Quadrophenia

Had to run out last night on a theater rescue mission. I drive a pickup, so I get asked to move things a lot. Fifteen-year-old Kathryn was home, so I put The Who's Quadrophenia on the stereo right before I left. It's an album I played the hell out of when I was her age. I don't know how many times I fell asleep with the headphones on and that playing on the stereo. I identified with the kid in the story so much I swore Pete Townsend was spying on me.

Every year is the same
And I feel it again,
I'm a loser - no chance to win.
Leaves start falling,
Come down is calling,
Loneliness starts sinking in.

But I'm one.
I am one.
And I can see
That this is me,
And I will be,
You'll all see
I'm the one.

Where do you get
Those blue blue jeans
Faded patched secret so tight.
Where do you get
That walk oh so lean
Your shoes and your shirts
All just right.

But I'm one.
I am one.
And I can see
That this is me,
And I will be,
You'll all see
I'm the one.

I got a Gibson
Without a case
But I can't get that even tanned look on my face.
Ill fitting clothes
I blend in the crowd,
Fingers so clumsy
Voice too loud.

But I'm one.

Kathryn's always a little reluctant to listen to my music. Country and a lot of alt/indie stuff, I know, makes people just a little bit nervous, wondering what I'm going to put in the CD player. I was just IMing with her yesterday and quoted a line from a Lucinda Williams' song (Maybe I'll open a can of soup, fix me something good to eat). I said someday she'll learn to appreciate Lucinda. She said she doubted it.

Anyway, I left the apartment with her sitting on the couch, thumbing through the liner notes from the record.