An uncharacteristically jolly song with lascivious undertones, '
Squeeze Box' is a most un-Who-like tumble into uncomplicated rolling rhythms, enlivened by Pete as a multi-instrumentalist on accordion and banjo as well as guitar, though the ending (with its tremelo chords) is classic Who
'Squeeze Box' became a minor hit for the band, reaching #10 in the UK and #16 in the US, although it did reach the top of the Canadian chart and the second spot on the Irish chart
The song was originally intended for a Who television special planned for 1974 where the song was to be performed by The Who accompanied by 100 topless lady accordionists!
Pete:
"It was intended as a poorly aimed dirty joke. I had bought myself an accordion and learned to play it one afternoon. The polka-esque rhythm I managed to produce from it brought forth this song. Amazingly recorded by The Who to my disbelief. Further incredulity was caused when it became a hit for us in the USA."
"Mama's got a squeeze box
She wears on her chest
And when daddy comes home
He never gets no rest
'Cause she's playing all night
And the music's all right
Mama's got a squeeze box
Daddy never sleeps at night
Well the kids don't eat
And the dog can't sleep
There's no escape from the music
In the whole damn street
'Cause she's playing all night
And the music's all right
Mama's got a squeeze box
Daddy never sleeps at night
She goes in and out and in
And out and in and out and in and out
She's playing all night
And the music's all right
Mama's got a squeeze box
Daddy never sleeps at night
She goes, squeeze me, come on and squeeze me
Come on and tease me like you do
I'm so in love with you
Mama's got a squeeze box
Daddy never sleeps at night
She goes in and out and in and out
And in and out and in and out
'Cause she's playing all night
And the music's all right
Mama's got a squeeze box
Daddy never sleeps at night"
Originally entitled 'Control Myself', Pete hated playing '
Dreaming From The Waist' because of the tricky opening chords played high up on his fretboard, but with the tumbling rhythm, melodic, harmony-clad chorus and general sizzle, it's considered to be one of the bands best songs. It also offered John a chance to stretch out - his popping bass solo at the end of the sing is a stunning display of virtuosity which he would play live with the casual aplomb of a musician whose fingers other bass guitarists would kill for!
For some reason, YouTube notes that this song carries a parental warning for "explicit lyrics"!
I feel like I want to break out of the house
My heart is a-pumping, I've got sand in my mouth
I feel like I'm heading up to a cardiac arrest
I want to scream in the night, I want a manifest
I've got that wide awake, give-and-take, five o'clock-in-the-morning feeling
I've got the hots for the sluts in the well thumbed pages of a magazine
I want to drive, want to fly like I do in the dreams I've never really been in
I want to hump, want to jump, want to heat up, cool down in a dream machine
From the waist on down
(I'm dreaming) But I feel tired and bound
(I'm dreaming) Of a day when a cold shower helps my health
(I'm dreaming) Dreaming, of the day I can control myself
Day I can control myself
Sound like a priest and then I'm shooting dice
I'm burning tires with some guy whose hair is turning white
I know the girls that I pass, they just ain't impressed
I'm too old to give up, but too young to rest
I've got that numb-to-a-thumb over-dubbed
Feeling social when the world is sleeping
The plot starts to thicken then I sicken and I feel I'm cemented down
I'm so juiced that the whorey lady's sad sad story has me quietly weeping
But here comes the morning
Here comes the yawning demented clown
But I know it's all hot air
(I'm dreaming) I'll get back to that rocking chair
(I'm dreaming) Of the day when I can share the wealth
(I'm dreaming) Dreaming, of the day I can control myself
Day I can control myself
Hey, hey!
The day I can control myself
Woah!"