Tommy (soundtrack)

This article is about the 1975 film soundtrack. For the 1993 theatre soundtrack, see Tommy (original cast recording).

1975 soundtrack album by The Who

Tommy

Soundtrack album by

The Who

Released| 19 March 1975
Recorded| January–March 1974
Studio| Ramport and Eel Pie, London
Genre|

* Hard rock
* art rock
* progressive rock

Length| 90:35
Label| Polydor
Producer| The Who
The Who chronology
| Odds & Sods
(1974)  | Tommy
(1975)  | The Who by Numbers
(1975)

|
|

Singles from  Tommy soundtrack

1. "Pinball Wizard"
Released: 12 March 1976

Tommy is a soundtrack album by 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 soundtrack LP also employed many leading sessions 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 members of The Faces' Ronnie Wood and future Keith Moon replacement Kenney Jones. Although the music for this song is performed by "The Elton John Band", as he was calling his musical team, the film depicts John being backed by The Who (dressed in pound-note suits). According to the album's back cover credits, the song was the only one not produced by Townshend, helmed instead by Elton's producer, Gus Dudgeon. Townshend performs 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

[edit]

All songs are written and composed by Pete Townshend, except where noted. (For narrative, see Tommy (1975 film).)

Bonus track on CD reissues (CD 1)No.| Title| Performer| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Overture from Tommy"| Pete Townshend| 5:01

LP side one (cassette side 1, CD 1)No.| Title| ...| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Prologue – 1945"| Pete Townshend and John Entwistle| 2:55
2.| "Captain Walker/It's a Boy"| Pete Townshend, Margo Newman and Vicki Brown| 2:38
3.| "Bernie's Holiday Camp"| Oliver Reed, Alison Dowling and Ann-Margret| 3:42
4.| "1951/What About The Boy?"| Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed| 2:49
5.| "Amazing Journey"| Pete Townshend| 3:19
6.| "Christmas"| Ann-Margret, Alison Dowling and Oliver Reed| 3:59
7.| "Eyesight to the Blind" (Willie "Sonny Boy" Williamson)| Eric Clapton| 3:21

LP side two (cassette side 1, CD 1)No.| Title| ...| Length

|
|
|

1.| "The Acid Queen"| Tina Turner| 3:47
2.| "Do You Think It's Alright? (1)"| Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed| 0:57
3.| "Cousin Kevin" (John Entwistle)| Paul Nicholas| 3:07
4.| "Do You Think It's Alright? (2)"| Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed| 0:46
5.| "Fiddle About" (John Entwistle)| Keith Moon| 1:40
6.| "Do You Think It's Alright? (3)"| Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed| 0:29
7.| "Sparks"| Instrumental| 3:07
8.| "Extra, Extra, Extra"| Simon Townshend| 0:37
9.| "Pinball Wizard"| Elton John| 5:22

LP side three (cassette side 2, CD 2)No.| Title| ...| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Champagne"| Ann-Margret and Roger Daltrey| 4:43
2.| "There's a Doctor"| Oliver Reed and Ann-Margret| 0:29
3.| "Go to the Mirror"| Jack Nicholson, Roger Daltrey and Ann-Margret[1]| 3:49
4.| "Tommy, Can You Hear Me?"| Ann-Margret| 0:55
5.| "Smash the Mirror!"| Ann-Margret| 1:22
6.| "I'm Free"| Roger Daltrey| 2:36
7.| "Mother and Son"| Ann-Margret and Roger Daltrey| 2:36
8.| "Sensation"| Roger Daltrey| 2:49[1]

LP side four (cassette side 2, CD 2)No.| Title| ...| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Miracle Cure"| Simon Townshend| 0:23
2.| "Sally Simpson"| Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey| 5:38
3.| "Welcome"| Roger Daltrey, Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed| 4:15
4.| "T.V. Studio"| Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed| 1:14
5.| "Tommy's Holiday Camp" (Keith Moon)| Keith Moon| 1:29
6.| "We're Not Gonna Take It"| Roger Daltrey with the vocal chorus| 4:46[1]
7.| "See Me, Feel Me/Listening to You[1]"| Roger Daltrey with the vocal chorus| 4:19[1]

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"

[edit]

* The Who

### "Prologue – 1945"

[edit]

* John Entwistle – brass overdubs
* Pete Townshend – all other instruments

### "Captain Walker/It's a Boy"

[edit]

* Pete Townshend – all instruments

### "Bernie's Holiday Camp"

[edit]

* The Who

### "1951/What about the Boy?"

[edit]

* Nicky Hopkins – piano
* Mike Kellie – drums
* Mick Ralphs, Caleb Quaye – guitar
* Chris Stainton – organ

### "Amazing Journey"

[edit]

* Phil Chen – bass
* Nicky Hopkins – piano
* Tony Newman – drums

### "Christmas"

[edit]

* Nicky Hopkins – piano
* Vocal chorus – backing vocals

### "Eyesight to the Blind"

[edit]

* Eric Clapton – vocals and guitar
* Kenney Jones – drums
* Arthur Brown – vocals

### "Acid Queen"

[edit]

* Tina Turner – vocals
* Kenney Jones – drums
* Nicky Hopkins – piano
* Ronnie Wood – guitar

### "Do You Think It's Alright?" (1, 2, and 3)

[edit]

* Phil Chen – bass
* Graham Deakin – drums
* Nicky Hopkins – piano
* Alan Ross – acoustic guitar

### "Cousin Kevin"

[edit]

* Tony Newman – drums
* Dave Wintour – bass

### "Fiddle About"

[edit]

* The Who

### "Sparks"

[edit]

* The Who

### "Extra, Extra, Extra"

[edit]

* Kenney Jones – drums
* Alan Ross – acoustic guitar
* Tony Stevens – bass

### "Pinball Wizard"

[edit]

* Elton John – lead vocals and piano
* Davey Johnstone – guitar
* Dee Murray – bass
* Nigel Olsson – drums
* Ray Cooper – percussion

### "Champagne"

[edit]

* The Who

### "There's a Doctor"

[edit]

* Kenney Jones – drums
* Alan Ross – acoustic guitar
* Chris Stainton – piano
* Ronnie Wood – guitar

### "Go to the Mirror"

[edit]

* Richard Bailey – drums
* Phil Chen – bass
* Nicky Hopkins – piano
* Caleb Quaye – guitar

### "Tommy, Can You Hear Me?"

[edit]

* Nicky Hopkins – piano
* Alan Ross, Chris Stainton – acoustic guitar

### "Smash the Mirror!"

[edit]

* Kenney Jones – drums
* Alan Ross – acoustic guitar

### "I'm Free"

[edit]

* Nicky Hopkins – piano
* Kenney Jones – drums

### "Mother and Son"

[edit]

* Pete Townshend – all instruments except bass (John Entwistle)

### "Sensation"

[edit]

* Phil Chen – bass
* Nicky Hopkins – piano
* Alan Ross – acoustic guitar

### "Miracle Cure"

[edit]

* Kenney Jones – drums
* Alan Ross – acoustic guitar
* Tony Stevens – bass

### "Sally Simpson"

[edit]

* Phil Chen – bass
* Eric Clapton – guitar
* Graham Deakin – drums
* Nicky Hopkins – piano

### "Welcome"

[edit]

* Pete Townshend – all instruments

### "T.V. Studio"

[edit]

* Pete Townshend – all instruments

### "Tommy's Holiday Camp"

[edit]

* Gerald Shaw – organ

### "We're Not Gonna Take It"

[edit]

* 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"

[edit]

The Who, plus:

* Nicky Hopkins – piano
* Chris Stainton – organ
* Vocal chorus – backing vocals

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

1975 weekly chart performance for Tommy | Chart (1975)  | Peak
position

|

Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[2] | 6
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[3] | 2
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[4] | 11
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)[5] | 7
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[6] | 5
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[7] | 15
UK Albums (OCC)[8] | 21
US Billboard 200[9] | 2
2007 weekly chart performance for Tommy Chart (2007)  | Peak
position

|

Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[10] | 91

### Year-end charts

[edit]

Year-end chart performance for Tommy | Chart (1975)  | Position

|

Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[11] | 22
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[12] | 15
US Billboard 200[13] | 17

## Certifications

[edit]

Certifications for Tommy Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Canada (Music Canada)[14] | Gold  | 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[15] | Gold  | 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[16] | Gold  | 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e Notes:
1. The length 2:49 is the length of "Sensation" on the LP and 8-track; the cassette and CD feature a lead-in verse sung by Pete Townshend and a guitar solo (labeled parts 1 and 2 of 3), making it 4:37
2. The soundtrack album's liner notes give Oliver Reed a vocal credit for "Go to the Mirror" even though his vocals are only on the film version of the song—not the soundtrack-album version. The song book for the soundtrack album, however, correctly attributes the concluding verses' vocals solely to "Mother" (Ann-Margret).
3. "See Me, Feel Me/Listening To You" is the name given in the song book for the soundtrack album; the soundtrack album itself, counterintuitively, calls it "Listening To You/See Me, Feel Me". Also, the original 1993 CD version, curiously, splits the last two tracks at the onset of the "Listening To You" movement, leaving the "See Me, Feel Me" movement with "We're Not Gonna Take It". Times given here, however, represent the correct split between the two songs. The 2000 remastered version has the song-book track labeling and the correct split on the CD.
2. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 282\. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
3. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6136a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July, 8 2023.
4. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Soundtrack – Tommy - the Movie" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July, 8 2023.
5. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 18 March 2023. Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Titolo" field, search "Tommy".
6. ^ "Charts.nz – Soundtrack – Tommy - the Movie". Hung Medien. Retrieved July, 8 2023.
7. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Soundtrack – Tommy - the Movie". Hung Medien. Retrieved July, 8 2023.
8. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July, 8 2023.
9. ^ "The Who Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July, 8 2023.
10. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Soundtrack – Tommy - the Movie". Hung Medien. Retrieved July, 8 2023.
11. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 427\. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
12. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6489a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
13. ^ "Top US Billboard 200 Albums - Year-end 1975". BestSellingAlbums.org. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
14. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Soundtrack – Tommy". Music Canada.
15. ^ "British album certifications – Soundtrack – Tommy-Ost". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
16. ^ "American album certifications – Soundtrack – Tommy". Recording Industry Association of America.

* v
* t
* e

Pete Townshend

Discography

Studio albums|

* Who Came First
* Rough Mix (w/ Ronnie Lane)
* Empty Glass
* All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes
* White City: A Novel
* The Iron Man: A Musical
* Psychoderelict

Live albums|

* Deep End Live! (w/ Deep End)
* A Benefit for Maryville Academy
* Live: The Empire
* Live: Sadler's Wells
* Live: The Fillmore
* The Oceanic Concerts (w/ Raphael Rudd)
* Live: La Jolla Playhouse 2001
* Pete Townshend Live BAM 1993
* Live: Brixton Academy '85

Compilations|

* Scoop
* Another Scoop
* The Best of Pete Townshend
* Scoop 3
* Scooped
* Jai Baba
* Lifehouse Chronicles
* Lifehouse Elements
* Anthology
* Truancy: The Very Best of Pete Townshend

Singles|

* "Rough Boys"
* "Let My Love Open the Door"
* "A Little Is Enough"
* "Keep On Working"
* "Face Dances, Pt. 2"
* "Face the Face"
* "Give Blood"
* "English Boy"

Other songs|

* "Fire"

DVDs|

* Lifehouse Chronicles (video)
* Live In New York Feat. Psychoderelict
* O' Parvardigar

Related articles|

* Peter Meaden
* The Who
* Deep End
* Happy Birthday
* I Am
* With Love
* O' Parvardigar
* Tommy (1975 film)
* The Who's Tommy
* Tommy (soundtrack)
* Quadrophenia (film)
* Horse's Neck
* The Boy Who Heard Music
* The Lifehouse Method
* Who I Am
* Classic Quadrophenia
* Eel Pie Publishing
* Eel Pie Studios
* Double O
* Cliff Townshend
* Emma Townshend
* Simon Townshend
* The Wick
* Ashdown House, Oxfordshire
* The Boathouse, Twickenham
* Chapel House, Twickenham

* v
* t
* e

The Who

* Roger Daltrey
* Pete Townshend

* John Entwistle
* Keith Moon
* Kenney Jones
* Doug Sandom

Studio albums|

* My Generation / The Who Sings My Generation
* A Quick One / Happy Jack
* The Who Sell Out
* Tommy
* Who's Next
* Quadrophenia
* The Who by Numbers
* Who Are You
* Face Dances
* It's Hard
* Endless Wire
* Who

Live albums|

* Live at Leeds
* Who's Last
* Join Together
* Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970
* BBC Sessions
* Blues to the Bush
* Live at the Royal Albert Hall
* Live from Toronto
* View from a Backstage Pass
* Greatest Hits Live
* Live at Hull 1970
* Quadrophenia Live in London
* Live at the Fillmore East 1968

Soundtrack albums|

* Tommy
* The Kids Are Alright
* Quadrophenia
* Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who

Compilation albums|

* Magic Bus: The Who on Tour
* Direct Hits
* Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy
* Odds & Sods
* The Story of The Who
* Phases
* Hooligans
* Who's Greatest Hits
* Rarities Volume I & Volume II
* The Singles
* The Who Collection
* Who's Missing
* Two's Missing
* Who's Better, Who's Best
* Thirty Years of Maximum R&B
* My Generation: The Very Best of The Who
* 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection
* Encore Series
* The Ultimate Collection
* Then and Now
* The 1st Singles Box
* Greatest Hits
* The Who Hits 50!

Extended plays|

* Ready Steady Who
* Won't Get Fooled Again
* Wire & Glass

Filmography|

* Tommy
* The Kids Are Alright
* Quadrophenia
* Who's Better, Who's Best
* Thirty Years of Maximum R&B Live
* Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970
* The Who & Special Guests: Live at the Royal Albert Hall
* The Who Special Edition EP
* Live in Boston
* Tommy and Quadrophenia Live
* The Vegas Job
* Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who
* The Who at Kilburn: 1977
* Quadrophenia Live in London
* Lambert & Stamp

Discographies|

* The Who
* Roger Daltrey
* Pete Townshend
* John Entwistle
* Keith Moon

Tours and
performances|

* 1962–1963 performances
* Tommy Tour
* The Who by Numbers Tour
* 1979 tour (1979 Cincinnati human crush)
* 1980 tour
* 2000 tour
* 2001 The Concert for New York City appearance
* 2003 The 46664 Concert appearance
* 2006–2007 tour
* Quadrophenia and More
* The Who Hits 50!
* Back to the Who Tour 51!
* 2017 Tommy & More
* Moving On! Tour

Musicians|

* Mitch Mitchell
* Julian Covey
* Chris Townson
* Scot Halpin
* John "Rabbit" Bundrick
* Tim Gorman
* Steve "Boltz" Bolton
* Simon Phillips
* Jon Carin
* Steve White
* Brian Kehew
* J. J. Blair
* Danny Thompson
* Simon Townshend
* Jon Button
* Loren Gold
* Frank Simes
* Pino Palladino
* Reggie Grisham
* Morgan Nicholls
* Chris Stainton
* Scott Devours
* Zak Starkey

Associated places|

* Ashdown House, Oxfordshire
* Chapel House, Twickenham
* Holmshurst Manor
* Quarwood
* Ramport Studios
* Shepperton Studios
* Tara, Chertsey
* The Wick

Related|

* Songs
* Awards and nominations
* Band members
* Musical equipment
* The Boy Who Heard Music
* Lifehouse
* The Who's Tommy
* Rock Is Dead—Long Live Rock!
* The Who's Tommy Pinball Wizard
* Who Covers Who?
* "A Tale of Two Springfields"
* "In Concert"
* Double O
* The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus
* No Plan B
* Kim McLagan
* Richard Barnes
* Dougal Butler
* Chris Charlesworth
* Kit Lambert
* Chris Stamp
* Bill Curbishley
* Track Records
* Shel Talmy

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Tommy

Songs|

| Disc one|

| Side one|

* "Overture"
* "It's a Boy"
* "1921"
* "Eyesight to the Blind (The Hawker)"

|

Side two|

* "Christmas"
* "The Acid Queen"

Disc two|

| Side three|

* "Fiddle About"
* "Pinball Wizard"
* "Go to the Mirror!"

|

Side four|

* "I'm Free"
* "We're Not Gonna Take It"
* "See Me, Feel Me"

Adaptations|

* Tommy (London Symphony Orchestra) (orchestral version with various artists)
* Tommy (1975 film)
* soundtrack
* The Who's Tommy (1992 musical)

Live albums w/
majority of Tommy|

* Tommy and Quadrophenia Live
* Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970
* Live at Leeds
* The Who's Tommy Orchestral (2019 Roger Daltrey album)

Tours supporting
Tommy|

* Tommy Tour
* 2017 Tommy & More

Tribute albums|

* The Smithereens Play Tommy

Other|

* The Who's Tommy Pinball Wizard
* Two's Missing
* Lifehouse

* My Generation
* A Quick One
* The Who Sell Out
* Tommy
* Who's Next
* Quadrophenia
* The Who by Numbers
* Who Are You
* Face Dances
* It's Hard
* Endless Wire
* WHO

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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