I Can See for Miles

Townshend wrote it in spring 1966, during the legal case with Talmy, with a lyric inspired by jealousy over his girlfriend Karen. Backing tracks were cut in late May 1967 at CBS Studios in London. Vocals and overdubs followed on 6 and 7 August at Talentmasters in New York, and the mix was finished on 10 September at Gold Star in Los Angeles, with Kit Lambert producing.

Released in the United States on 18 September 1967 and in Britain on 13 October, it reached number nine on the US Hot 100 and number ten in Britain. Townshend said that to him it was the ultimate Who record, yet it did not sell. He added that he spat on the British record buyer.

Live

The band played it at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and on the Smothers Brothers show. It has been played about 288 times live.