I'm a Boy

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"I'm a Boy"

Single by The Who
Released	August 26, 1966 (UK)
Format	Vinyl record (7")
Recorded	August 1, 1966 at IBC Studios, London, UK
Genre	Rock
Length	2:34
Label	Polydor Records (UK) Decca Records (US)
Producer(s)	Kit Lambert
Chart positions
#2 (UK)
The Who singles chronology
A Legal Matter/Instant Party 1966	I'm a Boy 1966	Happy Jack 1966

"I'm a Boy" is a 1966 rock song written by Pete Townshend for his band The Who. The song was originally intended to be a part of a rock opera called 'Quads' which was to be set in the future where parents can choose the gender of their children. The idea was later scrapped, but this song survived and eventually made release as a single.

The family in the story asked for four girls, but instead got three girls and one boy. This song is the boy's lament at the mistake. This song is often pointed out as an early precursor to Townshend's epic rock operas later on in The Who's career, especially Tommy. The track was produced by Kit Lambert at IBC Studios on August 1, 1966, and released just about three weeks later on August 26, 1966 with the "In the City" as the B-side. The song was rather successful as a single and reached number two on the UK singles chart. It failed to repeat that success in the USA.

The song was later released on the 1971 singles collection Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy. The song was performed at The Who's legendary concert at Leeds, released in album format as Live at Leeds, though the song only appears on "deluxe" editions of the album.

On the Live at Leeds album, Pete Townshend comments on the song by saying:

We'd like to play three selected hit singles--three easiest...and I'm a Boy which according to the, (crowd cheers) thank you, according to the Melody Maker was our first number one in England I think for about a half an hour (crowd laughs).