Don't Let Go the Coat
Encyclopedia
"Don't Let Go the Coat" is a song written by Pete Townshend
and first released on The Who
's 1981 album Face Dances
. It was released as a single following up on the first single from Face Dances, "You Better You Bet
," but did not achieve the same success, reaching #47 in the UK and #84 in the US. It has also been released on several compilation albums, and Townshend himself released an alternate version of the song on his album Another Scoop
.
, regard the lyrics of "Don't Let Go the Coat" as an ode to spiritual guru Meher Baba
. The title then refers to Meher Baba's charge that his disciples "hang fast to the hem of my robe," where the robe is a metaphor for his teachings. Alternatively, the song could refer to Townshend's parents, who were the ones who would pick him up when Townshend descended into drugs and alcohol. But regardless, the song strikes themes of spiritual torment, fear of abandonment and the need to keep faith, beginning with the lines:
Musically, "Don't Let Go the Coat" has a country rock
flavor. Authors Steve Grantley and Alan Parker describe the guitar
sound as being similar to that of The Pretenders
, and note that the Townshend's guitar solo has Spanish inflections. John Atkins acknowledges that the song is melodic, but claims that it is bland and notes that it has less energy than "You Better You Bet." Grantley and Parker, while praising the "pristine production" by Bill Szymczyk
, note that the song "never really gets out of first gear." Chris Charlesworth asserts that lead singer Roger Daltry's bravado is ill-suited to the song's confession of inadequacy and unworthiness. Erlewine, however, claims that "Don't Let Go the Coat" is "one of [Townshend's] better odes to Meher Baba."
in 1988. A live video performance from 1981 was included on the DVD set Thirty Years of Maximum R&B Live
. Townshend released a version of "Don't Let Go the Coat," with himself on lead vocal, on his 1987 album Another Scoop. SPIN Magazine favorably contrasted this version with that of The Who, noting in particular Townshend's "newfound rock exuberance."
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...
and first released on 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...
's 1981 album Face Dances
Face Dances
Face Dances is the ninth album by English rock band The Who. It was originally released in 1981 in the US on Warner Bros. Records and in the UK on Polydor Records...
. It was released as a single following up on the first single from Face Dances, "You Better You Bet
You Better You Bet
"You Better You Bet" is a song written by Pete Townshend of The Who for their 1981 album, Face Dances. It appears as the first track on the album....
," but did not achieve the same success, reaching #47 in the UK and #84 in the US. It has also been released on several compilation albums, and Townshend himself released an alternate version of the song on his album Another Scoop
Another Scoop
Another Scoop is a compilation album by Pete Townshend, and essentially a sequel to Scoop.-History:Like Scoop released in 1983, Another Scoop features a multitude of demos, outtakes and unreleased material, many of which are Who songs. It was followed by Scoop 3 in 2001, the third and last Scoop...
.
Music and lyrics
Several authors, including Stephen Thomas ErlewineStephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine is a senior editor for Allmusic. He is the author of many artist biographies and record reviews for Allmusic, as well as a freelance writer, occasionally contributing liner notes. He is also frontman and guitarist for the Ann Arbor-based band Who Dat?Erlewine is the nephew...
, regard the lyrics of "Don't Let Go the Coat" as an ode to spiritual guru 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....
. The title then refers to Meher Baba's charge that his disciples "hang fast to the hem of my robe," where the robe is a metaphor for his teachings. Alternatively, the song could refer to Townshend's parents, who were the ones who would pick him up when Townshend descended into drugs and alcohol. But regardless, the song strikes themes of spiritual torment, fear of abandonment and the need to keep faith, beginning with the lines:
- I can't be held responsible for blown behavior
- I've lost all contact with my only saviour
Musically, "Don't Let Go the Coat" has a country rock
Country rock
Country rock is sub-genre of popular music, formed from the fusion of rock with country. The term is generally used to refer to the wave of rock musicians who began to record country-flavored records in the late 1960s and early 1970s, beginning with Bob Dylan and The Byrds; reaching its greatest...
flavor. Authors Steve Grantley and Alan Parker describe the guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
sound as being similar to that of The Pretenders
The Pretenders
The Pretenders are an English rock band formed in Hereford, England in March 1978. The original band consisted of initiator and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde , James Honeyman-Scott , Pete Farndon , and Martin Chambers...
, and note that the Townshend's guitar solo has Spanish inflections. John Atkins acknowledges that the song is melodic, but claims that it is bland and notes that it has less energy than "You Better You Bet." Grantley and Parker, while praising the "pristine production" by Bill Szymczyk
Bill Szymczyk
Bill Szymczyk is an American music producer and technical engineer best known for working with rock and blues musicians, most notably the Eagles in the 1970s. He produced many top albums and singles of the 1970s, though he retired from the music business by 1990...
, note that the song "never really gets out of first gear." Chris Charlesworth asserts that lead singer Roger Daltry's bravado is ill-suited to the song's confession of inadequacy and unworthiness. Erlewine, however, claims that "Don't Let Go the Coat" is "one of [Townshend's] better odes to Meher Baba."
Other releases
"Don't Let Go the Coat" was included on The Ultimate Collection compilation album in some countries in 2002. A promotional video of the song appeared on Who's Better, Who's Best: The VideosWho's Better, Who's Best (film)
Who's Better, Who's Best is a collection of videos by The Who released in 1988 as the companion to the compilation album of the same name.-Songs performed:1. "My Generation"*Broadcast on Beat-Club*Recorded at the Marquee Club on March 2, 1967...
in 1988. A live video performance from 1981 was included on the DVD set Thirty Years of Maximum R&B Live
Thirty Years of Maximum R&B Live
Thirty Years of Maximum R&B is a 1994 compilation video of English rock and roll band The Who. The compilation covers the band live from 1965 to 1989 and is edited together with interviews with band members Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, and Pete Townshend...
. Townshend released a version of "Don't Let Go the Coat," with himself on lead vocal, on his 1987 album Another Scoop. SPIN Magazine favorably contrasted this version with that of The Who, noting in particular Townshend's "newfound rock exuberance."
Charts
| Chart (1981) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 47 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 84 |