Ball and Chain (The Who song)

"Ball and Chain"
Single by The Who
from the album Who
Released	13 September 2019
Recorded	2019
Genre	Blues rock
Length	4:29
Label	Polydor
Songwriter	Pete Townshend
The Who singles chronology
"Be Lucky" (2014) "Ball and Chain" (2019) "All This Music Must Fade" (2019)

"Ball and Chain" is a song written by Pete Townshend and performed by the British rock band the Who, appearing as the second track on their 2019 album Who . ^[1] The song is a re-recording of a Townshend solo song called "Guantanamo", which was released on his 2015 compilation album Truancy: The Very Best of Pete Townshend . ^[2]

The song was the lead single released from Who, and was one of three singles that promoted the album. It is about the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba. ^{[3] [4]}

The song is a blues rock track led by Townshend's acoustic guitar, and it is sung by lead vocalist Roger Daltrey. ^[5] The song was debuted at the band's concert at London's Wembley Stadium on 6 July 2019, though at that time its title was "Big Cigars". ^[6]

References

1. "WHO - The Who | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 1 June 2021.
2. "Truancy: The Best of Pete Townshend - Pete Townshend | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 1 June 2021.
3. Cook-Wilson, Winston (13 September 2019). "The Who Detail New Album Who, Release "Ball and Chain"". Spin . Retrieved 17 November 2019.
4. Zemler, Emily (13 September 2019). "The Who Preview New Album 'WHO' With Single 'Ball and Chain'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 17 November 2019.
5. Divita, Joe (13 September 2019). "The Who Debut New Song 'Ball and Chain' + Share New Album Details". Loudwire . Retrieved 17 November 2019.
6. "The Who Releasing New Album 'Who' On 11/22 - Share 'Ball and Chain'". Glidemagazine.com. 13 September 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2019.