Friday Night Jukebox, Vol. CCCLXXXII--Pete Townshend: Let My Love Open the Door

A few years back I was watching the tail end of Kevin Smith's movie Jersey Girl when this week's tune began playing over the final scene, and my youngest son's ears perked up and he asked if it was perhaps a Who song that he was unfamiliar with...alas, I had to tell him that, no, it was not and was rather a solo effort from Pete Townshend (which may be the next best thing).  His only concern thereafter was how quickly I could add it to his favorites playlist....

As I've covered the Who a couple of times already (here and here), this week's bio recap will be mercifully short.  Pete Townshend, songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire, has long been the guiding force behind the Who, but through the years has released solo albums here and there, and while he has not had quite the critical and commercial success of that other band, has done quite well nonetheless.  Townshend has released seven studio albums (with one top ten here in the States), and 17 singles (again with one top ten in America).  Ever the Renaissance man, Townshend has also dabbled in writing (essays, short stories, a novel), and has helped develop both Broadway plays and orchestral renditions of his work with the Who.  Townshend is also quite active (with Roger Daltrey) doing charitable work for children with cancer (including a wing at UCLA), and as a former addict himself, has helped support rehabilitation centers for drug abusers in his native U.K.

"Let My Love Open the Door" was the second single released in the U.K. from his 1980 album Empty Glass, but the first single released in the United States.  Somewhat surprisingly (because of the Who's popularity in their homeland), the single and the album did much better here than across the pond.  In the U.K. they peaked at #46 and #11 respectively, while in America the single reached #9 (with a bullet!) and the album #5.  So many cool kids here at home!

Fun Fact:  Townshend's peak position for his highest charting single was also the same as the Who's highest charting single ("I Can See for Miles")--number nine.

In the liner notes for an anthology LP of his solo work, Townshend claims that "Jesus sings" on this single--and that's all you really need to know about this wonderful "ditty."

Lyric Sheet:  "Release yourself from misery/There's only one thing gonna set you free/That's my love..."

Enjoy:

Republican = Traitor

Peace,

emaycee