It was 50 years ago Saturday (October 30th, 1971) that the Who released its classic compilation, Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy. The album, which was released only six weeks after the band’s Who’s Next blockbuster, was the band’s first American singles compilation, with a sprinkling of already legendary album tracks peppered throughout. Like the Rolling Stones‘ own ’71 collection, Hot Rocks (1964-1971), Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy became the go-to comp for the Who’s pre-FM era.
For years, Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy was the primary source for such standards as “I Can’t Explain,” “Substitute,” “Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere,” “A Legal Matter,” “Boris The Spider,” “Pictures Of Lily,” “Magic Bus,” and the then-recent “The Seeker.” The album peaked at Number 11 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and climbed as high as Number Nine in Britain.
The tracklisting to The Who’s Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy is: “I Can’t Explain,”” The Kids Are Alright,” “Happy Jack,” “I Can See for Miles,” “Pictures Of Lily,” “My Generation,” “The Seeker,” “Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere,” “Pinball Wizard,” “A Legal Matter,” “Boris The Spider,” “Magic Bus,” “Substitute,” and “I’m A Boy.”
CHECK IT OUT: The Who’s 1966 promo for “Substitute”: