Psychedelic Rock Music
The song was written by group member Pete Townshend. It was released on The Who’s 1967 album The Who Sell Out and as a single. In 1967, the song went to #9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #8 on Cash Box, making it their highest-charting single on the U.S. Charts. It also went to #10 in the U.K. and #4 in Canada. The track was part of the trend in the Sixties to use more and more studio techniques. “I Can See for Miles” was recorded in several sessions in several studios. This included backing tracks in London, vocals and overdubbing in New York, and mastering in Los Angeles. The complexity of the vocal harmonies and percussion made it a difficult number to perform live on stage. The song has received high acclaim, including Pitchfork Media’s “The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s” and Rolling Stone magazine’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”
The Who formed in London, England, in 1964. Their classic lineup was Roger Daltrey (lead vocals), Pete Townshend (guitar), John Entwistle (bass), and Keith Moon (drums). They have been a very influential rock band. Over the years there have been many membership changes, but they continue to tour and perform.