The discography of the English rock band the Who consists of 12 studio albums, 18 live albums, four soundtrack albums, 36 compilation albums, four extended plays, 58 singles and 25 video albums.

The Who discography
Studio albums12
EPs4
Soundtrack albums4
Live albums18
Compilation albums36
Singles58
Video albums25
Music videos12

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

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Studio albums

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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: 26 October 1973 (US); 2 November 1973 (UK) [21]
  • Label: Track (UK) and MCA (US)
2 7 2 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
  • Released: 16 March 1981
  • Label: Polydor (UK) and Warner Bros. (US)
2 9 1 12 29 16 19 17 4
It's Hard
  • Released: September 1982
  • Label: Polydor (UK) and Warner Bros. (US)
11 55 3 43 28 47 8
Endless Wire
  • Released: 30 October 2006
  • Label: Polydor (UK) and Republic (US)
9 63 10 62 34 77 23 51 7
Who
  • Released: 6 December 2019
  • Label: Polydor (UK and US)
3 64 2 43 5 38 27 5 2

Live albums

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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 and US)
48 56
[26]
81
Join Together
  • Released: March 1990
  • Label: Virgin (UK) and MCA (US)
59 188
Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 84 194
BBC Sessions
  • Released: 15 February 2000
  • Label: Polydor (UK) and MCA (US)
24 101
Blues to the Bush
  • Released: 19 March 2000
  • Label: Polydor (UK) and MCA (US)
Live at the Royal Albert Hall
  • Released: 5 December 2003
  • Label: Polydor (UK) and MCA (US)
72 43 95
Live from Toronto
  • Released: 21 April 2006
  • Label: Immortal (Europe only)
View from a Backstage Pass
  • Released: 5 November 2007
  • Label: thewho.com
Greatest Hits Live
  • Released: 18 January 2010
  • Label: Polydor (UK) and Geffen (US)
Live at Hull 1970
  • Released: 19 November 2012
  • Label: Polydor (UK) & Geffen (US)
68
Quadrophenia Live in London
  • Released: 10 June 2014
  • Label: Universal (UK and US)
28 118
Live in Hyde Park
  • Released: 6 November 2015
  • Label: Eagle (UK and US)
Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 2004
  • Released: 6 February 2017
  • Label: Eagle (UK and US)
Tommy Live at the Royal Albert Hall
  • Released: 13 October 2017
  • Label: Eagle (UK and US)
Live at the Fillmore East 1968
  • Released: 20 April 2018
  • Label: Polydor (UK) and Geffen (US)
15 26
The Who With Orchestra Live at Wembley
  • Released: 31 March 2023
  • Label: Polydor (UK and US)
12
Live At Shea Stadium 1982
"—" denotes albums that were released but did not chart, albums not released in a particular territory, or chart information is not available.

Soundtrack albums

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

Compilation albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
UK
[4]
AUS
[5]
BEL
[34]
CAN
[6]
ESP
[35]
IRE
[36]
NOR
[10]
US
[13]
US
Cash
Box

[24]
Record
World

[25]
Magic Bus: The Who on Tour
  • Released: September 1968
  • Label: Decca (US only)
39 31
Direct Hits
  • Released: October 1968
  • Label: Track (UK only)
Backtrack 8: A Quick One (Part of Track Records' Backtrack series, reissue of A Quick One)
  • Released: November 1970
  • Label: Track (UK only)
Backtrack 9: The Who Sell Out (Part of Track Records' Backtrack series, reissue of The Who Sell Out)
  • Released: November 1970
  • Label: Track (UK only)
Backtrack 14: The Ox (Part of Track Records' Backtrack series, Who tracks written or co-written by John Entwistle)
  • Released: November 1970
  • Label: Track (UK only)
Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy
  • Released: November 1971
  • Label: Track (UK) and Decca (US)
9 27 11 14 9
Tommy Part 1 (Reissue of Tommy LP1)
  • Released: 12 May 1972
  • Label: Track (UK only)
Tommy Part 2 (Reissue of Tommy LP2)
  • Released: 16 June 1972
  • Label: Track (UK only)
A Quick One/The Who Sell Out (2×LP reissue)
  • Released: 1974
  • Label: Track (UK) and MCA (US)
Odds & Sods
  • Released: 4 October 1974
  • Label: Track (UK) and MCA (US)
10 47 15 14
Magic Bus: The Who On Tour/The Who Sings My Generation (2×LP reissue)
  • Released: 1974
  • Label: MCA (US only)
185
The Story of The Who
  • Released: 24 September 1976
  • Label: Polydor (UK only)
2
Phases
  • Released: May 1981
  • Label: Polydor (UK only)
Hooligans
  • Released: October 1981
  • Label: MCA (US only)
52 73
Who's Greatest Hits
  • Released: May 1983[37]
  • Label: MCA (US only)
94
  • US: 2× Platinum[18]
Rarities Volume I & Volume II
  • Released: August 1983
  • Label: Polydor (UK only)
The Singles
  • Released: October 1984
  • Label: Polydor (UK only)
The Who Collection
  • Released: 30 September 1985
  • Label: Polydor (UK only)
44
Who's Missing
  • Released: November 1985
  • Label: MCA (UK and US)
44 116
Two's Missing
  • Released: April 1987
  • Label: MCA (UK and US)
Who's Better, Who's Best
  • Released: March 1988
  • Label: Polydor (UK) and MCA (US)
10 51 45
Thirty Years of Maximum R&B
  • Released: 5 July 1994
  • Label: Polydor (UK) and MCA (US)
48 170
My Generation: The Very Best of the Who
  • Released: 27 August 1996
  • Label: Polydor (UK) and MCA (US)
11
20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of The Who
  • Released: 13 April 1999
  • Label: Universal (US only)
The Ultimate Collection
  • Released: 11 June 2002
  • Label: Polydor (UK) and MCA (US)
17 65 11 31[38]
Then and Now 1964—2004
  • Released: 30 March 2004
  • Label: Polydor (UK) and Geffen (US)
5 96 67 21 57
The 1st Singles Box
  • Released: 2 May 2004
  • Label: Polydor (Europe only)
154 1
Then and Now 1964—2007
  • Released: 11 June 2007
  • Label: Polydor (UK only)
9
Greatest Hits
  • Released: 21 December 2009
  • Label: Polydor (UK) and Geffen (US)
12 69 19
Greatest Hits & More
  • Released: 13 February 2010
  • Label: Polydor (UK only)
20
Icon
  • Released: 5 April 2011
  • Label: Geffen (US only)
Icon 2
  • Released: 5 April 2011
  • Label: Geffen (US only)
Pinball Wizard: The Collection
  • Released: 28 May 2012
  • Label: Spectrum (UK only)
The Who Hits 50!
  • Released: 27 October 2014
  • Label: Polydor (UK) and Geffen (US)
11 44
Maximum A's & B's: The Complete Singles
  • Released: 27 October 2017[39]
  • Label: Polydor (UK only)
Essential
  • Released: 16 October 2020[40]
  • Label: Universal (UK only)
"—" denotes albums that were released but did not chart, albums not released in a particular territory, or chart information is not available.

Extended plays

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Title EP details Peak chart positions
UK
[4]
AUT
[41]
DEN
[42]
ESP
[35]
NZ
[43]
SWI
[12]
Ready Steady Who
  • Released: 11 November 1966
  • Label: Reaction (UK only)
1
Tommy
  • Released: 6 November 1970
  • Label: Track (UK only)
53[A]
Won't Get Fooled Again 91[44]
Wire & Glass
  • Released: 17 July 2006
  • Label: Polydor (Europe and Australasia)
31 3 9 39 83

Singles

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Year Song B-side Chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[4]
AUS
[5]
CAN
[45]
FRA
[46]
GER
[8]
NLD
[47]
NZ
[48]
SWI
[49]
US
Hot 100

[50]
US
Cash Box

[51]
1964 "Zoot Suit" (credited to The High Numbers) "I'm the Face" (credited to The High Numbers) 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"[52] "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

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List of charted songs, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US Main
[53]
"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

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Studio contributions

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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

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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

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Videography

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Film adaptations

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Documentaries

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Concerts

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Other appearances

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Music videos

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Year Video Album
1964 "I Can't Explain" non-album
1966 "Substitute"
"The Kids Are Alright" My Generation
"Happy Jack" Happy Jack (US)
1968 "Call Me Lightning" non-album
1970 "The Seeker"
1972 "Join Together"
1978 "Who Are You" Who Are You
1981 "You Better You Bet" Face Dances
"Don't Let Go the Coat"
"Another Tricky Day"
1982 "Eminence Front" It's Hard

See also

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Notes

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

References

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  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 19 May 2024. 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. ^ "Who: Tommy". British Phonographic Industry.
  28. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Soundtrack – Tommy". Music Canada.
  29. ^ "American album certifications – Soundtrack – Tommy". Recording Industry Association of America.
  30. ^ "Who: The Kids Are Alright". British Phonographic Industry.
  31. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Soundtrack – The Kids Are Alright". Music Canada.
  32. ^ "American album certifications – The Who – The Kids Are Alright". Recording Industry Association of America.
  33. ^ "Original Soundtrack: Quadrophenia". British Phonographic Industry.
  34. ^ "The Who – Who's Better, Who's Best". ultratop.be. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  35. ^ a b "Spanish Chart". spanishcharts.com. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  36. ^ "Irish Album Chart". irish-charts.com. Retrieved 24 June 2008.
  37. ^ "Great Rock discography". p. 896.
  38. ^ "The Who: Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  39. ^ "The Who / Maximum As & Bs: The Complete Singles – 5CD box set".
  40. ^ "Essential the Who out now!". 16 October 2020.
  41. ^ "Austrian Chart". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  42. ^ "Danish Chart". danishcharts.dk. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  43. ^ "Danish Chart". Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  44. ^ "strictly business | full Official Chart History". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  45. ^ "RPM Weekly – The Who in Top Singles". RPM. Retrieved 26 September 2023 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  46. ^ "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.
  47. ^ "Discografie The Who". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  48. ^ "Discography The Who". charts.nz. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  49. ^ "The Who". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  50. ^ "The Who Chart History > Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  51. ^ Hoffmann, Frank (1983). The Cash Box Singles Charts, 1950–1981. Metuchen, NJ & London: The Scarecrow Press, Inc. pp. 639–640.
  52. ^ Released as double A-side.
  53. ^ "Mainstream Rock Songs". Billboard.
  54. ^ "Who's Better, Who's Best". Aria.com.au. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  55. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 DVD". Aria.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 July 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  56. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2004 DVD". Aria.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  57. ^ "ARIA". Aria.com.au. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  58. ^ "The Who's 'Live in Hyde Park' Scheduled for Theatrical Release (by Jeff Giles)". ultimateclassicrock.com. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
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