Distinguishing between two groups, as the song so rigidly does, magnifies differences, conflict and contrast. The angst chant touts a possessiveness of its generation its repeated line of “my generation” could more accurately be heard as, “mine, not yours”. The song was never assumed to become a generational anthem, but acted more as a telling diary entry of what it meant to be young and misunderstood. However, since the song’s 1965 debut, youthful misunderstood-generations have been blasting “My Generation” on their records, 8-tracks, CD’s, iPods, and playlists ever since. True to the nature and beauty of rock ‘n’ roll, the song wasn’t written to camouflage its message behind flowery metaphors it was written simplistically which is where most of its magic lives. Understanding the power and unwavering pertinence of the song My Generation requires a look at the depth of its message and discussing the legacy it continues to inherit, generation to generation.Īt first glance, analyzing the lyrics to one of the Who’s most popular songs seems like a simple task after all, the phrase “my generation” is repeated more than 40 times during the song’s duration of a little over three minutes. The classic has been covered many times by a number of popular rock outfits, including Green Day, Patti Smith, Oasis, and Iron Maiden, which shows the song’s ability to mature without losing relevance. This isn’t a song that captures the imagination or is revered for its complexity, but it is a song that finds relevance more than 50 years after its debut. On the album, exactly at its middle, sits a song that many have named one of the most important classic rock songs of our time, titled after its record, “My Generation”. Finally, in December 1965, their talent is pressed into glossy, black vinyl and released with the title, “My Generation” in the U.K. For now, the Who, then called The High Numbers, struggle to create enough original material to cut their first LP. Perhaps, someday they will even dabble in pyrotechnics, but this is still some time before performing live on television. Under different leadership, they suffer a brief stint as a “mod” rock group in which members, Pete Townshend and Keith Moon, become so frustrated they practice a soon to be Who-ritual of smashing their musical instruments to bits on stage. It’s the early 1960’s somewhere in west London, and the legendary rock band, the Who, are still trying to find their legs. ![]() ![]() Photo: By Jean-Luc (originally posted to Flickr as Rog and Pete), via Wikimedia Commons A Rock Band is Born
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