Albums:
1.
The Who Sell Out (1967, my #183 album of all-time)
I was the first surprised when I checked my all-time albums list and saw "Sell Out" as my favourite album by The Who. But I agree. It's a concept album but it lacks the seriousness (and the absurd plots) of posterior albums, with songs with a typically English sense of humour tied together as a radio broadcast, commercial jingles included. And musically they displayed a quirky kind of pop before going into their 1970s arena rock bigger sound, with "I Can See for Miles" as the perfect transitional piece.
2.
Who's Next (1971)
Sandwiched between two rock operas, "Who's Next" ended being more epic, cohesive and effective than the concept albums.
3.
My Generation (1965)
The cornerstone of Mod music, mixing power pop and maximum R&B, played with so much energy that predated punk rock.
4.
The Who by Numbers (1975)
The first Who album I bought happened to be their most depressing and confessional, with Townshend facing midlife crisis.
5.
Quadrophenia (1973)
Townshend stepped back to his mod early days to gain impulse for his most ambitious project. And yes, better than "Tommy."
6. Tommy (1969)
7. A Quick One (1966)
8.
Odds & Sods (1974)
9. Who Are You (1978)
10. Face Dances (1981)
11. Endless Wire (2006)
12. Who (2019)
13. It's Hard (1982)
Songs:
1.
I Can See for Miles (1967, my #143 song of all time)
Paul McCartney wrote "Helter Skelter" trying to surpass Townshend after reading on Melody Maker that The Who had released the "heaviest" song ever heard. Well, "I Can See for Miles" was not that heavy, it was a love song (well, a jealousy song) disguised as a psychedelic anthem, but it epitomized the sound of The Who (stolen from DrJimmyTheQuadrophenic, a RYM user): "Roger is the lead singer, Pete plays lead guitar, John plays lead bass, and Moon plays lead drums." For miles, really.
2.
5:15 (1973, #240)
I saw the movie "Quadrophenia" on a theatre in 1979 when I was an impressionable 14-year-old boy. By the end of the movie I've taken a decision, I was going to be a mod forever. In my case that only meant that I wore a green parka with some lapel pins for a few months. Oh, and I discovered the magic of a pop melody played with the power of rock, the power pop. The train of 5:15 took Jimmy to Brighton but it also took me to the amazing world of pop music through my brief mod period.
3.
My Generation (1965)
Yes, I know, this should be my number one. A history–making record (creating hard rock), still relevant half a century later.
4.
The Kids Are Alright (1965)
Power Pop. It was Townshend himself who coined the term in 1967. And this song could be used on the definition of the style.
5.
Blue, Red and Grey (1975)
A
rara avis on The Who output, a sweet optimistic ballad with only Townshend on vocals and ukulele and Entwistle on horns.
6. Baba O'Riley (1971)
7. Pinball Wizard (1969)
8. Behind Blue Eyes (1971)
9. Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere (1965)
10. Won't Get Fooled Again (1971)
11. Love, Reign o'er Me (1973)
12. I Can't Explain (1964)
13. We're Not Gonna Take It (1969)
14. Silas Stingy (1967)
15. Substitute (1966)
16. Who Are You (1978)
17. Dreaming from the Waist (1975)
18. So Sad About Us (1966)
19. Pictures of Lily (1967)
20. The Real Me (1973)
21. Young Man Blues (1970)
22. Eminence Front (1982)
23. You Better You Bet (1981)
24. Boris the Spider (1966)
25. I'm Free (1969)
26. Shakin' All Over (1970)
27. Magic Bus (1968)
28. A Quick One, While He's Away (1966)
29. Doctor Jimmy (1973)
30. Slip Kid (1975)
31. My Wife (1971)
32. Tommy Can You Hear Me? (1969)
33. Bargain (1971)
34. Summertime Blues (1970)
35. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1968)
36. Happy Jack (1966)
37. Mary Anne with the Shaky Hand (1967)
38. La-La-La-Lies (1965)
39. However Much I Booze (1975)
40. I'm One (1973)
41. Love Ain't for Keeping (1971)
42. Tattoo (1967)
43. Join Together (1972)
44. Squeeze Box (1975)
45. Armenia City in the Sky (1967)
46. The Acid Queen (1969)
47. God Speaks of Marty Robbins (2006)
48. Sunrise (1967)
49. Pure and Easy (1974)
50. Instant Party (1966)
51. Heaven and Hell (1970)
52. The Ox (1965)
53. Success Story (1975)
54. The Punk and the Godfather (1973)
55. Trick of the Light (1978)
56. Our Love Was (1967)
57. Odorono (1967)
58. I'm a Boy (1966)
59. It's Not True (1965)
60. Someone's Coming (1967)
61. Little Billy (1974)
62. Naked Eye (1974)
63. Early Morning Cold Taxi (1994)
64. Overture (1969)
65. Go to the Mirror! (1969)
66. I've Known No War (1982)
67. The Quiet One (1981)
68. Too Much of Anything (1974)
69. Run Run Run (1966)
70. Heat Wave (1966)
71. Sister Disco (1978)
72. Christmas (1969)
73. I Don't Wanna Get Wise (2019)
74. Real Good Looking Boy (2004)
75. Tea & Theatre (2006)
76. A Legal Matter (1965)
77. Postcard (1974)
78. Bell Boy (1973)
79. A Man in a Purple Dress (2006)
80. Can't Reach You (1967)
81. 1921 (1969)
82. Sea and Sand (1973)
83. All This Music Must Fade (2019)
84. Sensation (1969)
85. Out in the Street (1965)
86. Time Is Passing (1998)
87. Got Nothing to Prove (2019)
88. Disguises (1966)
89. Endless Wire (2006)
90. The Good's Gone (1965)
91. Glittering Girl (1995)
92. Joker James (1979)
93. Rael (1 and 2) (1967)
94. Girl's Eyes (1994)
95. Batman (1966)
96. Relay (1972)
97. Baby Don't You Do It (1972)
98. 905 (1978)
99. Melancholia (1994)
100. The Seeker (1970)