Slip Kid

Last updated
"Slip Kid"
Slip Kid cover.jpg
Single by the Who
from the album The Who by Numbers
B-side "Dreaming from the Waist"
ReleasedAugust 1976 (US)
Length4:32
Label Polydor (UK)
MCA (US)
Songwriter(s) Pete Townshend
Producer(s) Glyn Johns
The Who singles chronology
"Squeeze Box"
(1975)		"Slip Kid"
(1976)		"Who Are You"
(1978)
The Who by Numbers track listing
10 tracks
Side one
  1. "Slip Kid"
  2. "However Much I Booze"
  3. "Squeeze Box"
  4. "Dreaming from the Waist"
  5. "Imagine a Man"
Side two
  1. "Success Story"
  2. "They Are All in Love"
  3. "Blue, Red and Grey"
  4. "How Many Friends"
  5. "In a Hand or a Face"

"Slip Kid" is a song from the Who's seventh album, The Who by Numbers . Written originally for Pete Townshend's shelved Lifehouse rock opera, "Slip Kid" was revived in 1975. The song was originally written as a warning about the music business, though Townshend has pointed out the song's relevance in different contexts. The song was released as a single in the US, backed by "Dreaming from the Waist", but failed to chart. [1]

Contents

"Slip Kid" has since seen praise from critics, appearing on lists of the best Who songs and often being described as underrated. It has appeared on multiple compilation albums since its release and has been performed live intermittently throughout the Who's touring career, including an unrehearsed performance in 2016.

Background

"Slip Kid," like many other tracks released by The Who in the 1970s, was originally to be included in Pete Townshend's shelved Lifehouse rock opera. However, when The Who by Numbers was being created, the song was resurrected to be used in the album. A demo of this song was included on Lifehouse Chronicles .

Pete Townshend wrote "Slip Kid" as a warning about the music industry; he explained, "'Slip Kid' came across as a warning to young kids getting into music that it would hurt them — it was almost parental in its assumed wisdom." [2] [3] In 2015, Townshend reflected on the song's continued relevance, saying, "You could put it into the voice of some young Islamic student who decides to go fight in Syria and ends up in ISIS being forced to chop people’s heads off, and it would fit". [4]

Music and lyrics

It starts off with time signature 4/4 syncopated beat with drum and muted cowbell percussion. Pete Townshend counting, "one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight." After the counting, Pete Townshend's guitar comes in. The song starts with a shuffle rhythm. [5] The music has a danceable salsa beat and includes an uncharacteristic one-note guitar solo played by Pete Townshend. [1] Nicky Hopkins plays piano on the song. [1] [5] [6] Townshend and Roger Daltrey alternate vocal lines. [5]

The lyrics are a complaint about how it is impossible to avoid responsibility. [1] Author Chris Charlesworth considers the song partially autobiographical, being about "a rock 'n' roll kid who's lost when he grows up." [5] The rebellious teenager of the song learns that "there's no easy way to be free" and that this is true for everyone. [1] [7]

Release and reception

"Slip Kid" was first released on The Who by Numbers in 1975. Following the album's release, "Slip Kid" was released as a follow-up single to "Squeeze Box" in the United States and Canada, backed with "Dreaming from the Waist". The song failed to chart. [3] "Slip Kid" has also appeared on compilation albums such as The Story of The Who (1976), Hooligans (1981), 30 Years of Maximum R&B (1994) and The Who Hits 50! (2014).

Cash Box said that "the chorus has got the same kind of powerful hook as did 'Squeeze Box,'" "the arrangement is...economical, hard driving rock" and there is "nice guitar work." [8] Record World called it "a natural single" and said that "the song finds Daltrey in fine voice and Townshend hitting those windmill chords he made famous." [9] Music critic Robert Christgau considers "Slip Kid" one of the two songs on The Who by Numbers to "break out of the bind" of joylessness he finds on the album. [7] Author John Atkins considers it "a perfect performance that bridges a classical Who song structure with Townshend's revisionist lyrics and hints at a darker mood that becomes more evident as the album progresses." [1] AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine praises the song's "simple power." [10] Rolling Stone named the song the 36th best Who song, while Ultimate Classic Rock ranked the song the 12th best Who song ever, saying, "Easily the most underrated single in the Who's career, 'Slip Kid' is special". [11] [12] Ultimate Classic Rock also ranked the song the most underrated Who song. [13]

Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder turned to the song after the 2000 incident at the Roskilde Festival, saying "There's a line [in the song], 'There's no easy way to be free'. I was thinking, 'I couldn't agree with you more'". [11]

Live history

This was performed live a few times on The Who's European leg of the 1976 tour and also the American leg before being dropped. A small part of this song was played in one of the concerts of the band's 1979 tour, particularly in Buffalo on 4 December 1979. During the second date of their concerts in London in 2008, "Slip Kid" was performed again, for the first time in 32 years. The song was again performed a few times on The Who Hits 50! tour. Townshend reflected at the time, "It's one of those songs I thought I would hate playing because it’s tricky, but I've been really enjoying it. It feels very new". [4]

On 24 March 2016, the Who, performing in Washington, D.C. played an unrehearsed version of "Slip Kid" (first time since May 2015) after Roger Daltrey announced that Pete Townshend would not be able to sing the planned "Eminence Front" due to a throat ailment. Daltrey explained, "Pete can't sing with a voice like that - it'll just do more damage. So we'll have a go at something. We kinda rehearsed it the day before yesterday. It'll be a bit lumpy, It'll be a bit bumpy. But who gives a sh*t. It's rock!" [14]

Personnel

Cover versions

A cover version was featured on the soundtrack album Sons of Anarchy: Songs of Anarchy Vol. 3 , covered by Anvil feat. Franky Perez.

Related Research Articles

<i>The Who by Numbers</i> 1975 studio album by the Who

The Who by Numbers is the seventh studio album by English rock band the Who, released on 3 October 1975 in the United Kingdom through Polydor Records, and on 6 October 1975 in the United States by MCA Records. It was named the tenth-best album of the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll.

<i>Who Are You</i> 1978 studio album by the Who

Who Are You is the eighth studio album by the English rock band the Who, released on 18 August 1978 by Polydor Records in the United Kingdom and on 21 August 1978 by MCA Records in the United States. Although the album received mixed reviews from critics, it was a commercial success, peaking at number 2 on the US charts and number 6 on the UK charts.

Lifehouse is an unfinished science fiction rock opera by the Who intended as a follow-up to Tommy. It was abandoned as a rock opera in favour of creating the traditional rock album Who's Next, though its songs would appear on various albums and singles by the Who, as well as Pete Townshend's solo albums. In 1978, aspects of the Lifehouse project were revisited by the Who on Who Are You. In 2000, Townshend revived the Lifehouse concept with his set Lifehouse Chronicles and the sampler Lifehouse Elements. On 1 May 2007, he released an online software called The Lifehouse Method in which any "sitter" could create a musical "portrait". The site is now defunct. The artwork and design of the box set was undertaken by designer Laurence Sutherland.

<i>Odds & Sods</i> 1974 compilation album by The Who

Odds & Sods is an album of studio outtakes by British rock band the Who. It was released by Track Records in the UK on September 28, 1974, and by Track/MCA in the US on October 12, 1974. Ten of the recordings on the original eleven-song album were previously unreleased. The album reached No. 10 on the UK charts and No. 15 in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Won't Get Fooled Again</span> 1971 single by the Who

"Won't Get Fooled Again" is a song by the English rock band the Who, written by guitarist and primary songwriter Pete Townshend. It was released as a single in June 1971, reaching the top 10 in the UK, while the full eight-and-a-half-minute version appears as the final track on the band's 1971 album Who's Next, released that August. In the US, the single entered Billboard on 17 July, reaching No. 15.

<i>Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970</i> (The Who album) 1996 live album by The Who

Live at the Isle of Wight Festival is a double live album by The Who, recorded at the Isle of Wight Festival on 29 August 1970, and released in 1996. A DVD of the concert was also released for the first time in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Going Mobile</span> Song by The Who

"Going Mobile" is a song written by Pete Townshend and originally released by the Who on their 1971 album Who's Next. It was originally written for Townshend's abandoned Lifehouse project, with lyrics celebrating the joy of having a mobile home and being able to travel the open road. The Who's lead singer Roger Daltrey did not take part in the recording of the song, leaving the rest of the band to record it as a power trio; Townshend handles the lead vocals, guitars, and synthesizers, with John Entwistle on bass guitar and Keith Moon on drums. The song has attracted mixed reviews from music critics. This is one of only two songs on Who's Next not to feature Daltrey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who Are You (The Who song)</span> Song by The Who

"Who Are You" is the title track on the Who's 1978 album, Who Are You, the last album released by the group before Keith Moon's death in September 1978. It was written by Pete Townshend and released as a double-A-sided single with the John Entwistle composition "Had Enough", also featured on the album. The song was one of the band's biggest hits in North America, peaking at number 7 in Canada and at number 14 in the United States, and has become one of the band's signature tunes at their live shows. The piano on the track is played by Rod Argent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Athena (song)</span> Song by The Who

"Athena" is a song written by Pete Townshend and recorded by The Who. It appears as the first track on the group's tenth album It's Hard, released in 1982. Written for actress Theresa Russell, the song was the first single from It's Hard. The single was a moderate success, entering US Billboard on 4 September, reaching No. 28 and the UK Singles Charts on 2 October, reaching No. 40.

"The Song Is Over" is a song by the English rock band the Who, appearing on Who's Next. It was originally to be the ending song on Lifehouse. It takes place after the police invade the Lifehouse Theatre and the concert goers disappear.

"Getting in Tune" is a song written by Pete Townshend and originally released by the Who on their 1971 album Who's Next. It was originally written as part of Townshend's abandoned Lifehouse project. Its lyrics describe the power of music, as well as reflect the inner contradictions Townshend was feeling at the time between his spiritual needs and his persona as a rock star. The music incorporates a number of changes in tempo and has been praised by critics for its use of dynamics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Free (The Who song)</span> 1969 single by the Who

"I'm Free" is a song written by Pete Townshend and performed by the Who on the album Tommy. The song has since been released as a single, becoming one of the best known tracks from Tommy.

"Love Ain't for Keeping" is a song written by Pete Townshend and originally released by the Who on their 1971 album Who's Next. Its themes include the joy of physical love, the power of nature and the need to live for the moment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Let Go the Coat</span> 1981 single by the Who

"Don't Let Go the Coat" is a song written by Pete Townshend and first released on The Who's 1981 album Face Dances.

"Bargain" is a song written by Pete Townshend that was first released by the Who on their 1971 album Who's Next. It is a love song, although the intended subject of the song is God rather than a woman. The song has been included on several compilation and live albums. It was also included on several of Townshend's solo projects. Critics have praised the song's lyricism and power, as well as the performance of the band on the song. Townshend acknowledged during the Who's concert at the Prudential Center in Newark on 19 March 2016 that this is his favorite song on the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Join Together (The Who song)</span> 1972 single by the Who

"Join Together" is a song by British rock band the Who, first released as a non-album single in June 1972. The song has since been performed live multiple times and has appeared on numerous compilation albums. It was the last Who single to be released in the United States which used the Decca Records color bar label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreaming from the Waist</span> 1976 single by the Who

"Dreaming from the Waist" is a song by the Who, written by Pete Townshend and released on the group's 1975 album The Who by Numbers ; it also served as the B-side of the "Slip Kid" single, released in 1976 in the United States. The track's lyrics deal with sexual frustration and the restlessness associated with getting older, while the music features a bass solo from John Entwistle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trick of the Light (The Who song)</span> 1978 single by The Who

"Trick of the Light" is a song written by bassist John Entwistle for The Who's eighth studio album, Who Are You. It was released as the second single from the album, atypically with another Entwistle song, "905" on the B-side, but did not chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Relay (song)</span> 1972 single by the Who

"Relay" is a song written by Pete Townshend, the guitarist of the Who, for the band's aborted Lifehouse project. The song was also released as a moderately successful single in 1972. It was also the last non-album single by the Who until "Real Good Looking Boy", 32 years later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's Hard (song)</span> 1982 single by The Who

"It's Hard" is a song written by Pete Townshend that featured on British rock band The Who's tenth album, It's Hard, of which it was the title track. It was released as the third and final vinyl single from the album in 1983, backed with the John Entwistle written song "Dangerous", but failed to chart, although it reached number 39 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks. This would become the last Who single of new material until "Real Good Looking Boy" in 2004, and the last album single by them until "Black Widow's Eyes", two years later.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Atkins, J. (2000). The Who on Record: A Critical History, 1963-1998. McFarland. pp. 222–223, 228. ISBN   9780786406098.
  2. ↑ Wilkerson, M. (2006). Amazing Journey: The Life of Pete Townshend. Lulu. p. 240. ISBN   9781411677005.
  3. 1 2 "The Hypertext Who : Liner Notes : The Who By Numbers". Thewho.net. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  4. 1 2 Greene, Andy (7 May 2015). "Who's Done? Pete Townshend's Ambivalent Farewell". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Charlesworth, C. (1995). The Complete Guide to the Music of The Who. Omnibus Press. p. 69. ISBN   0711943060.
  6. ↑ Rosen, S. The Who - Uncensored on The Record. Coda Books. ISBN   9781908538833.
  7. 1 2 Christgau, R. (1990). Rock Albums Of The 70s: A Critical Guide. Da Capo Press. p. 420. ISBN   9780306804090.
  8. ↑ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. August 21, 1976. p. 16. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
  9. ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. August 21, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  10. ↑ Erlewine, S.T. "The Who by Numbers". Allmusic . Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  11. 1 2 Browne, David; Fricke, David; Dolan, Jon; Grow, Kory; Gehr, Richard; Greene, Andy; Hermes, Will. "The Who's 50 Greatest Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  12. ↑ "All 245 Who Songs Ranked Worst to Best". Ultimate Classic Rock. 10 October 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  13. ↑ Wawzenek, Bryan (26 May 2014). "Top 10 Underrated Who Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  14. ↑ Rheubottom, Robert. "Watch: The Who performs live rarity 'Slip Kid' in Washington". AXS. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.