Substitute (The Who song)

"Substitute" is a song by the English rock band the Who, written by Pete Townshend. Released in March 1966, the single reached number five in the UK and was later included on the compilation album Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy in 1971. In 2006, Pitchfork ranked "Substitute" at number 91 on the "200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s".

Inspiration and writing
"Substitute" was primarily inspired by the 1965 soul single "The Tracks of My Tears" by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Pete Townshend became obsessed, particularly, with the line, "Although she may be cute/She's just a substitute." This had then led Townshend "to celebrate the word with a song all of its own."

For the American single, released in April 1966, a different vocal take was used that changed the line in the chorus, "I look all white but my dad was black", to "I try walking forward but my feet walk back." The complete second verse and chorus were also edited from the US release, reducing the track's length to two minutes and fifty-nine seconds.

Reception
Cash Box described the song as a "pulsating, fast-moving blues-drenched woeser which concerns a guy who’s miserable ’cause he’s only a stand-in for the fella his girl really wants." Record World wrote it "has gritty folknroll sound."

In 2012, Paste ranked the song number 13 on its list of the 20 greatest The Who songs, and in 2022, Rolling Stone ranked the song number 11 on its list of the 50 greatest The Who songs.

Performance history
The song remains a familiar fan-favourite and was performed at most of their concerts. "Substitute," along with "I Can't Explain," have served as the group's opening numbers since 1971. It appears on the Live at Leeds album, as well as Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970.

On the album Live at Leeds, Townshend comments on the song by saying:

"We'd like to play three hit singles from our past for ya. Three selected hit singles, the three easiest. There's "Substitute," which we like. [crowd cheers] Thank you. That was our first number four [crowd laughs]..."

In 1976, radio pirates interrupted BBC programmes in the south and southwest of England by overpowering a feeder station in Wrotham, Kent. The fake program, which started at 11:00pm and ran for 35 minutes before government engineers regained control, fittingly began with "Substitute."

Cover versions
Sex Pistols played "Substitute" live on numerous gigs during 1976. A studio version, also recorded in 1976, was released on the 1979 double album The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle.

Great White recorded a cover and produced a video of this song on their debut album in 1984.

The Ramones recorded "Substitute" for their 1992 covers album Acid Eaters, with Pete Townsend on backing vocals. A video accompanying the song was shot in which The Cramps vocalist Lux Interior and Lemmy Kilmister, among others, make appearances.

In 1993, Blur performed "Substitute" as part of a tribute album entitled "Who Covers Who?"

Car Seat Headrest created a cover for their 2020 EP MADLO: Influences.

Personnel

 * Roger Daltrey – lead and backing vocals
 * Pete Townshend – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, backing vocals
 * John Entwistle – bass guitar, backing vocals
 * Keith Moon – drums, percussion