The Who — The Real Me
Album: QuadropheniaAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 3191
Length: 3:18
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Can you see the real me?
Can ya?
Can ya?
I went back to the doctor
To get another shrink
I sit and tell him 'bout my weekend
But he never betrays what he thinks
Can you see the real me, doctor?
Doctor?
Can you see the real me, doctor?
Woah, Doctor
I went back to my mother
I said, "I'm crazy ma, help me"
She said, "I know how it feels, son
'Cause it runs in the family"
Can you see the real me, mama?
Mama?
Can you see the real me, mama?
Woah, Mama
Can you see
Can you see
Can you see the real me?
Can you see
Can you see the real me?
The real me
The real me
The cracks between the paving stones
Look like rivers of flowing rain
Strange people who know me
Peeping from behind every window pane
The girl I used to love
Lives in this yellow house
Yesterday, she passed me by
She doesn't wanna know me now
Can you see the real me?
Can ya?
Can ya?
Can you see the real me?
Can ya?
Woah, yeah
I ended up with a preacher
Full of lies and hate
I seemed to scare him a little
So he showed me to the golden gate
Can you see the real me, preacher?
Preacher?
Can you see the real me, preacher?
Preacher?
Can you see
Can you see
Can you see
Woah
Can you see the real me, Doctor?
Can you see the real me, Ma?
Can you see the real me?
Can ya?
Can ya?
I went back to the doctor
To get another shrink
I sit and tell him 'bout my weekend
But he never betrays what he thinks
Can you see the real me, doctor?
Doctor?
Can you see the real me, doctor?
Woah, Doctor
I went back to my mother
I said, "I'm crazy ma, help me"
She said, "I know how it feels, son
'Cause it runs in the family"
Can you see the real me, mama?
Mama?
Can you see the real me, mama?
Woah, Mama
Can you see
Can you see
Can you see the real me?
Can you see
Can you see the real me?
The real me
The real me
The cracks between the paving stones
Look like rivers of flowing rain
Strange people who know me
Peeping from behind every window pane
The girl I used to love
Lives in this yellow house
Yesterday, she passed me by
She doesn't wanna know me now
Can you see the real me?
Can ya?
Can ya?
Can you see the real me?
Can ya?
Woah, yeah
I ended up with a preacher
Full of lies and hate
I seemed to scare him a little
So he showed me to the golden gate
Can you see the real me, preacher?
Preacher?
Can you see the real me, preacher?
Preacher?
Can you see
Can you see
Can you see
Woah
Can you see the real me, Doctor?
Can you see the real me, Ma?
Can you see the real me?
Comments (373)add comment
Saw this tour!!! OMG!! The old Boston Garden!! Unbelievable album!! Thanks Bill!!
THAT bass line energizes me EVERY - SINGLE - TIME. Well the drums too and...and....incredible classic.
Totally got into the Who in the late 70s/80s because was starting to hate pop US rock
Who are they...Legendary!
While living in the UK in 1982, friends and I went to Brimingham to see the Who. A great concert.
An amazing showcase of all the members of the band. Jon Entwistle's bass playing is god like!
eyke wrote:
best album ever.
Thank you BillG for reminding me that I have taken my CDs out of storage. Excuse me whilst I listen to the original album set again for the first time. Now with upgraded sound! 
best album ever.
Chills
joeyudin wrote:
Most of Entwhistle's bass lines were among the best ever.
One of the best bass lines in a rock song ever.
Most of Entwhistle's bass lines were among the best ever.
One of the best bass lines in a rock song ever.
More songs from who, please.
The two high tempo rock sides of the vinyl albums are some of my favorite kick ass rock in roll.
Thank you BillG for reminding me that I have taken my CDs out of storage. Excuse me whilst I listen to the original album set again for the first time. Now with upgraded sound!
Iconic!!!
Listen to the bass. It's talking,
It's saying: "RnR is fun. Come on and let's play."
It's saying: "RnR is fun. Come on and let's play."
Excellent!
Jelani wrote:
I hope this was sarcasm.
It was Latin for "Boy the Ox plays the crap outa his bass on this one."
I hope this was sarcasm.
It was Latin for "Boy the Ox plays the crap outa his bass on this one."
keith moon: best rnr drummer ever
he must have had a 3rd arm, no other way to explain it
he must have had a 3rd arm, no other way to explain it
O M G. What a band!!! THIS is RnR!!
idiot_wind wrote:
I hope this was sarcasm.
That bass player needs to take some lessons.
Too many notes.
I hope this was sarcasm.
Bass and Drums are amazing on this song!
hanssachs wrote:
Seriously? We are surrounded by amazing new artists & music, and are blessed with the internet for easy access to all of it.
So how come there hasn't been anything near as good for the past FORTY YEARS? Dammit I'm old ...
Seriously? We are surrounded by amazing new artists & music, and are blessed with the internet for easy access to all of it.
Southbound followed by the Real Me - two songs from 1973 - different, but both outstanding!
long live Rp!!
long live Rp!!
idiot_wind wrote:
If you ever saw Entwhistle play live, you appreciate his fingers were moving all over the place to hit those notes. Amazing!
That bass player needs to take some lessons.
Too many notes.
Too many notes.
If you ever saw Entwhistle play live, you appreciate his fingers were moving all over the place to hit those notes. Amazing!
idiot_wind wrote:That bass player needs to take some lessons.
Too many notes.
Too many notes.
wooooow
That bass player needs to take some lessons.
Too many notes.
Too many notes.
Entwistle is extraordinary. Ox blood.
This song so captures adolescent frustration it's scary.
One of the best Who songs, great guitar riff, screaming Daltrey vocals, extraordinary bass playing and Moon on drums is brilliant any time.
10 for me 
10 for me
hanssachs wrote:
It's better here and now
... old but (it's) good.- Neil Young-Ride my Llama
So how come there hasn't been anything near as good for the past FORTY YEARS? Dammit I'm old ...
It's better here and now
... old but (it's) good.- Neil Young-Ride my Llama
this is the BUSINESS
Moonie at his best.
I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing in 1973 when a friend brought this to my house fresh from the record store, put it on and we sat in quiet, listening to front and back while coming down from a trip. It was perfect. So long ago...
Nearly 50 years later, and still blown away that a band with a rhythm section such as Entwistle and Moon, with their "fills and runs and rolls" can sound so tight. Remarkable. LOVE IT!
Must be one of the greatest rock and roll songs ever. Hall of Fame stuff! Off the f'ing charts!
John Entwistle at his best!
Slapping the bass!!!
It's the bass that really grabs me on this one...
This track is very good, but like everything The Who has done since “The Who Sell Out” should really be listened to in the context of the entire album.
Definitive rock and roll. Just make this only tune of the Real Me Channel.
The Ox; one of the all-time greats!
doobes wrote:
That is the best thing ever! I'm only thankful that my husband found Radio Paradise as I've found the radio stations in Boston SUCK! At least in LA and SF they had some decent non-corporate radio but here? Nothing with decent reception...
LOL! Years ago in the days before the innerwebs when I lived in New Orleans, I was a faithful listener of WTUL, the radio station broadcast from the basement at Tulane University.
Every year, they would have a fund raiser call the "Rock-On Survival Marathon". It was a 72 hour ordeal with three DJ's and listeners would call in and pledge $5 for a song, and $25 for an album side.
There was always a challenge for 4 people to get together and pledge $100 to hear all of Quadrophenia uninterrupted. We always got it done at least once during the event.
Good times!
Every year, they would have a fund raiser call the "Rock-On Survival Marathon". It was a 72 hour ordeal with three DJ's and listeners would call in and pledge $5 for a song, and $25 for an album side.
There was always a challenge for 4 people to get together and pledge $100 to hear all of Quadrophenia uninterrupted. We always got it done at least once during the event.
Good times!
That is the best thing ever! I'm only thankful that my husband found Radio Paradise as I've found the radio stations in Boston SUCK! At least in LA and SF they had some decent non-corporate radio but here? Nothing with decent reception...
Can ya?
LOL! Years ago in the days before the innerwebs when I lived in New Orleans, I was a faithful listener of WTUL, the radio station broadcast from the basement at Tulane University.
Every year, they would have a fund raiser call the "Rock-On Survival Marathon". It was a 72 hour ordeal with three DJ's and listeners would call in and pledge $5 for a song, and $25 for an album side.
There was always a challenge for 4 people to get together and pledge $100 to hear all of Quadrophenia uninterrupted. We always got it done at least once during the event.
Good times!
Every year, they would have a fund raiser call the "Rock-On Survival Marathon". It was a 72 hour ordeal with three DJ's and listeners would call in and pledge $5 for a song, and $25 for an album side.
There was always a challenge for 4 people to get together and pledge $100 to hear all of Quadrophenia uninterrupted. We always got it done at least once during the event.
Good times!
coloradojohn wrote:
Can never forget how this sounded blasting at The Smith House (three unrelated roommates named Smith shared it) that night in the Summer of '81 that turned into a three-day party...While tossing a Frisbee out on the street (basing myself as close to the keg on the porch as possible, of course) in front, I started belting out lines from this song...It was the first time somebody honored me with an "Oh, you're just such a total Who Freak!" Not minutes later, Mark (one of two of The Smiths there by that name, of course) had THIS spectacular cut cued up and ripping at 11, and then we ALL jammed our bodies and brains out to it. And in the second morning of that one of many perfectly lost but well-spent weekends, as we all woke up and immediately hit the keg — I was at E-school in Rolla, MO, not far from St. Louis, and so it was, like, cheaper than water (and yes it used to be much better, even at those prices before worldwide mass-market greed and ignorance took over) — it was THIS RECORD that was played (although we all serenaded each other with "I woke up this morning and I got myself A BEER!"). Every few hours, it seemed appropriate to play more Who. Once you get a taste for that balls-out rock-rush, that heart-on-your-sleeve angst-release, well...you're hooked, and then, you just gotta have it. Nothing close!
THE WHO ROCKS PARTIES better than any other band, hands down. The hardest part of all is NOT getting The Cops called...
THE WHO ROCKS PARTIES better than any other band, hands down. The hardest part of all is NOT getting The Cops called...
Holy crap CoJo! Another story of yours that, while I read it, I was thinking "hmmm, this sounds A LOT like something that happened to me!" Of course, I'm a bit younger (15 years or so?) than you, so the technology of how we played music is a bit different, but that's exactly what I like about The Who; it's gotta be played LOUD and PROUD. I remember one party we had (Seattle's UDist) when cops showed up because of a noise complaint (bastards, it was a Saturday night!) at 1am and 50+ drunks and me got told "you're OK, just turn the music down a bit" which we did for a minute and once the cops left the area it was "turn it back up to 11!!" and so it was so (and it was Communication Breakdown at that)
LONG LIVE RP!
Can never forget how this sounded blasting at The Smith House (three unrelated roommates named Smith shared it) that night in the Summer of '81 that turned into a three-day party...While tossing a Frisbee out on the street (basing myself as close to the keg on the porch as possible, of course) in front, I started belting out lines from this song...It was the first time somebody honored me with an "Oh, you're just such a total Who Freak!" Not minutes later, Mark (one of two of The Smiths there by that name, of course) had THIS spectacular cut cued up and ripping at 11, and then we ALL jammed our bodies and brains out to it. And in the second morning of that one of many perfectly lost but well-spent weekends, as we all woke up and immediately hit the keg — I was at E-school in Rolla, MO, not far from St. Louis, and so it was, like, cheaper than water (and yes it used to be much better, even at those prices before worldwide mass-market greed and ignorance took over) — it was THIS RECORD that was played (although we all serenaded each other with "I woke up this morning and I got myself A BEER!"). Every few hours, it seemed appropriate to play more Who. Once you get a taste for that balls-out rock-rush, that heart-on-your-sleeve angst-release, well...you're hooked, and then, you just gotta have it. Nothing close!
THE WHO ROCKS PARTIES better than any other band, hands down. The hardest part of all is NOT getting The Cops called...
THE WHO ROCKS PARTIES better than any other band, hands down. The hardest part of all is NOT getting The Cops called...
The daddy of all bass players.
unclehud wrote:
YEAH BABY WWOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO!!! (oh man owww! aiee yi yi there goes my back, oooof)
Don't care how old you are — or how young — this will get your blood pumping. Let's go trash a few hotel rooms ......
YEAH BABY WWOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO!!! (oh man owww! aiee yi yi there goes my back, oooof)
hanssachs wrote:
Because you've convinced yourself that there hasn't been, and cannot be "anything near as good for the past FORTY YEARS". Wait, what sort of a knucklehead answers rhetorical questions? Great song, at any rate - killer rhythm section.
So how come there hasn't been anything near as good for the past FORTY YEARS? Dammit I'm old ...
Because you've convinced yourself that there hasn't been, and cannot be "anything near as good for the past FORTY YEARS". Wait, what sort of a knucklehead answers rhetorical questions? Great song, at any rate - killer rhythm section.
Don't care how old you are — or how young — this will get your blood pumping. Let's go trash a few hotel rooms ......
So how come there hasn't been anything near as good for the past FORTY YEARS? Dammit I'm old ...
A powerful song with powerful lyrics.
That base guitar is incredible!
That base guitar is incredible!
tulfan wrote:
Way too much of this.
Being a Who fan explains much of my hearing issues today...
Way too much of this.True angst, pure rocknroll, Townsend is an underrated genius and Roger can belt out a tune. I really liked Quadraphenia too and Tommy was a wonderfully strange acid trip on film.
dragon1952 wrote:
John Entwistle was about as crazy on bass as Moon was on drums.
tulfan wrote:
What? Whaaat?
Being a Who fan explains much of my hearing issues today...
What? Whaaat?
Being a Who fan explains much of my hearing issues today...
This is where everything I love about The Who come together in an explosive song. Aggressive, troubled lyrics, and incredible bass playing.
This will wake up the house
Citizen225 wrote:
You can put it on any setting you want, and this tune'll drive it up to 11 on its own.
This song is the reason my stereo goes to 11.
You can put it on any setting you want, and this tune'll drive it up to 11 on its own.
REAL!!!
Awesome, the louder the better : )
Awesome, the louder the better : )
coloradojohn wrote:
Even Pete said he was the lead guitarist in the band.
Ain't it great how The Ox owns the position of Lead Bassist among the pantheon of Rock Gods?! There is no equal for him (or Moonie)!
Even Pete said he was the lead guitarist in the band.
jsd52756 wrote:
Isn't there a line in a Who song about, "He owns a GS scooter with . . . ." ?
It's "I ride a GS Scooter with my hair cut neat...", from "I've Had Enough", which is also on the Quadrophenia album.
Isn't there a line in a Who song about, "He owns a GS scooter with . . . ." ?
It's "I ride a GS Scooter with my hair cut neat...", from "I've Had Enough", which is also on the Quadrophenia album.
One of their finest!
moodfood wrote:
or even Sir Paul... Entwhistle was the epitome of "thunder fingers"
Rather partial to the late great Lemmy and his 'lead rhythm' bass technique myself.
Another one off player who made the bass his own.
or even Sir Paul... Entwhistle was the epitome of "thunder fingers"
Rather partial to the late great Lemmy and his 'lead rhythm' bass technique myself.
Another one off player who made the bass his own.
THE OX!
I partied with The Who in Houston at the Galleria Rooftop Ballroom after their concert in November of 1975. I have all of their autographs from that night. The highlight was waiting in line behind a Chick who was having Keith Moon autograph her breast. Hot child in the City ...
treatment_bound wrote:
Anybody up for a RUMBLE in BRIGHTON?
Isn't there a line in a Who song about, "He owns a GS scooter with . . . ." ?
Anybody up for a RUMBLE in BRIGHTON?
Isn't there a line in a Who song about, "He owns a GS scooter with . . . ." ?
Why is this monster genius slice of r & r not at least a 9?
prophetzarquon wrote:
Not Jack Bruce then? or Chris squire?
Listen to these bands one after the other Cream,Yes and the Who.
Listen to Cross Roads with Clapton, Bruce Baker and then listen to a tune like this. It's like lightening in a bottle.
Same with Squire and Bill Bruford.
Not Jack Bruce then? or Chris squire?
Listen to these bands one after the other Cream,Yes and the Who.
Listen to Cross Roads with Clapton, Bruce Baker and then listen to a tune like this. It's like lightening in a bottle.
Same with Squire and Bill Bruford.
dragon1952 wrote:
On some songs they have the synergy of CREAM with Bass/ Guitar and Drums all firing like some well tuned engine.
John Entwistle was about as crazy on bass as Moon was on drums.
On some songs they have the synergy of CREAM with Bass/ Guitar and Drums all firing like some well tuned engine.
Quadrophenia > Schizophrenia
John Entwistle was about as crazy on bass as Moon was on drums.
Posted: Jan 23, 2016 - 07:50
< Reply >
LowPhreak wrote:
Yeah, but I always thought Ox stayed too far up the neck through most of this track, it doesn't have much real bottom end. He should have stayed a few frets lower IMHO.
Agreed. Good call.
__________________
I think it's perfect how it is. If he went lower it would have gotten all 'muddy'. Where he is in this, gives it some grip.
Very nice!
prophetzarquon wrote:
Not Jack Bruce then? or Chris squire?
or even Sir Paul... Entwhistle was the epitome of "thunder fingers"
Not Jack Bruce then? or Chris squire?
or even Sir Paul... Entwhistle was the epitome of "thunder fingers"
coloradojohn wrote:
Not Jack Bruce then? or Chris squire?
Ain't it great how The Ox owns the position of Lead Bassist among the pantheon of Rock Gods?! There is no equal for him (or Moonie)!
Not Jack Bruce then? or Chris squire?
LowPhreak wrote:
Yeah, but I always thought Ox stayed too far up the neck through most of this track, it doesn't have much real bottom end. He should have stayed a few frets lower IMHO.
Agreed. Good call.
Yeah, but I always thought Ox stayed too far up the neck through most of this track, it doesn't have much real bottom end. He should have stayed a few frets lower IMHO.
Agreed. Good call.
treatment_bound wrote:
Anybody up for a RUMBLE in BRIGHTON?
Me Scoo-er, me blo-ee, scoo-er!
Anybody up for a RUMBLE in BRIGHTON?
Me Scoo-er, me blo-ee, scoo-er!
coloradojohn wrote:
Yeah, but I always thought Ox stayed too far up the neck through most of this track, it doesn't have much real bottom end. He should have stayed a few frets lower IMHO.
Ain't it great how The Ox owns the position of Lead Bassist among the pantheon of Rock Gods?! There is no equal for him (or Moonie)!
Yeah, but I always thought Ox stayed too far up the neck through most of this track, it doesn't have much real bottom end. He should have stayed a few frets lower IMHO.
Ain't it great how The Ox owns the position of Lead Bassist among the pantheon of Rock Gods?! There is no equal for him (or Moonie)!
Anybody up for a RUMBLE in BRIGHTON?
CaffeineSam wrote:
I think that was the point.
Or I just expect people to be much more intelligent than they really are...
No, it was not the point of the post I was responding to. If you've read any of "idiot_wind"s other song comments you'd see that wasn't his point - he was sarcastically understating the musicianship on this recording (from 1973), not composing a current-day want-ad for the benefit of Peter Townshend. He incessantly writes a similar sentiment for just about every classic rock tune, usually comparing the song he's commenting on to songs by The Foo Fighters or Arcade Fire. It's all good, sarcastic fun, and the bass and drums on this track do kick ass.
I think that was the point.
Or I just expect people to be much more intelligent than they really are...
No, it was not the point of the post I was responding to. If you've read any of "idiot_wind"s other song comments you'd see that wasn't his point - he was sarcastically understating the musicianship on this recording (from 1973), not composing a current-day want-ad for the benefit of Peter Townshend. He incessantly writes a similar sentiment for just about every classic rock tune, usually comparing the song he's commenting on to songs by The Foo Fighters or Arcade Fire. It's all good, sarcastic fun, and the bass and drums on this track do kick ass.
I will always LOVE the way the bass angrily growls and burbles while the jet-engine machine-gun stun-grenades of Keith's wild drums punctuate in alternation and syncopation with Pete's mad guitar slashes, and WOW, can anyone else scream in-tune like Roger does?
MassivRuss wrote:
But it works so well
That's an interesting segue from Beck. Only at Bill & Becky's joint.
But it works so well
Bill, did you really fade out this song today? This is not the RP I used to listen to.
If you look up rock 'n roll in the dictionary (for those of you under 30, Wikipedia on paper), you will find The Real Me!
This song is the reason my stereo goes to 11.
Proclivities wrote:
Yes they could now, especially since the ones from this recording are both deceased.
I think that was the point.
Or I just expect people to be much more intelligent than they really are...
Yes they could now, especially since the ones from this recording are both deceased.
I think that was the point.
Or I just expect people to be much more intelligent than they really are...
Entwhistle and Moon absolutely slay on this piece.
Proclivities wrote:
You make a good point.
Yes they could now, especially since the ones from this recording are both deceased.
You make a good point.3 in a row from Quadrophenia ! Can we give Bill a 10 ?
This entire album is just awesome. They just needed to pay a bit more for a good recording.....
The Ox is loose again!
Truly unbelievable, how well this has stood the test of time — and how it has described and marked the changes in The Real Me over the years. I recall how in 1980, in my '73 Cutlass with super-bad Jensens and new cassette deck, it BLEW MY MIND and SAID IT ALL!
idiot_wind wrote:
Yes they could now, especially since the ones from this recording are both deceased.
geez...this band sure could use a decent bass player and a drummer.
Yes they could now, especially since the ones from this recording are both deceased.
idiot_wind wrote:
A'yuh.
geez...this band sure could use a decent bass player and a drummer.
A'yuh.
geez...this band sure could use a decent bass player and a drummer.
Some songs are just WOW
best of those days 
You ain't seen nothing from Entwhistle until you've seen this solo on 5:15: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRflGVcRxCI
The Who at the peak of their powers, firing on all cylinders.
Damn, when they were good, they were REALLY good!
Damn, when they were good, they were REALLY good!
Interesting that the bass and drums are the foreground with Daltrey's vocals...guitars by Townshend is a mere support here. No solos...nothing. Kind of genius planning.
Holy shit ~ Did Entwhistle re-mix this!!!!!??
Stunning.
Pete always said The Ox was the lead guitar in the band.
PS Entwhistle on the horns too!
Stunning.
Pete always said The Ox was the lead guitar in the band.
PS Entwhistle on the horns too!
This one should be rated about "25"
janac13 wrote:
That's some crazy-ass bass......love it.
Entwhistle's bass lines are sooooo good....
That's some crazy-ass bass......love it.
Entwhistle's bass lines are sooooo good....
kingart wrote:
Well said.
Moon's drumming was a precision weapon. Incredible high caliber machine gun power. One of the very greatest rock and roll tunes. It practically defines rock and roll.
Well said.
10 + 10.
Off the meter rock and roll.
Off the meter rock and roll.
Just about as solid and good a rock song as could ever be written. 
9 → 10
unclehud wrote:
Totally. When I used to crank this stuff up back in highschool, I don't think I really appreciated Entwistle's genius, but when I listen to it now . . . wow. Maybe my fave rock bassist.
Entwhistle's bass is KILLER!! (edit)
Totally. When I used to crank this stuff up back in highschool, I don't think I really appreciated Entwistle's genius, but when I listen to it now . . . wow. Maybe my fave rock bassist.
John to Pete : "No problem, Pete. Whatever you say, mate"