"A Quick One, While He's Away" is a 1966 song written by
Pete Townshend
Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (; born 19 May 1945) is an English musician. He is the co-founder, guitarist, keyboardist, second lead vocalist, principal songwriter and leader of the Who, one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s an ...
and recorded by
the Who
The Who are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup (1964–1978) consisted of lead vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon. Considered one of th ...
for their second album ''
A Quick One''. The song also appears on the album ''
BBC Sessions''. In the performance on their ''
Live at Leeds
''Live at Leeds'' is the first live album by the English rock music, rock band the Who, recorded at the University of Leeds Refectory on 14 February 1970 and released on 11 May 1970, by Decca Records, Decca and MCA Records, MCA in the United St ...
'' album Townshend calls the nine-minute "epic" track a "mini-opera" and introduces it as "''
Tommy's'' parents".
The song tells the story of an unnamed girl whose lover has been gone "for nearly a year". Her friends inform her that they "have a remedy"; the remedy comes in the form of Ivor the
Engine Driver. When the lover returns, the girl confesses her infidelity, and she is ultimately forgiven.
Parts to the song
The song has six distinct
movements
Movement may refer to:
Generic uses
* Movement (clockwork), the internal mechanism of a timepiece
* Movement (sign language), a hand movement when signing
* Motion, commonly referred to as movement
* Movement (music), a division of a larger c ...
. The brief harmonised ''
a cappella
Music performed a cappella ( , , ; ), less commonly spelled acapella in English, is music performed by a singer or a singing group without instrumental accompaniment. The term ''a cappella'' was originally intended to differentiate between Rena ...
'' intro is titled "Her Man's Been Gone". The "Crying Town" section is sung by
Roger Daltrey
Sir Roger Harry Daltrey (born 1 March 1944) is an English singer, musician and actor. He is the co-founder and lead vocalist of the Rock music, rock band the Who, known for his powerful voice and charismatic stage presence. His stage persona ear ...
in an atypical low register. Daltrey also sings "We Have a Remedy" in his more usual voice.
John Entwistle
John Alec Entwistle (9 October 194427 June 2002) was an English musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the rock band the Who. Entwistle's music career spanned over four decades. Nicknamed "The Ox" and "Thunderfingers", he was the band ...
plays "Ivor the Engine Driver" in that section. Then comes "Soon Be Home", another harmonised section. Finally, "You Are Forgiven" is sung by
Pete Townshend
Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (; born 19 May 1945) is an English musician. He is the co-founder, guitarist, keyboardist, second lead vocalist, principal songwriter and leader of the Who, one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s an ...
– his only lead vocal on the album (except, on most versions of the album, a small part of "Heat Wave"). The Who wanted cellos at the final "mini"-movement, "You Are Forgiven", but producer and manager
Kit Lambert
Christopher Sebastian "Kit" Lambert (11 May 1935 – 7 April 1981) was an English record producer, record label owner and the manager of the Who.
Biography Early life
Kit Lambert was born on 11 May 1935, the son of composer Constant Lamb ...
could not afford it so they ended up saying "Cello, cello, cello".
This song is the Who's first publicised venture into the
rock opera
A rock opera is a collection of rock music songs with lyrics that relate to a common story. Rock operas are typically released as concept albums and are not scripted for acting, which distinguishes them from operas, although several have been ad ...
genre
(although the songs "
I'm a Boy
"I'm a Boy" is a 1966 rock song written by Pete Townshend for the Who. The song was originally intended to be a part of a rock opera called ''Quads'', which was to be set in a future in which parents can choose the sex of their children. The ide ...
" and "Disguises" were the result of Townshend's first delve into rock opera, entitled "Quads"), and a precursor to their later, more ambitious project ''Tommy''.
In addition to the studio recording on the ''
A Quick One'' album, a live recording appears on ''
Live at Leeds
''Live at Leeds'' is the first live album by the English rock music, rock band the Who, recorded at the University of Leeds Refectory on 14 February 1970 and released on 11 May 1970, by Decca Records, Decca and MCA Records, MCA in the United St ...
''. When the song was performed live, instead of "girl", Townshend and Daltrey would make a point to sing "
Girl Guide". A performance filmed for ''
The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus
''The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus'' is a British concert film hosted by and featuring the Rolling Stones, filmed on 11–12 December 1968. It was directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who proposed the idea of a "rock and roll circus" to Jag ...
'' in 1968 can be seen on that film (released in 1996) and on the 1979 documentary ''
The Kids Are Alright''. It also appears on both films' soundtrack albums. Another version recorded live at the Monterey Pop Festival can be found on the Monterey Pop Festival four-disk set and on another Who film, ''Thirty Years of Maximum R&B Live''. A mixed studio and live version can be found on The Who's four disk set ''
Thirty Years of Maximum R&B''.
Another version of this song is available on the DVD, ''
At Kilburn 1977 + Live at the Coliseum'', with Townshend's long explanation of the song and constant humorous comments by
Keith Moon
Keith John Moon (23 August 1946 – 7 September 1978) was an English musician who was the drummer for the rock band the Who. Regarded as one of the greatest drummers in the history of rock music, he was noted for his unique style of playing and ...
. However, because of problems with the cameras, part of the performance is lost, and was replaced by stylised footage.
The ''
Live at Leeds
''Live at Leeds'' is the first live album by the English rock music, rock band the Who, recorded at the University of Leeds Refectory on 14 February 1970 and released on 11 May 1970, by Decca Records, Decca and MCA Records, MCA in the United St ...
'' version of the song was used in the
soundtrack
A soundtrack is a recorded audio signal accompanying and synchronised to the images of a book, drama, motion picture, radio program, television show, television program, or video game; colloquially, a commercially released soundtrack album of m ...
of the movie ''
Rushmore'' (though the ''
Rock and Roll Circus'' version, specifically "You Are Forgiven", was used in the film). According to the commentary for the film, the ''Circus'' recording is owned as part of the package of
Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for over six decades, they are one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the Album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the band pione ...
songs, and it was prohibitively expensive to include on the soundtrack album (which is, similarly, missing the Stones' song "
I Am Waiting," used in the film).
A short tease of the final section, "You Are Forgiven", was used to end a concert at the
Wembley Arena
Wembley Arena () (originally the Empire Pool, currently known as OVO Energy, OVO Arena Wembley for sponsorship reasons) is an indoor arena next to Wembley Stadium in Wembley, Greater London, England. The 12,500-seat facility is Greater Lond ...
on 16 November 2000. That was the first time any part of the song was played live by The Who since 1970, until it was resumed in its entirety for the 2014
The Who Hits 50! tour. Pete Townshend played the song in its entirety on several dates of his 1993 PSYCHODERELICT solo tour.
The song was rehearsed for inclusion in
The Who's 2006/2007 North American Tour, but was not part of any
set list.
It is likely that the name of "Ivor the Engine Driver" was influenced by the UK TV series ''
Ivor the Engine
''Ivor the Engine'' is a British cutout animation television series created by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin's Smallfilms company. It follows the adventures of a small green steam locomotive who lives in the "top left-hand corner of Wales ...
.''
Background
As Pete Townshend showed producer Kit Lambert the songs he had demoed, one was a mock
oratorio
An oratorio () is a musical composition with dramatic or narrative text for choir, soloists and orchestra or other ensemble.
Similar to opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an instrumental ensemble, various distinguisha ...
called "Gratis Amatis". Going from that, Lambert asked about a "pop opera" played more seriously, possibly inspired in the single "
Happy Jack", so that it could fill the remaining space in the upcoming and lead into a quick release. Taking "quickly" as the primary order, Townshend came to the title ''
A Quick One'' for the album and "A Quick One While He's Away" for a song he started to write inspired by his childhood experiences.
Townshend reveals in his 2012 autobiography, ''
Who I Am'', that "A Quick One While He's Away" briefly refers to his molestation as a child, but not explicitly. "Ivor The Engine Driver" is said by Townshend to be a metaphor for the possible abuser. The "Her Man's Been Gone" section refers to Townshend's separation from his parents and spending time with his grandmother, Denny. The crying in the "Crying Town" portion is his own, for his parents to pick him up and to leave Denny, who is said by Townshend to have been the person who brought in unknown men into her home. The "little girl" referred to in his song is actually a make-believe "imaginary constant friend" and "twin girl who suffered every privation I suffered." The "You Are Forgiven" presents someone coming to Townshend's rescue: his mother. The lyric about sitting on Ivor the Engine Driver's lap "and later with him had a nap" also hints at what may have happened. The song ends with the verbal chant of "you are forgiven", which Townshend states that when The Who performed the song, he would always get into a frenzy. He states that those who were being forgiven was everyone referred to in the song's lyrics, including himself.
He told ''
Mojo'':
:
Live performance
The Who performed the song often after its release, but it was largely retired after 1970. Live versions of the song, such as that heard on the ''Live at Leeds'' album, contain some noticeable structural differences from the original. The second half of the "Ivor the Engine Driver" section ("better be nice to an old engine driver") was cut, and "Soon Be Home" was shortened substantially. The "You Are Forgiven" section, on the other hand, was extended, sometimes ending up as nearly half the song. Live, Townshend also frequently gave humorous introductions to the song.
Reception
Although never released as a single, "A Quick One, While He's Away" is widely regarded as one of the band's best songs. In 2012, Brian Tremml of ''
Paste'' ranked "A Quick One, While He's Away" number seven on his list of the 20 greatest The Who songs, though a list of the 20 greatest The Who songs compiled by five ''Paste'' writers in 2023 did not include the song. In 2022, ''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason.
The magazine was first known fo ...
'' ranked the song number four on their list of the 50 greatest The Who songs.
Covers
Graham Coxon performed the song in late 2004 at the
Queens of Noize Christmas Party.
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1998. The band consists of vocalist/guitarist Jim James, bassist Tom Blankenship, drummer Patrick Hallahan, guitarist Carl Broemel, and keyboardist Bo Kos ...
performed a
cover of the song at the 2006
Bonnaroo Music Festival
Bonnaroo (or Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival) is an American annual four-day music festival developed and founded by Superfly Presents and AC Entertainment.
Bonnaroo has taken place at what is now Great Stage Park, a 700-acre (280 ha) fa ...
and on several European dates during their stint as an
opening act
An opening act, also known as a warm-up act, support act, supporting act or opener, is an entertainment act (musical, comedic, or otherwise), that performs at a concert before the featured act, or "headliner". Rarely, an opening act may perform ...
for
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. One of the key bands in the grunge, grunge movement of the early 1990s, Pearl Jam has outsold and outlasted many of its contemporaries from the early 1990s, ...
in the same year, when the latter's frontman
Eddie Vedder
Eddie Jerome Vedder (born Edward Louis Severson III; December 23, 1964) is an American singer, musician, and songwriter. He is the lead vocalist, primary lyricist, and one of three guitarists for the rock band Pearl Jam. He was previously a gues ...
would join them on stage. One such occasion (9/19/06,
PalaIsozaki,
Torino
Turin ( , ; ; , then ) is a city and an important business and cultural centre in northern Italy. It is the capital city of Piedmont and of the Metropolitan City of Turin, and was the first Italian capital from 1861 to 1865. The city is main ...
) is documented as a
bonus track on the
DVD
The DVD (common abbreviation for digital video disc or digital versatile disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any ki ...
version of the Pearl Jam
concert film
A concert film or concert movie is a film that showcases a live performance from the perspective of a concert goer, the subject of which is an extended live performance or concert, by either a musician or a Stand-up comedy, stand-up comedian.
Ea ...
''
Immagine in Cornice''. My Morning Jacket covered the song again during the encore of night 4 of their 5-day concert series at New York City's
Terminal 5 in 2010.
Islands
This is a list of the lists of islands in the world grouped by country, by continent, by body of water, and by other classifications. For rank-order lists, see the #Other lists of islands, other lists of islands below.
Lists of islands by count ...
song "In the Rushes" on their 2008 album ''
Arm's Way'' includes the final section of the song.
Green Day
Green Day is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Rodeo, California, in 1987 by lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, with drummer Tré Cool joining in 1990. In 1994, their majo ...
recorded a cover that was included as a bonus track on deluxe editions of their album ''
21st Century Breakdown''. They have also performed all six sections of the song at sound checks. The band performed the song in its entirety at their 28 July 2009 concert at New York City's
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as the Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh and Eighth Avenue (Manhattan), Eig ...
, on 25 April 2010 at New York City's Bowery Electric as their side-project
Foxboro Hot Tubs, on 24 August 2013 at the Leeds Festival and on 15 March 2014 at SXSW.
Saint Motel recorded a cover that was included on the 2014 album ''I Saved Latin! A Tribute to Wes Anderson''.
References
Sources
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Quick One, While He's Away
The Who songs
1966 songs
Music medleys
Proto-prog songs
Song recordings produced by Kit Lambert
Songs about child abuse
Songs written by Pete Townshend
Songs about infidelity