
Somewhere, a lot later, Townshen said he'd put ''Behind Blues Eyes' as one of his top three. It is very different from Pinball, but you can get his point. He was - is - a lyricist and composer, which is important to him.
And a showman, ot course.
I don't comment on a lot of reaction videos. I'm pretty new to this. But I have to say, I love watching you listen to music. You read the history of the songs. Get to know the artist's names. You have a love of music that is obvious. Even to a deaf, dumb & blind kid.
As for this song, shortly after it came out the restaurant I worked at got in a Tommy pinball machine! My friends and I played that machine until we'd spent all our tip money. So excited when the movie came out. No idea if anyone has told you but Pete Townsend was NOT happy they casted Roger Daltrey in the role. We thought he was the perfect choice. Keep rockin' ✌💖😁
I’m one of the people who prefers the Elton John version over the original, likely because I heard it first and had the movie soundtrack before I got the Who’s album. But I still love The Who’s Tommy.
It is as magical a tune from this classic story telling operatic rock album. You will eat this album alive!Sometimes musical geniuses are their own worded critics. It is one of the best story telling albums of all time ! Even though Quadraphenia has some incredibly memorable songs on it this songs seem to be much more cohesive!
*TOMMY* movie all star cast:
Roger Daltrey - Tommy (the deaf, dumb and blind kid)
Elton John - the Pinball Wizard
Ann Margret - Tommy’s mother
Tina Turner - the Acid Queen
Eric Clapton - the Preacher
Jack Nicholson - the Doctor
and so many more…hurry…HURRY… *HURRY*
You've got to listen to the soundtrack album as well, it's got Eric Clapton, Tina turner, Elton john and even Jack Nicholson sings a song
When I was in pharmacy school, I had 2 fifth year students as roommates one semester. I was second year. I also worked with one of them as a pharmacy technician and his nickname was pinball wizard. He was mostly deaf, and just sweated all the time, which I could relate to because I do too.
His first name is Tom.
I hope he is well. ❤️❤️❤️
Back when music was joyous and fun.
Tommy was one of the first five albums I bought, 40 years ago.
I can't tell you how much I miss pinball as an entertainment. Nothing like it on earth. This song always takes me back to those happy hours...
The Who version is great. But for me I like the Elton John version better. It just sounds better to me.
Agree 100%. Totally different sound.
Every time I got the cd of Tommy someone would borrow it to listen to. I would never get it back!
Right hand is flying and inspired many to grab a 12-string and rip this song best we could
Gotta see the movie! It's not great, but it's entertaining. Elton John, Eric Clapton, Jack Nicholson, Tina Turner, Ann-Margaret, and more all appear.
Acid Queen by Tina Turner, and Eyesight to the Blind by Eric Clapton from the Tommy Film Soundtrack!
If I remember this album has two versions of this song on it....I could be miss remembering,I am old.......
I play two albums on Christmas day, the complete Handel's Messiah and Tommy by The Who.
Habits die hard. LOL
Awesome video for this song!
Elton John sure plays a mean cover song!
I see what you did there. 😂
Patty LaBelle as The Acid Queen is highly recommended 👌
From same rock opera.
Sometimes doing a cover it’s like what were you thinking in the case of Elton John‘s cover it’s really good I mean really really good. Don’t take a vote. Just listen to Elton John‘s version. You will not be disappointed.
You really need to watch Elton John's version in the film of the rock opera Tommy - in fact watch the whole film; I think you'll love it!!!!
I saw the movie when it came out and was disappointed
Concept album...Spartacus, by Triumvirate
If I remember correctly, this was the first Who song I'd heard, and I must've not even been 10 (in 1980). I liked it a lot straight away 😊
I did eventually discover that they have even _better_ ones 😁
'Substitute' is one of my Who favourites
😀👍
Excellent vid. Thx ✌🏻
“Chaotic and clumsy” I suppose could summarize the outro… in the last few seconds the instrumentals seem to go off-key and out of time from one another, though I’m sure that’s entirely intentional.
Same album, you gotta do AMAZING JOURNEY/SPARKS. Their version from LIVE AT LEEDS is legendary as is Keith's drumming on both albums.
Pete wrote two rock operas Tommy and Quadrophenia. Both are really good but I give the nod to Quadrophenia, it rocks a little harder.
This is such a great song....
You should watch Tommy, Elton John's version is so much better.
I prefer _this_ version, but I must admit that Tina Turner's one of 'Acid Queen' beats the original by far 🙂
Elton John's version got a ton more radio play (at least where I grew up in the NY/NJ metro area).
@@neonpark1874 In L.A. too.
My favorite Who song
Pete Townshend is his own biggest critic
It’s a case of you listen to the album as a whole. I could hear the next song within a note
To hear Tommy and Jagged Little Pill in the same sentence is just crazy. Tommy is an epic and incredible rock opera that sets the bar in the prog rock genre. Jagged is a good album, albeit a bit whiney and narcissistic. I cant frickin wait for Tommy and this song is a good choice for a one off. One vote, what the hell is wrong with half of you?
The only bad thing about this song is its so short!
Please watch quadrophenia the film and tommy also has a film Roger Daltrey plays tommy .my favourite is quadrophenia. It brought the music to a new in the audience in the 70s.
I think you'd enjoy doing the comparison reaction to Elton John's version... it too has a good video and his version is fairly true to this one... definitely worth the comparison...
HEY SALVO! 😊YOU SHOULD DO ( ELTON'S ) VERSION, IT'S MUCH BETTER AND MUCH MORE ROCK STYLE OF COURSE WITH ELTON SLAMMING THOSE KEYS! 💯AND AFTERALL ELTON IS THE PINBALL WIZARD 😊 IT'S ON HIS GREATEST HITS VOL 2 👍
You are so right
sorry, accidentally hit unlike. fixed it. those like/unlike bars can be tricky. public service announcement. 😏love your reactions!
I think they messed up one lyric, it's supposed to be "body table king", not bally. Outside of the Stones and Kinks, this band rules as far as longevity. Seems like they've been around for about 90 years.
Still waiting on "WHO ARE YOU" reaction.
I think we are our own worst critics - re: Pete Townsend.
I know it's a random recommendation, but I think you would really like Green-Eyed Lady by Sugarloaf.
☮️💙💙💙🔥😎
Elton John version is badass.
Quadrophenia, please.
Please listen to The Devil Went Down to Georgia by Charlie Daniels Band!
Light a candle and listen to Tommy it will set you free. Then watch the movie Almost Famous to understand why.
You should react to the movie TOMMY!
That's "The WHO"... Now listen to "Behind Blue Eyes".
IMO "Quadrophenia" is a superior album than "Tommy" but I get why people really like it.
You will not ruin it listening to some of the best songs, but at some time listen to a 3 albums start to finish. You will have to amerce yourself in the story of the lyrics. I burnt through 3 8-tracks in my car and still own the original 3 album set.
At least watch the Elton John version. It's way better to me
❤
Agreed.
Now do Elton’s cover of Pinball Wizard. Better than the original.
Watch the movie Tommy, you will love it. Elton Johns version is better, much better.
Absolutely
jfc, alanis morisette beat out The Who?
It's not that easy, I played with earplugs and a blindfold on acid... let's just say it did not go too well
LISTEN to ALL of Quadrophenia. Then, cherry pick, or react to the four sides of the LP.
You have to watch the video from the movie, or it just doesn't make as much sense.