The Punk and the Godfather explained

The Punk and the Godfather
Artist:The Who
Album:Quadrophenia
Released:October 19, 1973
Recorded:May 1972 and June–August 1973
Genre:Rock
Length:5:10
Label:MCA
Producer:The Who, Kit Lambert

"The Punk and the Godfather" (titled "The Punk Meets the Godfather" on the US album) is a song written by Pete Townshend, the guitarist for The Who, for their sixth album, Quadrophenia.

Lyrics

In "The Punk and the Godfather", the protagonist of Quadrophenia, Jimmy, goes to see a mod band perform, only to be disappointed that the band were just part of the mod culture that made up the audience. In the song, Townshend was "apparently... also trying to understand the roots of the Who, its attraction as rallying point and its eventual rejection by such as Jimmy", according to a review in Rolling Stone.[1] According to Who biographer John Atkins, Jimmy "questions the balance of power that prevails between rock star and fan."[2] Pete Townshend said of the song's lyrics:

The song quotes The Who's 1965 hit, "My Generation".

Composition

According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, the song is set in the time signature of common time. It is composed in the key of A major with Roger Daltrey's vocal range spanning from D3 to B4.[3] John Entwistle provided a melodic bass line that is very prominent in "The Punk and the Godfather".

Reception

Richie Unterberger of Allmusic highlighted the song as one of the best tracks on Quadrophenia.[4] Caryn Rose, writing for Billboard, called the song "One of the record's iconic moments, the song opens with clanging power chords, perfectly interspersed percussion, and majestic vocals. This track is trademark Who, period."[5] A review in PopMatters said the song "serves as an epitaph—for Townshend, and every rock legend that had the audacity to not die young—to the decidedly anti-rock notion of growing old."[6]

Live performance

"The Punk and the Godfather" was first performed live during The Who's 1973 tour that was used to promote Quadrophenia. It has since become a live favorite, being performed on multiple tours since.

Notes and References

  1. The Who Quadrophenia Album Review. Lenny. Kaye. Rolling Stone. December 20, 1973. February 11, 2015.
  2. Book: The Who on Record: A Critical History, 1963-1998. Atkins, John. 193. 2000. MacFarland. 9781476606576.
  3. Web site: Digital Sheet Music – The Who – The Punk Meets the Godfather . Musicnotes.com. 22 June 2015 . Sony/ATV Music Publishing. August 7, 2016.
  4. Web site: Unterberger, Richie . Quadrophenia – The Who | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards . AllMusic . August 7, 2016.
  5. The Who's Quadrophenia At 40: Classic Track-By-Track Review. Caryn. Rose. Billboard. 19 October 2013. 28 January 2015.
  6. http://www.popmatters.com/feature/151735-the-past-is-calling-reconsidering-the-whos-quadrophenia/#ixzz4GhHiJvoS Reconsidering The Who’s 'Quadrophenia'