In November 1966, the band released their first E.P - the five track 7" single '
Ready Steady Who'. The title refers to an episode of the television music programme 'Ready Steady Go!' which had recently done a special on The Who, but the E.P contained different recordings from those that were featured on the show
The lead track on the 'A' side was a new Pete composition entitled '
Disguises'. This was another song that would have been included on the 'Quads' album
It is one of the earliest songs recorded by them that features rather unique instruments. Wood blocks can be heard clicking throughout the track, played by Keith and a weird French horn is featured in a distinct solo played by John. Vocals are split between Roger and Pete
This was the bands first attempt to move in the psychedelic direction that The Beatles were taking on the 'Rubber Soul' and 'Revolver' albums. The song was later covered by
The Jam as the 'B' side to the 'Funeral Pyre' single in 1981
"I used to know everything about you
But today when I tried to point you out to one of my friends
I picked the wrong girl again
Don't see you in the crowd anymore
I think it's you but I can't be sure
You're wearing disguises
Occasionally a girl surprises me
When she turns out to be you
Wearing disguises
I don't think you want me to see you ever again
And today I saw you dressed as a flower bed
Last week you had a wig on your head
Directing traffic in the street
And your shoes were too big for your feet
You were wearing disguises
Occasionally a girl surprises me
When she turns out to be you
Wearing disguises
[repeat first verse]
Wearing disguises
Wearing disguises
Wearing disguises
Wearing disguises"
Completing the first side on the E.P was '
Circles', which has already been written about. The second side contained three songs, starting with '
Batman' written by Neil Hefti for the television show of the same name. This was also covered by
The Jam on their debut album 'In The City'
During 1966, this was used as the opening number for the bands live shows. Although it is competently played, it is ultimately forgettable
The second song, which was originally recorded by
Jan and Dean in 1966, is '
Bucket T' featuring Keith on reasonably well executed lead vocals
The Swedish TV show Popside filmed The Who recording this track. It was released as a single in Sweden shortly after the clip aired, and became one of the few Who singles anywhere to reach #1 in the chart!
"Bucket bucket T T, bucket T bucket T,
Bucket bucket T T, bucket T bucket T,
Bucket bucket T T, bucket T bucket T,
Found her in a barn in Tennessee
I paid five bucks for my Bucket T
Took me three years of sweat and blood
To clean off all that Tennessee mud
chorus:
My Bucket T (Bucket T)
Bucket T (Bucket T)
My Bucket T (Bucket T)
My Bucket T (Bucket T)
T T T... Bucket bucket bucket...
Cruise down the street in front of school
I wanna rev it up but I gotta be cool
Drivin' down the road I'll get my kicks
A'poppin' the clutch and a'slippin' the sticks
[chorus]
I was right, too, she's first in her class
There's nothing on the freeway she don't pass
All the girls want to take a ride with me
But there's only one seat in my Bucket T
[chorus]"
The final song on the E.P is another cover. Surrendering to Keith's love of surf music, the band did their best with '
Barbara Ann'. but try as they might, it's just not their thing, and Keith's vocls cannot match those of
The Beach Boys, who recorded the best known version of the song
[Note: The below video is from 1978 and used in the documentary 'The Kids Are Alright']
"Ba ba ba, ba Barbara Ann,
Ba ba ba, ba Barbara Ann,
Barbara Ann, take my hand, Barbara Ann
You've got me rockin' and a'rollin'
Rockin' and a'reelin' Barbara Ann
I went to a dance
Looking for romance
Saw Barbara Ann so I thought I'd take a chance
With Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann
You've got me rockin' and a'rollin'
Rockin' and a'reelin' Barbara Ann
Tried Mary Lou,
Tried Peggy Sue,
Tried Freddie too
But I knew she wouldn't do
Like Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann
You've got me rockin' and a'rollin'
Rockin' and a'reelin' Barbara Ann
Barbara Ann, Barbara Ann..."