Bargain (The Who song)
Encyclopedia
"Bargain" is a song written by Pete Townshend
that was first released by The Who
on their 1971 album Who's Next
. It is a love song, although the intended subject of the song is God
rather than a woman. The song has been included on several compilation and live albums. It was also included on several of Townshend's solo projects. Critics have praised the song's lyricism and power, as well as the performance of the band on the song.
Basically, the lyrics are typical love song lyrics in which the singer says he will give up everything to win his love, and that the singer would consider that a bargain. However, the lyrics do not identify who the subject of the singer's love is. Townshend has stated the song was influenced by Indian mystic Meher Baba
and that the subject of the song is God. Townshend has stated "The song is simply about losing one's ego as a devotee of Meher Baba. I constantly try to lose myself and find him. I'm not very successful, I'm afraid, but this song expresses how much of a bargain it would be to lose everything in order to be at one with God."
"Bargain" begins with a gentle acoustic guitar
part played by Townshend. A drone
is played softly in the background. The energy picks up with Keith Moon
's drum fills and Townshend's rhythm guitar
chords before Roger Daltry begins to sing the lyrics. Daltry sings most of the lyrics energetically powerfully, but there is a gentler section sung by Townshend. In this gentler section, backed by John Entwhistle's bass guitar
, the Townshend starts by singing:
The line "I know I'm worth nothing without you" in particular shows the influence of Meher Baba's teachings. Other themes of the song include the search for self-identity and the balance within the human psyche
of the id and the ego.
Instrumentation of "Bargain" includes an ARP
synthesizer
, which is used both as a solo instrument and as a baching instrument while Townshend plays a guitar solo. That guitar solo was praised by Rolling Stone Magazine critic John Mendelsohn, as well as by The Who authors Chris Charlesworth, Steve Grantley and Alan Parker. Moon's drum fills have also been heavily praised, as have Entwhistle's bass lines. Townshend used several guitars on "Bargain," including a 1959 Gretsch
Chet Atkins
guitar that he received from Joe Walsh
.
At least nine versions of "Bargain" were recorded between April and June 1971. Townshend was particularly effusive in his praise for the sound associate producer Glynn Johns was able to achieve, particularly for the acoustic guitars.
. This version was later included in the compilation album Thirty Years of Maximum R&B
in 1994. The studio version was included on the compilation album The Ultimate Collection in 2002.
Pete Townshend included solo recordings of "Bargain" on his albums Scoop
and The Lifehouse Chronicles
.
Pete Townshend
Peter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend is an English rock guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and author, known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for the rock group The Who, as well as for his own solo career...
that was first released by The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
on their 1971 album Who's Next
Who's Next
Who's Next is the fifth studio album by English rock band The Who, released in August 1971. The album has origins in a rock opera conceived by Pete Townshend called Lifehouse. The ambitious, complex project did not come to fruition at the time and instead, many of the songs written for the project...
. It is a love song, although the intended subject of the song is God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
rather than a woman. The song has been included on several compilation and live albums. It was also included on several of Townshend's solo projects. Critics have praised the song's lyricism and power, as well as the performance of the band on the song.
Lyrics and music
"Bargain" is a love song. The opening lines are:- I'd gladly lose me to find you
- I'd gladly give up all I got
- To catch you I'm gonna run and never stop
Basically, the lyrics are typical love song lyrics in which the singer says he will give up everything to win his love, and that the singer would consider that a bargain. However, the lyrics do not identify who the subject of the singer's love is. Townshend has stated the song was influenced by Indian mystic Meher Baba
Meher Baba
Meher Baba , , born Merwan Sheriar Irani, was an Indian mystic and spiritual master who declared publicly in 1954 that he was the Avatar of the age....
and that the subject of the song is God. Townshend has stated "The song is simply about losing one's ego as a devotee of Meher Baba. I constantly try to lose myself and find him. I'm not very successful, I'm afraid, but this song expresses how much of a bargain it would be to lose everything in order to be at one with God."
"Bargain" begins with a gentle acoustic guitar
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
part played by Townshend. A drone
Drone (music)
In music, a drone is a harmonic or monophonic effect or accompaniment where a note or chord is continuously sounded throughout most or all of a piece. The word drone is also used to refer to any part of a musical instrument that is just used to produce such an effect.-A musical effect:A drone...
is played softly in the background. The energy picks up with Keith Moon
Keith Moon
Keith John Moon was an English musician, best known for being the drummer of the English rock group The Who. He gained acclaim for his exuberant and innovative drumming style, and notoriety for his eccentric and often self-destructive behaviour, earning him the nickname "Moon the Loon". Moon...
's drum fills and Townshend's rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
chords before Roger Daltry begins to sing the lyrics. Daltry sings most of the lyrics energetically powerfully, but there is a gentler section sung by Townshend. In this gentler section, backed by John Entwhistle's bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, the Townshend starts by singing:
- I sit looking 'round
- I look at my face in the mirror
- I know I'm worth nothing without you
The line "I know I'm worth nothing without you" in particular shows the influence of Meher Baba's teachings. Other themes of the song include the search for self-identity and the balance within the human psyche
Psyche
- Psychology :* Psyche , a concept of intangible self* Psyche , a periodical on the study of consciousness* Soul in the Bible, or psyche , spirit or soul in philosophy and theology- Art :...
of the id and the ego.
Instrumentation of "Bargain" includes an ARP
ARP Instruments, Inc.
ARP Instruments, Inc. was an American manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, founded by Alan Robert Pearlman in 1969. Best known for its line of synthesizers that emerged in the early 1970s, ARP closed its doors in 1981 due to financial difficulties...
synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
, which is used both as a solo instrument and as a baching instrument while Townshend plays a guitar solo. That guitar solo was praised by Rolling Stone Magazine critic John Mendelsohn, as well as by The Who authors Chris Charlesworth, Steve Grantley and Alan Parker. Moon's drum fills have also been heavily praised, as have Entwhistle's bass lines. Townshend used several guitars on "Bargain," including a 1959 Gretsch
Gretsch
The Gretsch Company was founded in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a twenty-seven year old German immigrant recently arrived in the US. Friedrich Gretsch manufactured banjos, tambourines, and drums, until his death in 1895. His son, Fred, moved operations to Brooklyn, New York in 1916...
Chet Atkins
Chet Atkins
Chester Burton Atkins , known as Chet Atkins, was an American guitarist and record producer who, along with Owen Bradley, created the smoother country music style known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country's appeal to adult pop music fans as well.Atkins's picking style, inspired by Merle...
guitar that he received from Joe Walsh
Joe Walsh
Joseph Fidler "Joe" Walsh is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has been a member of three commercially successful bands, the James Gang, Barnstorm, and the Eagles, and has experienced notable success as a solo artist and prolific session musician, especially with B.B...
.
At least nine versions of "Bargain" were recorded between April and June 1971. Townshend was particularly effusive in his praise for the sound associate producer Glynn Johns was able to achieve, particularly for the acoustic guitars.
Critical reception
John Swenson of Rolling Stone Magazine described "Bargain" as one of "Townshend's most beautiful songs." Author John Atkins praised song's strength and melody as well as The Who's performance of the song. Atkins goes on to say that "'Bargain' radiates sheer dynamism and excitement, and the brilliance of the playing turns the song into a masterpiece." Allmusic critic Tom Maginnis calls "Bargain" one of the "explosively dynamic tracks found on the Who's seminal Who's Next album. Sputnik Music's review refers to "Bargain" as "another hit off the album."Other appearances
A live performance of "Bargain" from San Francisco on December 12, 1971 was included on the 1985 The Who album Who's MissingWho's Missing
Who's Missing may refer to:*Who's Missing , a children's game*Who's Missing , a compilation album by The Who...
. This version was later included in the compilation album Thirty Years of Maximum R&B
Thirty Years of Maximum R&B
Thirty Years of Maximum R&B is a box set by British rock band, The Who released by Polydor Records internationally and by MCA Records in the US; since 2003, it has been issued in America by Geffen Records...
in 1994. The studio version was included on the compilation album The Ultimate Collection in 2002.
Pete Townshend included solo recordings of "Bargain" on his albums Scoop
Scoop (album)
Scoop is a compilation album by Pete Townshend containing 25 demos of various released and unreleased Who songs, as well as demos of entirely new material.-History:...
and The Lifehouse Chronicles
The Lifehouse Chronicles
Lifehouse Chronicles is a box set released in 2000 by Pete Townshend with the focus on the box being the formerly "abandoned" Lifehouse rock opera. The set contains song demos by Pete Townshend; including solo versions of "Baba O'Riley", "Won't Get Fooled Again", and "Who Are You", and the...
.