The Who’s top 10 songs ever – and My Generation is at number 3 | Music | Entertainment

With a career spanning nearly six decades, The Who became one of the most influential and recognisable names in British rock. Famed for their ambitious concept albums, stage-smashing performances, and a catalogue that helped define the mod movement and hard rock alike, the band’s legacy endures across generations – still proving their relevance now, in the digital age.

Based on global streaming data on Spotify, here are The Who’s ten most played songs – from early singles to their arena-filling anthems:

10 – ‘I Can’t Explain’

32 million streams

Released in late 1964 in the US and January 1965 in the UK, ‘I Can’t Explain’ was The Who’s first single under the name they are now known as. Written by Pete Townshend and produced by Shel Talmy, the song quickly gained traction, reaching No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart after debuting at No. 45. Clocking in at just over two minutes, its sharp guitar riff and clipped vocal delivery made it a defining example of mod-era rock.

Over time, it became a fixture in the band’s live performances, often serving as the opening number. The song’s influence extended beyond The Who, getting a David Bowie cover in the 1970s.

9 – ‘Squeeze Box’

34 million streams

‘Squeeze Box’ was the lead single from 1975’s The Who by Numbers, fusing country-tinged banjo and cheeky lyrics full of double entendres. It was a surprising commercial success, becoming The Who’s only international number-one single when it topped the charts in Canada.

In the UK, it returned the band to the Top 10 for the first time since ‘Join Together’ three years earlier. Despite its playful tone, Townshend himself was sceptical of its popularity, later admitting he was astonished it had done so well.

8 – ‘The Seeker’

34 million streams

First released in March 1970 as a standalone single, ‘The Seeker’ reflects Townshend’s growing interest in spiritual themes and existential searching. The lyrics reference figures such as Bob Dylan and the Beatles, portraying a narrator frustrated by his inability to find lasting answers.

Although it didn’t appear on a studio album at the time, it was later included in the 1971 compilation Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy, where it found a wider audience. The song remains an emblem of the band’s transitional period – bridging the raw energy of the ’60s and the more expansive philosophical work that would define their next decade.

7 – ‘Eminence Front’

92 million streams

One of the later entries in their discography, ‘Eminence Front’ was released in 1982 on the album It’s Hard. It paints a portrait of excess and emotional detachment – describing characters who hide behind status, money, and substance abuse. Its signature synthesiser intro and moody pacing made it a standout track, even if it only reached No. 68 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Over time, however, ‘Eminence Front’ has become one of the band’s most enduring live staples. Townshend later explained the song was written while experimenting with chord progressions on a Yamaha E70 organ, and the lyrics were partly inspired by drug culture and self-deception.

6 – ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’

195 million streams

The closing track on Who’s Next, ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ has grown into one of The Who’s most powerful and recognisable statements. Initially conceived as part of Townshend’s ambitious but ultimately shelved Lifehouse cinematic project, the song delivers a sharp critique of revolution and political cycles.

The single charted at No. 9 in the UK and No. 15 in the US, while the full eight-and-a-half-minute version appeared on the 1971 album. It has since become a hallmark of the band’s live shows, often performed as a set closer.

5 – ‘Who Are You’

210 million streams

Serving as the title track of their 1978 album, ‘Who Are You’ became a defining single during a tumultuous period for the band. Written by Townshend and featuring session piano by Rod Argent of The Zombies, the song reflects both personal frustration and broader questions of identity. The line “I woke up in a Soho doorway…” references a real incident in which Townshend was confronted by the police after a night out.

Released just weeks before Keith Moon’s death, it became the last song to feature him on a studio album. Charting at No. 14 in the US and seeing its peak at No. 7 in Canada, the track was later immortalised as the theme song for CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

4 – ‘Pinball Wizard’

226 million streams

Written for their 1969 rock opera Tommy, ‘Pinball Wizard’ was introduced as a last-minute addition when critic Nik Cohn suggested the album needed more excitement. Townshend responded with the story of a “deaf, dumb and blind” boy who becomes a pinball champion – a surreal twist that proved immensely successful.

The single reached No. 4 in the UK and No. 19 in the US, and quickly became a centrepiece of the band’s live set. The song’s popularity was further cemented when Elton John performed it in the 1975 Tommy film adaptation.

3 – ‘My Generation’

254 million streams

Released in 1965, ‘My Generation’ became an instant youth anthem and remains one of The Who’s most iconic songs. Townshend wrote it as a response to the alienation reportedly felt by young people in post-war Britain, and its confrontational lyrics – including the defiant stuttered delivery by Daltrey – gave voice to a generation.

The single reached No. 2 in the UK and became a rallying cry for mods across the country. Over the years, it has been praised for its raw energy and lasting cultural impact, earning a place in both the Grammy Hall of Fame and Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest songs of all time.

2 – ‘Behind Blue Eyes’

309 million streams

Also originally written for the abandoned Lifehouse project, ‘Behind Blue Eyes’ became a standout track on Who’s Next. The song unfolds in two parts – beginning with a mournful, introspective vocal from Daltrey before building into a powerful, guitar-driven climax.

Townshend has said it was inspired by a personal moment after a 1970 performance in Denver, when he was tempted by a groupie but chose instead to return to his room and reflect. The resulting lyrics captured a sense of vulnerability and internal conflict rarely seen in rock at the time. Though it peaked at No. 34 on the US Billboard charts, the song’s emotional depth has made it one of The Who’s most covered and streamed recordings.

1 – ‘Baba O’Riley’

657 million streams

Topping the list by a wide margin, ‘Baba O’Riley’ serves as the opening track to 1971’s Who’s Next. Another one that was originally intended for Lifehouse, the song’s title combines the names of Indian spiritual teacher Meher Baba and minimalist composer Terry Riley – two of Townshend’s major influences.

Although it wasn’t released as a single in the US or UK, ‘Baba O’Riley’ grew in popularity through live performances and critical acclaim. It has since become one of the most recognisable rock songs in history, frequently used in film, television, and stadiums around the world.