Pinball Wizard
The Who
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Ever since I was a young boy, I've played the silver ball. From Soho down to Brighton I must have played them all. But I ain't seen nothing like him In any amusement hall That deaf dumb and blind kid Sure plays a mean pin ball ! He stands like a statue, Becomes part of the machine. Feeling all the bumpers Always playing clean. He plays by intuition, The digit counters fall. That deaf dumb and blind kid Sure plays a mean pin ball ! He's a pin ball wizard There has got to be a twist. A pin ball wizard, S'got such a supple wrist. 'How do you think he does it? I don't know! What makes him so good?' He ain't got no distractions Can't hear those buzzers and bells, Don't see lights a flashin' Plays by sense of smell. Always has a replay, 'N' never tilts at all That deaf dumb and blind kid Sure plays a mean pin ball. I thought I was The Bally table king. But I just handed My pin ball crown to him. Even on my favorite table He can beat my best. His disciples lead him in And he just does the rest. He's got crazy flipper fingers Never seen him fall That deaf dumb and blind kind Sure plays a mean pin ball!!!!!
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9 fans
Written by: Peter Townshend
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Spirit Music Group, Abkco Music Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Song Development"Pinball Wizard" was written and composed by Pete Townshend, the lead guitarist and one of the founders of the British rock band, The Who.
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ReleaseThe song was first released as a single in 1969 and it is a part of the rock opera album called "Tommy".
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Inspiration"Pinball Wizard" was inspired by Townshend's friend and rock critic, Nik Cohn, who was a pinball fan. He wrote the song in an attempt to get a favourable review from Cohn for their "Tommy" album.
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Chart PerformanceShortly after its release, "Pinball Wizard" climbed the charts in several countries, reaching the top 5 in the UK and making its way to the top 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
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Pop Culture ReferenceThe song became such a popular cultural reference to pinball that it later influenced the creation of the musical "The Who's Tommy", which was eventually transformed into a movie and a pinball machine.
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Deaf, Dumb, and Blind ProtagonistThe song's lyrics focus on a "deaf, dumb and blind kid" who plays a mean pinball, hinting at the character of Tommy Walker, the protagonist of the rock opera.
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Musical Elements“Pinball Wizard” is famous for its distinctive acoustic guitar intro, played by Townshend himself, which is a popular hallmark of the song.
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ReceptionDespite its initial mixed reviews, "Pinball Wizard" is considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time now, and it remains a staple of The Who’s live shows.
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Cover VersionsThe song has been covered by many artists, including Elton John, whose version became a top 10 hit in the UK and US in 1975.
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The Who's Signature Song"Pinball Wizard" is considered a signature song of The Who and it has become orthodoxy at radio stations, helping the band gain worldwide acclaim.
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Awards and RankingThe song has made it to various music lists and rankings, including Rolling Stone's list of "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
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Use in FilmElton John's version of "Pinball Wizard" features in the 1975 film "Tommy", based on The Who's rock opera, where John makes a cameo as a pinball champion, using oversized boots to reach the game's controls.
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