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The Who — The Seeker
Album: Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy
Avg rating:
7.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2913









Released: 1971
Length: 3:08
Plays (last 30 days): 3
I looked under chairs
I looked under tables
I try to find the key
To fifty million fables

They call me the seeker
I've been searchin' low and high

I won't get to get what I'm after
'Til the day I die

I asked [[Bob Dylan|Bobby Dylan]]
I asked [[The Beatles]]
I asked Timothy Leary
But he couldn't help me, either

They call me the seeker
I've been searchin' low and high

I won't get to get what I'm after
'Til the day I die

People tend to hate me
Cause I never smile
As I ransack their homes
They wanna shake my hand

Focusin' on nowhere
Investigatin' miles
I'm a seeker
I'm a really desperate man

I won't get to get what I'm after
'Til the day I die

I learned how to raise my voice in anger
Yeah, but look at my face, ain't this a smile
I'm happy when life's good, and when it's bad I cry
I got values, but I don't know how or why

I'm lookin' for me
You're lookin' for you
We're lookin' at each other
And we don't know what to do

They call me the seeker
I've been searchin' low and high

I won't get to get what I'm after
'Til the day I die
Comments (195)add comment
Anyone have thoughts on interpreting the lyrics? Background? I've listened to this song my entire life but only recently listened more closely to the lyrics. I'd be interested to read listeners' comments on them. 
My favourite. Nothing more to say.
You need to go higher than 10 to rate this one accurately. Lyrics, music, everything about it. I love those early Who albums, bought used for $2 apiece at the used record store at the foot of my block in Rochester, NY (along with early Stones, Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, Smiley Smile era Beach Boys, etc.). What a great musical education.  
 sleepinggypC wrote:
  are you for real? That's like putting the Backstreet Boys on the same level as the Beatles.
Since when is age indicative of musical quality? Well I guess then by that logic, Mozart and Beethoven suck.



i'm pretty sure that original comment was meant as a joke.
Love the Who, but I've always thought this song sounds a lot like another one of theirs.  It's a twofer.  I call that a bargain, the best I ever had,
 SnapDragon66 wrote:

Only 7.7?  deserves higher IMHO



Just put to 9 
There was a kid in my high school class (and bus stop) who died a one-car crash in our junior year. This was the last song played at his funeral service. 

We were far from friends but I still think of him every time this comes on...
This tune has been popping up for me a lot recently and I really am happy to hear it.  Not sure why but hey!  Rock On!
Only 7.7?  deserves higher IMHO
Unadulterated Banger

Any negative comments..shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Good stuff.
Love the Nicky Hopkins piano parts! Read a good article on his contributions today - didn’t appreciate his Who and Beatles roles
Great tune!
Sounds like they’re seeking a “Bargain.”
Yup, Godlike works here!
The Who was of course a great band, arguably the greatest, but they somehow managed to ruin every date by fans who never shut TF up with the "I saw The Who in '71. In a shoebox. In a lake" stuff. Like death by a thousand Bobby Lefsetzs. 
I give this song an 11 (I would give a 12 if the scale went that high)
I gave this a 10. Who cares.
 Rockit9 wrote:



Nadia Comăneci might disagree!

 

Good one! 
 stephen.king12101 wrote:
This one’s an easy 10


 


Nadia Comăneci might disagree!

This one’s an easy 10
 cameronbrooks wrote:
one day. just one day. would it be possible to have one day on RP without a song by The Who. Nothing really against them, but every single day?
 
If we took all the acts that have comments about "this is played too often" and heeded your advice, well then we'd be listening to Radio Silence...instead, I say Long Live Radio Paradise, and keep playing what you play, BillG!!

The seeker!!!


Image result for harry potter seeker gif"
 cameronbrooks wrote:
one day. just one day. would it be possible to have one day on RP without a song by The Who. Nothing really against them, but every single day?
 


The Who:
Popularity Index: 13.41
Total plays on RP (main channel): 5153
Total plays this month (main channel): 20

Average rating: 7.96
Songs on RP: 37 
That works out to be less than one play per day, even in February.
Yeah, ok then. Coming out of the trance-set and into this song then SUWTBARNRS, well Mr. Bill is working a next-level of his special mojo tonight. I am there. But mostly hope some youngster SUWTBARNRS is along for the ride too. 
 dejapete wrote:
The radio version I remember from 1970 had a pregnant pause. In this version, it's filled with a piano riff. Interesting.

 
Thats Nick Hopkins
 Philchill wrote:

The Who are currently touring as guests of Guns n Roses in South America.  I got roped in to chaperoning my 15 yr old daughter to the show - she was there primarily for GnR but was very impressed by Daltrey and Townshend, as were the rest of the youngsters, I suspect.

Of course, for GnR the crowd was all fists in the air and headbanging, but for The Who the mass was visibly throbbing, in more of a party mood.

These two septuagenarians put everything into it and clearly still have what it takes to get people's adrenalin going. The same energy they had in their 20s. Astounding. 

Also astounding that the stadium was half empty when they came on - but local paper blamed that on the 18:00 start.. a lot of folks still commuting from work at that time.
 

I'm glad they laid it down for the crowd. When I saw them perform at the Super Bowl, I wondered whether the line "Hope I die before I get old" was echoing mockingly in their heads. 
 MrStatenIsle wrote:
Great band, not so great song.
 
Many would differ in that opinion.
Great band, not so great song.
 kingart wrote:

Only every single day? R U that stingy?  I think every hour might be a better deal.  Only maybe the greatest kick cl-assssssssss-ic rock and roll band of all time. If you're under 50, you had to be there, I guess. 

 
The Who are currently touring as guests of Guns n Roses in South America.  I got roped in to chaperoning my 15 yr old daughter to the show - she was there primarily for GnR but was very impressed by Daltrey and Townshend, as were the rest of the youngsters, I suspect.

Of course, for GnR the crowd was all fists in the air and headbanging, but for The Who the mass was visibly throbbing, in more of a party mood.

These two septuagenarians put everything into it and clearly still have what it takes to get people's adrenalin going. The same energy they had in their 20s. Astounding. 

Also astounding that the stadium was half empty when they came on - but local paper blamed that on the 18:00 start.. a lot of folks still commuting from work at that time.
{#Devil_pimp}zesty !
 sleepinggypC wrote:
 idiot_wind wrote:

Gosh this band is in need  of a decent drummer, guitar player, and a vocalist that can sing R n R.

I just don't get it. Why don't you play some Kid Rock or Foo Fighters? Those guys can are really creative.

 

 are you for real? That's like putting the Backstreet Boys on the same level as the Beatles.
Since when is age indicative of musical quality? Well I guess then by that logic, Mozart and Beethoven suck.
 

Caught one.
 idiot_wind wrote:

Gosh this band is in need  of a decent drummer, guitar player, and a vocalist that can sing R n R.

I just don't get it. Why don't you play some Kid Rock or Foo Fighters? Those guys can are really creative.

 

 are you for real? That's like putting the Backstreet Boys on the same level as the Beatles.
Since when is age indicative of musical quality? Well I guess then by that logic, Mozart and Beethoven suck.

The radio version I remember from 1970 had a pregnant pause. In this version, it's filled with a piano riff. Interesting.
 cameronbrooks wrote:
one day. just one day. would it be possible to have one day on RP without a song by The Who. Nothing really against them, but every single day?

 
Only every single day? R U that stingy?  I think every hour might be a better deal.  Only maybe the greatest kick cl-assssssssss-ic rock and roll band of all time. If you're under 50, you had to be there, I guess. 
one day. just one day. would it be possible to have one day on RP without a song by The Who. Nothing really against them, but every single day?
fave song of the who.... featured in americanbeauty one of the best films ever too
Godlike.
Songs such as this one are why this band can go toe to toe with anybody..
 treatment_bound wrote:



 
I saw him speak twice: once in 1976 at my college and again in the early 80s in SF. But that second one was during his stint as a (no kidding) stand up comedian.


Hell of a song from a hell of a band! Got me through many a long drive home...windows down, volume cranked, have to pull over for some air-guitar JAM...

This is the one song that sums up my life experiences. My theme song if I ever had one. 
 colt4x5 wrote:
Pop drivel.
The Who at their least authentic. 
 
Maybe so... but the Entwistle bass hook, Moon's drumming, and Daltrey's vocals... ok, this is a subdued Pete Townshend performance. If all pop drivel grooved like this, the world would be a pretty awesome place.  Kid Rock indeed!
Meaty beaty big and bouncy jammin' alright : )
idiot_wind wrote:

Gosh this band is in need  of a decent drummer, guitar player, and a vocalist that can sing R n R.

I just don't get it. Why don't you play some Kid Rock or Foo Fighters? Those guys can are really creative.

 

copymonkey wrote:

That's some high quality trolling right there.

 
C'mon...that's come quality TIC humor.
 idiot_wind wrote:

Gosh this band is in need  of a decent drummer, guitar player, and a vocalist that can sing R n R.

I just don't get it. Why don't you play some Kid Rock or Foo Fighters? Those guys can are really creative.

 



 
That's some high quality trolling right there.
Pop drivel.
The Who at their least authentic. 
intro to The Limey
9
Thank you so much for playing this song ... My Who' s favorite... Love it ... Reminds me my 17's ... The guitar riffs are really great !!!
What a song. The Who were awesome!  
I found it.
OH.....the guitar riffs!! {#Good-vibes}
 oldsaxon wrote:

*chuckles*

 

An idiot passing wind?
Can't be serious {#Cheesygrin}
 idiot_wind wrote:

Gosh this band is in need  of a decent drummer, guitar player, and a vocalist that can sing R n R.

I just don't get it. Why don't you play some Kid Rock or Foo Fighters? Those guys can are really creative.

 



 
I love the Kid Rock to Foo Fighters comparison.  Very accurate indeed.
 idiot_wind wrote:

Gosh this band is in need  of a decent drummer, guitar player, and a vocalist that can sing R n R.

I just don't get it. Why don't you play some Kid Rock or Foo Fighters? Those guys can are really creative.

 



 
*chuckles*

Gosh this band is in need  of a decent drummer, guitar player, and a vocalist that can sing R n R.

I just don't get it. Why don't you play some Kid Rock or Foo Fighters? Those guys can are really creative.

 


{#Clap} 

It would have been fun to be there when Rog D. sat down for a chat with this dude:




      


Awesome!  I can't believe I only rated this a 9.  10+++


 
LPCity wrote:


 


The Who proved Wednesday night that real talent can lie in abeyance and still resurface when called upon. What a performance-verry impressive!!!!{#Bananapiano}
 kcar wrote:OK I'LL WORK WITH THIS KCAR THING, the k was a joke the WHO were the clostest thing to a real fucking down home shit stompin' group they defined real. the STONES made english bands real for us as city blues fans the who wrote the book on easy shit  (people try to put us down"  the stones were doing "going home" NO F~+G way the american 's  would let this happen. iwasthere when all the "top 40" dj.s quit and went to kppc. you gotta know, the real world is here, go bill (aka-wild bill) K=FAT LIVES

Fredriley hates The Who and prog rock, but likes punk. Doctors cannot explain his preference for the Worzels. His right cross is more powerful than that of a professional boxer weighing three stones more.  He knows Gaelic but is not sure why. 

Fredriley might be The Most Interesting Man in the World.  

Fred Riley, RP member and the Most Interesting Man in the World
"His personality is so magnetic, he is unable to carry credit cards.
Even his enemies list him as their emergency contact number.
He never says something tastes like chicken. Not even chicken."

 
 


bill, this was a hit on K-FAT ....... how many years later? LOVE FROM THE CHICKEN RANCH/B.C.
Cant be arsed to dig down in the comments but anyone seen the Limey?

"Tell them I' F*cking coming!"
love to hear this!! go pete!

But Pete found "Pictures of Lilly" - didn't he...?

He was a succesful SEEKER!

And got away with it!

A good lawyer works magic!

 


I always thought that this was the first stereo 45 issued in UK although they had been available in the US since about '58.  Anyway it was the first in my collection and I remember being amazed when I first played it - still love it - 8.5 & 10 for the opening.
Can't help but remember the high school rendition ...

They call me the peeper,
Been searching low and high.
I won't get to get what I'm after
Till the day I die.
 fredriley wrote:

Anything but Pete "just curious, me" Townsend. Hell, I'd take the Worzels cover of this over the original. Just as I was getting nice and relaxed after three 8s on the trot as well...
 
Fredriley hates The Who and prog rock, but likes punk. Doctors cannot explain his preference for the Worzels. His right cross is more powerful than that of a professional boxer weighing three stones more.  He knows Gaelic but is not sure why. 

Fredriley might be The Most Interesting Man in the World.  

Fred Riley, RP member and the Most Interesting Man in the World
"His personality is so magnetic, he is unable to carry credit cards.
Even his enemies list him as their emergency contact number.
He never says something tastes like chicken. Not even chicken."

 


 Paul_in_Australia wrote:
Is Pete still editing that book? Must be due out soon...
 

{#Lol}

woh what a song , The Who are the best
 gatorade wrote:
What the WHO did to Rock n Roll can not be under estimated.
 
Or forgiven! {#Tongue}
What the WHO did to Rock n Roll can not be under estimated. A solid 9.
I seek it here, I seek it there, I seek that mute button everywhere - oh, there it is! (click!)
Is Pete still editing that book? Must be due out soon...
A gem, even from a catalog of hundreds of great songs.
 raga wrote:

Yes, but I prefer the Rush version 

 
Ditto, the live version from "R30" is remarkably good.  Everyone, go sample it at your mp3 vendor of choice!

 fredriley wrote:

Anything but Pete "just curious, me" Townsend. Hell, I'd take the Worzels cover of this over the original. Just as I was getting nice and relaxed after three 8s on the trot as well...
 
https://www.thewurzels.com/disco.htm - I looked. . . I don't believe they did a cover. . . 

On the flip side though, I recently re-bought this album after selling my vinyl some decades ago and Mrs Poacher and I rocked out and pretended to stick our heads in a bass bin.
 crockydile wrote:
Bill, play the RUSH version next!! {#Dancingbanana_2}
 
Anything but Pete "just curious, me" Townsend. Hell, I'd take the Worzels cover of this over the original. Just as I was getting nice and relaxed after three 8s on the trot as well...

 Walrus_Gumbo wrote:

THE RUSH VERSION??? (HACK! COUGH! SPUTTER! WHEEZE!) That's so blasphemous, I have no comment!!!!   {#Eek}     {#Beat}
 
Mmm...partner in blasphemy here. {#Devil_pimp}
Bill, play the RUSH version next!! {#Dancingbanana_2}
My fave Who song!
hahahahaha!!! been singing this all morning.   one of those weird synchronicities. :)
1998? I think you will find it was released in 1971. 

A solid and nostalgic 9 from Poacher. 
d00kie wrote:
wow.. this is one of the records I found in my old man's closet when I was 10 years old. I must have listened to this, Zappa, Cat Stevens, and The Beatles 1000 times because they were all we had LOL!

Your dad had great taste and taught you well! {#Sunny}
raga wrote:

Yes, but I prefer the Rush version


THE RUSH VERSION??? (HACK! COUGH! SPUTTER! WHEEZE!) That's so blasphemous, I have no comment!!!!   {#Eek}     {#Beat}
Always been one of my favs from them and mind you, that is a lot of songs to choose from!{#Eek}
Now we are getting somewhere. Great diversion from the New Oder and Muse....
The Seeker, what a jam!!
And Bill, what a seg into Patti Smith "So You Want To Be A Rock n Roll Star"!!!! AWESOME!!
{#Sunny}


Love some early Who.  Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy was a hellacious album.


 oldman wrote:
Rock and Roll at its BEST
 

Indeed. Doesn't get any better.
Rock and Roll at its BEST
 raga wrote:

Yes, but I prefer the Rush version 
 
The RUSH version?  WTF?

Love the original and Rush is great at it's own stuff, but...  
 zappa99 wrote:


:: mind blown ::
 

...out, in a car...

time machine.... 
 
 lmic wrote:
This is just great, great, great!!!
 
Yes, but I prefer the Rush version 

 funkaholic wrote:


The door is over there.
 
...and here let me help you .......

wbl wrote:
The Who is NOT why I listen to RP. Its a good song but not why I come here. Please keep the dusties down to a minimum.
The door is over there.
Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy...Sounds like a law firm.
Some songs just get a 10 out of cosmic default. This does.
indeed! it is! zaknafein wrote:
This is fun to play on Guitar Hero 3. :)
R.I. P. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Pete followed Mehar Baba; who/what do you seek? Great tune!
This is fun to play on Guitar Hero 3. :)
Al_Koholic wrote:
I play all 3!!!!
I also play air-microphone...
Hannio wrote:
I play air piano on this one.
I play all 3!!!!
etwilson wrote:
My only problem with this song is that I can't decide whether to play air guitar or air drums!
I play air piano on this one.
Watchu gonna do now?
Arguably their finest album.
Misterfixit wrote:
Nice to hear those piano riffs — they got used again in Tommy.
This song was supposed to be on Tommy.

agnes wrote:
But it was not for naught... he got what he was after on the day he died. Only then did he realize that "what he was after" wasn't important at all. Effin brilliant song placement, IMO.
"...on your deathbed...you will receive TOTAL consciousness. So, I got that goin' for me...which is nice."
Nice to hear those piano riffs -- they got used again in Tommy.
wow.. this is one of the records I found in my old man's closet when I was 10 years old. I must have listened to this, Zappa, Cat Stevens, and The Beatles 1000 times because they were all we had LOL!
agnes wrote:
But it was not for naught... he got what he was after on the day he died. Only then did he realize that "what he was after" wasn't important at all. Effin brilliant song placement, IMO.
WOW I never thought of that. You get like a million gold stars.
A great if not underrated tune.
This song reminds me why I don't like The Who too much. I never heard this song until today, but there are certainly MUCH better songs of theirs to play, IMHO.
This reminds me of some bmx video i heard this song in for the first time.
...he got what he was after on the day he died.
:: mind blown ::
treatment_bound wrote:
Every time I hear this now, all I can think of is Kevin Spacey as Lester Burnam in "American Beauty". It's the song playing when he first takes off on his fitness campaign to get in shape to impress Mena Suvari's 'Angela'. Alas, it was all for naught. R.I.P. Lester...
But it was not for naught... he got what he was after on the day he died. Only then did he realize that "what he was after" wasn't important at all. Effin brilliant song placement, IMO.