7/13: Described by Pete as being "The Ultimate Who Record", '
I Can See For Miles' is the choice of many fans as the best Who single ever. As a band, they never sounded more together than they do on this long-distance single which is psychedelic without being trippy. It strains at the leash, but is held together by Pete's taut and sustained guitar phrases, and Keith's immaculate drumming. The guitar solo here is a revelation - buzzing feedback with choppy chords. However, there are also two overdubbed guitars which meant the song could rarely be performed live by the band as a four piece!
Paul McCartney recalls writing '
Helter Skelter' after reading a review of 'The Who Sell Out' in which the critic claimed that "I Can See for Miles" was the "heaviest" song he had ever heard. McCartney had not heard the song but wrote: 'Helter Skelter' in an attempt to make an even "heavier" song than the one praised in the review!
"I know you've deceived me, now here's a surprise
I know that you have 'cause there's magic in my eyes
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah
If you think that I don't know about the little tricks you've played
And never see you when deliberately you put things in my way
Well, here's a poke at you
You're gonna choke on it too
You're gonna lose that smile
Because all the while
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah
You took advantage of my trust in you when I was so far away
I saw you holding lots of other guys and now you've got the nerve to say
That you still want me
Well, that's as may be
But you gotta stand trial
Because all the while
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah
I know you've deceived me, now here's a surprise
I know that you have 'cause there's magic in my eyes
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah
The Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal are mine to see on clear days
You thought that I would need a crystal ball to see right through the haze
Well, here's a poke at you
You're gonna choke on it too
You're gonna lose that smile
Because all the while
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
and miles and miles and miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles"
6/13: Originally entitled 'See, Feel, Hear You', '
Can't Reach You', opens the second side of the vinyl album. This is another great pop song, with vocals by Pete. Unfortunately the flowing harmonies and lovely chorus are marred by a weak and uninspired guitar solo
It was conceived as being an 'aircrash' song in which a survivor is unable to reach a dying loved one!
The song is also known as 'I Can't Reach You' on various re-issues.
"I'm a million ages past you
A million years behind you too
A thousand miles up in the air
A trillion times I've seen you there
Your hair is golden, mine is grey
You walk on grass, it turns to hay
You blood is blue and mine is red
My body strains, but the nerves are dead
I can't reach you
I've strained my eyes
I can't reach you
I've split my sides
I can't reach
Tryin' to get on you
See, feel or hear from you
The distances grow greater now
You drink champagne and past me plow
You fly your plane right over my head
You're still alive and I'm nearly dead
I can't reach you
With arms outstretched
I can't reach you
I crane my neck
I can't reach
Tryin' to get on you
See, feel or hear from you
Once I caught a glimpse
Of your unguarded, untouched heart
Our fingertips touched and then
My mind tore us apart
I can't reach you
With arms outstretched
I can't reach you
I crane my neck
I can't reach
Tryin' to get on you
See, feel or hear from you
I can't reach you
With arms outstretched
I can't reach you
I crane my neck
I can't reach
Tryin' to get on you
See, feel or hear from you"