Writing The Who’s ‘My Generation' With Pete Townshend

Switched on Pop

Vox Media Podcast Network

Music Interviews, Music History, Music, Music Commentary

4.6 • 2.7K Ratings

🗓️ 25 March 2025

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The Who's "My Generation" wasn't born from inspiration—it was commissioned. In a rare interview, Pete Townshend reveals how six fans at London's Goldhawk Club in 1965 directly asked him to write an anthem for their post-war generation. This conversation uncovers how a simple request transformed into rock's definitive youth statement, complete with its rebellious stutter and blues foundations. As Townshend releases his solo anthology during our own era of generational flux, the story behind rock's most famous declaration of youth proves more relevant than ever. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive your own bingo card! Songs Referenced "My Generation" by The Who "Can't Explain" by The Who "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" by The Who "Smokestack Lightning" by Howlin' Wolf "For Your Love" by The Yardbirds "Pinball Wizard" by The Who "I'm a Boy" by The Who "Pictures of Lily" by The Who "I Can See for Miles" by The Who "Stuttering Blues" by John Lee Hooker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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1:06.8	Welcome to Switchdown Pop. I'm songwriter Charlie Harding. A few years ago, I was asked to write an essay on the song My Generation by The Who.
1:19.6	People try to put us to down. Talking about my generation. Honestly, I considered it a near impossible assignment.
1:28.3	My generation is a legendary song.
1:30.3	I thought how on earth can I do this song justice?
1:34.3	Few songs speak to an entire generation and sit at the intersection between multiple music histories,
1:40.3	in this case, rock, punk, blues, and folk.
1:43.3	I hope I die before I get old. In this case, rock, punk, blues, and folk.
1:54.4	But then I couldn't get the song out of my head, and I thought, I got to talk to Pete Townsend about the creation of this song.
	...

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