Tommy is a soundtrack album by the English rock band the Who with contributions from numerous artists. The soundtrack was used in the 1975 Tommy film that was based on the original album that was released by the Who in 1969. Pete Townshend oversaw the production of this double-LP recording that returned the music to its rock roots, and on which the unrecorded orchestral arrangements he had envisaged for the original Tommy LP were realised by the extensive use of synthesiser. The versions on the soundtrack album are notably shorter than the full arrangements used in the film.
The soundtrack LP also employed many leading session musicians including Caleb Quaye, Phil Chen and Nicky Hopkins (who also receives a "Special Thanks" in the album credits for help with the arrangements), as well as the Faces members Ronnie Wood and future Keith Moon replacement Kenney Jones.
While multiple scenes depict the Who as a backing band, not all songs were recorded by each member of the band. For example, the film scene for "Pinball Wizard" depicts Elton John being backed by the Who (dressed in pound-note suits). The music for this song is actually performed by "The Elton John Band", as he called his musical team, and produced by his regular producer Gus Dudgeon. All of the remaining music was produced by Townshend, who also performed additional synthesizer and/or guitar on all tracks. Credits to "The Who" indicate performances by Townshend, John Entwistle and Moon jointly, regardless of vocalist.
Track listing All songs are written and composed by Pete Townshend, except where noted. (For narrative, see Tommy (1975 film).)
The Who:
Roger Daltrey – vocals for (grown up) "Tommy" ("Young Tommy" vocals by Alison Dowling) John Entwistle – bass, brass overdubs Keith Moon – drums, vocals for "Uncle Ernie" Pete Townshend – guitars, synthesizers, keyboards, bass, drums, vocals for "Narrator"
"Overture from Tommy"
The Who
"Prologue – 1945"
John Entwistle – brass overdubs Pete Townshend – all other instruments
"Captain Walker/It's a Boy"
Pete Townshend – all instruments
"Bernie's Holiday Camp"
The Who
"1951/What about the Boy?"
Nicky Hopkins – piano Mike Kellie – drums Mick Ralphs, Caleb Quaye – guitar Chris Stainton – organ
"Amazing Journey"
Phil Chen – bass Nicky Hopkins – piano Tony Newman – drums
"Christmas"
Nicky Hopkins – piano Vocal chorus – backing vocals
"Eyesight to the Blind"
Eric Clapton – vocals and guitar Kenney Jones – drums Arthur Brown – vocals
"Acid Queen"
Tina Turner – vocals Kenney Jones – drums Nicky Hopkins – piano Ronnie Wood – guitar
"Do You Think It's Alright?" (1, 2, and 3)
Phil Chen – bass Graham Deakin – drums Nicky Hopkins – piano Alan Ross – acoustic guitar
"Cousin Kevin"
Tony Newman – drums Dave Wintour – bass
"Fiddle About"
The Who
"Sparks"
The Who
"Extra, Extra, Extra"
Kenney Jones – drums Alan Ross – acoustic guitar Tony Stevens – bass
"Pinball Wizard"
Elton John – lead vocals and piano Davey Johnstone – guitar Dee Murray – bass Nigel Olsson – drums Ray Cooper – percussion
"Champagne"
The Who
"There's a Doctor"
Kenney Jones – drums Alan Ross – acoustic guitar Chris Stainton – piano Ronnie Wood – guitar
"Go to the Mirror"
Richard Bailey – drums Phil Chen – bass Nicky Hopkins – piano Caleb Quaye – guitar
"Tommy, Can You Hear Me?"
Nicky Hopkins – piano Alan Ross, Chris Stainton – acoustic guitar
"Smash the Mirror!"
Kenney Jones – drums Alan Ross – acoustic guitar
"I'm Free"
Nicky Hopkins – piano Kenney Jones – drums
"Mother and Son"
Pete Townshend – all instruments except bass (John Entwistle)
"Sensation"
Phil Chen – bass Nicky Hopkins – piano Alan Ross – acoustic guitar
"Miracle Cure"
Kenney Jones – drums Alan Ross – acoustic guitar Tony Stevens – bass
"Sally Simpson"
Phil Chen – bass Eric Clapton – guitar Graham Deakin – drums Nicky Hopkins – piano
"Welcome"
Pete Townshend – all instruments
"T.V. Studio"
Pete Townshend – all instruments
"Tommy's Holiday Camp"
Gerald Shaw – organ
"We're Not Gonna Take It"
Nicky Hopkins – piano Mike Kelly – drums Alan Ross – acoustic guitar Fuzzy Samuels – bass Chris Stainton – organ Caleb Quaye – guitar Vocal chorus – backing vocals
"See Me, Feel Me/Listening to You" The Who, plus:
Nicky Hopkins – piano Chris Stainton – organ Vocal chorus – backing vocals
Charts
Weekly charts +1975 weekly chart performance for Tommy Chart (1975) PeakpositionAustralian Albums (Kent Music Report) 6Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi) Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Titolo" field, search "Tommy". 7
+2007 weekly chart performance for Tommy Chart (2007) Peakposition
Year-end charts +Year-end chart performance for Tommy Chart (1975) Position Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) 22 US Billboard 200 17
Certifications
References