English Boy (song)

"English Boy" is a song by Pete Townshend, released as the first and only single from his 1993 album Psychoderelict.[1][2] The song is used to introduce the character Ray High, as well as journalist Ruth Streeting, host of Street on the Street.[3] Townshend has said the song is about "the emergence of the modern punk", and has been referred to as the focus point for the entire album.[4] There are three versions of this song:

  • the first, lengthier version features dialog by Ruth Streeting over instrumental parts of the song.
  • the second was released as an edited, no dialog version, and appeared on both single releases in 1993 and on the Pete Townshend compilation albums coolwalkingsmoothtalkingstraightsmokingfirestoking, Anthology, and Gold.
  • a reprise, which ends the album and features a slightly different backing (including harmonica by Peter Hope-Evans and additional cowbell) and dialog by Ray High, wrapping up the album and imploring "what happened to all that lovely hippie shit?"
"English Boy"
Single by Pete Townshend
from the album Psychoderelict
Released1993
GenreRock
Length5:07
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)Pete Townshend
Producer(s)Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend singles chronology
"I Won't Run Anymore"
(1985)		 "English Boy"
(1993)		 "Let My Love Open the Door (1996 remix)"
(1996)

B-sides

Two exclusive tracks were released on different single releases of "English Boy".[5]

  • "Psycho Montage" is a compilation of dialogue related to the narrative.
  • "Electronic Wizardry" is an instrumental demo derived from the Lifehouse project.

Single release

In the UK, the song was released as a single in the following variations:

  • "English Boy" (non-dialog) / "English Boy" (dialog) (7" vinyl)
  • "English Boy" (dialog) / "Fake It" / "Psycho Montage" (CD single 1)
  • "English Boy" (non-dialog) / "Fake It" / "Flame" (Simon Townshend demo) / "Early Morning Dreams" (Pete Townshend demo) (CD single 2)

References
  1. "Pete Townshend's solo albums set for reissue". UNCUT. 2016-09-30. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
  2. Mansfield, Brian. "Premiere: Pete Townshend's 'Guantanamo'". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
  3. Wilkerson, Mark (2009-10-28). Who Are You: The Life Of Pete Townshend. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-008-3.
  4. Wilkerson, Mark (2009-10-28). Who Are You: The Life Of Pete Townshend. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-008-3.
  5. Pete Townshend - English Boy, retrieved 2022-08-17
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.