Success Story by The Who

Album: The Who By Numbers (1975)

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Songfacts®:

This song is a cynical autobiography of The Who. It was written by John Entwistle and uses his trademark dark humor.
The line, "I'm your fairy manager" is an allusion to The Who's gay manager Kit Lambert, who they were in the process of suing.
The line, "I may go far if I smash my guitar" is a reference to how, in their early years, The Who would end their concerts with Pete Townshend smashing his guitar on stage.
The verse at the end about the preacher becoming a rock musician is a jab at Pete Townshend, who worked spirituality into his songs.
This song was featured in a scene in the rockumentary The Kids Are Alright, which was about The Who. In the scene, John Entwistle uses gold records for skeet shooting. >>
Suggestion credit:
Jon - Tucson, AZ, for all above

Comments: 4

Charles from CanadaAxl Rose had revealed in a Rolling Stone interview that a very drunk John Entwistle admitted to him that they weren't his actual gold records that he shot up in The Kids Are Alright.

"I'll let you in on a secret, mate... Those were old Connie Francis records I painted gold. I F--kin' stole 'em! I'm not gonna shoot up my own gold records, am I?"
Guy from Benson, NcThe records he shot were Roger's. LOL!!!
Ken from Oswego, IlThe reference to the preacher is regarding Little Richard who did leave R&R (in 1957) to preach then return to R&R ('62-63). Hence his conversion to the new religion.
Brian from Dennis, Mathis was the best scene in the kids are alright, i laughed hard when John shot up the record with the tommy gun

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