Pete Townshend's Prophesy Prevails

The Who were one of the great Arena Rock bands during the 70s. Yes, I know they were around in the prior decade, and continued into the 80s, but the 70s were their glory days, IMHO. I mean, what could top "Who's Next" and "Quadrophenia."

"Won't Get Fooled Again," from "Who's Next," was no doubt the most popular tune that Pete and the boys ever performed, for many reasons. But the lyrics, which many of us had a hard time fully understanding (a problem with many Who tunes, such as "5:15"), turned out to be eerily prophetic in the decade before Reagan and the great Backlash. While everyone was celebrating the Age of Aquarius and Consciousness III (gag!), Roger Daltery was reminding us that, on a fundamental level, nothing had really changed.

We'll be fighting in the streets

With our children at our feet

And the morals that they worship will be gone

And the men who spurred us on

Sit in judgment of all wrong

They decide and the shotgun sings the song



I'll tip my hat to the new constitution

Take a bow for the new revolution

Smile and grin at the change all around

Pick up my guitar and play

Just like yesterday

Then I'll get on my knees and pray

We don't get fooled again



The change, it had to come

We knew it all along

We were liberated from the fold, that's all

And the world looks just the same

And history ain't changed

'Cause the banners, they are flown in the next war



I'll tip my hat to the new constitution

Take a bow for the new revolution

Smile and grin at the change all around

Pick up my guitar and play

Just like yesterday

Then I'll get on my knees and pray

We don't get fooled again

No, no!



I'll move myself and my family aside

If we happen to be left half alive

I'll get all my papers and smile at the sky

Though I know that the hypnotized never lie

Do ya?



There's nothing in the streets

Looks any different to me

And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye

And the parting on the left

Are now parting on the right

And the beards have all grown longer overnight



I'll tip my hat to the new constitution

Take a bow for the new revolution

Smile and grin at the change all around

Pick up my guitar and play

Just like yesterday

Then I'll get on my knees and pray

We don't get fooled again

Don't get fooled again

No, no!



Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!



Meet the new boss

Same as the old boss