Somebody Saved Me

Words + Music, Vol. 27

By: Pete Townshend

Narrated by: Pete Townshend

Pete Townshend is one of the great figures in rock ‘n’ roll history. For almost 60 years, The Who have balanced the physical and the spiritual with introspective lyrics and inspirational music. But there is a part of Townshend’s story—and The Who’s—that has not been examined.

These are his Words + Music.

In the Audible Original Pete Townshend: Somebody Saved Me, the songwriter takes us through the period between the 1978 death of Who drummer Keith Moon and the 2002 loss of bassist John Entwistle. During these 24 years, The Who enjoyed their greatest popularity—and broke up. But no matter how much he tried to deny it, The Who had a hold on Pete he could not ignore. Every time he thought he was out, rock ‘n’ roll pulled him back in.

Townshend is honest about his victories and his failures in years spiked with conflict and resolution, the sacred and the profane, love and loss. Townshend punctuates his memories with the songs that came out of his life in that time—“Let My Love Open the Door”, “Slit Skirts”, “You Better You Bet", “Eminence Front”, and more as you’ve never heard them before.

In Somebody Saved Me, Pete Townshend bares his soul, bares his teeth, and bares his heart.

Cover art photo © Pennie Smith

©2022 Salsina LLC (P)2022 Audible Originals, LLC.

The Empty Glass is Finally Filled

Interesting, new, honest, real. More approachable, more down for earth then his autobiography, whether a fan of Townshend or not, the listener can’t help but like the 78 year old narrator as he shares a 20 years period of his life that shaped who is today as much as the 20 years previous in the spot light. For the fan his reinterpretation of some of the songs written almost 40 years go is worth listening by themselves.

Pete’s Most Prolific Period

Empty Glass. Face Dances. It’s Hard. Chinese Eyes. White City. Produced Simon’s Sweet Sounds. The purest Pete work. He sounds happy, way younger than his years, and in great voice. These versions of his songs are great as well. I’ve listened to this 10x. Brilliant.

Thanks Pete!!!

I suppose I should be more formal and say Thank You Mr Townshend. I feel as if I know him but we have never met. I’ve listened to his music and even been in his audience. This recording is like sitting in his studio and hearing personal stories of his life. Informative and enjoyable! Truly; thanks!!!

As a lifelong fan of Pete and the Who this is

wonderful! Thank you Pete for the soul in your words and music. 3 more words.

Rock Royalty

Yes, I did hear The Who at Woodstock and they were iconic. Last heard them in Fenway Park with a full orchestra: An epic masterpiece.
To hear Peter Townshend tell this story, first hand and in all sincerity was profound. There was only one Who and one Pete Townshend. So very grateful he opened his heart and shared his story.

Fantastic

As usual, brilliant commentary and playing by Pete. it’s great to hear him talk about his work and about the band and about life. What a pleasure.

Pete Townshend can do no wrong

The alternate versions of Who and Townshend dont do the Audible Original justice but to hear a great artist share his story and amazing journey is a treasure on par with the autobiography WHO I AM. There’s a few insights, wisdom and unshared (until now) material that make this Words & Music really great. Thanks!

Great Audible original

Nothing much to say other than must listen stuff. Pete is one of the all time greats

So Good, More Please!

This is so wonderful, I will listen over and over. I can only hope that Pete would make a long podcast for each album of this era. These songs are life’s blood.

Thank you.

Pete at his most honest and true

What a fantastic surprise and amazing look into my favorite Pete era - the late 70s early 80s years today may have been overshadowed by what The Who had done so far… but had a raw and incredibly musical statement that no one has ever touched.

Narrated by a Pete who has never sounded more at peace with being Pete Townsend.