"However Much I Booze" (Working title: "No Way Out") is a song by

The Who The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered ...

, written by

Pete Townshend Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (; born 19 May 1945) is an English musician. He is co-founder, leader, guitarist, second lead vocalist and principal songwriter of the Who, one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s. Townsh ...

that is the second track on their

1975 It was also declared the ''International Women's Year'' by the United Nations and the European Architectural Heritage Year by the Council of Europe. Events January * January 1 - Watergate scandal (United States): John N. Mitchell, H. R. ...

album ''

The Who by Numbers ''The Who by Numbers'' is the seventh studio album by English rock band the Who, released on 3 October 1975 in the United Kingdom through Polydor Records, and on 25 October 1975 in the United States by MCA Records. It was named the tenth-best al ...

''.

Background

On stage, Townshend claimed that he wrote the song on the night that he gave up drinking. Lead singer Roger Daltrey refused to sing the song, possibly because (according to Richard Barnes) the song was too personal. Alternatively, it was speculated by authors Steve Grantley and Alan Parker that Daltrey wanted to make it clear that Townshend had the drinking problem, rather than himself. Townshend later said about his drinking with the Who: The song, containing additional lyrics not seen in the final version, was originally demoed with the working title of "No Way Out." This version later appeared on Townshend's demo collection album, ''

Scoop 3 Released in 2001, ''Scoop 3'' is a compilation of demos and alternate versions of previous Who songs and new Pete Townshend material. History It is the third and last ''Scoop'' collection. It contains considerably fewer demos and alternate versio ...

''. "However Much I Booze" addresses themes including loneliness, the illusion of reality within the entertainment world and Townshend's own feuding with Who lead singer

Roger Daltrey Roger Harry Daltrey (born 1 March 1944) is an English singer, musician and actor. He is a co-founder and the lead singer of the Rock music, rock band The Who. Daltrey's hit songs with The Who include "My Generation", "Pinball Wizard", "Won't Ge ...

. The song's cheerful melody contrasts with the grim subject matter. The melody is complemented with energetic playing from drummer

Keith Moon Keith John Moon (23 August 19467 September 1978) was an English drummer for the rock band the Who. He was noted for his unique style of playing and his eccentric, often self-destructive behaviour and addiction to drugs and alcohol. Moon grew ...

and

bassist A bassist (also known as a bass player or bass guitarist) is a musician who plays a Bass (instrument), bass instrument such as a double bass (upright bass, contrabass, wood bass), bass guitar (electric bass, acoustic bass), synthbass, keyboar ...

John Entwistle John Alec Entwistle (9 October 194427 June 2002) was an English musician who was the bassist for the rock band The Who. Entwistle's music career spanned over four decades. Nicknamed "The Ox" and "Thunderfingers", he was the band's only member ...

, further contrasting the mood of the lyrics.

Live history

"However Much I Booze" was played sporadically during The Who's 1975 tour, making it one of the three songs from ''

'' to be played at that time (although "

Slip Kid "Slip Kid" is a song from The Who's seventh album, ''The Who by Numbers''. Written originally for Pete Townshend's shelved '' Lifehouse'' rock opera, "Slip Kid" was revived in 1975. The song was originally written as a warning about the music bu ...

" was attempted during the band's 1976 tour.) However, the song was abandoned following this tour.

References

{{authority control 1975 songs The Who songs Songs written by Pete Townshend Song recordings produced by Glyn Johns Pete Townshend songs Songs about alcohol