HAPPY JACK

'Happy Jack' was one of the better-known tracks from The Who's early career. As one of the frontrunners in the British Invasion movement of pop during the 1960s, The Who had not yet begun to push the boundaries, but they were hinting at it. 'Happy Jack' is a song that is distinctly more sombre and dismal than most of the cheery, carefree singles that was coming out of the pop scene in Britain, and that may be part of the reason why it has aged so well.Despite being a very short song, it is greatly poetic and memorable, even if it may lack the same edge as the more rocking songs by The Who. The instruments here are fairly laid back, but the bass work here by John Entwhistle is notable. Entwhistle also sings here, which was one of the few times he would sing on a Townshend-penned track.

The other song here is written by Entwhistle himself, and was also among my favourites from the 'A Quick One' record. It is a quirky track, and while not nearly as memorable as 'Happy Jack', 'Whiskey Man' is a hell of a lot of fun; a song that manages to take a rather serious topic like mental illness and transform it into a fun tune that does well to showcase Entwhistle's wit. Regardless, a fine b-side to this memorable gem from The Who's early career, although this single remains dreadfully short.