The Who - Water - Isle of Wight 1970

"Water" is a song by the English rock band The Who, originally appearing as the B-side to "5.15" in 1973, and again to the single "Love, Reign o'er Me."

Background

After the success of Tommy in 1969, Pete Townshend began work on Lifehouse. For the first recordings, he produced several demos at his Eel Pie Studios which were related to Lifehouse.[2]

Meaning

It was during these sessions that "Water" was first recorded in the spring of 1970.[3] The plot in Lifehouse revolved around a totalitarian society without rock music. In this society, there is also rampant pollution which becomes a teenage wasteland. "Water" talked of the toughness of everyday life and how:

"They need water, And maybe somebody's daughter."

Live/compilation appear

Live history

"Water" was played by The Who from 1970 until 1971, including at the final show at the Young Vic on 26 April 1971.[4] It made its first live appearance at the first show at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York on 7 June 1970.