View source for Magic Bus (song)

{{Infobox song
| name       = Magic Bus
| cover      = TheWhoMagicBus.jpg
| alt        =
| type       = single
| artist     = [[the Who]]
| album      =
| B-side     = *"Someone's Coming" (US)
*"[[Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (The Who song)|Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde]]" (UK)
| released   = {{Start date|1968|7|27|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewho.com/music/magic-bus/ |title=Magic Bus |website=thewho.com |access-date=2018-07-27}}</ref>
| recorded   = 29 May 1968
| studio     = [[Advision Studios|Advision]], London
| genre      = *[[Psychedelic rock]]
*[[psychedelic music|psychedelia]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-whos-50-greatest-songs-81794/magic-bus-non-album-single-1968-23363/|title=The Who's 50 Greatest Songs|first1=David|last1=Browne|first2=David|last2=Frickle|first3=Jon|last3=Dolan|first4=Kory|last4=Grow|first5=Richard|last5=Gehr|first6=Andy|last6=Greene|first7=Will|last7=Hermes|first8=Angie|last8=Martoccio|date=30 June 2022|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=21 June 2025|quote=The Who’s version was a gem of groove-heavy psychedelia, riding a Bo Diddley beat with a signature clave rhythm played by the band’s road man- ager/sound man Bob “Ben Pump” Pridden}}</ref>
| length     = {{Duration|m=3|s=15}}
| label      = *[[Track Records|Track]] (UK)
*[[Decca Records|Decca]] (US)
| writer     = [[Pete Townshend]]
| producer   = [[Kit Lambert]]
| chronology = The Who UK
| prev_title = [[Dogs (The Who song)|Dogs]]
| prev_year  = 1968
| next_title = [[Pinball Wizard]]
| next_year  = 1969
| misc       = {{Extra chronology
 | artist     = The Who US
 | type       = single
| prev_title = [[Call Me Lightning (song)|Call Me Lightning]]
| prev_year  = 1968
| title = Magic Bus
| year = 1968
| next_title = [[Pinball Wizard]]
| next_year  = 1969
 }}
 {{External music video|header=Official audio|{{YouTube|B3oCB9RdiB4|"Magic Bus"}}}}
}}

"'''Magic Bus'''" is a song recorded by the English [[rock music|rock]] band [[the Who]]. It was written by their guitarist [[Pete Townshend]] during the time that their debut album ''[[My Generation (album)|My Generation]]'' was being recorded in 1965. However, it was not recorded until 1968, when it was released as a single on 27 July 1968 in the United States and Canada, followed by its release in the United Kingdom on 11 October 1968.<ref>{{cite book|author=John Atkins|title=The Who on Record: A Critical History, 1963-1998|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=errwCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA297|date=1 February 2000|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-1-4766-0657-6|page=297}}</ref> It has become one of the band's most popular songs and has been a concert staple, although when released, the record only reached number 26 in the UK and number 25 in the United States.<ref>Who Discography by Ed Hanel, included in booklet to box set ''Thirty Years of Maximum R&B''</ref> The song was included on their 1968 album ''[[Magic Bus: The Who on Tour]]''.

The arrangement for "Magic Bus" uses a [[Latin percussion]] instrument known as [[claves]], which are pairs of small wooden sticks that make a distinctive high pitched clicking noise when struck together. The Who had previously used this same instrument on the song "[[Disguises (The Who song)|Disguises]]", which was recorded in 1966. The song makes use of the [[Bo Diddley beat]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/02/arts/02iht-02diddley.13403665.html|title=Bo Diddley, rock & roll pioneer, dies at 79|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=2 June 2008 |access-date=2013-11-24|last1=Ratliff |first1=Ben }}</ref>

==Background==
The song was not recorded by the Who at the time it was written, but the band's management and music publisher circulated a Townshend demo recording of the song in 1966.  A version was released as a single in the UK in April 1967 by an obscure band called the Pudding, in the UK on [[Decca Records|Decca]] and in the US on [[London Records|London]]'s Press label.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/f12603 |title=The Pudding - The Magic Bus / It's Too Late - Decca - UK - F 12603 |website=45cat.com |access-date=2016-10-02}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|Jbd62ASXN9Y|The Pudding - Magic Bus}}</ref> It was not a hit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.originalsproject.us/ |title=The Originals Project |publisher=Originalsproject.us |access-date=2013-11-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thewho.net/linernotes/MBBB.htm |title=The Hypertext Who › Liner Notes › Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy |publisher=Thewho.net |access-date=2013-11-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234615/http://www.thewho.net/linernotes/MBBB.htm |archive-date=2013-12-02 }}</ref>  ''[[Cash Box]]'' said that it has "a rhythmic reminiscence of '[[Bo Diddley (Bo Diddley song)|Bo Diddley]].'"<ref>{{cite magazine |title=CashBox Record Reviews |date=July 27, 1968 |page=32 |access-date=2022-01-12 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1968/CB-1968-07-27.pdf |magazine=[[Cash Box]]}}</ref> ''[[Record World]]'' described it as an "intriguing ditty" with a "hypnotic lyric and melody."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Single Picks of the Week|magazine=[[Record World]]|date=June 24, 1967|page=1|accessdate=2023-07-11|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/67/RW-1967-06-17.pdf}}</ref>

The song is usually performed as a duet, where the "Rider", usually singer Roger Daltrey when live, is riding on the bus every day to see his girl. In the song he asks the "Driver", usually Townshend, if he can buy the bus from him, with the driver's initial answer being no. After haggling for a while, the driver finally lets him have it and he vows to drive it to his girlfriend's house every day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Magic-Bus-lyrics-The-Who/B0DC4CA5C08370274825697A000E517B |title=Magic Bus Lyrics - The Who |publisher=Sing365.com |access-date=2013-11-24}}</ref>

Backing vocals were provided by The Who's sound engineer [[Bob Pridden]] and [[Jess Roden]] from [[The Alan Bown Set]], whom Townshend credits with "that [[Steve Winwood]]-type voice".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-06-06 |title=The Hypertext Who › Liner Notes › Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy |url=http://www.thewho.net/linernotes/MBBB.htm |access-date=2023-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606091702/http://www.thewho.net/linernotes/MBBB.htm |archive-date=2011-06-06 }}</ref>

The original LP and cassette of the ''[[Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy]]'' compilation album featured a 4:28 longer alternate vocal take of "Magic Bus" in [[duophonic|fake stereo]] which was not included on the original [[compact disc]] version because the true stereo or mono source could not be found for the long version of the song.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/release/3806224 |title=The Who - Magic Bus (CD, Album) at Discogs |website=Discogs.com |access-date=2016-10-02}}</ref> However, on 25 July 2007, [[Universal Japan]] re-released the album in a mini-LP sleeve that includes the long alternate version of "Magic Bus" in fake stereo, as on the original album. This longer mix features an alternate vocal track, an extended middle section, and does not fade out at the end. (The original single length version did appear in true stereo only on the US "Magic Bus" LP.)

The song appeared in the band's 1979 film ''[[The Kids Are Alright (1979 film)|The Kids Are Alright]]'' taken from the 1968 single performance. It was subsequently released on ''[[The Kids Are Alright (soundtrack)|The Kids Are Alright]]'' film soundtrack. That version is the mono single version, but slowed down, resulting in the song being a semi-tone lower in pitch and slightly longer at 3:21. The Polydor CD Remaster of ''The Kids Are Alright'', issued in 2000, mistakenly states "Remixed stereo version", and should state "Remixed mono version". The 2014 compilation ''[[The Who Hits 50! (album)|The Who Hits 50!]]'' features the alternate vocal long version at 4:34 in mono.

==Live performances and other uses==
"Magic Bus" was first performed during the Who's [[The Who Tour 1968|1968 tour]] and was part of the regular set from [[The Who Tour 1971|1971]] to [[The Who Tour 1976|1976]] (it was performed frequently in early-mid [[The Who Tour 1969|1969]] and less often in [[The Who Tour 1970|1970]]). It has been played less frequently since Keith Moon's death in 1978, but it was frequently used as the closing song on the 2015-2016 ''[[The Who Hits 50!]]'' tour. When played live, the song typically featured a lengthy instrumental jam, with some performances lasting over 15 minutes.

A notable performance can be heard on the album ''[[Live at Leeds]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thewho.net/linernotes/LiveAtLeeds.htm |title=The Hypertext Who › Liner Notes › Live at Leeds |publisher=Thewho.net |access-date=2013-11-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927001939/http://www.thewho.net/linernotes/LiveAtLeeds.htm |archive-date=2011-09-27 }}</ref> This version stretches out to nearly eight minutes, with [[Roger Daltrey]] joining the jam playing harmonica. This recording was used during the musical montage sequence in the final act of [[Martin Scorsese]]'s film ''[[Goodfellas]]'' as well as the opening sequence of [[Cameron Crowe]]'s ''[[Jerry Maguire]]''. Another notable performance of the song took place at ''[[The Vegas Job]]'' concert in 1999. The rhythm and beat of the song was significantly altered to a slower groove, and Townshend and Daltrey ad libbed a few verses. The harmonica jam returned again, and the song stretched out to nearly ten minutes. Another notable performance (recorded on 27 November 2000) appears on ''[[Live at the Royal Albert Hall (The Who album)|Live at the Royal Albert Hall]]'', which morphs into a cover of "Country Line Special."

On the ''[[Thirty Years of Maximum R&B Live]]'' DVD, [[John Entwistle]] cited "Magic Bus" as his least favourite song to play, due to his bass part consisting almost entirely of the same note played repeatedly. Conversely, on the same release, Pete Townshend cited "Magic Bus" as his favourite song to play, "because of the rhythm."

The band claimed on several occasions during their [[The Who Tour 2008-2009|2009]] tour of Australia and Japan that they were unable to play the song, with Townshend stating, "We can't play Magic Bus right now.... But if you shout loud enough... We definitely won't play it."{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

In 1985, [[Alvin and the Chipmunks]] covered the song for [[Alvin and the Chipmunks (1983 TV series)|their TV series]] episode "The Prize Isn't Right".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o__FCTPDX4 |title=YouTube |website=[[YouTube]] |access-date=2016-11-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423050204/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o__FCTPDX4 |archive-date=2016-04-23 }}</ref>

Jazz musician [[Billy Iuso]] covered "Magic Bus" on his 2011 album ''Trippin'''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Billy Iuso, Trippin' (Independent) |url=https://www.offbeat.com/music/billy-iuso-trippin-independent/ |access-date=2021-02-17 |website=OffBeat Magazine |date=August 2011 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Billy Iuso {{!}} Album Discography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/billy-iuso-mn0000875198/discography |access-date=2021-02-17 |website=[[AllMusic]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1968)
!Peak<br />position
|-
|Canada [[RPM (magazine)|''RPM'']] Top Singles<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.5854&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=9ks7715shg9a04rf8qb1givb80 |title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |access-date=2016-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312164632/https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.5854&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=9ks7715shg9a04rf8qb1givb80 |archive-date=2016-03-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|6
|-
|New Zealand (''Listener'')<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qsongid=1726#n_view_location |title=flavour of new zealand - search listener |website=Flavourofnz.co.nz |access-date=2016-10-02 |archive-date=2021-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726190800/http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qsongid=1726#n_view_location |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|13
|-
|UK Singles
| style="text-align:center;"|26
|-
|US ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]]
| style="text-align:center;"|25
|-
|US ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]'' Top 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/60s_files/19680928.html |title=Top 100 1968-09-28 |work=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox Magazine]] |access-date=2015-07-10 }}</ref> 
| style="text-align:center;"|10
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1968)
!Rank
|-
|Canada<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.5873&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=9ks7715shg9a04rf8qb1givb80 |title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |access-date=2016-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711070149/https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.5873&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=9ks7715shg9a04rf8qb1givb80 |archive-date=2015-07-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|75
|-
|US ''Cash Box''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/60s_files/1968YESP.html |title=Top 100 Year End Charts: 1968 |work=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox Magazine]] |access-date=2016-05-24 |archive-date=2012-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814104559/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/60s_files/1968YESP.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|84
|}
{{col-end}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{The Who singles}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:The Who songs]]
[[Category:1968 singles]]
[[Category:Songs written by Pete Townshend]]
[[Category:Songs about buses]]
[[Category:Track Records singles]]
[[Category:Decca Records singles]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Kit Lambert]]
[[Category:1968 songs]]