Tommy is a soundtrack album by The Who with contributions from numerous artists. The soundtrack was used in the 1975 Tommy film that was based on the original album that was released by The Who in 1969. Pete Townshend oversaw the production of this double-LP recording that returned the music to its rock roots, and on which the unrecorded orchestral arrangements he had envisaged for the original Tommy LP were realised by the extensive use of synthesiser.
Tommy | ||||
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Soundtrack album by | ||||
Released | March 1975 | |||
Recorded | January–March 1974 | |||
Studio | Ramport and Eel Pie, London | |||
Genre |
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Length | 90:35 | |||
Label | Polydor | |||
Producer | The Who | |||
The Who chronology | ||||
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Singles from Tommy soundtrack | ||||
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The soundtrack LP also employed many leading sessions musicians including Caleb Quaye, Phil Chen and Nicky Hopkins (who also receives a "Special Thanks" in the album credits for help with the arrangements) as well as members of The Faces' Ronnie Wood and future Keith Moon replacement Kenney Jones. The song "Pinball Wizard", performed by Elton John, was a major hit when released as a single.[1] Although the music for this song is performed by "The Elton John Band", as he was calling his musical team, the film depicts John being backed by The Who (dressed in pound-note suits). According to the album's back cover credits, the song was the only one not produced by Townshend, helmed instead by Elton's producer, Gus Dudgeon. Townshend performs additional synthesizer and/or guitar on all tracks. Credits to "The Who" indicate performances by Townshend, John Entwistle and Moon jointly, regardless of vocalist.
All songs are written and composed by Pete Townshend, except where noted. (For narrative, see Tommy (1975 film).)
No. | Title | Performer | Length |
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1. | "Overture from Tommy" | Pete Townshend | 5:01 |
No. | Title | ... | Length |
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1. | "Prologue - 1945" | Pete Townshend and John Entwistle | 2:55 |
2. | "Captain Walker/It's a Boy" | Pete Townshend, Margo Newman and Vicki Brown | 2:38 |
3. | "Bernie's Holiday Camp" | Oliver Reed, Alison Dowling and Ann-Margret | 3:42 |
4. | "1951/What About The Boy?" | Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed | 2:49 |
5. | "Amazing Journey" | Pete Townshend | 3:19 |
6. | "Christmas" | Ann-Margret, Alison Dowling and Oliver Reed | 3:59 |
7. | "Eyesight to the Blind" (Willie "Sonny Boy" Williamson) | Eric Clapton | 3:21 |
No. | Title | ... | Length |
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1. | "The Acid Queen" | Tina Turner | 3:47 |
2. | "Do You Think It's Alright? (1)" | Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed | 0:57 |
3. | "Cousin Kevin" (John Entwistle) | Paul Nicholas | 3:07 |
4. | "Do You Think It's Alright? (2)" | Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed | 0:46 |
5. | "Fiddle About" (John Entwistle) | Keith Moon | 1:40 |
6. | "Do You Think It's Alright? (3)" | Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed | 0:29 |
7. | "Sparks" | Instrumental | 3:07 |
8. | "Extra, Extra, Extra" | Simon Townshend | 0:37 |
9. | "Pinball Wizard" | Elton John | 5:22 |
No. | Title | ... | Length |
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1. | "Champagne" | Ann-Margret and Roger Daltrey | 4:43 |
2. | "There's a Doctor" | Oliver Reed and Ann-Margret | 0:29 |
3. | "Go to the Mirror" | Jack Nicholson, Roger Daltrey and Ann-Margret[2] | 3:49 |
4. | "Tommy, Can You Hear Me?" | Ann-Margret | 0:55 |
5. | "Smash the Mirror!" | Ann-Margret | 1:22 |
6. | "I'm Free" | Roger Daltrey | 2:36 |
7. | "Mother and Son" | Ann-Margret and Roger Daltrey | 2:36 |
8. | "Sensation" (on the LP and 8-track; the cassette and CD feature a lead-in verse sung by Pete Townshend and a guitar solo, making it 4:37) | Roger Daltrey | 2:49 |
No. | Title | ... | Length |
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1. | "Miracle Cure" | Simon Townshend | 0:23 |
2. | "Sally Simpson" | Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey | 5:38 |
3. | "Welcome" | Roger Daltrey, Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed | 4:15 |
4. | "T.V. Studio" | Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed | 1:14 |
5. | "Tommy's Holiday Camp" (Keith Moon) | Keith Moon | 1:29 |
6. | "We're Not Gonna Take It" | Roger Daltrey with the vocal chorus | 4:46[2] |
7. | "See Me, Feel Me/Listening to You[2]" | Roger Daltrey with the vocal chorus | 4:19[2] |
The Who comprises the skeleton band for most of the songs. All instrumentation (both credited and uncredited) on each song is by them, except for additional or alternate musicians indicated below for individual songs in which the lineup is wholly or partially different.[3] Six tracks have The Who as their explicit instrumental credits. Lead vocals are as indicated in track listing above.
The Who:
Roger Daltrey – vocals for (grown up) "Tommy" ("Young Tommy" by Alison Dowling)
John Entwistle – bass, brass overdubs
Keith Moon – drums, vocals for "Uncle Ernie"
Pete Townshend – guitars, synthesizers, keyboards, drums, vocals for "Narrator"
The Who
John Entwistle – brass overdubs
Pete Townshend – all other instruments
Pete Townshend – all instruments
The Who
Nicky Hopkins – piano
Mike Kellie – drums
Mick Ralphs, Caleb Quaye – guitar
Chris Stainton – organ
Phil Chen – bass
Nicky Hopkins – piano
Tony Newman – drums
Nicky Hopkins – piano
Vocal chorus – backing vocals
Eric Clapton – vocals and guitar
Kenney Jones – drums
Arthur Brown—vocals
Tina Turner – vocals
Kenney Jones – drums
Nicky Hopkins – piano
Ronnie Wood – guitar
Phil Chen – bass
Graham Deakin – drums
Nicky Hopkins – piano
Alan Ross – acoustic guitar
Tony Newman – drums
Dave Wintour – bass
The Who
The Who
Kenney Jones – drums
Alan Ross – acoustic guitar
Tony Stevens – bass
Elton John – lead vocals and piano
Davey Johnstone – guitar
Dee Murray – bass
Nigel Olsson – drums
Ray Cooper – percussion
The Who
Kenney Jones – drums
Alan Ross – acoustic guitar
Chris Stainton – piano
Ronnie Wood – guitar
Richard Bailey – drums
Phil Chen – bass
Nicky Hopkins – piano
Caleb Quaye – guitar
Nicky Hopkins – piano
Alan Ross, Chris Stainton – acoustic guitar
Kenney Jones – drums
Alan Ross – acoustic guitar
Nicky Hopkins – piano
Kenney Jones – drums
Pete Townshend – all instruments
Phil Chen – bass
Nicky Hopkins – piano
Alan Ross – acoustic guitar
Kenney Jones – drums
Alan Ross – acoustic guitar
Tony Stevens – bass
Phil Chen – bass
Eric Clapton – guitar
Graham Deakin – drums
Nicky Hopkins – piano
Pete Townshend – all instruments
Pete Townshend – all instruments
Gerald Shaw – organ
Nicky Hopkins – piano
Mike Kelly – drums
Alan Ross – acoustic guitar
Fuzzy Samuels – bass
Chris Stainton – organ
Caleb Quaye – guitar
Vocal chorus – backing vocals
The Who, plus:
Nicky Hopkins – piano
Chris Stainton – organ
Vocal chorus – backing vocals
Chart (1975) | Position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] | 6 |
Billboard Pop Albums | 2 |
UK Chart Albums | 21 |
Chart (1975) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] | 22 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Canada (Music Canada)[6] | Gold | 50,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[7] | Gold | 100,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[8] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
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Discography | |
Studio albums | |
Meher Baba tribute albums (w/ Ronnie Lane et al.) | |
Live albums | |
Compilations | |
Singles | |
Other Songs |
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DVDs | |
Related articles |
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Studio albums | |
Live albums | |
Compilations |
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Extended plays |
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Soundtracks | |
Filmography |
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Discographies |
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Tours and performances |
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Members |
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Associated places |
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Related |
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Songs |
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Adaptations |
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Live albums w/ majority of Tommy |
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Tours supporting Tommy |
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Tribute albums | |||||||||||||
Other |
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Authority control ![]() |
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