From album
The Who
The Who · 1980 · Track 4
Details
TonalidadE
Compás4/4
Tempo129 BPM
Duración4:44
CompositorPete Townshend
ÁlbumThe Who
Año1980
ISRCGBAKW6700409
Credits
Music Pete Townshend
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The story behind
When Pete Townshend composed I Can See for Miles, he felt he had his best creation to date in his hands. The idea arose in the spring of 1966, during a time of legal tension for the band, and he recounts writing the lyrics on the back of a legal document, motivated by jealousy towards his partner, Karen, upon seeing her with other men. He kept this piece as his "ace up his sleeve," thinking it would be the perfect track for when they truly needed a big hit. The song was recorded in several parts: the instrumental foundations were laid in May 1967 at CBS studios in London, and the vocals and other arrangements were added in August at Talent Masters Studios in New York. Then, in September, producer Kit Lambert took the tapes to Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles for the final mix, seeking to take advantage of the famous echo chamber there. The version that reached the public in the UK and the United States had an additional bass line and the drums were mixed a bit lower.
The release of I Can See for Miles as a single in October 1967 in the UK and September in the United States generated expectations. Townshend firmly believed it would reach number one, but the disappointment was great when it only reached number 10 in his country, its lowest position since their first single. He himself expressed his frustration with the British public. However, in America, the song received a significant boost thanks to a memorable appearance on *The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour*, where Keith Moon set off a device at the end of their performance of My Generation. Coupled with an intense tour of the United States that summer, which included a prominent participation in the Monterey International Pop Festival, the song climbed to number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 (and number 8 on Cashbox), marking its best historical position in that market. In Canada, it reached number 4. Critics described it as an "attractive and unconventional track, full of emotion and energy," with a "solid danceable rhythm accompanying a smooth vocal mix with top-notch production."
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