My Generation

Lyrics to:

My Generation by The Who People try to put us d-down (Talkin' 'bout my generation) Just because we get around (Talkin' 'bout my generation) Things they do look awful c-c-cold (Talkin' 'bout my generation) I hope I die before I get old (Talkin' 'bout my generation) This is my generation This is my generation, baby Why don't you all f-fade away (Talkin' 'bout my generation) And don't try to dig what we all s-s-say (Talkin' 'bout my generation) I'm not trying to cause a big s-s-sensation (Talkin' 'bout my generation) I'm just talkin' 'bout my g-g-g-generation (Talkin' 'bout my generation) This is my generation This is my generation, baby Why don't you all f-fade away (Talkin' 'bout my generation) And don't try to d-dig what we all s-s-say (Talkin' 'bout my generation) I'm not trying to cause a b-big s-s-sensation (Talkin' 'bout my generation) I'm just talkin' 'bout my g-g-generation (Talkin' 'bout my generation) This is my generation This is my generation, baby People try to put us d-down (Talkin' 'bout my generation) Just because we g-g-get around (Talkin' 'bout my generation) Things they do look awful c-c-cold (Talkin' 'bout my generation) Yeah, I hope I die before I get old (Talkin' 'bout my generation) This is my generation This is my generation, baby What's up with the stuttering on My Generation? Depending what Who member you ask what year, you get different answers. Some explanations are: 1. Symbolic of the "everyman" voice Pete was writing for. 2. That Roger couldn't read the writing on Pete's lyrics, and they liked the way it sounded. 3. Roger singing the part of a mod on uppers. [Brad] Also, "the stutter was introduced because the "My Generation" character was supposed to be a mod blocked on pills -- and amphetamine abusers stammered like mad." D. Marsh, "Before I Get Old: The Story Of The Who" p. 182

(1983). In the BBC interview 1996 Roger said: "It wasn't written in. It came from the studio. It was reflective of a kid on purple hearts, on speed. Both Pete and I do stutter. I suppose Kit picked up on that and said "Right, put it into the song". When My Generation started out it was more like a Bo Diddley song, but Keith couldn't play that rhythm very well, so we slammed it on the on-beat". [Mark Tilson]

1. Give a headline to each stanza! 2. Describe the peer group of the singer (ideas, interests , etc.)! 3. Describe the relationship between the two groups of people – try to explain who is who! 4. Explain the communication problem in stanza three – link it if possible to your own experience! 5. Explain the line: ”Yeah, I hope I die before I get old” in the light of your findings! 6. Find out about Pete, Roger, Keith, Bo Diddley and Mods.