Substitute (The Who song)
"Substitute" is a song by the English rock band the Who, written by Pete Townshend. Released in March 1966, the single reached number five in the UK and was later included on the compilation album Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy in 1971. In 2006, Pitchfork ranked "Substitute" at number 91 on the "200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s". Inspiration and writing
"Substitute" was primarily inspired by the 1965 soul single "The Tracks of My Tears" by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Pete Townshend became obsessed, particularly, with the line, "Although she may be cute/She's just a substitute." This had then led Townshend "to celebrate the word with a song all its own." For the American single, released in April 1966, a different vocal take was used that changed the line in the chorus, "I look all white but my dad was black", to "I try walking forward but my feet walk back." The complete second verse and chorus were also edited from the US release, reducing the track's length to two minutes and fifty-nine seconds. Reception
Cash Box described the song as a "pulsating, fast-moving blues-drenched woeser which concerns a guy who’s miserable ’cause he’s only a stand-in for the fella his girl really wants." Record World said it "has gritty folknroll sound." In 2012, Paste ranked the song number 13 on their list of the 20 greatest The Who songs, and in 2022, Rolling Stone ranked the song number 11 on their list of the 50 greatest The Who songs. Performance history
The song remains a familiar fan-favourite and was performed at most of their concerts. "Substitute," along with "I Can't Explain," have served as the group's opening numbers since 1971. It appears on the Live at Leeds album, as well as Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970. On the album Live at Leeds, Townshend comments on the song by saying:

In 1976, radio pirates interrupted BBC programmes in the south and southwest of England by overpowering a feeder station in Wrotham, Kent. The fake program, which started at 11:00pm and ran for 35 minutes before government engineers regained control, fittingly began with "Substitute." Cover versions
Sex Pistols played "Substitute" live on numerous gigs during 1976. A studio version, also recorded in 1976, was released on the 1979 double album The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle. Great White recorded a cover and produced a video of this song on their debut album in 1984. The Ramones recorded "Substitute" for their 1992 covers album Acid Eaters. A video accompanying the song was shot in which The Cramps vocalist Lux Interior and Lemmy Kilmister, among others, make appearances. Personnel
 Roger Daltrey – lead and backing vocals
 Pete Townshend – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, backing vocals
 John Entwistle – bass guitar, backing vocals
 Keith Moon – drums, percussion

Chart performance

Weekly charts

References

1966 singles
The Who songs
Song recordings produced by Pete Townshend
Songs written by Pete Townshend
Atco Records singles
Reaction Records singles
1966 songs