The song is about a man who has gone out and gotten drunk and been gone for a period of time (due to being locked up in the drunk tank) and is in fear of his wife because she thinks he was spending time with another woman.
"My Wife" was the fourth track on "Who's Next" recorded at Olympic Studios May 1971.
While it did appear on Who's Next
it was thought that it was not a part of the Lifehouse project[2],
which was confirmed in 2000, when it was not included in Pete Townshend'sLifehouse Chronicles box set.
The song drolly describes, in first person, all the things he needs to have or do to protect himself from her wrath.
"My Wife" is arguably John Entwistle's highlight on "Who's Next" being that he takes on the lead vocals, bass guitar, piano, and horn section
Unusually, this song does not feature a guitar solo, which is most likely because Entwistle could only "write on bass guitar or in my head, just transfer it to manuscript paper, or piano,"[5] and did not play the guitar. Instead of a guitar solo, in the longer breaks between verses there is a horn part by Entwistle. This song is in the key of B major.
In 1979 "My Wife" was again released as a B-side single, this time to "Long Live Rock". This version was recorded live and released on The Kids Are Alright. What is rare about this version is that it was the only song released from The Who's 1977 concert at the Kilburn State Theatre in London.[6] The rest of the songs were not released until 2008 on the DVD The Who at Kilburn: 1977. The song is unlike the studio version as it has a guitar solo by Townshend but no piano or horns.
In November 1973, Entwistle re-recorded the song and released it on his third solo album Rigor Mortis Sets In. A live version of the song was featured on the two-disc compilation album So Who's the Bass Player? The Ox Anthology which was released on 22 March 2005.
During an interview Pete Townshend described "My Wife" as "the best new rock number on the album [Who's Next]."[5] Critic Mark Deming called "My Wife" the "comic relief" on "Who's Next".[7]
While it's certainly true that Pete Townshend has a keen sense of humor, on Who's Next, the album salvaged from the pieces of the stalled Lifehouse project, Townshend gave John Entwistle the honor of penning the album's comic relief number, and he certainly came up with a corker. "My Wife" is built around a theme as old as vaudeville -- after a few too many drinks, Entwistle runs into a spot of trouble with the law and doesn't make it home that night. His spouse, however, is convinced he's absent because he's been seeing another woman, and now she's on the warpath, and Entwistle is convinced he's got a lot of running to do to escape the wrath of a woman scorned. Not a brilliant premise, to be sure, but Entwistle milks it for all the absurdity he can -- fast cars, planes, bodyguards, guns, martial arts experts, and even tanks aren't enough to keep Entwistle safe from his enraged one-time beloved, and the taller the tale gets, the more amusing it becomes. It helps that Entwistle married his lyrics to a cracking good tune, in fact one of his best -- "My Wife" roars along with a bluesy élan that doesn't get in the way of its commendable physical momentum, and Entwistle fortified the Who's enthusiastic performance with a rollicking piano line and some well-placed horn overdubs (the brass, of course, being played by Entwistle himself). "My Wife" is easily the least-weighty song on Who's Next, but in many ways that's the song's greatest virtue; Lifehouse was as serious and inward-looking a project as the Who would ever attempt, and in the midst of the complex puzzle assembled on Who's Next, "My Wife" served as a reminder that the Who were more than just the platform for a visionary musical genius -- they were a damn good rock & roll band who knew how to give the crowd a good time, and don't let anyone tell you that's not important.
Because of excessive live performances John Entwistle wrote "The Quiet One" to replace this song, although he would still perform the song for his solo career and his later performances with The Who.[8] Rob Mitchum of Pitchfork Media called it "the only listenable song of [Entwistle's] writing career."[9]
Jp from Roanoke, VaOn the “Kids Are Alright” album, and also on the video available on this page, there are one or two words which are spoken at the very end, after the song is over. On the album I think it is Roger D. that speaks the words, but on the video on this page it sounds like John E. is saying them. Anyone know what the word or words are? It sounds like “be offs” or something like that. Thanks.
Guy from Woodinville, WaThis is the funniest song ever written. EVER!! I had to write down the lyrics for this way back when I was a teenager.Loved it then and now that I've been married 23 years, I love it more than ever. Hilarious! I think there's a whole side to joh Entwistle that we never really saw, only in his lyrics.
Rob from Charleston, Sc, WvMan,I can't believe it. I recently rediscovered this song. I heard this song in college when it was released in 1971. I was also a DJ on a Progressive Rock FM station and played the song. I always loved the instrumentation and the horns in the final 1/3 of the song. I have been married 35 years next month and the lyrics apply to me so much!! I have a new found appreciation of this song!
Fudge from Los Banos, CaPlayed at my wedding in my head...Unbelievable drum part...Keith Moon...RIP..
Carolina from Palm Springs, Caoh, jeez i absolutely Love this song...and The Who in general :) . John Entwistle rocks, yo!!
Sage from San Fran, Cawhen she first heard it she thought it was hilarious and wanted to chase the band mémbers around when they were preforming it
Jack from Riverside, CaJohn's major (and only) contribution to Who's Next... He wrote it, sung it, and played bass, piano and brass on it.
Allen from Bethel, AkI didn't understand a word of this song until I downloaded the lyrics. I like it.
Aylin from MontrealJohn Entwistle certainly had a sense of humour. (Eg. Boris)
Mike from Germantown, MdIt is a clasic song of a man running away from his wife.This is shown in the line "When she catches up with me Won't be no time to explain"
Paul from Aurora, IlI thought this song was where a guy waits to shoot his wife right when she walks into the door and then run away with his friends. This is a pretty good song.
James from Staffordshire, EnglandIts wrote and sung by john! It also made the album' Who's Next. Not sure if it was meant to be on the Lifehouse Project of pete's but i Love the Song and glad i got to hear it! Rock on, Rock God John!!
Spence from Smithfield, VaI thought this song what fit perfect in the soundtrack to the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith, where husband and wife are trying to kill eachother.
Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, ScThis song is hilarious! I love it!
Vincent from St. Davids, EnglandThis song hasnt put off maraige. Cause now it sounds like great fun!
Fintan from Cheltenham, EnglandHis wife Alison thought it was funny when she first heard it.
Jude from Thomasville, GaIt takes a genius to write an upbeat, rocking song about your wife wanting to murder you -- but that goes without saying since the songwriter is John Entwistle! It doesn't fit in with all Pete's "Lifehouse" music, and I like it even better for that.
Kabrams from Dallas, Txpretty funny song once you figure out the lyrics... john entwistle wasn't a bad songwriter
Gregmon from Intelbuquerque, NmAll I did was have a bit too much to drink And I picked the wrong precinct Got picked up by the law And now I ain't got time to think I just love that line.
Anthony from Clearwater, FlJohn sang it - and did a great job. This is one of my favorite Who tunes.
