The Acid Queen

The Who

About The Acid Queen

"The Acid Queen" is a song written by Pete Townshend and is the ninth song on the Who's rock opera album Tommy. Townshend also sings the lead vocal. The song tells the attempts of Tommy's parents to try to cure him. They leave him with an eccentric gypsy, a self-proclaimed "Acid Queen", who feeds Tommy various hallucinogenic drugs and performs sexually in an attempt to free him from isolation.


Year:
1969
3:34
134 
#2

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

If your child ain't all he should be now
This girl could put him right
I'll show him what he could be now
Just give me one night

I'm the Gypsy
The acid Queen
Pay before we start
The Gypsy
I'm guaranteed
To tear your soul apart

Give us a room and close the door
Leave us for a while
Your boy won't be a boy no more
Young, but not a child

I'm the Gypsy
The acid Queen
Pay before we start
The Gypsy
I'm guaranteed
To tear your soul apart
 
Gather your wits and hold on fast
Your mind must learn to roam
Just as the Gypsy Queen must do
You're gonna hit the road

My work is done now look at him
He's never been more alive
His head it shakes his fingers clutch
Watch his body writhe

I'm the Gypsy
The acid Queen
Pay before we start
The Gypsy
I'm guaranteed
To break your little heart

If your child ain't all he should be now
This girl will put him right
I'll show him what he could be now
Just give me one night

I'm the Gypsy
The acid Queen
Pay before we start
The Gypsy
I'm guaranteed
To tear your soul apart

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


The Who

The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica), Pete Townshend (vocals, guitar, keyboards), John Entwistle (vocals, bass) and Keith Moon, (drums, vocals). They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction. The Who have sold about 100 million records, and have charted 27 top forty singles in the United Kingdom and United States, as well as 17 top ten albums, with 18 Gold, 12 Platinum and 5 Multi-Platinum album awards in the United States alone. more »

9 fans

Written by: PETER TOWNSHEND

Lyrics © Spirit Music Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Band Origin
"The Acid Queen" is a song by the British rock band "The Who". The band originated in 1964 and is considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century.
Album Release
The song was released as part of their second rock opera, "Tommy", in 1969. This album marked a significant growth in the band's popularity.
Song Character
"The Acid Queen" represents a character with the same name in the rock opera, portrayed as a gypsy who attempts to cure Tommy's "blindness, deafness, and muteness" with hallucinogenic drugs.
Solo Performance
This song is mainly performed by Pete Townshend, the lead guitarist, who penned the lyrics and composed the music. It's one of the few songs in the opera mostly not performed by lead singer, Roger Daltrey.
Movie Appearance
"The Acid Queen" is featured in the 1975 film-version of Tommy, where the character is played by iconic singer Tina Turner.
Song Themes
The song has drug themes, with references to acid representing LSD, a popular hallucinogenic drug during the 1960s counterculture movement.
Musical Style
With its heavy bassline, strong drum beat and raw vocals, "The Acid Queen" is typical of The Who's blend of rock and roll, R&B, and psychedelic rock, also incorporating elements of hard rock.
Critic Reception
Critics often praise the song for its intense musical performance and thought-provoking narrative, reflecting the struggles of the booming counterculture movement.
Live Performances
"The Acid Queen" is a fan favorite and remains a regular part of The Who's live performances.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by various artists across different genres. These renditions vary in style, showcasing the song's versatility and enduring appeal. Notable covers include those by Patti Smith, Twisted Sister, and The Flaming Lips.

Discuss the The Acid Queen Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "The Acid Queen Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/6653423/The+Who/The+Acid+Queen>.

    Missing lyrics by The Who?

    Know any other songs by The Who? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    The Acid Queen

    445.7K
    1,822     50

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    David Coverdale is the founding member and vocalist of which band?
    A Whitesnake
    B Def Leppard
    C Motley Crüe
    D Journey

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss The Who's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    • Fri • Mar 29 • 8:00 PM
      Deadwood Mountain Grand, Deadwood, SD
    • Fri • Apr 05 • 8:00 PM
      Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater, St Petersburg, FL
    • Sun • Apr 07 • 7:00 PM
      Wells Hall at The Parker, Ft Lauderdale, FL
    • Fri • Apr 12 • 7:30 PM
      Saenger Theatre Mobile, Mobile, AL
    • Thu • Apr 18 • 8:00 PM
      Peabody Auditorium, Daytona Beach, FL
    The Who tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!