Happy 45th Anniversary to The Who’s Who’s Next, originally released August 14, 1971.

“I sit looking 'round / I look at my face in the mirror / I know I'm worth nothing without you / And like one and one don't make two / One and one make one / And I'm looking for that free ride to me / I'm looking for you.”

It doesn’t get much more real than this. Tell the truth. We’ve all had a significant other or even insignificant other express some variation of this sentiment to us or vice versa. These lyrics, from “Bargain,” capture the very essence of who The Who truly were or at the very least who Pete Townshend was and most likely still is.

This week, we happily celebrate the 45th anniversary of The Who’s Who’s Next, which is regarded in many circles as the best album in their catalog. Sandwiched in between opener “Baba O’Reily” and closing track “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” with one exception, are songs of exquisite beauty that touch a place that very few songwriters can reach. Yes, and let’s be honest with ourselves, this includes Lennon and McCartney. I don’t want to delve into crass comparisons between the two bands, but over the years, the Beatles were held in very high esteem while The Who were merely looked upon as the guys who sang “My Generation” and then smashed their instruments.

They were so much more than that. The Who were comprised of a motionless savant-like bass player, an insane drummer who’s id was on constant display, an intelligent, but gruff songwriting/guitar-playing genius, and a frontman with a powerful voice and arguably the best hair of any lead singer of his generation. They were by no means refined or chaste.