Vol V, Issue 3 – Pictures of Lily (01 Mar 2020)

For the love of rock

Vol V, Issue 3 –Pictures of Lily (01 Mar 2020)

www.intheloveofrock.com

 

Name of song– Pictures of Lily

Band –The Who

Writer– Pete Townshend

Release year– 1967 (Single)

Album – Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy (1971)

                                        

                                                 Pictures of Lily

“The Who”, one of the most influential rock acts of the twentieth century, were undoubtedly famous for diverse reasons- Loudest band, mods enthusiasm, great music and poetry, and of course, the prototype late sixties and seventies rock band. With sales more than 100 million records worldwide, they are definitely a source for inspiration all the rock bands of the past and the future. Originally formed from the ashes of earlier group “The Detours”, “The Who” had Pete Townshend on guitars, Roger Daltrey on vocals, John Entwistle (Bass) and Keith Moon (Drums). The powerful quartet was famous for their music, their crazy stage acts and fabulous improvisations on stage.

“Pictures of Lily” is one of their underrated singles, released in 1967. Although all their sixties single releases were brilliantly famous, this one is only brilliant but not famous. However, the inclusion as the soundtrack in Cameron Crowe’s “Almost famous” in 2000 did highlight this number, it definitely deserves an undeniable fame and respect. The song depicts Townshend at his zenith of matured songwriting with catchy hot guitar chords and dazzling display by all the other members of the band. Interestingly, the song has an uncanny topic about masturbation and helping a boy to sleep into fantasy with the pictures of Lily, it is definitely a highlight of their career.

The song begins with a thunderous bass, guitar chords and rhythm and starts to narrate the story of a boy, who is guided by his father for sleeping easy at night. Masterfully crafted, the song is considered as “Power Pop” by Pete Townshend in one of the interviews. The story of ending in sad fantasy when the boy knows how his fantasy girl had already died in 1929, and his wish that he was there when she were alive, is so vibrantly described by Daltrey’s vocals. The guitars in between and the horns inbetween and the sudden high and low’s of the song definitely marks it an exceptionally powerful rock song.

Yes, “The Who” has contributed numerous amazing singles, “Pictures of Lily” is one song which makes us all remember our Lilies forever!!!  Happy listening!!!Resources- Wikipedia.org, allmusic.com

Pictures of Lily
I used to wake up in the morning
I used to feel so bad
I got so sick of having sleepless nights
I went and told my dad

He said, “Son now here’s some little something”
And stuck them on my wall
And now my nights ain’t quite so lonely
In fact I, I don’t feel bad at all
I don’t feel bad at all

Pictures of Lily made my life so wonderful
Pictures of Lily helped me sleep at night
Pictures of Lily solved my childhood problems
Pictures of Lily helped me feel alright

Pictures of Lily
Lily, oh Lily
Lily, oh Lily
Pictures of Lily
And then one day things weren’t quite so fine
I fell in love with Lily
I asked my dad where Lily I could find
He said, “Son, now don’t be silly”

“She’s been dead since 1929”
Oh, how I cried that night
If only I’d been born in Lily’s time
It would have been alright

Pictures of Lily made my life so wonderful
Pictures of Lily helped me sleep at night

For me and Lily are together in my dreams
And I ask you, “Hey mister, have you ever seen”
“Pictures of Lily?”

Lyrics link- https://genius.com/The-who-pictures-of-lily-lyrics

Video link- https://youtu.be/0PcXFKSvJ0s