English Boy (song) explained
| English Boy |
| Cover: | English Boy.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Pete Townshend |
| Album: | Psychoderelict |
| Released: | 1993 |
| Genre: | Rock |
| Length: | 5:07 |
| Label: | Atlantic |
| Producer: | Pete Townshend |
| Prev Title: | I Won't Run Anymore |
| Prev Year: | 1985 |
| Next Title: | Let My Love Open the Door (1996 remix) |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
"English Boy" is a song by Pete Townshend, released as the first and only single from his 1993 album Psychoderelict.[1] [2] The song is used to introduce the character Ray High, as well as journalist Ruth Streeting, host of Street on the Street.[3] Townshend has said the song is about "the emergence of the modern punk", and has been referred to as the focus point for the entire album.[4] There are three versions of this song:
- the first, lengthier version features dialog by Ruth Streeting over instrumental parts of the song.
- the second was released as an edited, no dialog version, and appeared on both single releases in 1993 and on the Pete Townshend compilation albums coolwalkingsmoothtalkingstraightsmokingfirestoking, Anthology, and Gold.
- a reprise, which ends the album and features a slightly different backing (including harmonica by Peter Hope-Evans and additional cowbell) and dialog by Ray High, wrapping up the album and imploring "what happened to all that lovely hippie shit?"
B-sides
Two exclusive tracks were released on different single releases of "English Boy".
- "Psycho Montage" is a compilation of dialogue related to the narrative.
- "Electronic Wizardry" is an instrumental demo derived from the Lifehouse project.
Single release
In the UK, the song was released as a single in the following variations:
- "English Boy" (non-dialog) / "English Boy" (dialog) (7" vinyl)
- "English Boy" (dialog) / "Fake It" / "Psycho Montage" (CD single 1)
- "English Boy" (non-dialog) / "Fake It" / "Flame" (Simon Townshend demo) / "Early Morning Dreams" (Pete Townshend demo) (CD single 2)
Notes and References
- Web site: 2016-09-30 . Pete Townshend's solo albums set for reissue . 2022-05-19 . UNCUT . en-GB.
- Web site: Mansfield . Brian . Premiere: Pete Townshend's 'Guantanamo' . 2022-05-19 . USA TODAY . en-US.
- Book: Wilkerson, Mark . Who Are You: The Life Of Pete Townshend . 2009-10-28 . Omnibus Press . 978-0-85712-008-3 . en.
- Book: Wilkerson, Mark . Who Are You: The Life Of Pete Townshend . 2009-10-28 . Omnibus Press . 978-0-85712-008-3 . en.
