I Can't Explain
"I Can't Explain" is a song by English rock band the Who, written by Pete Townshend and produced by Shel Talmy. It was released as a single in the United States on 19 December 1964 by Decca and on 15 January 1965 in the United Kingdom by Brunswick.[6][7] It was the band's second single release and first under the Who name.
The song has been covered by other artists, including David Bowie.
Critical reception[edit]
In 2012, Paste ranked the song number ten on their list of the 20 greatest The Who songs,[15] and in 2022, Rolling Stone ranked the song number seven on their list of the 50 greatest The Who songs.[16] The song is ranked No. 9 on Pitchfork Media's list of the "200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s",[17] No. 59 on Spin's list of the "100 Greatest Singles of All Time",[18] and No. 380 on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2010.[19]
There was a misprinted label re-released in 1968 on the second colour band series label entitled "Can't Explain" but it was soon withdrawn and released with the correct title of the song as released on the first 1964 release, and other previous and future label releases.[20]
Chart performance[edit]
On the UK Singles Chart, "I Can't Explain" first appeared on 20 February 1965 at No. 45, and then reached its highest position on 17 April 1965 at No. 8. The song left the charts on 15 May at No. 29, having spent a total of 13 weeks there.[21] The single was much less successful on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching only No. 93.[22]