Is Phases a good place to start with The Who?

Yes, Phases is recommended as a starting point for new The Who listeners. A dynamic fusion of classic rock anthems and introspective ballads, reflecting The Who's transformative journey through the 60s and 70s. By the time Phases was released in 1981, The Who were transitioning from their peak as a rock powerhouse into a more reflective phase. This compilation came after the commercial success of their previous albums like Who Are You (1978), and served as a retrospective look at their influential career, showcasing a collection of tracks that defined their sound and impact over the years.

Phases works well if you're into fragmented bursts of energy, short tracks for quick listening and playful irreverence in every song.

How many songs are on Phases?

Phases has 110 tracks, running approximately 421 minutes.

Phases

The Who · 1981

421 min · 110 tracks · hard rock

A dynamic fusion of classic rock anthems and introspective ballads, reflecting The Who's transformative journey through the 60s and 70s.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Out in the Street Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
→
My Generation — This track stands as an anthem for youth rebellion, capturing the essence of the band's early spirit and its commentary on generational conflict.
→
Baba O’Riley — With its iconic synthesizer intro and philosophical lyrics, this song exemplifies The Who's innovative approach to rock and serves as a timeless reflection on life and youth.
→
I Can See for Miles — This track showcases The Who's mastery of power pop dynamics combined with intricate harmonies, marking a pivotal moment in their songwriting evolution.
→
Love, Reign O’er Me — Displaying emotional depth and complexity, this song highlights Roger Daltrey's powerful vocals and is often seen as one of their most moving ballads.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

fragmented bursts of energy
short tracks for quick listening
playful irreverence in every song
varied moods across many tracks
great for spontaneous playlists

Maybe skip if you

seeking cohesive long-form pieces
prefer longer, immersive tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A compilation that showcases a range of The Who's work without being a primary entry point.
Themes: British youth culture· post-war disillusionment· rock opera legacy
Career context: By the time Phases was released in 1981, The Who were transitioning from their peak as a rock powerhouse into a more reflective phase. This compilation came after the commercial success of their previous albums like Who Are You (1978), and served as a retrospective look at their influential career, showcasing a collection of tracks that defined their sound and impact over the years.
Stylistic neighbors: The Kinks· Led Zeppelin· The Rolling Stones

New to The Who? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

1 Out in the Street Start here 2:31
2 I Don’t Mind 2:36
3 The Good’s Gone 4:02
4 La‐La‐La Lies 2:17
5 Much Too Much 2:47
6 My Generation 3:18
7 Kids Are Alright 3:04
8 Please Please Please 2:45
9 I’m Not True 2:31
10 I’m a Man 3:21
11 A Legal Matter 2:48
12 The Ox 3:50

Disc 2

1 Run Run Run 2:31
2 Boris the Spider 2:29
3 I Need You 2:24
4 Whiskey Man 2:56
5 Heat Wave 1:55
6 Cobwebs and Strange 2:30
7 Don’t Look Away 2:49
8 See My Way 1:51
9 So Sad About Us 3:02
10 A Quick One While He’s Away 9:09

Disc 3

1 Armenia City in the Sky 3:14
2 Heinz Baked Beans 0:57
3 Mary Anne With the Shaky Hand 2:06
4 Odorono 2:18
5 Tattoo 3:45
6 Our Love Was 3:07
7 I Can See for Miles 4:05
8 Can’t Reach You 3:03
9 Medac 0:54
10 Relax 2:38
11 Silas Stingy 3:00
12 Sunrise 3:00
13 Rael (1 & 2) 5:38

Disc 4

1 Overture 3:50
2 It’s a Boy 2:07
3 1921 3:14
4 Amazing Journey 3:25
5 Sparks 3:45
6 Eyesight to the Blind 2:15
7 Christmas 5:30
8 Cousin Kevin 4:03
9 Acid Queen 3:31
10 Underture 9:55

Disc 5

1 Do You Think It’s Alright 0:24
2 Fiddle About 1:26
3 Pinball Wizard 3:50
4 There’s a Doctor 0:25
5 Go to the Mirror 3:50
6 Tommy Can You Hear Me? 1:35
7 Smash the Mirror 1:20
8 Sensation 2:32
9 Miracle Cure 0:10
10 Sally Simpson 4:10
11 I’m Free 2:40
12 Welcome 4:30
13 Tommy’s Holiday Camp 0:57
14 We’re Not Gonna Take It 6:45

Disc 6

1 Young Man Blues 4:45
2 Substitute 2:05
3 Summertime Blues 3:22
4 Shakin’ All Over 4:15
5 My Generation 14:27
6 Magic Bus 7:30

Disc 7

1 Baba O’Riley 4:59
2 Bargain 5:33
3 Love Ain’t for Keeping 2:11
4 My Wife 3:35
5 Song Is Over 6:16
6 Getting in Tune 4:49
7 Going Mobile 3:40
8 Behind Blue Eyes 3:40
9 Won’t Get Fooled Again 8:31

Disc 8

1 I Am the Sea 2:09
2 The Real Me 3:21
3 Quadrophenia 6:13
4 Cut My Hair 3:44
5 The Punk and the Godfather 5:11
6 I’m One 2:38
7 The Dirty Jobs 4:29
8 Helpless Dancer 2:34
9 Is It in My Head 3:43
10 I’ve Had Enough 6:14

Disc 9

1 5:15 4:59
2 Sea and Sand 5:01
3 Drowned 5:27
4 Bell Boy 4:55
5 Doctor Jimmy 8:36
6 The Rock 6:37
7 Love, Reign O’er Me 5:48

Disc 10

1 Slip Kid 4:32
2 However Much I Booze 5:00
3 Squeeze Box 2:39
4 Dreaming From the Waist 4:03
5 Imagine a Man 3:57
6 Success Story 3:19
7 They Are All in Love 2:58
8 Blue Red and Grey 2:45
9 How Many Friends 4:00
10 In a Hand or a Face 3:19

Disc 11

1 New Song 4:18
2 Had Enough 4:27
3 905 3:58
4 Sister Disco 4:20
5 Music Must Change 4:35
6 Trick of the Light 4:06
7 Guitar and Pen 5:45
8 Love Is Coming Down 4:00
9 Who Are You 6:22

What to play next

Listen next

Face Dances

1981

Continues the energy and themes from Phases with a fresh sound.

Go back to

Hooligans

1981

Leads into Phases with a similar vibe and compilation style.

Full The Who discography Where to start with The Who Artists like The Who

hard rock progressive rock

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata