Odorono

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"Odorono"
Song by The Who
from the album The Who Sell Out
Released15 December 1967
Recorded11 October 1967
Studio IBC
Genre Art pop
Length2:16
Label Track
Songwriter(s) Pete Townshend
Producer(s) Kit Lambert

"Odorono" is a song written by Pete Townshend that was first released by English rock band The Who on their 1967 album The Who Sell Out . Townshend sings the lead vocal rather than usual Who lead singer Roger Daltrey. [1] The song praises the virtues of an actual American deodorant named Odorono, branded by Edna Murphey. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Lyrics and music

The concept behind The Who Sell Out was to make the album sound like a pirate radio station, including fake commercials between the songs. [5] "Odorono" fitted with the concept by being a phony commercial for a brand of underarm deodorant, but it is also a substantial song in its own right. [1] [6] [7] The lyrics tell the story of a woman singer who has just completed a successful performance and awaits a handsome man named Mr. Davidson to come backstage to congratulate her. [4] [6] [8] In the words of Townshend, "it looks like she's all set, not only for stardom but also for true love". [6] But when Mr. Davidson bends over to kiss her, her body odour turns him off, ruining her chances at both stardom and love. [3] [4] [6] [8] The song ends with the admonishment that "Her deodorant had let her down / She should have used Odorono". [4] [8]

The song represents the increasing importance of narrative in Townshend's songwriting. [6] Townshend was proud of the song, stating that he "dug" it because "it was a little story, and although I thought it's a good song, it was about something groovy – underarm perspiration." [6] Of the singer's hopes being disappointed, Townshend went on to say: "And you know, without getting too serious about it, because it's supposed to be very light, that's life. It really is. That really is life." [6]

The Mr. Davidson in the song may have referred to Harold Davidson, who was a famous booking agent in London at the time the song was written. [2] Although the song is a fake commercial, a real deodorant product named Odorono once existed. [1] [8] [9]

The Who recorded "Odorono" on 11 October 1967 at IBC Studios. [10] [11] In addition to singing, Townshend plays rhythm guitar on the song. [1] [3]

Critical reception

"Odorono" has been praised for its projection of bittersweet comedy. Rolling Stone said: "The girl who should have used Odorono is obviously meant to be a laugh, but it is bittersweet laughter. The Who have caught the embarrassing reality of it, and reality is the essence of humor." [4] Authors Steve Grantley and Alan Parker comment on the song's "comical lyrics" while noting that it tells "a melancholy story". [3] Author John Atkins calls the music "attractive" and the lyrics "amusing" and "melodramatic". [1] John Dougan calls the song "an insightful critique of the entertainment industry's elevation of style and appearance over talent, as well as a satire of products as salvation" and states that "the song is unexpectedly heartfelt, partly the result of the anguish expressed in Townshend's voice and the story's cinematic quality". [8] Dougan also remarks on "Odorono"'s "narrative arc and character development" and notes that these qualities allow the listener to sympathise with the singer and feel a little annoyed at Mr. Davidson's "insensitivity and superficiality". [8]

Other versions

The mono mix of "Odorono" differs significantly from the stereo mix, including a different lead guitar part. [1] [2]

Petra Haden covered the song on her 2005 album Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out . [12] Acme Rock Group covered the song on their 2001 album Star. [13]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Atkins, J. (2000). The Who on record: a critical history, 1963-1998. McFarland. pp. 93, 98. ISBN   978-0-7864-0609-8.
  2. 1 2 3 Charlesworth, C. (1995). The Complete Guide to the Music of The Who. Omnibus Press. p. 18. ISBN   0-7119-4306-0.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Grantley, S. & Parker, A.G. (2010). The Who by Numbers. Helter Skelter Publishing. p. 49. ISBN   978-1-905139-26-2.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Who Sell Out". Rolling Stone . February 10, 1968. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  5. ↑ Unterberger, R. "The Who Sell Out". Allmusic . Retrieved 2012-01-06.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Marsh, D. (1983). Before I Get Old. St. Martins Press. pp. 279, 282. ISBN   0-312-07155-8.
  7. ↑ Thompson, D. "Backtrack 9". AllMusic . Retrieved 2012-01-06.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Dougan, J. (2006). The Who Sell Out . Continuum. pp.  94–95. ISBN   978-0-8264-1743-5.
  9. ↑ "Cosmetics and Skin: Odorono". cosmeticsandskin.com. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
  10. ↑ Neill, A.; Kent, M.; Daltry, R. & Stamp, C. (2009). Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere: The Complete Chronicle of the Who 1958-1978. Sterling Publishing. p. 124. ISBN   978-1-4027-6691-6.
  11. ↑ Charlesworth, C. "The Who Sell Out Liner Notes". thewho.net. Archived from the original on 2011-12-10. Retrieved 2012-01-07.
  12. ↑ Sendra, T. "Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out". Allmusic . Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  13. ↑ "Star". Allmusic . Retrieved 2011-01-06.
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