Pictures of Lily

"Pictures of Lily" is a single by the British rock band The Who. It was released in 1967 as a single, made the top five in the UK, but failed to break into the top 50 in the US.

This song was written by Pete Townshend. In the beginning of the song, the singer laments his insomnia. When his father gives him the pictures of the song's title, his problems are solved thanks to masturbation. Soon, he feels desire for Lily as a person instead of a photo, and asks his father for an introduction. His father informs him however that "Lily" has, in fact, been dead since 1929. Initially, the singer laments, but before long turns back to his fantasy.

According to Pete Townshend in the 2006 book "Lyrics" by Rikky Rooksby, "the idea was inspired by a picture my girlfriend had on her wall of an old Vaudeville star - Lily Bayliss. It was an old 1920s postcard and someone had written on it 'Here's another picture of Lily - hope you haven't got this one.' It made me think that everyone has a pin-up period." This version may be true, but in actual fact Lillie Langtry, the world famous music hall star died in 1929, the same year that the father in the song says Lily died.

The song has been covered by David Bowie.

[edit] References

Review and analysis at Allmusic.com

v • d • e The Who's singles discography

UK Singles	1964: "Zoot Suit" • 1965: "I Can't Explain", "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere", "My Generation" • 1966: "Substitute", "A Legal Matter", "The Kids Are Alright", "I'm a Boy", "La-La-La-Lies", "Happy Jack" • 1967: "Pictures of Lily", "The Last Time", "I Can See for Miles" • 1968: "Dogs", "Magic Bus" • 1969: "Pinball Wizard" • 1970: "The Seeker", "Summertime Blues", "See Me, Feel Me" • 1971: "Won't Get Fooled Again", "Let's See Action" • 1972: "Join Together", "Relay" • 1973: "5:15" • 1975: "Overture", "Squeeze Box" • 1978: "Who Are You" • 1981: "You Better You Bet", "Don't Let Go the Coat" • 1982: "Athena" • 1984: "Twist and Shout (live)" • 2004: "Real Good Looking Boy" • 2006: "Wire & Glass", "It's Not Enough", "Tea & Theatre"

Other U.S. singles	1969: "I'm Free" • 1971: "Behind Blue Eyes" • 1974: "The Real Me" • 1979: "Long Live Rock" • 1981: "Daily Records", "Did You Steal My Money", "How Can You Do It Alone" • 1982: "Eminence Front", "Cry If You Want", "Dangerous", "It's Hard"