Category: Music

In Who Are You: The Life of Pete Townshend, author Mark Wilkerson recounts how Pete Townshend came to write “Substitute” for The Who. Musically, Townshend was inspired to write the song after hearing a rough mix of “19th Nervous Breakdown” by The Rolling Stones. But lyrically, he came up with the title word because of the way Smokey Robinson sang the word in “The Tracks of My Tears.”

The Miracles released “The Tracks of My Tears” as a single in 1965. In one of the verses of the song — which was written by group members Smokey Robinson, Pete Moore, and Marv Tarpli — Smokey Robinson sings:

“Since you left me if you see me with another girl,
Looking like I’m having fun;
Although she may be cute, she’s just a substitute,
‘Cause you’re the permanent one.”

The song made a big impression on Townshend. In a 1987 interview, Townshend explained that “The Tracks of My Tears” was his favorite song of all time.

Bur more than that, when Townshend heard the song back in 1965, he could not help focusing on the way that Robinson sang one word. “Smokey Robinson sang the word “Substitute” so perfectly,” he later explained, “that I decided to celebrate the word with a song all its own.” So, he sat down and wrote “Substitute” for The Who “very quickly.”

Townshend also explained that when he wrote “Substitute,” he merely wrote it as a play on words. But the song and lyrics went on to have a life of their own, becoming one of the Who’s most quoted lyrics as listeners found a deeper meaning in the song. Without revealing much, Townshend also explained that the song came to have a deeper meaning for him over the years too.

“The Tracks of My Tears” is not the only song that influenced “Substitute.” Townshend also noted that he took the riff from a song called “Where Is My Girl?” by Robb Storme & the Whispers. Townshend said that although “Where Is My Girl?” was not a hit, it had an “electrifying riff” and he “pinched it.” You may hear “Where Is My Girl?” below, and you may be tempted to sing “Substitute” over it.

One year after The Miracles released “The Tracks of My Tears,” The Who released “Substitute” as a single in 1966, and it would later appear on the compilation album Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy (1971).

Although “Substitute” only made it to number five on the UK charts, it continues to be a fan favorite through the years. Like “The Tracks of My Tears,” The Who’s song often appears on lists of greatest songs of the era.

And that is the story behind the song.

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