5:15
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "5:15" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Single by The Who | ||
| from the album Quadrophenia | ||
| B-side(s) | "Water" | |
| Released | September 1973 | |
| Format | 7" single | |
| Recorded | June 27, 1973 | |
| Genre | Rock | |
| Length | 4:16 | |
| Label | Track Records/MCA | |
| Writer(s) | Pete Townshend | |
| Producer(s) | The Who | |
| Chart positions | ||
| The Who singles chronology | ||
| "Relay" (1972) |
"5:15" (1973) |
"Love, Reign o'er Me" (1973) |
"5:15" is a song written by Pete Townshend of British rock band The Who from their second rock opera, Quadrophenia (1973). The song is the first track on the second disc.
In the song, the main character Jimmy has taken a train to Brighton, consumed a lot of drugs, recollecting his life with the Mods, the cultural movement to which he belongs (even if he has dropped out for now), and their duels with the Rockers. Jimmy's memories are extremely disjointed, consisting mainly of anger, confusion, violence, sexual frustration, and rootlessness.
"5:15," like so many songs from Quadrophenia is self-referential - M-m-m-maaah generation is a line - and thus represents an angrily self-centered, teenaged disconnection with society, family and the opposite sex. 'Jimmy' was born in the war, that is, World War II and its aftermath, does not understand why he should care about it (or anything) in the context of his extravagant, Mod values.
The studio recording shows off the originality of Keith Moon, whose drumming toward the end of the song mimics the rhythm of a train, slowing down as it enters a station. The simple power and drive of this song made it an extremely popular concert staple. The live performances of the song through the year 2000 were highlighted by an extended bass solo from John Entwistle that would push the song either toward or past the ten-minute mark (the version on Live at the Royal Albert Hall album clocks in at 11:40).
[edit] External links
- 5:15 at YouTube: Top of the Pops, on 1973-10-03, with introduction by Noel Edmonds
