Go to the Mirror!
Encyclopedia
"Go to the Mirror!" is a song written by Pete Townshend
of The Who
. It appears as the fifteenth track on the group's first rock opera
, Tommy (1969). "Go to the Mirror!" is included on the list of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
It is sung by a doctor who tells Tommy's parents that, after numerous tests, there is nothing medically wrong with him, and his problems, while very real ("He seems to be completely unreceptive / The tests we gave him show no sense at all"), are psychosomatic ("All hope lies with him, and none with me"). However, as they are trying to reach him, Tommy's subconscious is also trying to reach out to them ("See me, feel me / Touch me, heal me").
In the movie version of Tommy
, the doctor is played by Jack Nicholson
.
The song invokes two recurring themes of the album, "See Me, Feel Me
", and "Listening to You", which first appear (in lyric form) as the "Christmas" interlude, and is also the song cycle's finale (as part of the track "We're Not Gonna Take It"). This version in "Go to the Mirror!" is sung by Pete Townshend rather than Roger Daltrey
. Though Daltrey sings the majority of Tommy's parts, here he has been singing as the Doctor, so Townshend singing as Tommy provides effective contrast.
The repeating chords in this song are E, B, and A. After two lines with those chords, the third line goes from a G#m into a C#m (then two hits on a B chord to end the line.) The fourth and final line of the chorus is almost all an A chords and ends on a B7.
Pete Townshend
Peter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend is an English rock guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and author, known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for the rock group The Who, as well as for his own solo career...
of The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
. It appears as the fifteenth track on the group's first rock opera
Rock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...
, Tommy (1969). "Go to the Mirror!" is included on the list of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
It is sung by a doctor who tells Tommy's parents that, after numerous tests, there is nothing medically wrong with him, and his problems, while very real ("He seems to be completely unreceptive / The tests we gave him show no sense at all"), are psychosomatic ("All hope lies with him, and none with me"). However, as they are trying to reach him, Tommy's subconscious is also trying to reach out to them ("See me, feel me / Touch me, heal me").
In the movie version of Tommy
Tommy (film)
Tommy is a 1975 British musical film based upon The Who's 1969 rock opera album musical Tommy. It was directed by Ken Russell and featured a star-studded cast, including the band members themselves...
, the doctor is played by Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson
John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson is an American actor, film director, producer and writer. He is renowned for his often dark portrayals of neurotic characters. Nicholson has been nominated for an Academy Award twelve times, and has won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice: for One Flew Over the...
.
The song invokes two recurring themes of the album, "See Me, Feel Me
See Me, Feel Me
"See Me Feel Me" is a portion of the song "We're Not Gonna Take It" written by Pete Townshend of The Who. The song is the finale of the Tommy album. "See Me Feel Me", followed by the refrain of "Listening To You" was performed at the 1969 Woodstock Festival as the sun was rising and almost half a...
", and "Listening to You", which first appear (in lyric form) as the "Christmas" interlude, and is also the song cycle's finale (as part of the track "We're Not Gonna Take It"). This version in "Go to the Mirror!" is sung by Pete Townshend rather than Roger Daltrey
Roger Daltrey
Roger Harry Daltrey, CBE , is an English singer and actor, best known as the founder and lead singer of English rock band The Who. He has maintained a musical career as a solo artist and has also worked in the film industry, acting in a large number of films, theatre and television roles and also...
. Though Daltrey sings the majority of Tommy's parts, here he has been singing as the Doctor, so Townshend singing as Tommy provides effective contrast.
The repeating chords in this song are E, B, and A. After two lines with those chords, the third line goes from a G#m into a C#m (then two hits on a B chord to end the line.) The fourth and final line of the chorus is almost all an A chords and ends on a B7.