The Who – Won’t Get Fooled Again

Remastered Footage of The Who Performing 'Baba O'Riley' and 'Won't Get Fooled Again' in May 1978

About the song

“Won’t Get Fooled Again” is a song by the English rock band The Who, written by guitarist and primary songwriter Pete Townshend. Released in 1971 as a single and as the final track on their album “Who’s Next,” the song has become one of their most iconic and enduring anthems.

Background:

The song was originally conceived as part of Townshend’s ambitious “Lifehouse” project, a multimedia rock opera that was ultimately abandoned due to its complexity and scope. While “Lifehouse” never materialized, several songs written for the project, including “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” found their way onto “Who’s Next.”

The song is known for its powerful instrumentation, featuring Keith Moon’s energetic drumming, John Entwistle’s driving basslines, Roger Daltrey’s passionate vocals, and Townshend’s signature guitar riffs. The song also prominently features a distinctive synthesizer sound, created by Townshend using a Lowrey Berkshire Deluxe TBO-1 organ with a built-in rhythm section.

Themes:

  • Revolution and Disillusionment: The lyrics express a cynical view of revolution and political change, suggesting that new leaders often become just like the old ones they replaced. The song questions the idea that revolutions can bring about genuine progress and warns against blind faith in charismatic figures.

  • The Cycle of Power: The lyrics paint a picture of a cyclical pattern where revolutions lead to new systems of power that eventually become corrupt, leading to further unrest and calls for change. The song suggests that true transformation is difficult to achieve and that societies often fall back into familiar patterns.

  • Skepticism and Questioning Authority: The song encourages listeners to be critical of those in power and not to be easily swayed by promises of change. It emphasizes the importance of independent thinking and challenging the status quo.

Impact and Legacy:

“Won’t Get Fooled Again” has resonated with audiences for decades, thanks to its powerful message and musical energy. The song has been interpreted in various ways, often seen as an anthem for anti-establishment sentiment and a cautionary tale about the dangers of political naivety. It has been covered by numerous artists and featured in various films, television shows, and commercials, further solidifying its place in popular culture.

If you would like to know more about specific aspects of the song, such as its musical structure, lyrics, or critical reception, please let me know.

Video

Lyrics

We’ll be fighting in the streetsWith our children at our feetAnd the morals that they worship will be goneAnd the men who spurred us onSit in judgement of all wrongThey decide and the shotgun sings the song
I’ll tip my hat to the new ConstitutionTake a bow for the new revolutionSmile and grin at the change all aroundPick up my guitar and playJust like yesterdayThen I’ll get on my knees and prayWe don’t get fooled again
A change, it had to comeWe knew it all alongWe were liberated from the fold, that’s allAnd the world looks just the sameAnd history ain’t changed‘Cause the banners, they all flown in the last war
I’ll tip my hat to the new ConstitutionTake a bow for the new revolutionSmile and grin at the change all aroundPick up my guitar and playJust like yesterdayThen I’ll get on my knees and prayWe don’t get fooled again, no, no
I’ll move myself and my family asideIf we happen to be left half-aliveI’ll get all my papers and smile at the skyFor I know that the hypnotized never lie
Do you?
Yeah
There’s nothing in the streetLooks any different to meAnd the slogans are effaced, by-the-byeAnd the parting on the leftIs now parting on the rightAnd the beards have all grown longer overnight
I’ll tip my hat to the new ConstitutionTake a bow for the new revolutionSmile and grin at the change all aroundPick up my guitar and playJust like yesterdayThen I’ll get on my knees and prayWe don’t get fooled againDon’t get fooled again, no, no
YeahMeet the new bossSame as the old boss