# I'm One > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/I'm_One > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/I'm_One.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I'm_One > Source revision: 1352990127 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Song by The Who This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "I'm One" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (March 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message) "I'm One" Song by the Who from the album Quadrophenia Released 1973 Genre Folk rock[1] Length 2:37 Label MCA Songwriter Pete Townshend "**I'm One**" is a song by the English rock band [the Who](/source/The_Who). It was released on the group's [1973](/source/1973_in_music) rock opera album *[Quadrophenia](/source/Quadrophenia)*. Written and sung by [Pete Townshend](/source/Pete_Townshend), the song has since become a fan favorite.[2] ## Background "I'm One" is one of the main moments of introspection spread throughout the narrative and also an indication that Jimmy, the main character of the album's story, may not be as [Mod](/source/Mod_(subculture)) as he would wish to appear, given the way he asks a fellow Mod where he got his clothes (Mods would lose face asking another Mod where he obtained his clothes from). Pete Townshend said of the song's lyrical inspiration: When I was a nipper I felt that the guitar was all I had. I wasn't tough enough to be in a gang, I wasn't good-looking enough to be in with the birds, not clever enough to make it at school, not good enough on my feet to be good football player. I was a fucking loser. I think everyone feels that way at some point. And somehow being a Mod - even though I was too old to be a Mod really - I wrote this song with that in mind. Jimmy, the hero of the story, is thinking he hasn't got much going for him but at least he's one.[3] The song features an acoustic opening followed by the rest of the band (excluding singer Roger Daltrey) joining in. "I'm One" was one of the ten original *Quadrophenia* tracks to appear in remixed form on the [soundtrack](/source/Quadrophenia_(soundtrack)) to the Who's 1979 film [*Quadrophenia*](/source/Quadrophenia_(film)), which was based on the original rock opera. This version of the song also saw single release as the B-side to the [1979 remixed single release of "5.15".](/source/5.15#Soundtrack_version) The song is featured on the soundtrack for *[Freaks and Geeks](/source/Freaks_and_Geeks)* in the episode "Dead Dogs and Gym Teachers", which featured many of the Who's songs. ## Live performances This song was performed first on the band's original [1973](/source/The_Who_Tour_1973)–[1974](/source/The_Who_Tour_1974) *Quadrophenia* Tour, but it was never performed with Moon again afterwards. It made sporadic appearances in the [1981](/source/The_Who_Tour_1981) (only once), [1982](/source/The_Who_Tour_1982) (only the first verse; as an intro to "The Punk and the Godfather") and [1989](/source/The_Who_Tour_1989) tours as well. It was then brought back for every concert on the [1996–1997 *Quadrophenia* Tour](/source/The_Who_Tour_1996-1997). Performances after that, from [2000](/source/The_Who_Tour_2000) onward, were often performed by Pete Townshend alone on stage (although some feature the full band). ## Appearances The following *Who* albums and DVDs feature "I'm One": - *[Quadrophenia](/source/Quadrophenia)* - *[Quadrophenia](/source/Quadrophenia_(soundtrack))* (soundtrack) - *[Live at the Royal Albert Hall](/source/Live_at_the_Royal_Albert_Hall_(The_Who_album))* (with [Eddie Vedder](/source/Eddie_Vedder)) - *[The Who & Special Guests: Live at the Royal Albert Hall](/source/The_Who_%26_Special_Guests%3A_Live_at_the_Royal_Albert_Hall)* (with Eddie Vedder) - *[Tommy and Quadrophenia Live](/source/Tommy_and_Quadrophenia_Live)* - *[Encore Series 2002](/source/Encore_Series_2002)* (certain concerts) - *[Encore Series 2004](/source/Encore_Series_2004)* (one concert) - *[Encore Series 2006 and 2007](/source/Encore_Series_2006_and_2007)* (certain concerts) - *[Quadrophenia Live in London](/source/Quadrophenia_Live_in_London)* ## Personnel - [Pete Townshend](/source/Pete_Townshend) – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards - [John Entwistle](/source/John_Entwistle) – bass - [Keith Moon](/source/Keith_Moon) – drums ## In popular culture The song is featured in the *[Freaks and Geeks](/source/Freaks_and_Geeks)* episode "Dead Dogs and Gym Teachers", in a montage where Bill Haverchuck eats and watches TV after school.[4] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-allmusic.com_1-0)** Maginnis, Tom. ["I'm One by The Who - Track Info | AllMusic"](https://www.allmusic.com/song/im-one-mt0003523765). *allmusic*. Retrieved 23 January 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-bynumbers_2-0)** Grantley, Steve; Parker, Alan. *The Who by Numbers: The Story of the Who Through Their Music*. Helter Skelter. pp. 105–114. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-hypertext_3-0)** Cady, Brian. ["'Quadrophenia' liner notes"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100702221937/http://www.thewho.net/linernotes/Quad.htm). *The Hypertext Who*. Archived from [the original](http://www.thewho.net/linernotes/Quad.htm) on 2010-07-02. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Murthi, Vikram (April 13, 2016). ["Freaks And Geeks captures its humanist heart in only 90 seconds"](https://www.avclub.com/freaks-and-geeks-captures-its-humanist-heart-in-only-90-1798246291). *AV Club*. Retrieved August 30, 2021. But as The Who's "I'm One" picks up and Bill's laughter becomes more dynamic (achieved by Apatow and a writer shouting dirty jokes at Starr until he cracked up), Apatow shoots Bill from more intimate, direct angles, highlighting the food in his mouth and his big smile, creating the illusion that Shandling is performing just for him, which both is and isn't true. v t e Quadrophenia The Who Songs "The Real Me" "Cut My Hair" "The Punk and the Godfather" "I'm One" "5:15" "Sea and Sand" "Drowned" "Bell Boy" "Love, Reign o'er Me" Adaptations Quadrophenia (film) Quadrophenia (film soundtrack) Quadrophenia (musical) Live albums w/ majority of Quadrophenia Quadrophenia Live in London Tommy and Quadrophenia Live Supporting tours The Who Tour 1973 The Who Tour 1974 My Generation A Quick One The Who Sell Out Tommy Who's Next Quadrophenia The Who by Numbers Who Are You Face Dances It's Hard Endless Wire WHO v t e The Who singles UK 1960s "Zoot Suit" / "I'm the Face" "I Can't Explain" / "Bald Headed Woman" "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" / "Daddy Rolling Stone" "My Generation" / "Shout and Shimmy" "Substitute" / "Circles" "A Legal Matter" / "Instant Party" "The Kids Are Alright" / "The Ox" "I'm a Boy" / "In the City" "La-La-La-Lies" / "The Good's Gone" "Happy Jack" / "I've Been Away" "Pictures of Lily" / "Doctor, Doctor" "The Last Time" / "Under My Thumb" "I Can See for Miles" / "Someone's Coming" "Dogs" / "Call Me Lightning" "Magic Bus" / "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" "Pinball Wizard" / "Dogs Part Two" US 1960s "I Can't Explain" / "Bald Headed Woman" "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" / "Anytime You Want Me" "My Generation" / "Out in the Street" "Substitute" / "Waltz For a Pig" "The Kids Are Alright" / "A Legal Matter" "I'm a Boy" / "In the City" "Happy Jack" / "Whiskey Man" "Pictures of Lily" / "Doctor, Doctor" "I Can See for Miles" / "Mary Anne with the Shaky Hand" "Call Me Lightning" / "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" "Magic Bus" / "Someone's Coming" "Pinball Wizard" / "Dogs Part Two" "I'm Free" / "We're Not Gonna Take It" UK 1970s "The Seeker" / "Here For More" "Summertime Blues" / "Heaven and Hell" "See Me, Feel Me" / "Overture from Tommy" "Won't Get Fooled Again" / "I Don't Even Know Myself" "Let's See Action" / "When I Was A Boy" "Baba O'Riley" "Join Together" / "Baby Don't You Do It" "Relay" / "Waspman" "5:15" / "Water" "Squeeze Box" / "Success Story" "Who Are You" / "Had Enough" " Trick of the Light" / "905" "Long Live Rock" / "I'm the Face"/"My Wife (Live)" "I'm One" / "5:15 (Soundtrack Version)" US 1970s "The Seeker" / "Here For More" "Summertime Blues" / "Heaven and Hell" "See Me, Feel Me" / "Overture from Tommy" "Won't Get Fooled Again" / "I Don't Even Know Myself" "Behind Blue Eyes" / "My Wife" "Join Together" / "Baby Don't You Do It" "The Relay" / "Wasp Man" "Love, Reign o'er Me" / "Water" "The Real Me" / "I'm One" "Postcard" / "Put the Money Down" "Squeeze Box" / "Success Story" "Slip Kid" / "Dreaming from the Waist" "Substitute (Reissue)" / "I'm a Boy (Alternate Version)" "Who Are You" / "Had Enough" "Trick of the Light" / "905" "Long Live Rock" / "My Wife (Live)" UK 1980s "You Better You Bet" / "The Quiet One" "Don't Let Go the Coat" / "You" "Athena" / "A Man Is a Man" "Twist and Shout (live)" / "I Can't Explain (live)" "Won't Get Fooled Again (EP)" ( "Won't Get Fooled Again (live)" / "Bony Moronie (live)" / "Dancing in the Street (live)" / "Dance it Away (live)" ) US 1980s "You Better You Bet" / "The Quiet One" "Don't Let Go the Coat" / "You" "Athena" / "It's Your Turn" "Eminence Front" / "One At A Time" "It's Hard" / "Dangerous" 2000s "Real Good Looking Boy" / "Old Red Wine" 2010s "Be Lucky" "Ball and Chain" Authority control databases MusicBrainz work --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [I'm One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I'm_One) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I'm_One?action=history)). 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