Imagine A Man

The Who · The Who By Numbers [1975]

Imagine a man

Not a child of any revolt

But a plain man tied up in life

Imagine the sand

Running out as he struts

Parading and fading, ignoring his wife

Imagine a road

So long looking backwards

You can't see where it really began

Imagine a load

So large and so smooth

That against it a man is an ant

Then you will see the end

You will see the end

Imagine events

That occur everyday

Like a shooting or raping or a simple act of deceit

Imagine a fence

Around you as high as prevention

Casting shadows, you can't see your feet

Imagine a girl

You long for and have

And the body of chalky perfection and truth

Imagine a past

Where you wish you had lived

Full of heroes and villians and fools

And you will see the end

You will see the end

And you will see the end

You will see the end

Oh yeah

Imagine a man

Not a child of any revolt

But a man of today feeling new

Imagine a soul

So old it it is broken

And you will know your invention is you

And you will see the end

You will see the end

You will see the end

You will see the end

Oh yeah

Imagine A Man

The Who's 1975 album The Who By Numbers features the track Imagine A Man, a quintessential example of the band's hard rock and blues rock style. Released during the mid-1970s, the song showcases Pete Townshend's signature songwriting, blending driving rhythms with emotional vocal delivery. As part of the band's extensive discography, Imagine A Man reflects the group's evolution from their earlier psychedelic and garage rock roots into a more polished, arena-ready sound. The recording stands as a testament to The Who's enduring influence on rock music, capturing the raw energy and theatricality that defined their performances throughout the era.