Classic rock radio has ruined some fine songs for many listeners. In the case of Won’t Get Fooled Again, it’s been trivialized by radio and use as a TV theme song. I don’t begrudge Pete Townshend the income but it’s time to do my part in taking back Won’t Get Fooled Again.

The Who are the only band I ever followed on the road. First, in the UK in 1975, then in the US the next year. That was when the band settled on Won’t Get Fooled Again as their ultimate closing number.

Pete Townshend wrote Won’t Get Fooled Again in 1970 for the Life House project, which morphed into the classic 1971 album, Who’s Next. That’s an oversimplification but this is neither the time nor place for inside Who banter. Instead let’s rock.

We begin with a double dose of The Who:

Here’s a Pete Townshend doubleheader. The first clip is an acoustic medley of Drowned from Quadrophenia with Won’t Get Fooled Again.

Labelle with a swell soul cover of the Townshend classic:

Speaking of acoustic versions of this week’s tune, I give you Mr. Richie Havens.

What would the Friday Cocktail Hour be without an instrumental version of the week’s tune? This time a bluegrass interpretation by Gabe Witcher, David West, and Tom Ball.

That’s it for this week. Let’s toast the OG Who. Thanks for all the great music, y’all. It’s what Roger, John, Keith, and Pete would want. Never argue with them.