The Seeker by The Who

Album: Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy (1970)

Charted: 19 44

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Songfacts®:

This was The Who's first single released after their very successful Rock Opera Tommy. The song summed up Pete Townshend's dilemma at the time: how to handle the success that came from Tommy and stay true to the spiritual journey he had been following during the year he wrote and produced the Rock Opera.
Pete Townshend wrote part of the song in a swamp in Florida, drunk out of his mind. The swamp was covered in cockleburs that attached themselves to his hair and clothes, and stumbling along filled with frustration and pain he came up with "I'm looking for me, you're looking for you, we're looking at each other and we don't know what to do." Later on he denounced the song as not being one of his favourites, and said that "It sounded great in the mosquito-ridden swamp I made it up in - Florida at three in the morning, drunk out of my mind. But that's where the trouble always starts, in the swamp." >>
Suggestion credit:
Fintan - Manchester, England
Roger Daltrey was not a fan of the song. He admitted to Uncut magazine: "I was never ever fond of 'The Seeker.' To sing that song, to me, was like trying to push an elephant up the stairs. I found it cumbersome, the first song we'd ever done where I thought, 'Nah, this is pretentious.'"
The song is used in the opening credits of The Terence Stamp film The Limey. It also features in American Beauty. Both films were released in 1999.

Comments: 5

SteveThis is a great song. Funny that Roger and Pete don't appreciate.
Carlos from Bertioga, BrasilWhat's the real problem of discover a song/band from a videogame? its the same thing as discovering form movies, radio, in local stores, even form youtube. We have to start in some way. That's the best way ti keep the best songs alive!
Alex from Newcastle Upon Tyne, United KingdomSurely it's a good thing it was included in Guitar Hero, so more kid's can hear the work of The Who. You've got to hear it somewhere to become a fan, what's wrong with Guitar Hero?
Kiyoto from Vancouver, Canadagood song, just too bad it had to be featured on "Guitar Hero" before more kids start listening to the who...
Howard from Vancouver, Bc"Baba Lovers" (followers, like Townshend, of the Avatar Meher Baba) speak of Seekers as those tortured souls (like themselves before they discovered Baba) who are searching for some spiritual meaning that they don't yet understand.

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