by Lawrence J. J, Leonard
We have heard cries for help from little children who got their feelings hurt. Some pleas may have come from colleagues, peers or friends who needed money, more time to fix a problem, or even a little emotional support. It is not always easy to ask for someone to care about our issues much less a crisis. So, we live in fear that the one we ask will say ‘no.’
In 1970 Pete Townsend of the British rock band The Who was writing songs for the band’s fifth album. Pete was on tour with lead singer Roger Daltrey, bass player John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon in Denver, Colorado. Rumor has it that Roger encountered a spiritual conflict as he turned down a romp with a groupie. He then went back to his hotel room alone. Because he followed the enlightenment teachings of Meher Baba, Roger wrote down his wishes to make himself a better person. The words called on the divine force to help him keep true to his beliefs.
When Pete heard about it, he collaborated with Roger on setting the experience to music. The two of them recorded a first version of the song at the Record Plant in New York in March, 1971. The band recorded a second version at Olympic Studios in London which took nearly three months to complete it. Sometimes we have to do something over and over until we get it right.
Number 36
The Who debuted “Who’s Next” in August 1971 and the track “Behind Blue Eyes” was released in October and on its way to the #24 position on the Cashhbox Magazine chart in the US. It also hit #1 on Sweden and Spain radio stations that same year.
It may be kind of awkward to write down a prayer when we are having a problem. It can be just as helpful to speak a prayer in a time of need. Then again, putting our hopes and dreams down on paper can impact the future in such a great way. We just have to trust that our faith can bring us through, no matter how uncomfortable the situation.
Lyrics: written by Pete Townsend
No one knows what it’s like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes
No one knows what it’s like
To be hated
To be fated
To telling only lies
But my dreams
They aren’t as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That’s never free
No one knows what it’s like
To feel these feelings
Like I do
And I blame you
No one bites back as hard
On their anger
None of my pain and woe
Can show through
But my dreams
They aren’t as empty
As my conscience seems to be
I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That’s never free
When my fist clenches, crack it open
Before I use it and lose my cool
When I smile, tell me some bad news
Before I laugh and act like a fool
And if I swallow anything evil
Put you’re finger down my throat
And if I shiver, please give me a blanket
Keep me warm, let me wear you’re coat
No one knows what it’s like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes
Copyright © 1960-2017 Lawrence J. J. Leonard All rights reserved.
