The Who » Tracks » Pinball Wizard

The Who – Pinball Wizard (2:52)

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About This Track

“Pinball Wizard” is a song written by Pete Townshend and performed by the English rock band The Who, and featured on their 1969 rock opera Tommy. The original recording was released as a single in 1969 and reached #4 in the UK charts.

The lyrics are written from the perspective of a pinball champion, called “Local Lad” in the Tommy libretto book, astounded by the skills of the opera’s eponymous main character, Tommy Walker: “That deaf, dumb, blind kid sure plays a mean pinball”, and “I thought I was the hobby table king, but I just handed my pinball crown to him.”

Townshend once called it “the most clumsy piece of writing [he’d] ever done”; nevertheless, the song was a gigantic commercial success and one of the most recognized tunes from the opera. It was a perpetual concert favourite for Who fans due to its pop sound and familiarity.
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Albums featuring this track

  • Live From Isle Of Wight
    The Who Play
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  • Who's Greatest Hits
    The Who Play
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  • Who's Last
    The Who Play
    Buy
  • Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970
    The Who Play
    Buy
See all 5 albums

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  • paradrome

    super guitar riffs!!!

    23 days ago

  • Suberu

    :-)

    28 days ago

  • multicolouredb

    All time classic.

    last month

  • heres_mez

    Absolutely love the intro

    last month

  • psycheceri

    I love the story that Pete picked out Pinball solely to impress a journo who was an enthusiast :)

    last month

  • crawlpalmetto

    Absolutely massive.

    last month

  • revolverish

    Good memories, listening to this song while playing the free-play pinball machine at this one store downtown...

    last month

  • Ironsman

    Great intro.

    March 2012

  • machsen

    A handy nickname for an ignorant person - Tommy, because he's deaf, dumb and blind.

    March 2012

  • KISSastrophe

    Awesome song, awesome movie

    February 2012

  • angusjack

    long version,please

    February 2012

  • cherokeegrl

    That deaf dumb & blind kid...sure plays a mean pinball

    January 2012

  • oldiesfanjohn

    Willmill Pete...more willmill,brah

    January 2012

  • pharmman52

    incredible

    January 2012

  • Obmuj

    Class Piece.

    January 2012

  • oldiesfanjohn

    Pete "Get the FUCK off my stage" Townshend!!!

    January 2012

  • MickxJagger

    kgdfnkgjfdm gdf It's live :/ this is my fav song of The Who...

    December 2011

  • cynicalchantal

    Sounds so amazing on my speakers, with the sound distribution and all. Wow. I love it.

    December 2011

  • Balletrocker

    The pinball wizard got such a supple wrist. Love it!

    December 2011

  • rasen-virus

    even on my favorite table he can beat my best <3

    December 2011
See all 309 shouts

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