The discography of the English rock band the Who consists of 12 studio albums, 16 live albums, 27 compilation albums, four soundtrack albums, four extended plays, 58 singles and 23 video albums.

The Who discography
Studio albums12
Live albums16
Compilation albums27
Video albums23
EPs4
Singles58
Soundtrack albums4

The Who have been with several labels over the years. In the United Kingdom and elsewhere outside North America, they were signed originally to Brunswick Records. In 1966, they moved to Polydor Records[1] and took the rights to their Brunswick recordings with them. They created and moved to Track Records the following year[1] with distribution by Polydor. They left Track in 1974 and returned to Polydor directly,[2] remaining with the label ever since.

In North America, they were originally on Decca Records. They moved to Atco Records for one single in 1966[1] before returning to Decca later that year. In 1972 the US Decca label was absorbed into MCA Records. The band changed North American labels again in 1981, to Warner Bros. Records.[3] The label released Face Dances and It's Hard and their singles, before the Who disbanded. In later years, MCA would acquire the US rights to the Warner Bros. albums. In 2003, MCA Records (now under common ownership with Polydor, under Universal Music Group) was folded into Geffen Records. Geffen now controls the US rights to the Who's catalogue up through It's Hard. Their 2006 comeback album, Endless Wire, was released through Universal Republic in the US.

Albums edit

Studio albums edit

Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
UK
[4]
AUS
[5]
CAN
[6]
FRA
[7]
GER
[8]
NLD
[9]
NOR
[10]
SWE
[11]
SWI
[12]
US
[13]
My Generation (UK)

The Who Sings My Generation (US)

  • Released: 3 December 1965 (UK); 25 April 1966 (US)
  • Label: Brunswick (UK) and Decca (US)
5 14
A Quick One (UK)

Happy Jack (US)

  • Released: 9 December 1966 (UK); April 1967 (US)
  • Label: Reaction (UK) and Decca (US)
4 13 19 67
The Who Sell Out
  • Released: 15 December 1967
  • Label: Track (UK) and Decca (US)
13 8 3 48 48
Tommy
  • Released: 19 May 1969[15]
  • Label: Track (UK) and Decca (US)
2 8 6 2 50 5 4
Who's Next
  • Released: 2 August 1971 (US);[19] 27 August 1971 (UK)[20]
  • Label: Track (UK) and Decca (US)
1 3 5 2 14 2 6 39 4
Quadrophenia
  • Released: 27 October 1973 (US); 2 November 1973 (UK) [21]
  • Label: Track (UK) and MCA (US)
2 7 87 3 3 2
The Who by Numbers
  • Released: 3 October 1975
  • Label: Polydor (UK) and MCA (US)
7 29 9 3 8
Who Are You
  • Released: 21 August 1978[23]
  • Label: Polydor (UK) and MCA (US)
6 9 2 7 49 29 21 27 2
Face Dances 2 9 1 12 29 16 19 17 4
It's Hard
  • Released: September 1982
  • Label: Polydor and Warner Bros.
11 55 3 43 28 47 8
Endless Wire
  • Released: 30 October 2006
  • Label: Polydor and Republic
9 63 10 62 34 77 23 51 7
Who
  • Released: 6 December 2019
  • Label: Polydor
3 64 2 43 5 38 27 5 2

Live albums edit

 
Townshend and Daltrey at Leeds University Refectory in June 2006 unveiling a Leeds Civic Trust Blue Plaque commemorating the recording venue of The Who's Live at Leeds gig in February 1970.
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
UK
[4]
AUS
[5]
CAN
[13]
GER
[8]
NLD
[9]
NOR
[10]
US
[13]
US Cash Box
[24]
Record World
[25]
Live at Leeds
  • Released: 16 May 1970
  • Label: Track (UK) and Decca (US)
3 6 2 8 5 13 4 4 3
Who's Last
  • Released: December 1984
  • Label: MCA (UK & US)
48 56
[26]
81
Join Together 59 188
Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 84 194
BBC Sessions
  • Released: 15 February 2000
  • Label: MCA and Polydor
24 101
Blues to the Bush
  • Released: 19 March 2000
  • Label: MCA and Polydor
Live at the Royal Albert Hall
  • Released: 5 December 2003
  • Label: MCA and Polydor
72 43 95
Live from Toronto
View from a Backstage Pass
  • Released: 5 November 2007
  • Label: thewho.com
Greatest Hits Live
  • Released: 18 January 2010
  • Label: Polydor
Live at Hull 1970
  • Released: 19 November 2012
  • Label: Polydor
68
Quadrophenia Live in London
  • Released: 10 June 2014
  • Label: UMe
28 118
Live in Hyde Park
Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 2004
  • Released: 6 February 2017
  • Label: Eagle Records
Tommy Live at the Royal Albert Hall
  • Released: 13 October 2017
  • Label: Eagle Records
Live at the Fillmore East 1968
  • Released: 20 April 2018
  • Label: Polydor
15 26
The Who With Orchestra Live at Wembley (show at the Wembley stadium on July 6, 2019) 12
Live At Shea Stadium 1982 (show at Shea stadium on October 13, 1982)
"—" denotes albums that were released but did not chart, albums not released in a particular territory, or chart information is not available.

Compilations edit

Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
UK
[4]
AUS
[5]
BEL
[27]
CAN
[6]
ESP
[28]
IRE
[29]
NOR
[10]
US
[13]
US
Cash
Box

[24]
Record
World

[25]
Magic Bus: The Who on Tour
  • Released: September 1968
  • Label: Decca
39 31
Direct Hits
  • Released: 1968
  • Label: Track
The Ox (Backtrack 14)
  • Released: November 1970
  • Label: Track
Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy
  • Released: November 1971
  • Label: Track (UK) Decca (US)
9 27 11 14 9
Tommy Part 1
  • Released: 12 May 1972
  • Label: Track
Tommy Part 2
  • Released: 16 June 1972
  • Label: Track
A Quick One/The Who Sell Out (2×LP reissue)
  • Released: 1974
  • Label: Track
Odds & Sods
  • Released: 4 October 1974
  • Label: Track (UK) MCA (US)
10 47 15 14
Magic Bus-The Who On Tour/The Who Sings My Generation (2×LP reissue)
  • Released: 1974
  • Label: Track
185
The Story of The Who
  • Released: 24 September 1976
  • Label: Polydor
2
Phases
  • Released: May 1981
  • Label: Polydor
Hooligans
  • Released: October 1981
  • Label: MCA (US only release)
52 73
Who's Greatest Hits
  • Released: May 1983[30]
  • Label: MCA (US release)
94
  • US: 2× Platinum[18]
Rarities Volume I & Volume II
  • Released: August 1983
  • Label: Decca
The Singles
  • Released: October 1984
  • Label: Polydor
Who's Missing
  • Released: November 1985
  • Label: MCA
44 116
The Who Collection
  • Released: 10 December 1985
  • Label: Polydor
44
Two's Missing
  • Released: April 1987
  • Label: MCA
Who's Better, Who's Best
  • Released: March 1988
  • Label: MCA
10 51 45
Thirty Years of Maximum R&B
  • Released: 5 July 1994
  • Label: MCA
48 170
My Generation: The Very Best of the Who
  • Released: 27 August 1996
  • Label: MCA
11
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of The Who
The Ultimate Collection
  • Released: 11 June 2002
  • Label: MCA
17 65 11 31[31]
Then and Now 5 96 67 21 57
The 1st Singles Box
  • Released: 2 May 2004
  • Label: Polydor
154 1
Greatest Hits
  • Released: 21 December 2009
  • Label: Geffen Records
12 69 19
Greatest Hits & More
  • Released: 13 February 2010
  • Label: Polydor
20
Icon
  • Released: 5 April 2011
  • Label: Geffen Records
Icon 2
  • Released: 5 April 2011
  • Label: Geffen Records
Pinball Wizard: The Collection
  • Released: 28 May 2012
  • Label: Spectrum Music
The Who Hits 50!
  • Released: 27 October 2014
  • Label: Geffen Records
11 44
Essential The Who
  • Released: 16 October 2020[32]
  • Label: UMC
"—" denotes albums that were released but did not chart, albums not released in a particular territory, or chart information is not available.

Soundtracks edit

Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
UK
[4]
US
[13]
Tommy
  • Released: 19 March 1975
  • Label: MCA and Polydor
21 2
The Kids Are Alright
  • Released: 8 June 1979
  • Label: MCA and Polydor
26 8
Quadrophenia
  • Released: September 1979
  • Label: Polydor
23 46
Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who
  • Released: 24 March 2008
  • Label: Polydor
"—" denotes albums that did not chart, or was not released in that country.

Extended plays edit

Title EP details Peak chart positions
UK
[4]
AUT
[40]
DEN
[41]
ESP
[28]
NZ
[42]
SWI
[12]
Ready Steady Who 1
Tommy 53[A]
Won't Get Fooled Again 91[43]
Wire & Glass 31 3 9 39 83

Singles edit

Year Song B-side Chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[4]
AUS
[5]
CAN
[44]
FRA
[45]
GER
[8]
NLD
[46]
NZ
[47]
SWI
[48]
US
Hot 100

[49]
US
Cash Box

[50]
1964 "Zoot Suit" "I'm the Face" non-album
"I Can't Explain" "Bald Headed Woman" 8 87 14 93 57
1965 "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" "Daddy Rolling Stone" (UK)
"Anytime You Want Me" (US)
10 38
"My Generation" "Shout and Shimmy" (UK) (non-album track)
"Out in the Street" (US)
2 2 3 13 6 7 74 99 My Generation
1966 "Substitute" "Circles" or "Waltz for a Pig" or "Instant Party"(UK)
"Waltz for a Pig" (US)
5 5 24 13 2 3 non-album
"A Legal Matter" "Instant Party" (non-album track) 32 83 20 My Generation
"The Kids Are Alright" "The Ox" (UK)
"A Legal Matter" (US)
41 85
"I'm a Boy" "In the City" 2 11 23 14 10 6 2 non-album
"La-La-La-Lies" "The Good's Gone" My Generation
"Happy Jack" "I've Been Away" (UK)
"Whiskey Man" (US)
3 4 1 21 4 5 6 24 13 Happy Jack (US)
1967 "Pictures of Lily" "Doctor, Doctor" 4 7 36 27 5 5 14 51 60 non-album
"The Last Time" "Under My Thumb" 44
"I Can See for Miles" "Someone's Coming" (non-album track) (UK)
"Mary Anne with the Shaky Hand" (US)
10 20 4 74 37 28 13 9 8 The Who Sell Out
1968 "Call Me Lightning" "Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde" 30 35 38 40 38 non-album
"Dogs" "Call Me Lightning" 25 93 78 40
"Magic Bus" "Someone's Coming" (US)
"Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (UK)
26 20 6 20 13 25 10 Magic Bus: The Who on Tour
1969 "Pinball Wizard" "Dogs, Pt. 2" (non-album track) 4 45 6 89 25 12 8 15 19 15 Tommy
"I'm Free" "We're Not Gonna Take It" 83 26 71 18 20 37 30
1970 "The Seeker" "Here for More" 19 21 34 18 15 44 30 non-album
"Summertime Blues" "Heaven and Hell" (non-album studio recording) 38 8 58 19 25 27 14 Live at Leeds
"Young Man Blues" "Substitute" 38
"See Me, Feel Me" "Overture" 70 4 16 12 8 Tommy
1971 "Won't Get Fooled Again" "I Don't Even Know Myself"(non-album track) 9 14 7 27 8 15 9 Who's Next
"Let's See Action" "When I Was a Boy" 16 59 33 43 25 non-album
"Behind Blue Eyes" "My Wife" 23 34 24 Who's Next
1972 "Baba O'Riley" 80 11
"Join Together" "Baby Don't You Do It" (live) 9 58 18 49 23 27 9 17 28 non-album
"Relay" "Waspman" 21 50 28 28 29 39 33
1973 "5:15" "Water" (non-album track) 20 46 Quadrophenia
"Love, Reign o'er Me" 31 76 54
1974 "The Real Me" "I'm One" 92 82
"Postcard" "Put the Money Down" 64 Odds & Sods
"Long Live Rock" "Pure and Easy"
1975 "Squeeze Box" "Success Story" 10 45 1 68 26 16 11 The Who by Numbers
1976 "Slip Kid" "Dreaming from the Waist" 72
"Substitute" "I'm a Boy"/"Pictures of Lily" (first UK 12" single release) 7 The Story of The Who
1978 "Who Are You"[51] "Had Enough" 18 23 7 44 23 14 9 Who Are You
"Trick of the Light" "905"
1979 "Long Live Rock" "I'm the Face"/"My Wife" (UK)
"My Wife" (US)
48 47 54 66 The Kids Are Alright
"5:15" "I'm One" 45 53 Quadrophenia
1981 "You Better You Bet" "The Quiet One" 9 21 4 61 12 38 18 15 Face Dances
"Don't Let Go the Coat" "You" 47 84 77
1982 "Athena" "A Man Is a Man" (UK)
"It's Your Turn" (US)
40 5 28 31 It's Hard
"Eminence Front" "One at a Time" 68
1983 "It's Hard" "Dangerous"
1984 "Twist and Shout" (live) "I Can't Explain" 87 Who's Last
1988 "My Generation" "Substitute"/"Baba O'Riley" 68 88 Who's Better, Who's Best
"Won't Get Fooled Again" 91
"Join Together" (live) "I Can See for Miles" (live)/"Behind Blue Eyes" (live) 100 Join Together
1996 "My Generation" "Pinball Wizard" (live)/"Boris the Spider"/"My Generation" (Deep Love Remix) non-album
2004 "Real Good Looking Boy" "Old Red Wine" Then and Now
2006 "Wire & Glass" "Mirror Door" 51 9 58 39 83 Endless Wire
"It's Not Enough" "Tea & Theatre"
2012 "Baba O'Riley"/"See Me, Feel Me"/"My Generation" (live) "Early Morning Cold Taxi" (from 30 Years of Maximum R&B) 55 A Symphony of British Music
2014 "Be Lucky" The Who Hits 50!
2019 "Ball and Chain" Who
"All This Music Must Fade"
"I Don't Wanna Get Wise"
"—" denotes albums that did not chart.

Other charted songs edit

List of charted songs, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US Main
[52]
"Another Tricky Day" 1981 6 Face Dances
"Daily Records" 36
"Did You Steal My Money?" 38
"How Can You Do It Alone?" 50
"You" 51
"Cry If You Want" 1982 34 It's Hard
"Dangerous" 38

Other appearances edit

Studio contributions edit

Year Song Album
1979 "Get Out and Stay Out", "Four Faces", and "Joker James" Quadrophenia (soundtrack)
1991 "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin

Live appearances edit

Year Songs Album
1981 "Baba O'Riley", "Sister Disco", "Behind Blue Eyes", and "See Me, Feel Me" Concerts for the People of Kampuchea
2001 "Who Are You", "Baba O'Riley", and "Won't Get Fooled Again" The Concert for New York City

Guest appearances edit

Videography edit

Film adaptations edit

Documentaries edit

Concerts edit

Title Video/DVD details Certifications
Who Rocks America
  • Released: 1983
  • Distribution: CBS/Fox
Who's Better, Who's Best
The Who Featuring Tommy
  • Released: 14 October 1989
  • Distribution: Capitol Home Video
Thirty Years of Maximum R&B Live
  • Released: 6 July 1994
  • Distribution: MCA
Who's Tommy: The Amazing Journey
Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970
The Who & Special Guests: Live at the Royal Albert Hall
  • Released: 25 September 2001
  • Distribution: Image
The Who Special Edition EP
  • Released: 25 March 2003
  • Distribution: Classic Pictures
Live in Boston
Tommy and Quadrophenia Live
Tangled Up in Who
  • Released: 2005
  • Distribution: Hiwatt
In Their Own Words
  • Released: 29 August 2006
  • Distribution: Classic Rock Legends
The Vegas Job
  • Released: 7 October 2006
  • Distribution: Passport Entertainment
Live from Toronto
  • Released: 2006
  • Distribution: Immortal
Live at Glastonbury 2007
  • Released: 6 June 2008
  • Distribution: –
In Houston – Live
  • Released: 6 June 2008
  • Distribution: Intergroove
The Who at Kilburn: 1977
  • Released: 17 October 2008
  • Distribution: Image
The Who Live In Texas '75
Quadrophenia Live in London
The Who Live at Shea Stadium 1982
The Who Live in Hyde Park
  • Theatrical release: 7 October 2015 in cinemas worldwide[57]
  • Recorded in London's Hyde Park on 26 June 2015 (plus behind-the-scenes footage and interviews)
  • Distribution: Eagle Vision
Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 2004
  • Theatrical release: 7 October 2017 in cinemas worldwide
  • Recorded at the Isle of Wight on 12 June 2004 (plus behind-the-scenes footage and interviews)
  • Distribution: Eagle Vision
Tommy Live at the Royal Albert Hall
  • Theatrical release: 13 October 2017 in cinemas worldwide
  • Recorded in London's Royal Albert Hall on 30 March 2017 (plus behind-the-scenes footage and interviews)
  • Distribution: Eagle Vision

Other appearances edit

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Chart position is from the official UK "Breakers List".

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "The Hypertext Who › History of The Who › 1965–1967". Thewho.net. 16 October 2007. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  2. ^ "The Hypertext Who › History of The Who › 1971–1974". Thewho.net. 16 October 2007. Archived from the original on 14 June 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  3. ^ "The Hypertext Who › History of The Who › 1980–1983". Thewho.net. Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "The Official Charts Company – The Who". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d For The Who peaks in Australia:
  6. ^ a b "The Who Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  7. ^ "French Chart". lescharts.com. Retrieved 24 June 2008.
  8. ^ a b c "Suchen nach "The Who"". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Dutch Chart". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  10. ^ a b c "Norwegian Chart". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  11. ^ "Swedish Chart". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  12. ^ a b "Swiss Chart". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 24 June 2008.
  13. ^ a b c d e "The Who Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on 25 June 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj "British certifications – Who". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 18 March 2023. Type Who in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  15. ^ "RIAA certifications".
  16. ^ a b "French album certifications" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  17. ^ a b "Latest Gold / Platinum Albums - RadioScope New Zealand". www.radioscope.net.nz. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "American album certifications – The Who". Recording Industry Association of America.
  19. ^ "RIAA certifications".
  20. ^ Neill, Andy; Kent, Matt (2002). Anyway Anyhow Anywhere: The Complete Chronicle of The Who 1958–1978. Barnes & Noble. p. 288. ISBN 978-1-40276-691-6.
  21. ^ "QUADROPHENIA AT 50: IN DOLBY ATMOS & HALF-SPEED MASTER". thewho.com. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  22. ^ a b c d e f "Canadian certifications – The Who". Music Canada.
  23. ^ "RIAA certifications".
  24. ^ a b "CASH BOX MAGAZINE: Archive of all back issues from1942 to 1996". www.americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  25. ^ a b "RECORD WORLD MAGAZINE: 1942 to 1982". www.americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  26. ^ "Who's Last – Canadian Album Chart". RPM. Retrieved 24 June 2008.
  27. ^ "The Who – Who's Better, Who's Best". ultratop.be. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  28. ^ a b "Spanish Chart". spanishcharts.com. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  29. ^ "Irish Album Chart". irish-charts.com. Retrieved 24 June 2008.
  30. ^ "Great Rock discography". p. 896.
  31. ^ "The Who: Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  32. ^ "Essential the Who out now!". 16 October 2020.
  33. ^ "Who: Tommy". British Phonographic Industry.
  34. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Soundtrack – Tommy". Music Canada.
  35. ^ "American album certifications – Soundtrack – Tommy". Recording Industry Association of America.
  36. ^ "Who: The Kids Are Alright". British Phonographic Industry.
  37. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Soundtrack – The Kids Are Alright". Music Canada.
  38. ^ "American album certifications – The Who – The Kids Are Alright". Recording Industry Association of America.
  39. ^ "Original Soundtrack: Quadrophenia". British Phonographic Industry.
  40. ^ "Austrian Chart". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  41. ^ "Danish Chart". danishcharts.dk. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  42. ^ "Danish Chart". Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  43. ^ "strictly business | full Official Chart History". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  44. ^ "RPM Weekly – The Who in Top Singles". RPM. Retrieved 26 September 2023 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  45. ^ "InfoDisc : Tous les Titres par Artiste" (in French). InfoDisc. Select "The Who" from the artist drop-down menu. Archived from the original on 20 September 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  46. ^ "Discografie The Who". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  47. ^ "Discography The Who". charts.nz. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  48. ^ "The Who". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  49. ^ "The Who Chart History > Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  50. ^ Hoffmann, Frank (1983). The Cash Box Singles Charts, 1950–1981. Metuchen, NJ & London: The Scarecrow Press, Inc. pp. 639–640.
  51. ^ Released as double A-side.
  52. ^ "Mainstream Rock Songs". Billboard.
  53. ^ "Who's Better, Who's Best". Aria.com.au. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  54. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 DVD". Aria.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 July 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  55. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2004 DVD". Aria.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  56. ^ "ARIA". Aria.com.au. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  57. ^ "The Who's 'Live in Hyde Park' Scheduled for Theatrical Release (by Jeff Giles)". ultimateclassicrock.com. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.

External links edit