Fiddle About
Encyclopedia
"Fiddle About" is a song written by John Entwistle
of The Who
. It appears as the twelfth track on the group's first rock opera
, Tommy
(1969). In the song (Following Tommy's parents discussing whether or not they should leave him with his Uncle Ernie in the song Do You Think It's Alright?) Tommy is sexually abused by his "wicked" Uncle Ernie.
"Fiddle About" and "Cousin Kevin" were the only two songs on Tommy written by John Entwistle. When asked why he wrote the songs John replied:
This song's particularity is the unusual rhythmic signature, which could be described as some kind of 17/4 bars, although divided into two 4/4 bars and three 3/4 bars. It features a French horn played by John Entwistle, which is an overdub of the bass guitar part.
This song was first performed live on the band's first Tommy tours from 1969-1970 with Entwistle on vocals. It was brought back for the 1975-1976 tours but this time with Keith Moon
on vocals. This was also played in 1989. Live performances of this song can be found in Live at Leeds
, Join Together, Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970
and At Kilburn 1977 + Live at the Coliseum
.
John Entwistle
John Alec Entwistle was an English bass guitarist, songwriter, singer, horn player, and film and record producer who was best known as the bass player for the rock band The Who. His aggressive lead sound influenced many rock bass players...
of 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...
. It appears as the twelfth track on the group's first rock opera
Rock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...
, Tommy
Tommy (rock opera)
Tommy is the fourth album by English rock band The Who, released by Track Records and Polydor Records in the United Kingdom and Decca Records/MCA in the United States. A double album telling a loose story about a "deaf, dumb and blind boy" who becomes the leader of a messianic movement, Tommy was...
(1969). In the song (Following Tommy's parents discussing whether or not they should leave him with his Uncle Ernie in the song Do You Think It's Alright?) Tommy is sexually abused by his "wicked" Uncle Ernie.
"Fiddle About" and "Cousin Kevin" were the only two songs on Tommy written by John Entwistle. When asked why he wrote the songs John replied:
Pete said that there were two characters that he thought he himself couldn't do as good a job as me in describing. One was a homosexual uncle and the other was a cruel cousin, which were supposed to be two of Tommy's traumatic experiences, that and the acid queen. I found it so easy that I'd written "Fiddle About," with the character of Uncle Ernie, by the time I'd got back to the room. If I've got a subject, an idea for a song, then it comes almost immediately.
This song's particularity is the unusual rhythmic signature, which could be described as some kind of 17/4 bars, although divided into two 4/4 bars and three 3/4 bars. It features a French horn played by John Entwistle, which is an overdub of the bass guitar part.
This song was first performed live on the band's first Tommy tours from 1969-1970 with Entwistle on vocals. It was brought back for the 1975-1976 tours but this time 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...
on vocals. This was also played in 1989. Live performances of this song can be found in Live at Leeds
Live at Leeds
Live at Leeds is The Who's first live album, and is the only live album that was released while the group were still recording and performing regularly. Initially released in the United States on 16 May 1970, by Decca and MCA and the United Kingdom on 23 May 1970, by Track and Polydor, the album...
, Join Together, Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970
Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970
Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 is a double live album by The Who, recorded at the Isle of Wight Festival on 29 August 1970, and released by Sony in 1996. A DVD of the concert was also released....
and At Kilburn 1977 + Live at the Coliseum
At Kilburn 1977 + Live at the Coliseum
The Who At Kilburn: 1977 is a film of two live performances by British rock band the Who released as a two-disc DVD set on 17 November 2008 by Image Entertainment. The first disc included the band's performance at the Gaumont State Theatre on 15 December 1977, while the second disc featured the...
.