This song is based on a day in the life of Pete Townshend. It began with a very long meeting dealing with royalties for his songs: "Eleven hours in the Tin Pan, God, there's got to be another way." The "Tin Pan" he is referring to is "Tin Pan Alley" which is the name given to the collection of New York City-centered music publishers and songwriters who dominated the popular music of the United States. After this excruciating meeting he received a large check for royalties, left and went to a bar and got completely drunk. In that bar he encountered Paul Cook and Steve Jones of The Sex Pistols, who thought very highly of Pete for paving the way for Punk rock music. Townshend was conflicted because he feared The Who had sold out, and seeing The Sex Pistols, who were icons of rebellion, exasperated him even more. Pete left that bar and passed out in a random doorway in Soho (a part of New York). A policeman recognized him ("A policeman knew my name") and being kind, woke him and and told him, "You can go sleep at home tonight (instead of a jail cell), if you can get up and walk away." Pete's response: "Who the f--k are you?"
All correct, except it's set in London not New York. He mentions "I staggered back to the underground" and "I took the tube" - referring to London's Underground subway.
All correct, except it's set in London not New York. He mentions "I staggered back to the underground" and "I took the tube" - referring to London's Underground subway.
We have an area called "Soho" unlike New York's "SoHo".
We have an area called "Soho" unlike New York's "SoHo".
Also, the "Tin Pan Alley" referenced is a nickname we use for parts London's West End (named after the area in NYC) where songs were similarly pedalled.
Also, the "Tin Pan Alley" referenced is a nickname we use for parts London's West End (named after the area in NYC) where songs were similarly pedalled.
This would be London, not New York (Underground and Tube are names for the London subway). There is (was) a 'Tin Pan Alley' in London - Denmark Street - where members of the Sex Pistols lived. Denmark Street is in Soho in London.
This would be London, not New York (Underground and Tube are names for the London subway). There is (was) a 'Tin Pan Alley' in London - Denmark Street - where members of the Sex Pistols lived. Denmark Street is in Soho in London.
I’ll correct you a little more. It was actually in London’s Speakeasy club which was a hang out for music industry people. Steve Jones and Paul Cook from the Pistols were there and because Pete was one of their local heroes from Shepherds Bush, they went to talk to him. He was well oiled and kept saying to them “But who are you?”
I’ll correct you a little more. It was actually in London’s Speakeasy club which was a hang out for music industry people. Steve Jones and Paul Cook from the Pistols were there and because Pete was one of their local heroes from Shepherds Bush, they went to talk to him. He was well oiled and kept saying to them “But who are you?”
From Steve’s autobiography, Lonely Boy. It’s a great book BTW
From Steve’s autobiography, Lonely Boy. It’s a great book BTW
This song is based on a day in the life of Pete Townshend. It began with a very long meeting dealing with royalties for his songs: "Eleven hours in the Tin Pan, God, there's got to be another way." The "Tin Pan" he is referring to is "Tin Pan Alley" which is the name given to the collection of New York City-centered music publishers and songwriters who dominated the popular music of the United States. After this excruciating meeting he received a large check for royalties, left and went to a bar and got completely drunk. In that bar he encountered Paul Cook and Steve Jones of The Sex Pistols, who thought very highly of Pete for paving the way for Punk rock music. Townshend was conflicted because he feared The Who had sold out, and seeing The Sex Pistols, who were icons of rebellion, exasperated him even more. Pete left that bar and passed out in a random doorway in Soho (a part of New York). A policeman recognized him ("A policeman knew my name") and being kind, woke him and and told him, "You can go sleep at home tonight (instead of a jail cell), if you can get up and walk away." Pete's response: "Who the f--k are you?"
All correct, except it's set in London not New York. He mentions "I staggered back to the underground" and "I took the tube" - referring to London's Underground subway.
All correct, except it's set in London not New York. He mentions "I staggered back to the underground" and "I took the tube" - referring to London's Underground subway.
We have an area called "Soho" unlike New York's "SoHo".
We have an area called "Soho" unlike New York's "SoHo".
Also, the "Tin Pan Alley" referenced is a nickname we use for parts London's West End (named after the area in NYC) where songs were similarly pedalled.
Also, the "Tin Pan Alley" referenced is a nickname we use for parts London's West End (named after the area in NYC) where songs were similarly pedalled.
@Conn8 It's set in London
@Conn8 It's set in London
It's London, not New York. Soho was a popular hangout for Mods, the Who was a Mod band throughout the 60's
It's London, not New York. Soho was a popular hangout for Mods, the Who was a Mod band throughout the 60's
Anyone else wanna correct me again?
Anyone else wanna correct me again?
@Conn8 it'th London, thilly!
@Conn8 it'th London, thilly!
@Conn8
@Conn8
You're all wrong. This happened in Mumbai, known as Bombay at the time.
You're all wrong. This happened in Mumbai, known as Bombay at the time.
@Conn8 Thanks!
@Conn8 Thanks!
This would be London, not New York (Underground and Tube are names for the London subway). There is (was) a 'Tin Pan Alley' in London - Denmark Street - where members of the Sex Pistols lived. Denmark Street is in Soho in London.
This would be London, not New York (Underground and Tube are names for the London subway). There is (was) a 'Tin Pan Alley' in London - Denmark Street - where members of the Sex Pistols lived. Denmark Street is in Soho in London.
I’ll correct you a little more. It was actually in London’s Speakeasy club which was a hang out for music industry people. Steve Jones and Paul Cook from the Pistols were there and because Pete was one of their local heroes from Shepherds Bush, they went to talk to him. He was well oiled and kept saying to them “But who are you?”
I’ll correct you a little more. It was actually in London’s Speakeasy club which was a hang out for music industry people. Steve Jones and Paul Cook from the Pistols were there and because Pete was one of their local heroes from Shepherds Bush, they went to talk to him. He was well oiled and kept saying to them “But who are you?”
From Steve’s autobiography, Lonely Boy. It’s a great book BTW
From Steve’s autobiography, Lonely Boy. It’s a great book BTW