Substitute

you think we look pretty good together
you think my shoes are made of leather
but i'm a substitute for another guy
i look pretty tall but my heels are high
the simple things you see are all complicated
i look pretty young but i'm just back dated
yeah

substitute your lies for fact
I see right through your plastic mac
I look all white, but my dad was black
my fine looking suit is really made out of sack

i was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth
the north side of my town faced east
and the east was facin' south
now you dare to look me in the eye
those crocodile tears are what you cry
it's a genuine problem but you won't try
to work it out at all you just pass it by
pass it by

substitute me for him
substitute my coke for gin
substitute you for my mom
at least I'll get my washing done
i'm a substitute for another guy
i look pretty tall but my heels are high
the simple thiungs you see are all complicated
i look pretty young, but I'm just backdated

i was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth
the north side of my town faced east
and the east was facin' south
now you dare to look me in the eye
those crocodile tears are what you cry
it's a genuine problem but you won't try
to work it out at all you just pass it by
pass it by

substitute me for him
substitute my coke for gin
substitute you for my mum
at least I'll get my washing done
substitute your lies for fact
i see right through your plastic mac
i look all white, but my dad was black
my fine looking suit is really made out of sack





- Released April 5, 1966

- The concept for the song was supposedly originally inspired by Townshend’s idea that The Who were a “substitute” for the Rolling Stones (Townshend had been particularly impressed by The Stones' hit "Satisfaction" and was determined to come up with a memorable riff in response).

- The title was also inspired by Townshend's admiration of The Miracles' 1965 song, "The Tracks of My Tears", in particular, writer Smokey Robinson's use of the word "substitute" in one of the verses.

"The Tracks of My Tears"



- The song is notable not just for the clever lyrics, but also the intense bass of John Entwistle (reportedly Entwistle turned his bass as high as possible for the recording, without the band's knowledge).

- According to Moon: Life and Death Of A Rock Legend by Tony Fletcher, after listening to a recording of the song, Keith Moon began to become paranoid, insisting that it wasn't him drumming, and that the band had gone behind his back and gotten another drummer. John Entwistle refuted this paranoia as ridiculous - he could hear Keith screaming on the recording as he did a difficult fill.

- For the American release of the single, the “controversial” lyric “I look all white but my dad was black” was changed to “I try going forward but my feet walk back”