"I'm One" is a song by

The Who The Who are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup (1964–1978) consisted of lead vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon. Considered one of th ...

. It was released on the group's

1973 Events January * January 1 – The United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark 1973 enlargement of the European Communities, enter the European Economic Community, which later becomes the European Union. * January 14 - The 16-0 19 ...

rock opera album ''

Quadrophenia ''Quadrophenia'' is the sixth studio album by the English rock band the Who, released as a double album on 26 October 1973 by Track Records. It is the group's third rock opera, the previous two being the "mini-opera" song "A Quick One, While ...

''. Written and sung by

Pete Townshend Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend (; born 19 May 1945) is an English musician. He is the co-founder, guitarist, keyboardist, second lead vocalist, principal songwriter and leader of the Who, one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s an ...

, the song has since become a fan favorite.

Background

"I'm One" is one of the main moments of introspection spread throughout the narrative and also an indication that Jimmy, the main character of the album's story, may not be as Mod as he would wish to appear, given the way he asks a fellow Mod where he got his clothes (Mods would lose face asking another Mod where he obtained his clothes from). Pete Townshend said of the song's lyrical inspiration: The song features an acoustic opening followed by the rest of the band (excluding singer Roger Daltrey) joining in. "I'm One" was one of the ten original ''Quadrophenia'' tracks to appear in remixed form on the

soundtrack A soundtrack is a recorded audio signal accompanying and synchronised to the images of a book, drama, motion picture, radio program, television show, television program, or video game; colloquially, a commercially released soundtrack album of m ...

to the Who's 1979 film ''Quadrophenia'', which was based on the original rock opera. This version of the song also saw single release as the B-side to the 1979 remixed single release of "5.15." The song is featured on the soundtrack for ''

Freaks and Geeks ''Freaks and Geeks'' is an American teen comedy-drama television series created by Paul Feig and executive-produced by Judd Apatow that aired on NBC during the 1999–2000 television season. The show is set in a suburban high school near ...

'' in the episode "Dead Dogs and Gym Teachers", which featured many of the Who's songs.

Live performances

This song was performed first on the band's original

1974 Major events in 1974 include the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis and the resignation of United States President Richard Nixon following the Watergate scandal. In the Middle East, the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War determined politics; ...

''Quadrophenia'' Tour, but it was never performed with Moon again afterwards. It made sporadic appearances in the

1981 Events January * January 1 ** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union. ** Palau becomes a self-governing territory. * January 6 – A funeral service is held in West Germany for Nazi Grand Admiral ...

(only once),

1982 Events January * January 1 – In Malaysia and Singapore, clocks are adjusted to the same time zone, UTC+8 (GMT+8.00). * January 13 – Air Florida Flight 90 crashes shortly after takeoff into the 14th Street Bridge in Washington, D.C. ...

(only the first verse; as an intro to "The Punk and the Godfather") and

1989 1989 was a turning point in political history with the "Revolutions of 1989" which ended communism in Eastern Bloc of Europe, starting in Poland and Hungary, with experiments in power-sharing coming to a head with the opening of the Berlin W ...

tours as well. It was then brought back for every concert on the 1996-1997 ''Quadrophenia'' Tour. Performances after that, from

2000 2000 was designated as the International Year for the Culture of Peace and the World Mathematics, Mathematical Year. Popular culture holds the year 2000 as the first year of the 21st century and the 3rd millennium, because of a tende ...

onward, were often performed by Pete Townshend alone on stage (although some feature the full band).

Appearances

The following ''Who'' albums and DVDs feature "I'm One": *''

'' *''

'' (soundtrack) *'' Live at the Royal Albert Hall'' (with

Eddie Vedder Eddie Jerome Vedder (born Edward Louis Severson III; December 23, 1964) is an American singer, musician, and songwriter. He is the lead vocalist, primary lyricist, and one of three guitarists for the rock band Pearl Jam. He was previously a gues ...

) *'' The Who & Special Guests: Live at the Royal Albert Hall'' (with Eddie Vedder) *'' Tommy and Quadrophenia Live'' *'' Encore Series 2002'' (certain concerts) *'' Encore Series 2004'' (one concert) *'' Encore Series 2006 and 2007'' (certain concerts) *'' Quadrophenia Live in London''

Personnel

– lead vocals, guitar, keyboards *

John Entwistle John Alec Entwistle (9 October 194427 June 2002) was an English musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the rock band the Who. Entwistle's music career spanned over four decades. Nicknamed "The Ox" and "Thunderfingers", he was the band ...

– bass *

Keith Moon Keith John Moon (23 August 1946 – 7 September 1978) was an English musician who was the drummer for the rock band the Who. Regarded as one of the greatest drummers in the history of rock music, he was noted for his unique style of playing and ...

– drums

In popular culture

The song is featured in the

episode "Dead Dogs and Gym Teachers", in a montage where Bill Haverchuck eats and watches TV after school.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:I'm One 1973 songs The Who songs Songs written by Pete Townshend Song recordings produced by Glyn Johns Song recordings produced by Pete Townshend