The Who Record ‘Be Lucky,’ First New Song in Eight Years

The Who | Photo Credit: Ian MacIsaac/CC

To celebrate their 50th anniversary, the Who will release a career-spanning greatest-hits collection, titled The Who Hits 50!, that will feature the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band’s first new song in eight years. Described as “a classic Who rocker,” “Be Lucky” is the Who’s first original since their 2006 comeback album Endless Wire. The Who Hits 50! arrives October 27th, just a few weeks before the band’s anniversary tour of the same name kicks off in Europe.

Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend are joined by drummer Zak Starkey, bassist Pino Pallodino and keyboardist Mick Talbot on the new track. “Be Lucky” was produced by Dave Eringa, who previously worked with Daltrey’s Going Back Home, the singer’s collaborative LP with Wilko Johnson. The Who also revealed that the band’s royalties from “Be Lucky” will benefit Daltrey and Townshend’s Teen Cancer America charity, which the group recently showcased on the Stand Up to Cancer telethon.

As for The Who Hits 50!, the double-disc collection will chronologically delve into the band’s half-century-old catalogue and pull out 42 of their best tracks, starting off with their pre-Who endeavor the High Numbers through “Be Lucky.”

The Who Hits 50!

Disc 1

1. The High Numbers – “Zoot Suit”
2. “I Can’t Explain”
3. “Anyway Anyhow Anywhere”
4. “My Generation”
5. “Substitute”
6. “The Kids Are Alright”
7. “I’m A Boy”
8. “Happy Jack”
9. “Boris The Spider”
10. “Pictures Of Lily”
11. “The Last Time”
12. “I Can See For Miles”
13. “Call Me Lightning”
14. “Dogs”
15. “Magic Bus”
16. “Pinball Wizard”
17. “I’m Free”
18. “The Seeker”
19. “Summertime Blues (live)”
20. “See Me, Feel Me”
21. “Won’t Get Fooled Again (single edit)”
22. “Let’s See Action”
23. “Bargain”
24. “Behind Blue Eyes”

Disc 2

1. “Baba O’ Riley”
2. “Join Together”
3. “Relay”
4. “5:15”
5. “Love Reign O’er Me”
6. “Postcard”
7. “Squeeze Box”
8. “Slip Kid”
9. “Who Are You”
10. “Trick Of The Light”
11. “You Better You Bet”
12. “Don’t Let The Coat”
13. “Athena”
14. “Eminence Front”
15. “It’s Hard”
16. “Real Good Looking Boy”
17. “It’s Not Enough”
18. “Be Lucky”