A powerhouse record, the album reached Top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. The album includes songs such as ‘Slip Kid’, ‘Squeeze Box’ and ‘Imagine A Man’. The opening photo is a composition by our graphic team: the original color modified cover is taken from
( The main photo was graphically reworked by our VMZ team: the original cover edited in color is taken from Pinterest pinterest and VMZ team)
The Who By Numbers is now available to pre-order on 180-gram black vinyl from masters cut by Jon Astley at Close to the Edge and half-speed vinyl masters cut by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios. Packaged in its original sleeve, with obi and certificate of authenticity. The half-speed master of The Who By Numbers will be released on 2 February 2024.
The Who By Numbers was released in the UK on 3 October 1975 (Polydor 2490 129), as a CD in the 1980s (Polydor 831 522-2), and as a remixed and remastered CD (Polydor 533 844-2) in November 1996. It was re-issued on heavyweight vinyl in 2012 (Polydor 3715627). In the US it was released on 25 October 1975 (MCA 2161), then as a CD (MCA MCAD-37002) and as a remixed and remastered CD (MCAD-11493) in November 1996. The Who By Numbers reached #7 in UK and #8 in the US.
TRACK LIST BELOW
The fact that it was preceded by four albums that made history contributed to the limited success of The Who By Numbers, an underrated album and unfairly overlooked by many.
SIDE ONE
Slip Kid
However Much I Booze
Squeeze Box
Dreaming From the Waist
Imagine A Man
SIDE TWO
Success Story
They Are All in Love
Blue Red and Grey
How Many Friends
In A Hand or A Face
The Who By Numbers went on to spend two weeks at No.8 on the American chart, compared to a UK peak of No.7. It was in the Top 10 at the same time as a number of other British heavyweights. Elton John’s Rock Of The Westies was at No.1, while Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here and George Harrison’s Extra Texture were also riding the Top 10, as was Englishman Graham Nash in partnership with David Crosby on Wind On The Water.
Townshend himself was pleasantly surprised at the critical reaction to the album. “A consummately-crafted record of fascinating depth and immediate surface appeal,” said Phonograph Record, while Sounds said it “reeks of group unity and love. Don’t be fooled by deceptive first listenings. This really is a great album.”
