Ever since I was a young boy, I played the silver ball
From Soho down to Brighton, I must have played them all
But I ain't seen nothing like him in any amusement hall
That deaf, dumb, blind boy,
Sure plays a mean pinball.

He stands like a statue, becomes part of the machine.
Feeling all the bumpers, always playing clean.
Plays by intuition, the digit counters fall,
That deaf, dumb, blind boy,
Sure plays a mean pinball.

He's a pinball wizard, there has to be a twist.
A pinball wizard, he's got such a supple wrist.
How do you think he does it? I don't know.
What makes him so good?

Well, he ain't got no distractions,
Can't hear no buzzers and bells.
Don't see lights-a-flashin',
He plays by a sense of smell.
Always has a replay, 'n never tilts at all.
That deaf, dumb, blind boy,
Sure plays a mean pinball.

He can't beat me now, I've always been the champ.
I know every trick, no freak's gonna beat my hand.

Pinball! Let's play!
Pinball! Let's play!
Pinball! Let's play!
Pinball! Let's play!

Even on my usual table, he can beat the best.
His disciples lead him in, and he just does the rest.
He's got crazy flipper fingers, I never seen him fall,
That deaf, dumb, blind boy,
Sure plays a mean pinball.

He's a pinball wizard, there has to be a twist.
A pinball wizard, he's got such a supple wrist.

He's a pinball wizard, his score's a trillion more.
A pinball wizard, the world's new pinball lord.
He's scoring more! He's scoring more!

I thought I was the Bally table king,
But I just handed my pinball crown to him.
To him! To him!


Lyrics submitted by Novartza

Pinball Wizard Lyrics as written by Peter Townshend

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Spirit Music Group, Abkco Music Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Pinball Wizard (The Who cover) song meanings
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15 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment
    Pete Townshend composed a rock opera based on a blind deaf and dumb boy named Tommy who grew up to be a Pinball Wizard, and beat the original Pinball Wizard (played by elton in the movie) to gain the title
    lizard_kingon November 04, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I love the Who's "Tommy", and this is my favorite Who song. Now, that said, I love the Elton John cover version, and I might even prefer. There's just more liveliness to his piano playing and signing...and he's certainly a more talented vocalist. But again, the Who did it very well, and both versions should be treated like two different songs, because the elements are different. I've heard a few live Elton John performances, and they've all been pretty good, and the version from the film is my favorite. Best scene in the film in my opinion.
    skrouseon May 06, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Elton John does song this song in the "Tommy" soundtrack guy!
    matt177on October 21, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    IM A RETARD
    Olexon December 18, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Loved this song in Tommy.
    suchaheroon June 26, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    The line is actually "Always gets a replay, never tilts at all"
    freethegoldfishon September 09, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    i h8 this cover
    lambretta006on February 18, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    hey free the gold fish let me enlighten you every lyrics website puts that line as "Always gets a replay, never tilts at all" but it really is on the relleased record version "Always gets a replay, never seen him fall" on the live version it is what you thought though
    lambretta006on February 19, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Odly enough lamb, Townshend himself loves this cover and has mentioned that he almost wishes he had invited EJ to the band earlier.
    EveryMnon February 24, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    relly i didnt know that im a huge the who fan dnt get me wrong i luv the whos version in fact my band do a cover of it, i just dont like mcfly or elton jhons version
    lambretta006on February 25, 2007   Link

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